RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying measures

RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying Measures is a call under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) funding targeted activities that promote uptake and dissemination of RFCS steel research through workshops, conferences and stakeholder engagement. The topic has an indicative budget of €1,000,000 with typical project grants of €300,000–500,000, funds 100% of eligible costs, and project durations of 18–36 months. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States or RFCS-associated countries and the minimum consortium requirement is two independent beneficiaries from two different eligible countries. Proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 16 September 2026, 17:00 CET, and will be evaluated on Excellence, Impact and Quality/Implementation.

What it funds

Accompanying measures to promote uptake and dissemination of RFCS steel results:workshops, conferences, stakeholder engagement, policy suggestions supporting digital, green and circular transition and just transition of steel communities. Activities must relate to RFCS steel objectives (Council Decision 2008/376/EC).

Who can apply

Legal entities (public or private bodies, research organisations, industry, industry associations, SMEs, natural persons) established in eligible countries (EU Member States and RFCS-associated countries). Consortium requirement: at least 2 independent beneficiaries from 2 different eligible countries for Accompanying Measures.

Typical project size and duration:Expected requested grant per accompanying measure: commonly between €300 000 and €500 000. Project duration normally 18–36 months ¹.

1. 1Indicative topic budget: €1 000 000 RFCS-2026-02-AM.
2. 2Funding rate: 100% for Accompanying Measures.
3. 3Submission: single-stage via EU Funding & Tenders Portal; deadline 16 September 2026 (17:00 CET).

Key eligibility and admin points:proposals must address only this topic, use the RFCS application templates in the Portal, Part B limited to 70 pages, and beneficiaries must be registered in the Participant Register (PIC). Consortium must show balanced representation of academia, research centres, industry and just transition actors.

How to apply / contact:Submit electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page RFCS Topic Page. For help contact REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Full call documentation, budgets and detailed rules are published in the RFCS 2026 Call document and on the Portal topic page: Call document.

Basic facts and administrative data

Call identifier:RFCS-2026. Topic identifier: RFCS-2026-02-AM. Topic title: Steel Accompanying measures. Call type: Call for proposals under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), annual call 2026. Submission deadline: 16 September 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels). Submission route: single-stage electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Opening date (call): 17 June 2026. Planned evaluation and grant timetable: evaluation Sep–Nov 2026; information to applicants Jan–Feb 2027; grant signature Apr–Jun 2027. Project start date typically after grant signature; action duration for Accompanying Measures normally 18–36 months.

Topic short scope:Accompanying measures to promote use and uptake of RFCS project knowledge and to organise dedicated workshops or conferences connected with RFCS steel projects and priorities. Measures should ensure balanced consortium representation across academia, research centres, industry and industry associations, and include just transition actors and other stakeholders needed for the just transition of the steel industry. They may include policy suggestions to support digital, green and circular transformation aligned with the European Green Deal. ¹

Eligibility, consortium and participation rules

Eligible entities:legal persons (public or private bodies) established in eligible countries (EU Member States including OCTs and countries associated to RFCS). Natural persons are eligible in RFCS where specified. International organisations are not eligible as beneficiaries. Entities without legal personality may exceptionally participate through representatives able to undertake legal obligations. EU bodies (except the JRC) cannot be beneficiaries. Participants must register in the Participant Register and be validated prior to grant signature.

Eligible applicant types (detailed):Eligible applicant types for this topic include: universities and higher education establishments; research institutes and research centres; SMEs and large enterprises active in steel value chains; public bodies (regional, national authorities, public research organisations); industry associations; non-governmental organisations and non-profit bodies involved in steel transition and stakeholder representation. Natural persons may participate under certain RFCS definitions. Associated partners and affiliated entities have specific roles and rules; associated partners may participate without funding, affiliated entities may receive funding under the beneficiary’s responsibility. The call documentation includes detailed eligibility rules.

Consortium requirement:For Accompanying Measures the minimum consortium composition is two independent applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) from two different eligible countries. 'Independent' means not under direct or indirect control of one another. Proposals with fewer participants will be ineligible.

Financial framework and modalities

Type of funding:budget-based action grant (RFCS Project Grants). Funding modality: budget-based mixed actual cost grant with unit cost/flat-rate elements where applicable. For the Steel Accompanying Measures topic the funding rate is 100% of eligible costs. The call and Model Grant Agreement (RFCS MGA) specify eligible cost categories, unit cost rules, flat rates and indirect cost flat-rate (35% of eligible personnel costs).

Topic budget and typical project size:Indicative topic budget for RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying Measures: €1 000 000 (call-wide budgets: total RFCS call €40 000 000). Expected project budgets for Accompanying Measures are typically in the range €300 000 to €500 000. The granting authority may award other amounts depending on evaluation and may reallocate budgets between topics.

Geographic and sectoral scope

Beneficiary geographic eligibility:applicants must be established in eligible countries. Eligible countries explicitly include EU Member States and countries associated to RFCS; projects must relate to activities taking place in these eligible countries. The call text references EU policy context and specific countries in background sections; references include the EU, Russia (context on energy security and raw materials), Ukraine (REPowerEU context) and the Belgian location of the JRC as an example for an EU body, but the formal geographic eligibility is EU Member States and associated countries. Proposals involving non-eligible third countries are only allowed under specific conditions in the call document.

Target sectors and research objectives:Primary sector: steel industry (steel production, processing, circularity, workforce transition). RFCS research objectives relevant to this topic (per Council Decision 2008/376/EC and call annexes): Article 8 — new sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes; Article 9 — advanced steel grades and applications; Article 10 — conservation of resources, environment protection and circular economy; Article 10a — management of workforce and working conditions. Keywords and technical groups in the call cover topics such as digitalisation, AI, automation, energy efficiency, hydrogen economy, recycling, steel grades, life cycle assessment, standardisation, health and safety, ergonomics and skills development.

Project maturity and activities supported

Project stage / expected maturity:Accompanying Measures primarily support exploitation, dissemination, stakeholder engagement, conferences, workshops, policy recommendations and competence dissemination. They promote knowledge use and organisation of events connected with RFCS projects and priorities; therefore target projects or activities that are at the stage where knowledge exists (research results, pilots, demonstrations) and need wider uptake, standardisation, policy input or skills dissemination. Typical TRL requirement is not prescriptive for AMs, but projects should be coherent with RFCS objectives and may be linked to RPJ or PDP project outputs.

Application process and required documents

Application type:open call via single-stage submission. Submission is electronic only via the Funding & Tenders Portal; paper submissions are not accepted. Applicants must use the Portal Submission System templates and slots. The submission is a two-part process: Part A (administrative forms entered online) and Part B (technical description uploaded as PDF using the Portal template). Mandatory annexes include the detailed budget table (annex 1 to Part B) and a list of previous projects if required by the call. Page limits and layout: Part B limited to 70 pages; font and margin rules apply. Applications must be complete and include required annexes; additional undocumented material will not be evaluated.

Application form structure and templates (summary):Applicants must complete: Application Form Part A — administrative data and summary budget entered directly online via the Portal; Application Form Part B — technical description using the RFCS Part B template: cover, project summary, Excellence (objectives, methodology), Impact (pathways, D&E plan), Quality and efficiency of implementation (work plan, WPs, deliverables, milestones, risk management, staff effort, subcontracting, equipment, timetable), Ethics and Security sections where relevant, Declarations and Annexes (detailed budget table, list of previous projects). Detailed budget table (Excel template) is mandatory and must match online summary figures. The call provides the RFCS Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and Annex templates for guidance.

Evaluation, award criteria and project duration

Evaluation procedure:one-stage submission with one-step evaluation by experts (evaluation committee). Admissibility and eligibility checks precede evaluation. Award criteria and scoring: Excellence (up to 5 points), Impact (up to 5 points), Quality and efficiency of implementation (up to 5 points). Individual thresholds: 3/5 for each criterion; overall threshold 10/15. Ranked proposals passing thresholds will be funded within available budget and portfolio balance constraints. Tie-breaking rules and reserve list procedures are specified in the call document.

1. 1Primary award criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation
2. 2Scoring: 3/5 minimum per criterion; overall 10/15 minimum
3. 3Evaluation phases: admissibility/eligibility check, technical evaluation, ranking, grant preparation
4. 4Typical evaluation timeline: Sep–Nov 2026 (evaluation), Jan–Feb 2027 information to applicants

Project duration:Accompanying Measures typically 18–36 months. Projects of longer duration may be accepted if justified. Extensions are possible by amendment.

Payments, reporting and financial checks

Reporting and payments:the grant uses continuous reporting (deliverables, milestones) and periodic reports in the Portal. Payments: prefinancing is normally provided (often around 20% float, subject to the Grant Agreement), interim payments where applicable, and final payment after approval of the final periodic report. Certificates (CFS) are required at thresholds defined in the Data Sheet (typically for requested EU contribution >= €325 000 at beneficiary level for final payment). Financial and operational capacity checks will be performed during grant preparation. Prefinancing guarantees or enhanced financial responsibility measures may be requested if financial capacity is insufficient.

Costs, eligible items and ineligible items

Eligible cost categories:A Personnel costs (employees, natural persons under direct contract, seconded persons; unit cost option for SME owners and natural person beneficiaries where applicable); B Subcontracting costs (limited and justified); C Purchase costs: C.2 Equipment (depreciation or full cost options where specified in call/MGA), C.3 Other goods, works and services (consumables, workshops, IT services, analyses, protection of knowledge); E Indirect costs: 35% flat-rate of eligible personnel costs. VAT that is non-deductible/non-refundable is eligible except where public bodies act as public authorities. Travel costs for this call are noted as not eligible in some RFCS specifics; consult call document for exact restrictions. Financial support to third parties is not allowed in RFCS.

Administrative and legal requirements, exclusions

Applicants and beneficiaries must not be subject to exclusion grounds (bankruptcy, fraud, serious professional misconduct, tax or social security breaches, links to criminal organisations, EU restrictive measures). Declarations of honour are required. Legal Entity Validation, LEAR appointment and financial capacity assessments apply. Consortium agreement is recommended. All communication and submission use the Funding & Tenders Portal electronic exchange system. Non-compliance may result in rejection, grant reduction, suspension or termination and recoveries.

Structured answers to the specific categorisation questions

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: startups (if legally established and contributing to steel transition themes), SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, nonprofit organisations, industry associations, public bodies (regional/national authorities and public research organisations), natural persons where RFCS rules permit. Associated partners and affiliated entities have defined roles. International organisations are not eligible as beneficiaries.
2. 2Funding Type: grant (EU action grant, RFCS Project Grants; budget-based mixed actual cost grant with unit cost/flat-rate elements).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: consortium required — specifically for Accompanying Measures a minimum of two independent beneficiaries from two different eligible countries; single beneficiary not allowed for AMs. (For other RFCS actions different minima apply.)
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU Member States (including OCTs) and countries associated to RFCS; projects must take place in eligible countries. The call text references the EU and associated countries; in background it mentions Russia and Ukraine contextually and the JRC location in Belgium as examples.
5. 5Target Sector: Steel industry; cross-cutting sectors include energy and clean hydrogen, digitalisation/ICT, circular economy and recycling, environment, health and safety, skills and workforce development, materials and metallurgy, manufacturing and industrial processes.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: explicit references in the topic and call document include EU (EU Member States), Russia (context in geopolitical background), Ukraine (REPowerEU context), Belgium (JRC example). However, formal eligibility remains EU Member States and RFCS associated countries as listed in the call documentation.
7. 7Project Stage: emphasis on knowledge uptake, dissemination, stakeholder engagement and policy support — suitable for projects built on existing RFCS research outputs (research-to-use). TRL is not prescriptive for AMs but is aimed at exploitation/transfer stages; typical activities relate to validation, dissemination, demonstration through workshops and conferences rather than primary lab research.
8. 8Funding Amount: topic indicative budget €1 000 000. Typical project requested grant amounts for Accompanying Measures €300 000 — €500 000. Call total budget €40 000 000 across topics.
9. 9Application Type: open call; single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. No paper submissions. Applicants must use provided Part A and Part B templates and Annexes (detailed budget table Excel).
10. 10Nature of Support: monetary support (grant funding for eligible costs) plus non-monetary support through dissemination, stakeholder engagement and policy advice activities; but the award is a monetary grant reimbursing eligible costs.
11. 11Application Stages: 1 main submission stage (single-stage) followed by evaluation, ranking and invitation to grant preparation. Grant preparation constitutes additional administrative negotiation steps before signature. Overall: 1 formal application stage; evaluation and grant preparation are subsequent steps.
12. 12Success Rates: not specified in the call material. Success rates will depend on number and quality of proposals; no historic success rate provided. Applicants should assume competitive evaluation and that not all available funds will necessarily be awarded.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: No co-funding required for Accompanying Measures (funding rate 100%). Beneficiaries must however demonstrate they have operational and financial capacity to implement and may show own resources and other income if applicable.
14. 14Templates: Application uses standard RFCS Application Form Parts A and B. Required templates and annexes: Part A online fields; Part B RFCS template (technical description) with sections: Project summary, Excellence (objectives, methodology), Impact (pathways, D&E plan), Quality and efficiency of implementation (work plan, WPs, staff effort, subcontracting, equipment), Ethics and Security, Declarations. Mandatory Annex: Detailed budget table (Excel template). Other annexes: list of previous projects (if required). Model Grant Agreement (RFCS MGA) and RFCS call document annexes available on the Portal. Submission instructions, page limits, and administrative checks are detailed in the call document and Online Manual.

Application and budget preparation notes:Applicants must ensure that the amounts entered in the online summary budget correspond to the detailed budget table; in case of discrepancies the online summary prevails. Subcontracting should be limited and justified; subcontracting beyond 30% of total eligible costs requires justification. Personnel costs must be supported by time records (monthly declarations or equivalent). Indirect costs are calculated as a flat-rate (35% of eligible personnel costs). CFS certificates and prefinancing guarantees may be required during grant preparation depending on thresholds and financial assessment. The coordinator must be able to distribute payments to beneficiaries without unjustified delay and must submit reports and deliverables via the Portal.

Risks, compliance and recommended applicant actions

Key risks and compliance areas:1) Eligibility and consortium composition: ensure at least two independent beneficiaries from two eligible countries for AMs. 2) Administrative completeness: use correct Part A/Part B templates and provide mandatory annexes (detailed budget table). 3) Financial capacity and validation: ensure Participant Register, LEAR and bank details are correct; be prepared for financial checks and potential requirement of prefinancing guarantees. 4) Ethics/security/IPR: comply with EU ethics, security, and IPR rules; include ethics self-assessment if needed. 5) Budget consistency: align detailed budget table with online summary; justify subcontracting and equipment costs. 6) Timing: submit well before the deadline to avoid portal issues. 7) No double funding: ensure costs not declared under other EU grants.

• Register organisation early in Participant Register (PIC) and validate LEAR.
• Use RFCS Part B template and adhere to 70-page limit for Part B.
• Prepare detailed budget table (Excel) matching online summary.
• Plan consortium agreement and data management / dissemination plans.
• Document stakeholder balance and just-transition actor participation in consortium.
• Prepare ethics self-assessment if activities involve people, personal data or other sensitive topics.

How to apply — practical checklist

1. 1Create EU Login account and register organisation in Participant Register; obtain PIC and validate LEAR.
2. 2Assemble consortium meeting minimum eligibility rules for Accompanying Measures (2 beneficiaries in different eligible countries).
3. 3Download Part B RFCS template and Detailed budget table Excel from the Submission System.
4. 4Complete Part A online (administrative data, summary budget) and prepare Part B PDF using the template; keep Part B ≤ 70 pages.
5. 5Upload mandatory annexes in the slots provided (detailed budget table mandatory; list of previous projects if applicable).
6. 6Confirm declarations and submit electronically via the Topic page before the deadline.
7. 7Retain original records and supporting documents for the period specified in the Data Sheet (normally 5 years).

Contact and support:For call-specific help contact REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu. For submission technical issues contact the IT Helpdesk. Use the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and the Call document for detailed instructions and templates.

Summary — What is this opportunity about and why apply?

The RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying Measures topic funds projects that accelerate the use and impact of RFCS steel research by organising targeted activities such as workshops, conferences, knowledge transfer, stakeholder engagement and policy-oriented recommendations. The aim is to ensure broad and balanced involvement of academia, research centres, industry, industry associations and just transition actors so outcomes of RFCS research are translated into policy, practice and wider industrial uptake that supports the digital, green and circular transformation of steel communities under the European Green Deal. This is a 100% funded EU action grant with an indicative topic budget of €1 000 000 and typical project sizes from €300 000 to €500 000. Eligible lead applicants and partners must be legal entities established in EU Member States or RFCS-associated countries, and the minimum consortium requirement for accompanying measures is two independent beneficiaries from two different eligible countries. Applications are submitted in a single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the RFCS Part A and Part B templates and the detailed budget table. Evaluation follows standard RFCS award criteria (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) with strict eligibility, ethics and financial validation requirements. The call is competitive and intended to broaden the reach and policy relevance of steel research, strengthen cross-stakeholder engagement during the just transition and propose actionable policy or community-level measures supporting low-carbon, circular steel systems.

Footnotes

1. 1Call document and detailed topic description available on the Funding & Tenders Portal: RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying measures RFCS Topic page.

Key Facts at a Glance

What This Opportunity Supports

This call funds **Accompanying Measures (AMs)** designed to promote the uptake and dissemination of knowledge gained from RFCS steel projects. The primary activities include organizing **dedicated workshops, conferences, or events** that connect RFCS priorities with the broader steel industry, academia, and policy makers ¹.

Strategic Objectives:Proposals must align with RFCS steel objectives: (1) New, sustainable, low-carbon steelmaking; (2) Advanced steel grades; (3) Circular economy and resource conservation; (4) Workforce management and working conditions ².

Expected impacts include ensuring **balanced representation** in the consortium (academia, research centres, industry, just transition actors) and providing suggestions for **policy initiatives** that drive the digital, green, and circular transformation of steel communities in line with the European Green Deal ¹.

Who Should Apply

Applications are open to **legal entities** (public or private) such as undertakings, research organizations, universities, and industry associations established in **EU Member States** or countries associated with RFCS ².

1. 1Minimum 2 independent beneficiaries (not affiliated entities)
2. 2From at least 2 different eligible countries
3. 3Consortium must include diverse stakeholders: industry, academia, research centres, and just transition actors
4. 4Just transition actors and stakeholders relevant to the steel industry's transition are strongly encouraged

Funding Details and Budget Requirements

The **total available budget** for this topic is **€1,000,000**. Individual project grants are expected to range between **€300,000 and €500,000** ¹.

Funding Rate:The grant covers **100% of eligible costs**, meaning no co-financing is required from beneficiaries for this specific action type ¹.

Eligible cost categories include personnel costs, subcontracting, purchase of equipment/goods/services (including dedicated workshop organization), and indirect costs (calculated as 35% of eligible personnel costs) ³. Travel costs are explicitly **not eligible** ³.

Application Process and Timeline

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the **EU Funding & Tenders Portal**. The process involves filling out Part A (administrative/budget) online and uploading Part B (technical description) as a PDF, with a maximum page limit of **70 pages** ³.

1. 1Call Opening: 17 June 2026
2. 2Submission Deadline: 16 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels)
3. 3Evaluation Period: September – November 2026
4. 4Results Notification: January – February 2027
5. 5Grant Agreement Signature: April – June 2027

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals are evaluated on three criteria, each worth up to 5 points:**Excellence**, **Impact**, and **Quality/Efficiency of Implementation**. A minimum score of **3 points per criterion** and **10 points overall** is required to pass ³.

Key Impact Focus:Evaluators will assess the strategic importance for the European steel industry and the potential to influence EU regulations, standards, or policy initiatives on digital/green/circular transformation ³.

Important Considerations for Applicants

Applicants must ensure their proposal addresses **only one topic** RFCS-2026-02-AM. If applying for multiple topics, separate proposals are required ³.

The consortium agreement is recommended to manage internal arrangements and liability. Grants must not produce a profit; any surplus must be deducted from the final grant amount ³.

Footnotes

1. 1ScientifyRESEARCH: RFCS-2026-02-AM Steel Accompanying measures details, including budget range and funding rate [[scientifyresearch.org.
2. 2DevelopmentAid: Eligibility criteria and objectives for RFCS-2026-02-AM [[developmentaid.org.
3. 3European Commission Call Document RFCS-2026: Detailed rules on budget, evaluation criteria, cost eligibility, and submission procedures [[ec.europa.eu.