Reliable data and practices to measure and calculate transport emissions in multimodal transport chains

The Horizon Europe program presents a funding opportunity focused on "Reliable data and practices to measure and calculate transport emissions in multimodal transport chains." This initiative is categorized under the Horizon Coordination and Support Actions and offers a lump sum grant of €3.5 million. The call is set to open on 16 September 2025, with a submission deadline of 20 January 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.

The funding aims to enhance the measurement, calculation, and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in transport, supporting EU climate policies and regulations, including the FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation initiatives. The project seeks to fill gaps in emissions accounting, improve the accuracy of emissions information, and establish reliable methodologies for emissions measurement.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, industry stakeholders, and public-private partnerships, ensuring a broad collaboration among relevant entities. The project requires a consortium, highlighting the need for multi-stakeholder involvement, including scientific, policy, and industry representatives. Geographic eligibility primarily covers EU member states and associated countries, with specific provisions for certain non-EU participants.

The scope of the grant encompasses various transport sectors, including maritime, aviation, road, and rail, as well as data and AI technologies for emissions monitoring. Proposals are expected to address complex issues related to measurement standards, such as black carbon emissions and lifecycle emissions associated with transport infrastructure and vehicle manufacturing.

Projects funded under this initiative are expected to develop methodological components that align with existing EU regulations, fostering a comprehensive approach to emissions accounting and promoting the use of low-emission fuels. The application process is streamlined, requiring only a single-stage submission, and success rates are estimated to range from 10% to 39%, typical for Horizon Europe calls.

In conclusion, this grant opportunity not only seeks to address the pressing challenge of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions but also aims to create a structured framework that supports both scientific accuracy and policy alignment, ultimately contributing to the EU's climate goals. With a budget allocation of €3.5 million for this initiative, successful proposals will play a crucial role in advancing methodologies for more effective emission reductions in the transport sector.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a forthcoming funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically the Cluster 5 Call 01-2026 (WP 2025) with topic HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-09: Reliable data and practices to measure and calculate transport emissions in multimodal transport chains. This call seeks to support Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] mechanism. The planned opening date is 16 September 2025, and the deadline for submissions is 20 January 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this topic include providing input for the implementation of existing and forthcoming Union regulatory initiatives related to the measurement, calculation, and reporting of emissions in transport. These initiatives include Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation), and the Commission’s proposal for the Regulation on the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions of transport services (CountEmissions EU). Projects should also develop methodological components to complement the methodology for accounting emissions provided under the Commission’s proposal on CountEmissions EU.

The scope of this funding opportunity focuses on addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport, which represent approximately 25% of total man-made GHG emissions and continue to increase. The aim is to improve the accuracy and reliability of information on emissions to enhance the effectiveness of emission reduction measures. This builds upon progress made through regulatory initiatives, EU research projects, standardisation work, regular updates of the Handbook on the External Costs of Transport, and industry initiatives like the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) Framework.

Proposals should undertake further work to ensure the full climate impact of transport operations is covered comprehensively and consistently. They should also scientifically clarify and close relevant open items identified in the emissions accounting reference methodology set out under the Commission’s proposal on CountEmissions EU. Detailed tweaks to the methodology that have come to light through application should be developed and tested in view of the implementation of the CountEmissions EU framework. Furthermore, new technologies, such as generative Artificial Intelligence, should be considered in developing datasets and methodologies. Relevant data should be available for the proper implementation and seamless integration of requirements set in other EU climate-related legislation in transport, including Regulations on Fuel EU Maritime, ReFuelEU Aviation, EU MRV, and Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 on electronic freight transport information.

The action aims to establish an unambiguous scientific framework to tackle emissions in transport, facilitating alignment between EU policy development and market implementation. This includes enabling market-based accounting approaches that support proactive investment in low emission fuels and associated transport services.

Proposals should address the following aspects:

Explore, assess, and establish the state of the art regarding issues of measuring and calculating specific types of transport-related emissions for which there is no clear consensus on the market, in particular:
Black carbon emissions, which primarily result from the combustion of fossil fuels in compression ignition engines.
Radiative forcing, which has been suggested as having a strong supplementary climate impact at high altitude and is already included in an inconsistent manner across some, but not all, transport GHG reporting programs.
GHG emissions from vehicle manufacturing and scrappage, which, although not directly linked to transport operations, do contribute to overall life cycle transport emissions.
GHG emissions that result from the installation of transport infrastructure, which would need to include the definition of rules for the combination of operational and life cycle emission calculations into a meaningful and consistent presentation format.
GHG emissions related to the maintenance operations associated with transport operations that are currently excluded.
GHG emissions from information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and data servers that support the delivery of transport operations.
Clarify specific methodological issues for enabling more accurate quantification of emissions and setting proper incentives towards efficient and sustainable transport options, addressing in particular:
A detailed methodology for GHG emissions stemming from temperature-controlled transport and cool chain operations.
Allocation of GHG air transport emissions across passengers and freight transported on the same aircraft.
Based on relevant European/national/sectorial repositories, explore, assess, and contribute to an EU core dataset of default values for GHG emissions intensity of transport services, including for supporting relevant EU regulatory initiatives (such as CountEmissions EU).
Building on the results of the CLEVER project, where relevant, update the list of applicable GHG emission factors for emissions stemming from energy production, distribution and use, in particular in the context of relevant EU regulatory initiatives (such as CountEmissions EU). Consistency with data and methodologies in current energy legislation such as Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (Renewable Energy Directive) must be ensured.
Define R&I gaps on emissions accounting of transport and provide scientifically sound recommendations to address those gaps to improve the existing GHG emissions measuring framework.

The project’s main governance (e.g. Steering Group, Advisory Board) is expected to provide for direct involvement of all relevant stakeholders. Mechanisms to ensure coordination between other ongoing or selected projects (e.g. CLEVER) during their implementation should be put in place where applicable.

Regarding the conditions and documents for application, the proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding their participants, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Restrictions may apply for the protection of European communication networks. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and the indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement are detailed in Annex D, Annex F, and the Online Manual, respectively. Legal and financial aspects of the grants are outlined, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Application form templates and evaluation form templates are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, Detailed budget table (HE LS), and the guidance document "Lump sums - what do I need to know?". Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025, the HE Programme Guide, the HE Framework Programme 2021/695, the HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, the EU Grants AGA, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and related terms and conditions and privacy statements.

The budget overview indicates that for the HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-09 topic, which is a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA), the budget is 3,500,000 EUR. The opening date is planned for 16 September 2025, with a deadline of 20 January 2026. The indicative number of grants is 1.

The portal also provides access to partner search announcements and a start submission function, which will be available once the submission system opens. A general FAQ section and a get support section are available for further assistance.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on improving the reliability and accuracy of transport emission data through coordination and support actions. It aims to provide input for EU regulatory initiatives, clarify methodological issues, and promote the use of new technologies and sustainable transport options. The call encourages collaboration among stakeholders and alignment between policy and market implementation, with a budget of 3.5 million EUR for a single Coordination and Support Action. The goal is to establish a robust scientific framework for tackling transport emissions and supporting investments in low-emission fuels and services.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given that it is a Horizon Europe call, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations involved in research and innovation activities. The involvement of all relevant stakeholders is expected, suggesting a broad range of eligible entities.

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-AG-LS. The call includes HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement: The text suggests that a consortium is preferred, as it mentions the project's main governance is expected to provide for direct involvement of all relevant stakeholders and mechanisms to ensure coordination between other ongoing or selected projects. Partner search announcements are also available.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for EU member states and associated countries, as this is a Horizon Europe call. However, the text mentions that 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 primary target sector is climate, energy and mobility, with a specific focus on transport emissions. Sub-sectors include transport, environment, ICT, renewable energy, and potentially artificial intelligence.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is focused on the European Union and associated countries. Non-EU and non-associated countries are also mentioned as potentially eligible.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific type of action. HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) suggests projects in the research and development stage, while HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) implies projects in the demonstration or validation stage, closer to market implementation. HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) suggests projects focused on coordination, networking, and dissemination activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary widely depending on the specific topic within the call. The budget overview lists topics with funding ranging from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 30,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic ranges from 1 to 3.

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 are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants per topic suggests that the success rate will likely be in the 10 to 39% range, or possibly lower, depending on the number of applications received.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe grants often require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the specific call documents.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on "Reliable data and practices to measure and calculate transport emissions in multimodal transport chains." It aims to improve the measurement, calculation, and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from transport activities, aligning with EU regulatory initiatives and promoting investment in low-emission fuels and transport services. The call encompasses various actions, including research and innovation (RIA), innovation actions (IA), and coordination and support actions (CSA). Eligible applicants include a wide range of stakeholders from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU countries. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying budgets depending on the specific topic. The application process is single-stage, with a planned opening date of 16 September 2025 and a deadline of 20 January 2026. The call seeks to establish a robust scientific framework for tackling transport emissions, facilitating alignment between EU policy and market implementation.