Low disturbance prefabrication approaches for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings (Built4People Partnership)

The EU grant opportunity HORIZON-CL5 focuses on developing low disturbance prefabrication approaches for the deep renovation of multi-storey buildings, specifically targeting structures over five stories. This initiative falls under the Horizon Europe program and is part of the Built4People Partnership aimed at fostering sustainable practices in the built environment. The call is structured as a Horizon Innovation Action, with a total budget of €28 million allocated for this topic. Four grants are expected to be awarded, with individual contributions of up to €7 million each. The applications will be accepted in a single-stage submission process opening on May 5, 2026, and closing on September 15, 2026. Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities established in EU Member States or Associated Countries. This encompasses a range of participants including universities, research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, and non-profit organizations. However, entities based in China are explicitly ineligible. Projects must include consortia of partners from different Member States or Associated Countries and demonstrate prefabrication solutions tailored to multi-storey buildings in at least three locations. The primary focus is on advancing the built environment and construction sectors, particularly through energy-efficient renovations that meet nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standards. The projects should aim to minimize disruption to occupants and construction sites, reducing costs, construction time, and environmental impacts while applying circular economy principles. While specific success rates are not detailed, typical rates for similar Horizon Europe calls range from 10% to 39%. Co-funding is not mandated, although leveraging additional funding sources is encouraged. The opportunity entails a robust evaluation phase, with results expected within five months of the submission deadline. In summary, this funding initiative seeks to catalyze innovation in the renovation of multi-storey buildings by supporting projects that can deliver effective and low-disruption solutions, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and collaboration within the Built4People framework.

This is a summary of several Horizon Europe funding opportunities related to climate, energy, and mobility, specifically focusing on energy-efficient building renovation. The opportunities are part of the HORIZON-CL5-2026-09 call, which falls under the broader Horizon Europe program. The central theme revolves around developing and demonstrating innovative, cost-effective, and low-disturbance approaches for deep renovation of multi-story buildings to near-zero energy building (NZEB) performance levels.

The overarching goal is to meet Europe's ambition for a significantly renovated housing stock by improving energy performance, occupant satisfaction, and minimizing the disruption caused by renovation work. The projects are expected to contribute to the objectives of the 'People-centric sustainable built environment' (Built4People) partnership.

Key aspects of the funding opportunities include:

1. Focus on Deep Renovation:Projects should aim for deep renovation, achieving at least NZEB performance levels in multi-story buildings (greater than 5 stories).

2. Prefabricated Solutions:The use of adaptable prefabricated solutions is essential. These solutions should integrate seamlessly into existing building elements, accommodating various wall materials, balconies, overhangs, and existing piping.

3. Minimizing Disturbance:A core requirement is to minimize disturbance to building occupants. This includes reducing on-site construction time, minimizing building unavailability, and limiting the impact on occupant comfort during renovation.

4. Demonstration in Multiple Locations:The proposed renovation approaches must be demonstrated on at least three multi-story buildings located in different Member States or Associated Countries. These buildings should represent different categories (residential or non-residential).

5. Contribution to Built4People Partnership:Projects are expected to contribute to the objectives of the Built4People partnership, transfer knowledge to its innovation clusters, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs).

6. Impacts and Outcomes:The expected outcomes include measurable reductions in renovation costs, increased resource and energy efficiency, reduced disturbance to occupants, and decreased pollution and emissions from construction sites. The broader impacts aim for a highly energy-efficient and climate-neutral European building stock and improved energy efficiency in EU energy-intensive industries.

7. Restrictions on Chinese Participation:Legal entities established in China are ineligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) under this destination.

8. General Conditions:The general conditions for participation, including admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, evaluation, and legal and financial setup, are aligned with the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

9. Funding Mechanism:Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the relevant Horizon Europe program decisions.

10. Application and Evaluation:Standard application and evaluation forms will be used, with guidance provided by the HE Programme Guide and Model Grant Agreements (MGA).

11. Budget Overview:The total budget allocated to these topics for the year 2026 is substantial, with individual topics ranging from approximately €9.4 million to €93 million. The indicative number of grants per topic varies.

12. Important Dates:The planned opening date for submissions is May 5, 2026, and the deadline for submissions is September 15, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

13. Support and Guidance:A range of support services are available, including an Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC/ETSI Research Helpdesks.

The specific funding opportunities listed are:

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01:HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of €28,300,000 and an indicative number of 4 grants.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04:HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of €9,400,000 and an indicative number of 1 grant.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D3-03:HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of €93,000,000 and an indicative number of 1 grant.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01:HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of €15,750,000 and an indicative number of 3 grants.

* HORIZON-CL5:HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of €28,000,000 and an indicative number of 4 grants.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03:HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of €15,750,000 and an indicative number of 3 grants.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-04:HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of €15,000,000 and an indicative number of 3 grants.

* HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-08:HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of €18,000,000 and an indicative number of 2 grants.

In essence, this funding opportunity aims to drive innovation in building renovation by supporting projects that can demonstrate practical, cost-effective, and minimally disruptive methods for upgrading multi-story buildings to high energy-efficiency standards. It emphasizes the use of prefabricated solutions and collaboration within the Built4People partnership to achieve significant improvements in the European building stock.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, they can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. Legal entities from non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible under specific provisions. However, legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the Type of MGA (Model Grant Agreement) being "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]". The call includes both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA).

Consortium Requirement:The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and the need to demonstrate approaches in multiple locations (three multi-storey buildings in different Member States or Associated Countries), a consortium is highly probable, if not explicitly required. Partner search announcements are available, suggesting that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector:The target sector is buildings and construction, specifically focusing on the energy-efficient renovation of multi-storey buildings. It also touches upon energy, climate, and industry, aiming for a green and digital transition. The program targets the energy demand side, notably a more efficient use of energy in buildings and industry.

Mentioned Countries:China is explicitly mentioned as legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. Other countries are not specifically named, but EU Member States and Associated Countries are eligible.

Project Stage:The project stage is demonstration and innovation. Proposals are expected to demonstrate cost-effective approaches for deep renovation to at least NZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings) performance levels. This suggests projects should be at the validation and demonstration stage, possibly moving towards commercialization.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from €9.4 million to €93 million. The indicative number of grants also varies, suggesting different scales of projects.

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01:€28,300,000 (around €7,100,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04:€9,400,000 (around €9,400,000 per grant, 1 grant)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D3-03:€93,000,000 (around €93,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01:€15,750,000 (around €5,250,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-CL5:€28,000,000 (around €7,000,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03:€15,750,000 (around €5,250,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-04:€15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-08:€18,000,000 (around €9,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)

Application Type:The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates:The success rates cannot be determined exactly from the provided text, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight. For example, a topic with a budget of €28.3 million and an indicative number of 4 grants suggests a higher success rate than a topic with €93 million and only 1 grant.

Co-funding Requirement:The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, Horizon Europe projects often encourage or require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the specific call conditions.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, part of the BATTERIES and ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09) program, focuses on "Low disturbance prefabrication approaches for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings (Built4People Partnership)". It aims to meet Europe’s ambition for a more energy-efficient housing stock by funding innovation actions that demonstrate cost-effective, prefabricated solutions for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings (over 5 stories) in different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The goal is to improve energy performance, reduce costs, minimize disturbance to occupants, and decrease environmental impact during renovation. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and projects are expected to contribute to the objectives of the Built4People partnership. Legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries are eligible, except for legal entities established in China, which are not eligible for this specific destination. The call follows a single-stage submission process with a planned opening date of May 5, 2026, and a deadline of September 15, 2026.