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

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49 aims to enhance the valorization and commercialization of research and innovation results generated within the EU’s Horizon programs. Specifically, it provides funding for “Proof of Market” initiatives to small consortia that include startups, spin-offs, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The funding is targeted at projects that explore the market potential of innovations developed under previous Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 projects, particularly those related to Cluster 4, which encompasses Digital, Industry, and Space sectors.

The grant is structured as a single-stage process, with a total budget of €5,000,000 set to support approximately 25 projects. Each project can receive around €200,000. The application period opens on September 22, 2026, and closes on February 2, 2027. Eligible applicants must demonstrate ownership or access to relevant knowledge assets, particularly intellectual property rights (IPR), from previous funded projects. The goal is to assist these consortia in carrying out various market-focused activities such as technology testing, commercial process identification, market analysis, regulatory compliance, and user validation.

Geographically, the program is open to entities located in EU countries and associated countries, with a clear exclusion for organizations controlled by Chinese legal entities, reflecting strategic goals for European autonomy in critical technology fields. While there is no explicit co-funding requirement outlined, successful applicants may need to demonstrate their financial and operational capacity.

The proposals should highlight a clear path to market and necessitate involvement from a business partner to enhance the credibility of the market strategy proposed. This initiative is strategically aligned with the European Union's focus on the green and digital transitions, aiming to foster a competitive and innovative European industrial base.

The overall goal is to create a bridge between research outcomes and practical market applications, thus enhancing the competitiveness of European industries and ensuring the effective exploitation of publicly funded research innovations.

This EU funding opportunity aims to improve the translation of knowledge generated by the Framework Programme into valuable innovations. It provides financial support, specifically 'Proof of Market' funding, to small consortia, including spin-offs, startups, and SMEs. The goal is to explore the exploitation potential within the EU of results achieved 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 applying for this funding do not necessarily need to be composed of former or current beneficiaries of the original projects. However, they must own or have access to the knowledge assets of those projects, including any relevant intellectual property.

The proposals submitted should focus on valorization activities. These activities can include demonstrating a technology through testing, defining a commercialization process, undertaking market and competitiveness analysis, conducting technology assessments and certifications, verifying innovation potential, assessing potential end-users, testing and piloting with users or potential customers, ensuring regulatory compliance and adherence to standards, and consolidating intellectual property rights.

The proposals must address results that have been achieved from ongoing or completed Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) that were directly funded under Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space' or its predecessor activities under LEIT within Horizon 2020.

Applicants can be either the original owners of the achieved results from the previous projects or entirely new participants. Each proposal must include at least one of the following elements: confirmation that at least one applicant in the current proposal owns or holds the relevant knowledge assets, including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and has the necessary rights to commercialize the results for the entire duration of the proposed project. Alternatively, a commitment letter from the owner(s) of the relevant result(s) is acceptable, confirming their 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 needs to clearly specify the grant number and acronym of the project(s) that generated the results being valorized. Furthermore, proposals should present a clear vision of the intended pathway to market, and the participation of a business partner should be planned.

The relevant technology areas include Information and communication technologies, Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing, Biotechnology and Space.

This funding opportunity falls under the destination of achieving technological leadership for Europe’s open strategic autonomy in raw materials, chemicals, and innovative materials (2026-27). This destination aims to unite research and innovation efforts to foster a globally competitive European industry through the dual green and digital transition, as well as ensuring the availability, development, use, reuse, and proper disposal of chemicals, advanced materials, and critical raw materials.

Several initiatives are linked to this destination, including the Clean Industrial Deal, the Critical Raw Materials Act, the Advanced Materials Communication and future Advanced Materials Act, the Future Circular Economy Act, the Steel and Metals Action Plan, the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, the Industrial action plan for the European automotive sector, and the Strategy on research and technology infrastructures.

The Work Programme adopts an integrated approach to translate policy priorities into actions, integrate inputs from partnerships, and achieve synergies. This approach considers R&I investments from previous work programmes and seeks to create more synergies with other pillars, such as the European Innovation Council under Pillar III, and Cluster 5. The topics in this Work Programme combine priorities from different partnerships to enable synergies, while also addressing the specific needs of each partnership. The development of new and cross-cutting technologies is expected to transform existing value chains and create new ones.

Cluster 4 also participates in a horizontal Clean Industrial Deal Call, which aims to increase the competitiveness and decarbonization of industry. This initiative will allow Horizon Europe beneficiaries to contribute to the EU deployment pipeline with R&I solutions that are close to market uptake and deployment, while also supporting the development of industry-led demonstrators designed for higher market readiness by 2035.

In addition to decarbonization, manufacturing and energy-intensive industries are encouraged to embrace the circular economy as a key element in their value chains. This includes focusing on resource efficiency in terms of materials, energy, and water, as well as upcycling secondary raw materials and waste, de- and re-manufacturing, and developing sustainable and resource-efficient industrial processes.

The Work Programme promotes the application of the Safe and Sustainable by Design approach, which involves considering the impacts of innovation design choices on health, environment, climate, and other sustainability parameters early in the process.

Projects contributing to the development of safe and sustainable products should consider safety concerns for consumers and organizational health and safety aspects for industrial workers.

Consortia selected for funding may be asked to cooperate with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to inform future EU technology and innovation policies.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) under this destination.

The proposal page limits and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and 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. Specific provisions may be available for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Entities established in eligible countries but controlled by China or Chinese legal entities are not eligible to participate.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

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.

The legal and financial setup of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the end of the action, as set out in Annex 5.

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

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

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, the HE Programme Guide, the HE Framework Programme 2021/695, the HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, decisions authorizing the use of lump sum contributions, rules for legal entity validation, and the EU Grants AGA.

The submission system is planned to open on 22 September 2026, and the deadline for submissions is 02 February 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The budget overview for the call includes several topics:

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02: Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 36,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 6,000,000 to EUR 8,000,000, and an indicative number of 6 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 36,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 6,500,000, and an indicative number of 6 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06: Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 36,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 6,500,000, and an indicative number of 7 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08: Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 16,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000, and an indicative number of 3 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16: Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 49,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 10,000,000 to EUR 12,500,000, and an indicative number of 4 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of EUR 3,000,000, contributions around EUR 3,000,000, and an indicative number of 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22: Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 36,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 6,000,000 to EUR 7,500,000, and an indicative number of 6 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of EUR 2,000,000, contributions around EUR 1,000,000, and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47: Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of EUR 5,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 2,500,000, and an indicative number of 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49: Innovation Actions with a budget of EUR 5,000,000, contributions around EUR 2,000,000, and an indicative number of 25 grants.

This funding opportunity is designed to bridge the gap between research and market application by providing targeted financial support to small consortia focused on commercializing promising innovations from EU-funded projects. It encourages startups and SMEs to take the lead in valorizing research results, contributing to a more competitive and innovative European industry. The emphasis on green and digital transitions, circular economy principles, and safe and sustainable design further aligns the projects with key EU policy objectives.

Eligible Applicant Types: spin-offs, startups, SMEs, consortia.

Funding Type: grant.

Consortium Requirement: consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU.

Target Sector: Digital, Industry, Space, Information and communication technologies, Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing, Biotechnology. Thematic sectors include: raw materials, chemicals, innovative materials, green transition, digital transition, circular economy, decarbonisation, resource efficiency, upcycling, waste, de-manufacturing, re-manufacturing, sustainable industrial processes, health, environment, climate, sustainability, technology infrastructures, valorisation of knowledge.

Mentioned Countries: China, EU.

Project Stage: demonstration, commercialization.

Funding Amount: under €50k, €50k–€200k, €200k–€1M, €1M–€5M, over €5M, variable. Specifically, for HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02, the contribution is between 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR and 6 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03, the contribution is between 5,000,000 to 6,500,000 EUR and 6 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06, the contribution is between 5,000,000 to 6,500,000 EUR and 7 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08, the contribution is between 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR and 3 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16, the contribution is between 10,000,000 to 12,500,000 EUR and 4 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17, the contribution is around 3,000,000 EUR and 1 grant is expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22, the contribution is between 6,000,000 to 7,500,000 EUR and 6 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42, the contribution is around 1,000,000 EUR and 2 grants are expected. For HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47, the contribution is between 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 EUR and 2 grants are expected and for HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49, the contribution is around 2,000,000 EUR and 25 grants are expected.

Application Type: open call.

Nature of Support: money.

Application Stages: 1.

Success Rates: other.

Co-funding Requirement: other.

This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49, aims to improve the valorisation and commercialisation of research and innovation results generated from Horizon 2020's Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space' and its predecessor activities. The funding is specifically targeted towards small consortia, including spin-offs, startups, and SMEs, to explore the exploitation potential of these achieved results within the EU. The consortia applying for this funding do not necessarily need to be former or current beneficiaries of Horizon 2020 projects, but they must own or have access to the knowledge assets, including intellectual property, from those projects. The proposals should focus on valorisation activities such as demonstrating technologies, defining commercialisation processes, conducting market analysis, technology assessments, verifying innovation potential, assessing end-users, testing and piloting with users, complying with regulations, and consolidating IP rights. The proposals should address results from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) funded under Cluster 4 or its predecessor activities. Applicants can be owners of the results or new participants, but they must include confirmation of ownership or a commitment letter for access to the relevant knowledge assets. The proposals should clearly outline the pathway to market and involve a business partner. The funding falls under the broader destination of achieving technological leadership for Europe’s open strategic autonomy in raw materials, chemicals, and innovative materials, aligning with the EU's goals for green and digital transition, circular economy, and industrial competitiveness. The call is a single-stage application process with a planned opening date of 22 September 2026 and a deadline of 02 February 2027. The funding type is a Horizon Innovation Action grant, with approximately 5,000,000 EUR allocated and an indicative number of 25 grants to be awarded. 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.