Next generation of renewable energy technologies

The HORIZON-CL5-2026-04-Two-Stage-D3-02 call, known as "Next generation of renewable energy technologies," is part of the Horizon Europe program aimed at fostering breakthrough innovations in renewable energy. Scheduled to open on December 18, 2025, the call allows proposals through a two-stage submission process. The initial deadline for submissions is on March 31, 2026, with a secondary deadline on October 20, 2026.

The total budget allocated for this call is €23.5 million, with expectations to award around six grants, each amounting to roughly €4 million structured as lump sum contributions. The call targets a variety of eligible applicants, including universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, and larger companies from EU member states, associated countries, and certain non-EU countries that meet specific provisions.

Projects funded under this initiative are meant to operate at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 or 5, signifying early-stage research and development aimed at technological feasibility. The scope includes various high-risk technological developments such as catalyst development, renewable energy storage systems, hybrid renewable systems, solar-driven fuels, heating and cooling systems, but excludes hydrogen production through electrolyzers and similar technologies.

Proposals must prioritize establishing minimal environmental impacts, ensuring citizens' trust, and addressing socio-economic and gender factors. The call emphasizes the importance of incorporating expertise from social sciences and humanities to enhance the societal impact of the funded technologies.

In addition to financial support, applicants will receive non-monetary assistance like guidance from National Contact Points, access to partner search tools, and support from European research infrastructures. The funding process encourages multi-partner collaborations to promote knowledge sharing and research excellence across the EU.

Although specific success rates for this call are not stated, historically, Horizon Europe initiatives show varied success rates ranging from 10% to 39%, influenced by competitiveness and proposal volume. Co-funding might be required depending on project circumstances, although explicit terms are not mentioned in the available materials.

Overall, this call seeks to accelerate the transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy in the EU by 2050, supporting innovations that ensure economic viability and gain multi-level policy support. The application process for potential applicants is managed through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which provides detailed guidelines and resources to aid in developing proposals.

The HORIZON-CL5-2026-04-Two-Stage-D3-02 call, titled "Next generation of renewable energy technologies," falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2026-04-Two-Stage) call. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and utilizes the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call employs a two-stage submission process. The planned opening date is December 18, 2025. The deadline for the first stage is March 31, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time, and the deadline for the second stage is October 20, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this call are: Breakthrough and game-changing renewable energy technologies enabling a faster transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions EU economy by 2050; Measures, knowledge, and data demonstrating that the technology has a minimal environmental impact (notably on biodiversity and pollution), has gained citizens’ trust, is economically viable, and benefits from multi-level policy support; Establishing a solid long-term dependable European innovation base.

The scope of the call includes high-risk and high-return technology developments for game-changing renewable energy technologies. Examples of areas that could be covered include: Catalyst development; Renewable energy storage systems; Integration of renewable energy technologies into a single energy generation system; Hybrid renewable energy systems; Heating & cooling systems; Fuels production systems; (Direct) solar fuels and solar-driven chemical processes; Hybrid electricity generation solutions between different renewable energy sources; Direct utilization of renewable energy sources.

The following areas are explicitly excluded from the scope: Hydrogen production through electrolysers; Fuel cells; Basic material research; Batteries.

Proposals are expected to establish the technological feasibility of their concept through a robust research methodology, achieving at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or at most TRL 5. The concept can be based on a new solution or the improvement of an existing high-risk, high-return solution. Technology transfer from sectors other than energy should be considered.

For bioenergy or biofuel concepts, the availability and treatment of biogenic waste resources will be considered from the design stage. Proposals should address lower environmental impact, minimization of impacts on biodiversity and protected species and habitats, reduced pollution, and better resource efficiency (materials, geographical footprints, water, etc.). Identified risks should include mitigation measures.

Proposals should compare the advantages of the proposed technologies with current commercial renewable energy technologies and/or solutions in terms of expected economic performance, environmental impact (notably on biodiversity and pollution), energy security, competitiveness, and industrial independence.

Selected projects are expected to consider the drivers behind social acceptance and trust-building of the technological solution and assess the best way to promote local involvement as part of ensuring a just transition, accounting for gender, cultural, and socio-economic factors. An analysis of policy approaches that are encompassing (policy mixes), adaptive (policy learning), and context-sensitive (working for different places, levels, and/or sectors) should also be performed to support the deployment of the future new technology.

The call requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts and institutions to enhance the societal impact of the research activities.

Proposals are encouraged to consider services offered by European research infrastructures and related projects, particularly RISEnergy.

The admissibility conditions include proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, they must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of July 7, 2021. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1). Evaluation form templates, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA, and CSA Stage 1), will be used with necessary adaptations.

Additional guidance and documents include: HE Programme Guide; Lump Sum MGA; Call-specific instructions; Detailed budget table (HE LS); Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"; HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction; HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility; HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes; HE Framework Programme 2021/695; HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764; EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509; Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions; Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment; EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement; Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual; Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions; Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The total budget for the HORIZON-CL5-2026-04-Two-Stage-D3-02 topic is EUR 23,500,000 for the year 2026. The call is a two-stage process, with the opening date planned for December 18, 2025. The deadline for the first stage is March 31, 2026, and for the second stage, October 20, 2026. The indicative number of grants is around 6, with an average contribution of approximately EUR 4,000,000 per grant.

There are partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header. Applicants are advised to read all provisions carefully before preparing their application. The Online Manual provides guidance on procedures from proposal submission to grant management. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about European research. National Contact Points (NCPs) offer guidance and assistance. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to businesses, especially SMEs. The IT Helpdesk addresses technical aspects of proposal submission. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardisation. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment specify roles and responsibilities. Partner Search tools help find partner organizations.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to fund research and innovation actions focused on developing breakthrough renewable energy technologies. It targets high-risk, high-return projects that can significantly contribute to the EU's net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The call encourages interdisciplinary approaches, technology transfer, and consideration of social and environmental impacts. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the application process involves a two-stage submission. The call aims to foster a strong European innovation base in the renewable energy sector, promoting economic viability, citizen trust, and policy support for new technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The call is open to a variety of applicants as defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, including those from non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific funding provisions. The text does not specify any limitations to the type of applicant.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum contribution. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) used will be a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the partner search announcements and the nature of research and innovation actions suggest that consortia are possible and even encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility focuses on EU and associated countries, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. However, the opportunity also mentions that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is energy, specifically renewable energy technologies. The call aims to foster breakthrough and game-changing technologies that contribute to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions EU economy by 2050. Specific areas include catalyst development, renewable energy storage systems, integration of renewable energy technologies, hybrid renewable energy systems, heating & cooling systems, fuels production systems, direct solar fuels, solar-driven chemical processes, and hybrid electricity generation solutions. It also requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions EU countries, non-EU countries, and associated countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and TRL 5. The project should establish technological feasibility through a robust research methodology.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic is EUR 23,500,000. The indicative number of grants is 6, resulting in an estimated funding of around EUR 4,000,000 per grant.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call. The planned opening date is 18 December 2025. The deadline for the first stage is 31 March 2026, and the deadline for the second stage is 20 October 2026.

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

Application Stages: The application process involves two stages.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL5-2026-04-Two-Stage-D3-02, aims to fund research and innovation actions focused on the next generation of renewable energy technologies. The goal is to support the development of breakthrough technologies that can accelerate the transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy in the EU by 2050. The call is structured as a two-stage process, with the first deadline on March 31, 2026, and the second on October 20, 2026. The total budget is EUR 23.5 million, with approximately EUR 4 million allocated per project, with an indicative number of 6 grants.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities from EU and associated countries, as well as non-EU countries with specific funding arrangements. Projects should target technology developments between TRL 4 and 5, demonstrating technological feasibility through robust research. The scope includes various renewable energy technologies such as catalyst development, energy storage, hybrid systems, solar fuels, and more. However, it excludes areas like hydrogen production through electrolyzers, fuel cells, basic material research, and batteries.

Proposals must address environmental impact, social acceptance, and policy approaches, and should involve expertise from social sciences and humanities. Applicants are encouraged to consider using European research infrastructures and related projects. The funding will be provided as a lump sum, and the application process is managed through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, where detailed guidelines, application forms, and additional documents are available. Partner search tools and support services are also provided to assist applicants in forming consortia and preparing their proposals.