‘Proof of market’ to improve valorisation and commercialisation of Horizon generated R&I results (IA)

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48 is part of the European Commission's initiative aimed at enhancing the valorization and commercialization of research and innovation results generated through Horizon Europe projects. The program seeks to support small consortia composed of spin-offs, startups, and SMEs with a total budget of €5 million, targeting around 25 projects with individual funding of approximately €200,000.

Eligible applicants must represent small consortia and possess or have access to relevant knowledge assets and intellectual property from prior Horizon projects, particularly within the Digital, Industry, and Space cluster or its predecessor programs. The financial support is categorized as a grant designed for 'Proof of market' activities, allowing beneficiaries to explore market potential and engage in validation and demonstration projects.

The call opens on January 6, 2026, and closes on April 21, 2026, following a single-stage submission process. It emphasizes the necessity for diverse expertise within the consortium, encouraging partnerships that combine technical and business acumen to enhance commercialization prospects. Proposals should detail activities like technology demonstration, market analysis, and pilot testing, ensuring a credible pathway to market.

Geographically, the opportunity is open to entities based in EU Member States, EEA countries, and Switzerland, with restrictions on entities controlled by non-eligible countries, notably China. While there is no explicit co-funding requirement, participants are encouraged to include business partners to strengthen their proposals.

Overall, the initiative addresses the critical challenge of transitioning research outputs into commercially viable innovations, fostering competitiveness and economic impact within the EU market. This represents a strategic effort to maximize the returns on public investment in research by facilitating the commercialization of innovative technologies through targeted funding and support for small businesses.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call under the INDUSTRY (HORIZON-CL4-2026-01) program, specifically targeting ‘Proof of market’ to improve valorisation and commercialisation of Horizon generated R&I results (IA). The call is for HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions, utilizing a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. It is a forthcoming, single-stage deadline model with a planned opening date of 06 January 2026 and a deadline of 21 April 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes are to explore the commercial potential of Horizon research results, valorise results of Horizon projects by ensuring a pathway to commercialisation, and involve startups and SMEs in valorisation.

The scope of this action is to provide financial support (‘Proof of market’) to small consortia (i.e. spin-offs, startups, SMEs) to explore the exploitation potential, in the EU, of achieved results from ongoing or completed projects funded under Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ or its predecessor activities under the Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT) part of Horizon 2020. The consortia do not necessarily have to be made of former or current beneficiaries but should own or have access to the knowledge assets of projects, including intellectual property, where relevant.

Proposals should envisage valorisation activities, such as: demonstrating a technology (e.g. testing); defining a commercialisation process; undertaking a market and competitiveness analysis; a technology assessment and/or certification; a verification of innovation potential; assessing potential “end users” of the expected innovation; testing, piloting with users or potential customers; complying with regulatory compliance and standards; and consolidating IP rights.

Proposals should address achieved results from ongoing or completed Research and Innovation Actions and Innovation Actions (RIA/IA) funded directly under the work programmes of Horizon Europe Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ or its predecessor activities under the Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT) part of Horizon 2020.

Applicants can be owners of the achieved results from previous projects or new participants. Proposals should include at least one of the following: Confirmation that at least one of the applicants of the current proposal is the owner or holder of the relevant knowledge assets including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and possesses the necessary rights to commercialise the results for the entire duration of the proposed project, or Commitment letter from the owner(s) of the relevant result(s) confirming the owner(s)’ willingness to negotiate fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory access to the results, including IPR where relevant, for the purpose of future commercial exploitation.

The proposal should specify the grant number and acronym of the project(s) which generated the results. Proposals should present a clear vision of the intended pathway to market. Hence, the participation of a business partner should be envisaged.

The Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT) encompasses: Information and communication technologies, Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing, Biotechnology and Space.

Admissibility conditions are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other eligible conditions include restrictions on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas, where entities established in an eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by China or a legal entity in China are not eligible. This is delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes and described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

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 described 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.

Regarding the legal and financial set-up of the grants, the granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5 and described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information: Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA), will be used with necessary adaptations.

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, Operating Grants MGA, Framework Partnership Agreement FPA, call-specific instructions, Information on financial support to third parties (HE), and Information on clinical studies (HE).

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, 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.

The budget overview for 2026 includes several topics:

HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 38,000,000 EUR, Contributions 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 6. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 64,000,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 9. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 37,000,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 6,500,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 7. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-11 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 18,500,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 3. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-12 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 19,000,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 3. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-13 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 4,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 4,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-14 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 28,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 7,500,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 4. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-23 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 50,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 13,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 4. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-24 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 800,000 EUR, Contributions around 800,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-31 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 43,800,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 7. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-41 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 1,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-44 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 2,500,000 EUR, Contributions around 3,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-45 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 5,000,000 EUR, Contributions 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-46 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 2,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.
HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 5,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 25. Opening date 2026-01-06, Deadline 2026-04-21.

There are partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile.

The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

Applicants should read carefully all provisions before preparing their application. The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance to the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management. The Research Enquiry Service can be used to ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe, including NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). The Enterprise Europe Network can be contacted for advice to businesses with a special focus on SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding. The IT Helpdesk can be contacted for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, and technical aspects of submission of proposals. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on how to tackle standardisation in project proposals. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders of researchers. Partner Search helps find a partner organisation for proposals.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to provide financial support to small consortia, including spin-offs, startups, and SMEs, to explore and exploit the market potential within the EU of research results from Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ and its predecessor activities. The funding supports valorisation activities to translate knowledge into economic and societal value, with a focus on startups and SMEs. Applicants should either own the relevant knowledge assets or have a commitment for access to them and should present a clear vision for the pathway to market, ideally involving a business partner. The call specifies various admissibility and eligibility conditions, evaluation criteria, and provides a range of guidance and support resources for potential applicants. The budget is divided across several topics, each with specific contribution amounts and indicative numbers of grants.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity are small consortia, specifically spin-offs, startups, and SMEs.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically financial support described as "Proof of market".

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required for this opportunity. The text specifies "small consortia" as the target applicant structure.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility for this opportunity is the EU (European Union). The text explicitly states that the exploitation potential should be explored "in the EU".

Target Sector: This program targets multiple sectors, primarily those related to Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ of Horizon Europe. This includes: Information and communication technologies, Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing, Biotechnology, and Space. The call is under the INDUSTRY call of Horizon Europe.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions China as a country that, if exerting control over an entity established in an eligible country, would render that entity ineligible. The primary geographic focus is the EU, as projects must explore exploitation potential within the EU.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity is validation and demonstration, specifically to explore the exploitation potential and demonstrate a technology for commercialization. The projects should address achieved results from ongoing or completed Research and Innovation Actions and Innovation Actions (RIA/IA).

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies depending on the specific topic within the HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD call. The contributions range from around 800,000 EUR to around 13,000,000 EUR. For the specific topic HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48, the contribution is around 2,000,000 EUR.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support their valorisation activities and explore the exploitation potential of their project results.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. However, the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate, which would depend on the number of applications received.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe grant opportunity, under the INDUSTRY (HORIZON-CL4-2026-01) call, aims to boost the commercialization of research and innovation results from projects funded under Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ and its predecessor activities. It provides financial support, a "Proof of market" grant, to small consortia (spin-offs, startups, SMEs) to explore the market potential of their project outcomes within the EU. Eligible applicants should either own the knowledge assets and intellectual property rights or have a commitment letter ensuring access to these assets for commercial exploitation. The program encourages valorisation activities such as technology demonstration, market analysis, technology assessment, user testing, and regulatory compliance. Proposals should present a clear pathway to market and involve a business partner. The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from approximately 800,000 EUR to 13,000,000 EUR, with a single-stage application process. The geographic focus is on the EU, and while non-EU countries may have specific provisions for participation, entities controlled by China face restrictions. This initiative seeks to translate research into tangible economic and societal value by supporting startups and SMEs in bringing innovative technologies to the market. The call HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-48 has a budget of 5,000,000 EUR and expects to fund around 25 projects with a contribution of around 2,000,000 EUR each. The opening date is planned for January 6, 2026, and the deadline for submission is April 21, 2026.