RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal

The RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal call funds pilot and demonstration projects to support the just transition of coal regions in the EU, aiming for TRL 7–8 and measurable environmental, health and socio-economic outcomes. The total call budget is €35,000,000 with an indicative EU contribution per project of €5–€9 million (exceptionally up to €18 million) at a funding rate of 50%, and projects typically run 36–54 months. Eligible legal entities established in EU Member States and RFCS-associated countries must form consortia of at least two independent beneficiaries from different eligible countries and submit proposals via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 06 May 2026, 17:00 CET.

RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal — Call overview

What the call funds

Scope and objectives

Pilot or demonstration projects (TRL 7-8) addressing the just transition of coal regions, health and safety improvements, and reduction/minimisation of environmental impacts at closed or closing coal and lignite sites. Specific topics include site repurposing (geothermal, storage, renewables, hydrogen, SMRs where relevant), materials and waste reuse and critical raw materials recovery, land monitoring and restoration, methane processing, and mine water management.

Funding Range:Typical EU contribution envisaged per project: €5 million to €9 million; exceptionally up to €18 million for very large demonstrators ¹.

Who can apply

Legal entities (public or private) established in eligible countries (EU Member States and RFCS-associated countries). Proposals must be submitted by a consortium with at least two independent beneficiaries from two different eligible countries. Natural persons, research organisations, SMEs, public bodies and international participants (in specified roles) may be involved according to the call rules.

Eligibility highlights

1. 1Minimum consortium: 2 independent beneficiaries from different eligible countries
2. 2Project type: pilot or demonstration projects targeting TRL 7-8
3. 3Project duration typically 36 to 54 months (longer only if justified)
4. 4Activities must support social and economic revitalisation of former coal regions, may include reskilling/upskilling measures
5. 5Financial and operational capacity and exclusion checks apply during evaluation and grant preparation

Budget and deadlines

Evaluation uses standard RFCS award criteria: Excellence, Impact and Quality and efficiency of implementation. Projects must deliver quantified environmental emission reductions, demonstrate health and safety benefits where relevant, provide a scalability/business plan, and include dissemination and skills/job creation elements.

How to apply:Submit electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the RFCS application forms and templates; proposals must respect page limits and required annexes. Contact: REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Call document and templates, full conditions and detailed guidance are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page: RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal call documentation.

RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal (RFCS-2026-BT-Coal) — Call for Proposals

Opportunity snapshot

Call identifier RFCS-2026-BT-Coal (RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal). Programme Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). Type of action RFCS Project Grants (RFCS-PJG) using the RFCS Action Grant Budget-Based model grant agreement (RFCS-AG). Opening date 17 February 2026. Deadline 06 May 2026 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Total indicative call budget €35,000,000. Projects expected TRL 7-8 and normally 36–54 months duration; exceptional larger demonstrators may request up to €18 million. The Agency managing the call is the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

Primary objectives:Support research and pilot/demonstration activities in the coal sector focused on just transition, improved health and safety, and minimising environmental impacts of mines in transition in line with Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC and the Just Transition Mechanism. Proposals must address at least one specific call objective such as mine repurposing, materials and waste reuse including recovery of critical raw materials, land monitoring and restoration, methane emissions processing, or mine water management/treatment.

Eligibility and who should apply

Eligible participants are legal entities (public or private) established in eligible countries (EU Member States including OCTs and countries associated to RFCS where association applies). Natural persons may participate. International organisations are not eligible as beneficiaries. Associated partners, subcontractors, affiliated entities and third parties giving in-kind contributions can participate under the rules set out in the Call Document. Applicants must register in the Participant Register and be validated (PIC/LEAR procedures apply).

Eligible applicant types:This call accepts a broad range of entity types: universities and higher education establishments; research organisations and institutes; SMEs and large enterprises (industrial companies, utilities, technology providers); public bodies, regional/local authorities; non-profit organisations, NGOs (as beneficiaries where they perform RTD activities); natural persons (individuals) in specific cases; affiliated entities linked to beneficiaries; associated partners (participation without funding). EU bodies (except the JRC in specific contexts) cannot be beneficiaries. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are ineligible.

Consortium requirement:Consortium proposals required: minimum two independent beneficiaries from two different eligible countries. Independence means no direct or indirect control relationships. Mono-beneficiary not permitted for this topic (minimum two).

Geographic eligibility (beneficiary scope):Eligible applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries: EU Member States (including OCTs) and countries associated to RFCS participation. Activities must take place in eligible countries. Participants from other third countries may participate only as associated partners or where specific eligibility rules allow and only if participation is in EU interest.

Scope, themes and expected results

This call funds pilot or demonstration projects (Council Decision Articles 15 and 16). Activities should deliver TRL 7–8. Research must align with the Just Transition Mechanism and contribute to the social and economic revitalisation of former coal mining regions. Projects may include reskilling/upskilling and working-condition improvements. Expected outcomes include quantified emission reductions or other environmental benefits, demonstrated positive health and safety effects where relevant, a scalability and viable business case, broad dissemination and contribution to skills and job creation/conversion. Expected impact is progress towards the European Green Deal and Just Transition Mechanism goals.

1. 1Repurposing formerly operating coal/lignite mines and associated infrastructure (geothermal, storage, renewables, Power-to-X, small modular reactors — permitting, cost and public acceptance deliverables required).
2. 2Materials and waste reuse and development of alternative materials including recovery of critical raw materials from mining waste, fly ash or desulphurisation products; circular, lower environmental impact solutions.
3. 3Land monitoring, modelling, stabilisation and restoration, including protection against subsidence and extreme events.
4. 4Processing of methane emissions (capture, destruction or recovery for energy use), demonstrating significant emission reduction and no delay to planned mine closures.
5. 5Monitoring, management and treatment of mine water and groundwater; repurposing mines as water storage where appropriate.

Funding, grant form and financial rules

Call budget €35,000,000 (2026). Indicative EU contribution per project normally €5–€9 million; exceptionally up to €18 million for large demonstrators. Grant is a budget-based mixed actual cost action grant reimbursing eligible actual costs and certain unit/flat-rate elements, with the funding rate set in the Grant Agreement (50% for this RFCS call). The grant may include unit costs for SME owners/natural person beneficiaries and flat-rate indirect costs (35% of eligible personnel costs). VAT rules: non-deductible VAT may be eligible except where national rules exclude it (public authorities acting as public authority). No-profit rule applies: grants must not generate profit for actions where the rule is applicable; profits must be declared and deducted from final grant.

Eligible cost categories (summary):A Personnel costs (A.1 employees; A.2 natural persons under direct contract; A.3 seconded persons; A.4 SME owners/natural person beneficiaries unit cost option) B Subcontracting costs C Purchase costs (C.2 Equipment — depreciation or specific full-cost options where stated; C.3 Other goods, works and services including consumables, energy, analysis and tests, dedicated workshops) E Indirect costs (flat-rate 35% of eligible personnel costs). Financial support to third parties is not allowed.

Financial capacity and audits:Beneficiaries must demonstrate stable and sufficient financial and operational capacity. Financial capacity checks will be done using uploaded documents during grant preparation (financial statements, auditor reports, etc.) except for public bodies or requests below €60,000. Certificates (CFS) may be required for final payments depending on thresholds. The granting authority (REA / European Commission) may request prefinancing guarantees, audits and seek recovery of undue amounts. Records must be retained for the period indicated in the data sheet (standard 5 years).

Application process and evaluation

Submission is electronic only via the Funding & Tenders Portal submission system. The required forms are Application Form Part A (online) and Part B (download template, complete, upload as PDF) plus mandatory annexes including the detailed budget table (former Form B3) and list of previous projects. Part B (technical description) maximum length 70 pages. Admissibility, eligibility, evaluation and award criteria follow the RFCS call document; a Hearing step (in-person in Brussels) will be part of the evaluation. Timetable: evaluation May–July 2026; information to applicants Sept–Oct 2026; grant signature Oct–Dec 2026. For submissions and templates use the Portal topic page and submission entrypoint.

1. 1Submission method: single-stage open call via Funding & Tenders Portal (electronic only).
2. 2Application components: Part A (online administrative data), Part B (technical PDF, max 70 pages), mandatory annexes (detailed budget table, list of previous projects, etc.).
3. 3Admissibility checks: page limits, complete annexes, correct forms. Incomplete proposals rejected.
4. 4Evaluation: one-stage evaluation with independent experts, scoring on three award criteria (Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of the implementation) each 0–5, thresholds 3/5 per criterion and overall pass 10/15. Hearing step will be used.
5. 5Award: ranking list; invitation to prepare grant does not equal formal award; legal and financial checks precede signature.

Award criteria and scoring:Three equally weighted criteria: Excellence (clarity, ambition, methodology) 0–5; Impact (pathways to outcomes, dissemination/exploitation and communication) 0–5; Quality and efficiency of implementation (workplan, resources, consortia quality, risks, cost-effectiveness) 0–5. Individual threshold 3/5 each; overall 10/15. Evaluators will assess operational capacity and may require hearings. Ties resolved by Impact, then Excellence, then Quality and further by private-for-profit participation share if still tied.

Administrative and legal highlights

Applicants must confirm declarations of honour regarding eligibility, non-exclusion, financial and operational capacity. Consortium agreement recommended and in many cases mandatory. Affiliated entities must be validated. Subcontracting and purchases must follow best-value-for-money and avoid conflicts of interest. Ethics compliance, research integrity, data protection (GDPR), confidentiality and security rules apply. Open access/dissemination and IPR management obligations apply; the Granting Authority has a royalty-free licence to use non-sensitive deliverables for communication and policy purposes. Detailed Model Grant Agreement (RFCS MGA) and Annotated Grant Agreement in Portal reference documents govern contractual details.

Reporting and payments:Reporting uses the Portal Continuous Reporting tool and periodic reports for payment requests. Prefinancing is normally paid after entry into force (float typically ~20% of maximum grant); interim payments and final payment follow approval of periodic reports. Financial statements must be provided; CFS may be required depending on thresholds. Payments are made to the coordinator and must be distributed to beneficiaries without undue delay. Recoveries and adjustments apply if costs are found ineligible.

1. 1Project duration: normally 36–54 months (longer if justified).
2. 2TR Levels: expected start/end TRL ~7–8 (pilot/demo).
3. 3Indicative grant sizes: typical €5–€9 million; exceptional demonstrators up to €18 million.
4. 4Funding rate: 50% (to be fixed in Grant Agreement).
5. 5Indirect costs flat-rate: 35% of eligible personnel costs.

Conditions, exclusions and restrictions

Entities subject to EU exclusion decisions or restrictive measures are ineligible. Bodies created to circumvent legal obligations are excluded. Projects perpetuating unabated coal extraction or use contrary to the 'do no harm' principle are outside the revised RFCS remit. Financial capacity checks may produce requirements for guarantees, joint and several liability, staged prefinancing, or rejection. Double funding from EU sources is prohibited except in defined Synergy actions. Financial support to third parties is not allowed under this call.

Templates and application structure:Applicants must use the RFCS-standard Application Form templates in the Submission System: Part A administrative e-forms (online) and Part B technical description template (download, complete, upload). A detailed budget table template (Excel) is mandatory (detailed budget table RFCS). Part B structure: Cover page, Project summary, 1. Excellence (objectives, methodology, TRL), 2. Impact (pathways, D&E plan, exploitation, quantified impacts), 3. Quality and efficiency of implementation (work packages, tasks, milestones, deliverables, Gantt, risk management, staff effort, subcontracting justification, equipment), 4. Other (ethics, security), 5. Declarations and annexes (detailed budget, list of previous projects, CVs if required). Page limit Part B = 70 pages; font and formatting rules apply (e.g. Arial >=9pt; A4; 15 mm margins).

Success factors and tips

1. 1Ensure the proposal addresses at least one RFCS coal research objective (Articles 4, 5 or 6 of RFCS Decision) and at least one specific call objective listed in the topic description.
2. 2Demonstrate TRL progression to 7–8, with a clear demonstration/pilot plan and replication/scalability/business case.
3. 3Quantify emissions reductions and environmental benefits using transparent baselines and assumptions.
4. 4Include socio-economic revitalisation elements (reskilling, job creation/conversion, local stakeholder engagement).
5. 5Provide a robust dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and include activities to engage regional authorities and potential investors.
6. 6Justify subcontracting, keep it below high percentages unless clearly required, and show procurement best-value approach.
7. 7Prepare the detailed budget table carefully and ensure consistency between online Part A summary and detailed Excel annex (online values prevail in discrepancy).

Classification answers (structured)

Below are explicit answers to the categorisation questions, reproduced in detail from the call documentation and logical interpretation for applicants.

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: universities/higher education establishments; research institutes; SMEs; large enterprises/industry; public bodies (regional/local/national authorities) carrying out RTD activities; non-profits/NGOs where they carry RTD activity; natural persons (in some cases); affiliated entities; associated partners (without funding). EU bodies generally not eligible as beneficiaries (with specific rules for JRC).
2. 2Funding Type: grant (budget-based mixed actual cost action grant with unit/flat-rate elements).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: consortium required — minimum 2 independent beneficiaries from 2 different eligible countries. Mono-beneficiary not accepted for this topic. Affiliated entities and associated partners may be included as described.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): applicants established in EU Member States (including OCTs) and in RFCS-associated non-EU countries; project activities must take place in eligible countries. Countries negotiating association may participate subject to retroactive association before grant signature.
5. 5Target Sector: coal sector with cross-cutting relevance to energy transition, environment, health & safety, water management, materials recovery, clean energy deployment (geothermal, storage, renewables, Power-to-X), methane abatement, mine remediation and repurposing; relevant sectors include environment, energy, climate, materials/CRMs, health & safety, water management and regional socio-economic development.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: explicitly the call references EU Member States and RFCS-associated countries; no individual third countries named in the topic text. Region referenced: EU and RFCS associated countries (see call document for list).
7. 7Project Stage: pilot and demonstration projects aiming for Technology Readiness Level 7–8 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment to system complete and qualified).
8. 8Funding Amount: call budget total €35,000,000. Indicative project requests €5–€9 million; exceptional demonstrators up to €18 million. Funding rate typically 50% (to be fixed in Grant Agreement). Indirect costs flat-rate 35% of eligible personnel costs.
9. 9Application Type: open single-stage call submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal; full application required by the published deadline (not rolling).
10. 10Nature of Support: monetary grant funding (reimbursement of eligible costs and unit/flat-rate elements). No financial support to third parties allowed.
11. 11Application Stages: one-stage submission, evaluation with hearing; grant preparation after selection (including legal and financial checks). Overall stages applicants pass: 2 major stages (submission & evaluation; then grant preparation/signature) but evaluation also includes admissibility/eligibility checks and hearing — operationally 3 steps (admissibility & eligibility → expert evaluation & hearing → grant preparation & checks).
12. 12Success Rates: not specified; selection limited by available budget €35 million. Success rates depend on number and quality of proposals; historically RFCS Big Ticket calls are competitive. No explicit success percentage published.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: yes — co-funding is required as the grant is reimbursement at the funding rate (normally 50%); beneficiaries must provide own resources or other funding to cover the non-funded portion. Contributions may include own resources, revenues or third-party financial/in-kind contributions (in-kind contributions are cost-neutral and cannot be declared as eligible costs).
14. 14Templates: Application Form Part A (online) and Part B (technical PDF) templates are mandatory; Detailed budget table (Excel) is mandatory (former Form B3). Part B structure includes cover, summary, Excellence, Impact, Implementation, Other (ethics/security), Declarations and Annexes. Page limit 70 pages for Part B, minimum font Arial 9 pt, A4, margins >=15 mm. Use the templates provided in the Submission System and upload required annexes into correct slots. The online summarised budget must match the detailed budget table (if discrepancies, online amounts prevail).

Key documents to consult (templates, MGA, call document, annexes) are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and Reference Documents. Applicants must read the Call Document, the RFCS MGA, the Portal Online Manual and the RFCS annotated guidance. The call document version and changes are recorded in the call fiche; the call document V2.0 dated 16 Feb 2026 contains final rules and includes the Commission Implementing Decision reference. ¹

Summary — What is this opportunity about and how to explain it?

This RFCS Big Tickets Coal 2026 call is a targeted funding opportunity to support ambitious pilot and demonstration projects that permanently transform coal and lignite sites and assets toward climate-neutral, socially responsible and economically viable outcomes. It focuses on repurposing sites and infrastructure, recovering materials and critical raw materials from coal-related wastes, restoring land and water environments, mitigating methane emissions, and deploying technological solutions (including energy options, storage, geothermal, Power-to-X, renewables, small modular reactors where explicitly allowed with environmental and public acceptance considerations). Projects must reach TRL 7–8 and deliver measurable environmental, health & safety and socio-economic benefits in line with the European Green Deal and the Just Transition Mechanism. Funding is provided as budget-based grants reimbursing eligible costs; applicants must form consortia of at least two independent beneficiaries established in eligible countries and prepare comprehensive technical and financial proposals using the Portal templates. The call is competitive and emphasizes demonstrable emission reductions, scalability and business cases, strong dissemination and exploitation, and contributions to regional revitalisation and skills. Read the call document and templates on the Funding & Tenders Portal carefully, follow the submission rules (Part A online, Part B PDF, mandatory detailed budget table) and ensure compliance with eligibility, ethics, procurement and financial documentation requirements. Contact REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu for call-specific questions and use the Portal Online Manual and IT Helpdesk for submission support.

Footnotes

1. 1Call documentation, templates, MGA and detailed budget table are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page for RFCS-2026-BT-Coal: ec.europa.eu

RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal Funding Opportunity

Opportunity Overview

The RFCS-2026-Big Tickets-Coal call is a Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) initiative designed to support pilot and demonstration projects that advance the just transition of coal regions and sectors in the European Union. This call aligns with the European Green Deal, the Just Transition Mechanism, and the EU's commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 while ensuring no one is left behind in the transition away from coal. ¹

Key Funding Details

Total Budget:€35,000,000 available for the 2026 call period.

Project Funding Range:Individual project grants are estimated between €5 million and €9 million, with exceptional cases up to €18 million for large demonstrators. ²

Funding Rate:50% of eligible costs. Grants are budget-based mixed actual cost grants, reimbursing only eligible costs actually incurred.

Project Duration:Projects should normally range between 36 and 54 months, with extensions possible if duly justified.

Call Timeline

Eligibility and Consortium Requirements

Eligible Participants

Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies, research organizations, higher or secondary education establishments) that carry out research and technological development (RTD) activities. Participants must be established in eligible countries, which include all EU Member States and associated countries to the RFCS programme. ³

Consortium Composition

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of at least 2 independent applicants (beneficiaries) from 2 different eligible countries. Independence means that none of the entities must be under the direct or indirect control of the other. Affiliated entities and associated partners may also participate under specific conditions.

Research Objectives and Scope

Proposals must address at least one of three core research objectives for the coal sector: supporting the just transition of the coal sector and regions; improving health and safety; or minimising the environmental impacts of coal mines in transition. ⁴

Specific Call Objectives

Proposals must also relate to at least one of the following specific objectives:

• Repurposing formerly operating coal and lignite mines, those in the process of closure, and coal-related infrastructure, including power supply services. This includes geothermal energy use, energy storage solutions, renewable energy deployment, small modular reactors, methane processing, and non-energetic repurposing solutions.
• Materials and waste reuse and development of alternative materials, including recovery of critical raw materials from coal and lignite sites.
• Land monitoring, modelling, stabilisation and/or restoration of formerly operating coal mines and affected adjacent areas.
• Processing of methane emissions through destruction, oxidation, or recovery and utilisation as an energy source.
• Monitoring, management and/or treatment of mine water and water tables in coal mines in the process of closure and formerly operating mines.

Technology Readiness Level

Activities are expected to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7-8, meaning system prototype demonstration in an operational environment (TRL 7) or system complete and qualified (TRL 8). Applicants may submit proposals for either pilot or demonstration projects.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes: quantify emission reduction and/or other positive environmental effects achieved in the coal sector; demonstrate positive health and safety effects where relevant; outline a technology scalability plan supported by a viable business case; and disseminate results widely while contributing to skills development and job creation/conversion. ⁵

Projects must demonstrate support for the social and economic revitalisation of former coal mining regions and may include activities for reskilling and upskilling programmes and improved working conditions. All projects must align with the goals of the Just Transition Mechanism and the European Green Deal.

Eligible Costs and Budget Categories

The grant covers the following eligible cost categories:

• Personnel costs (employees, natural persons under direct contract, seconded persons, and SME owners/natural person beneficiaries)
• Subcontracting costs
• Purchase costs for equipment (depreciation method)
• Other goods, works and services (raw materials, consumables, energy, transportation, maintenance, IT services, analysis and tests, workshop organisation, protection of knowledge)
• Indirect costs (flat-rate of 35% of eligible personnel costs)

Ineligible costs include return on capital, debt service charges, provisions for future losses, interest owed, currency exchange losses, deductible VAT, and costs incurred during grant suspension. Financial support to third parties is not allowed under this call.

Application and Submission Requirements

Mandatory Documents

• Application Form Part A (administrative information, filled directly online)
• Application Form Part B (technical description, maximum 70 pages, downloaded, completed, and re-uploaded as PDF)
• Detailed budget table (RFCS template)
• List of previous projects (key projects for the last 4 years in the area of the topic)

Submission Process

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System before the deadline of 06 May 2026 at 17:00 CET. Paper submissions are not accepted. Applicants must register in the Participant Register before submission and obtain a 9-digit participant identification code (PIC) for each organisation.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against three main criteria, each scored out of 5 points, for a maximum total of 15 points:

The overall threshold for funding consideration is 10 points. Proposals that pass all individual thresholds and the overall threshold will be considered for funding within the limits of available budget. To ensure a balanced portfolio, the ranking list may be adapted to ensure that proposals under different call objectives are funded.

Grant Agreement and Financial Terms

Form of Grant

The grant is an action grant in the form of a budget-based mixed actual cost grant. This means it reimburses only eligible costs actually incurred, but may also include unit costs, flat-rate costs, or lump sum contributions.

Payment Schedule

Payments typically follow this structure: initial prefinancing (normally 20% of maximum grant amount) paid 30 days from entry into force or 10 days before starting date, whichever is latest; interim payments based on periodic reports; and final payment of the balance after project completion. All payments are made to the coordinator's bank account in euro.

Prefinancing Guarantees

If required based on financial capacity assessment, a prefinancing guarantee may be requested. The guarantee should be in euro and issued by an approved bank or financial institution established in an EU Member State.

No-Profit Rule

Grants may not produce a profit, meaning the surplus of revenues plus EU grant over eligible costs must not exceed zero. For-profit organisations must declare their revenues, and any profit will be deducted from the final grant amount.

Financial and Operational Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to successfully implement the project and contribute their share. Financial capacity will be assessed based on documents such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, business plans, and audit reports. Public bodies and applicants requesting grants of €60,000 or less are normally exempt from detailed financial capacity checks. ⁶

Operational capacity will be assessed based on the competence and experience of applicants and their project teams, including operational resources (human, technical, and other). Applicants must provide a description of the consortium, a list of previous projects in the relevant area for the last 4 years, and demonstrate that each consortium member has a valid role with adequate resources.

Exclusion Grounds

Applicants subject to EU exclusion decisions or in exclusion situations cannot participate. These situations include bankruptcy, breach of social security or tax obligations, grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, links to criminal organisations, money laundering, terrorism-related crimes, child labour, human trafficking, significant deficiencies in complying with main obligations under EU contracts, irregularities, creation under different jurisdiction to circumvent legal obligations, and intentional resistance to investigations or audits.

Reporting and Compliance Obligations

Beneficiaries must maintain continuous reporting through the Portal Continuous Reporting tool, submit periodic technical and financial reports according to the schedule, keep detailed records and supporting documents for at least 5 years after final payment, and comply with all obligations regarding ethics, data protection, intellectual property rights, communication, dissemination, and visibility of EU funding.

All communication activities must acknowledge EU support and display the European flag with the funding statement. A disclaimer must be included stating that views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority.

Key Contacts and Support

For non-IT related questions about the call, applicants should contact REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu. For IT helpdesk support regarding the submission system, access rights, or technical issues, applicants should use the IT Helpdesk webform. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Online Manual for step-by-step guidance on proposal preparation and submission procedures.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

This call is aligned with the European Green Deal, the Just Transition Mechanism, the Fit for 55 package, and REPowerEU. The Just Transition Mechanism mobilises around €55 billion over 2021-2027 to support coal-dependent regions and workers. ⁷ Projects should build synergies with other EU initiatives including cohesion policy funds, the LIFE programme, Horizon Europe, and the Innovation Fund. The call reflects the EU's commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 while ensuring a fair and socially just transition for coal regions and workers.

Footnotes

1. 1The Just Transition Mechanism is a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind. It provides targeted support to help mobilise around €55 billion over the period 2021-2027 in the most affected regions, to alleviate the socio-economic impact of the transition.
2. 2The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of €5 million to €9 million (and exceptionally up to €18 million for large demonstrators) would allow the objectives of this call to be addressed appropriately. This does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
3. 3Eligible countries include all EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories) and non-EU countries that are associated to the RFCS programme. The list of participating countries is available on the RFCS website.
4. 4In line with Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC, proposals should relate to at least one of the following research objectives for the coal sector: supporting the just transition of the coal sector and regions (Article 4); improving health and safety (Article 5); minimising the environmental impacts of coal mines in transition (Article 6).
5. 5Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes: quantify the emission reduction and/or other positive environmental effects achieved in the coal sector; demonstrate, where relevant, positive health and safety effects of the technology and/or the approach pursued; outline a technology scalability plan, supported by a viable business case; disseminate results widely and contribute to the development of skills and the creation/conversion of jobs.
6. 6The financial capacity check will be carried out on the basis of documents requested during grant preparation, such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, business plans, and audit reports. The analysis will be based on neutral financial indicators but will also take into account other aspects such as dependency on EU funding and deficit and revenue in previous years.
7. 7The EU has agreed a Just Transition Mechanism mobilising around €55 billion over the period 2021-2027 to alleviate the impacts of the energy transition. With its budget of €55 billion over six years, the Just Transition Mechanism aims to disburse around €9 billion each year between 2021 and 2027.