Producing battery-grade materials for electrodes through sustainable processing and refining of raw materials or developing bio-based materials (BATT4...

This document outlines a Horizon Europe grant opportunity identified as HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01, which focuses on producing battery-grade materials for electrodes through sustainable processing and refining of raw materials or the development of bio-based materials. The funding is part of the Batt4EU Partnership, aimed at enhancing the European battery value chain.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, companies (including SMEs and large enterprises), and non-profit organizations based in EU Member States or other Horizon Europe-associated countries. Notably, entities established in China are expressly excluded from participation. The funding type is categorized as a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, which simplifies the cost reimbursement process by using fixed amounts instead of actual incurred costs.

The program anticipates funding a total of approximately €28.3 million across four grants, with each grant amounting to €7.1 million. The application process is structured as a single-stage procedure, with a planned submission opening on May 5, 2026, and a deadline set for September 15, 2026. Projects are expected to span research, development, and validation phases, emphasizing innovative practices that reduce dependency on imported battery-grade materials while promoting environmental sustainability.

Proposals should address either the sustainable processing and refining of battery-grade materials or the use of bio-based materials for electrodes. The first category focuses on developing environmentally friendly technologies aimed at reducing carbon footprints and establishing economically viable processes. The second category emphasizes creating alternative carbonous materials for battery production from bio-based European feedstocks.

The overarching goal of this initiative aligns with the EU’s strategic priorities for green transition, aiming to foster a clean and sustainable energy sector. While the specifics of co-funding requirements are not delineated, grants typically cover 100% of eligible costs. The opportunity encourages synergies across the battery value chain, promoting collaboration and innovative solutions to align with the European Clean Energy objectives.

Success rates are not explicitly provided but are generally competitive within Horizon Europe calls. The opportunity emphasizes the importance of collaborations that enhance project outcomes and encourages participants to report their findings to support the Batt4EU Partnership.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01, focused on producing battery-grade materials for electrodes through sustainable processing and refining of raw materials or developing bio-based materials under the BATT4EU Partnership. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call is forthcoming with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 05 May 2026, and the deadline date is 15 September 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The budget for this specific topic is 28,300,000 EUR in 2026, and it is expected to fund around 4 grants with contributions around 7,100,000 EUR each.

The expected outcome of proposals is to significantly reduce the EU's dependency on imported battery-grade raw materials, specifically emerging technologies and carbon-based electrode materials, and to establish European value chains for next-generation battery materials, enhancing the EU's technological leadership and strategic autonomy.

The scope of the proposals should address all aspects for one of the following categories:

1. Sustainable Processing and Refining of next generation batteries-grade Material, delivering all of the following:
Development and validation of innovative, environmentally friendly refining technologies for producing battery-grade metals and materials suitable for next-generation battery chemistries. This covers raw and advanced electrode materials for the components of sodium-ion batteries or beyond generation 3 lithium-ion batteries.
Development of processes achieving significant reductions in carbon and ecological footprint, emissions of pollutants, energy usage, and chemical inputs. The selected processes should not negatively impact any of the aspects above or cause significant harm.
Validation of economic viability, environmental sustainability, and technological robustness of the proposed refining and processing solutions.

2. Utilising Bio-based Raw Materials for Battery Electrode Materials delivering on all of the following:
Development of synthetic graphite and/or alternative carbonous materials for battery components derived from bio-based European feedstocks (e.g., biomass, agricultural and forestry residues, lignocellulosic materials). Inactive components such as binders may also be included.
Comprehensive characterization and validation of developed electrode materials in sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery cells, demonstrating comparable or superior performance to conventional graphite electrodes, specifically targeting cycle stability, energy density, and charge/discharge rates.
Demonstration of credible pathways for pilot-scale production pathways for bio-based electrode materials including a clear techno-economic analysis and LCA/LCC impact assessment.

The Commission initiative for Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) sets a framework for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials which should be considered as a reference for project proposals. This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU). Projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.

This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’ and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’. The overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the “Facilitating a clean and sustainable transition of the energy and transport sectors towards climate neutrality through cross-cutting solutions”. The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are: Increased competitiveness and strategic autonomy of a complete EU value chain while maximizing sustainability, reducing dependency on raw materials and upscaling processing capacity, also for recycled materials, creating an integrated European battery sector for next generation batteries, from design to manufacturing and all the way to end of life, reducing environmental impact, and improving energy storage technologies to enhance the resilience of EU’s energy system, facilitating integration of renewable energy sources. 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.

General conditions include admissibility conditions regarding proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, other eligible conditions, financial and operational capacity and exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, and legal and financial set-up of the grants.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information is available, including standard application and evaluation forms, the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, detailed budget table, and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

There are partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header. General FAQs and support are available, including the 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, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and Partner Search.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to fund research and innovation projects that will enhance the sustainability and strategic autonomy of the EU battery value chain. It focuses on developing advanced materials and processing techniques for next-generation batteries, either through sustainable refining of raw materials or by utilizing bio-based resources. The call aims to reduce the EU's reliance on imported materials, minimize the environmental impact of battery production, and establish a competitive European battery sector. Projects can focus on either sustainable processing and refining of battery-grade materials or the utilization of bio-based raw materials for electrode materials, with specific requirements for each category. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and successful projects will be expected to contribute to the goals of the Batt4EU Partnership.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The mention of Enterprise Europe Network suggests that SMEs are particularly encouraged.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is 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]".

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the presence of a "Partner Search" function suggests that collaborative projects involving multiple partners are encouraged, and the nature of RIAs and IAs often necessitates a consortium approach.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to "Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes" and the mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries." The Horizon Europe Programme Guide provides further details on specific eligibility criteria for non-EU countries.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is energy, specifically related to batteries and energy storage. The specific focus is on producing battery-grade materials for electrodes through sustainable processing and refining of raw materials or developing bio-based materials, aligning with the BATT4EU Partnership. This includes areas like advanced materials, cleantech, and innovation in battery technology.

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. The EU and associated countries are implicitly mentioned as eligible regions.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific action type. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) typically support activities ranging from research to technology development and validation. Innovation Actions (IA) focus on demonstration, piloting, and market uptake activities. Therefore, projects can range from development to demonstration and validation stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic, as detailed in the "Budget overview." For the listed topics, the indicative funding ranges are:
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01: approximately €7,100,000 (4 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04: approximately €9,400,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D3-03: approximately €93,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01: approximately €5,250,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-02: approximately €7,000,000 (4 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03: approximately €5,250,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-04: approximately €5,000,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-08: approximately €9,000,000 (2 grants)

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process, as indicated by "Deadline model: single-stage" and the planned opening and deadline dates.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant, as indicated by the "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" MGA type.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage, meaning applicants submit a full proposal by the deadline, which is then evaluated.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned. However, the "Indicative number of grants" provides some insight into the number of projects expected to be funded per topic, which, combined with the overall budget, can give an approximate idea of the potential success rate.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe grants often require beneficiaries to cover a portion of the project costs, although this is not always the case for RIAs. The specific details would be outlined in the call documents and the Model Grant Agreement.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call, part of the BATTERIES and ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09) program, aims to foster research and innovation in the production of battery-grade materials for electrodes. The call is structured around two main categories: sustainable processing and refining of next-generation battery materials and the utilization of bio-based raw materials for battery electrode materials. The goal is to reduce EU dependency on imported raw materials, establish European value chains, and enhance the EU's technological leadership in battery technology. The call is open to a variety of eligible entities, including universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, primarily from the EU and associated countries. Funding is provided as lump-sum grants, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. Projects should align with the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations, contributing to the green and digital transitions and a more resilient, competitive, inclusive, and democratic Europe. 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. The call supports activities ranging from research and development to demonstration and validation, with the ultimate aim of facilitating a clean and sustainable transition of the energy and transport sectors towards climate neutrality.