Support to the BRIDGE initiative

This summary outlines a Horizon Europe grant opportunity designed to support the BRIDGE initiative, which connects various projects within the realm of smart grids, energy storage, and digitalization. The initiative aims to share knowledge and best practices while providing data-driven recommendations for energy policies and innovation strategies.

Eligible applicants for the grant include legal entities from EU member states and associated countries, which can encompass universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, NGOs, and public-private partnerships. The funding is structured as a lump sum grant, and it is anticipated that applicants may operate either independently or in collaboration with others, although specific consortium requirements are not distinctly outlined.

The scope of proposals should contribute to the organizational and logistical support of the BRIDGE initiative, which includes tasks such as governance, coordination with EU and national initiatives, maintaining a project database, and ensuring publication of relevant reports and policy briefings. Additionally, it encompasses maintenance of the online presence of BRIDGE and organizing events like the annual General Assemblies.

The project is expected to fall under the broader categories of energy and climate, focusing on transitioning to integrated energy systems. The indicative total budget for the grant is approximately €1 million. This opportunity is framed as a single-stage open call, with submissions required by September 2, 2025, following an opening date of May 6, 2025.

Notably, co-funding is not required, and the funding proposals will undergo a focused evaluation on feasibility and budget reasonableness. The initiative emphasizes accessibility and reusability of data produced during the projects. The overall duration for initiatives funded under this grant is projected to be three years, further promoting collaboration between BRIDGE and various relevant European programs for sustainable energy solutions.

The detailed evaluation and award procedures, as well as a comprehensive budget oversight, will guide the application process, ensuring alignment with Horizon Europe's overarching goals and eligibility criteria. This grant not only aims to bolster BRIDGE's operations but also to enhance its role as an influential resource within Europe's energy landscape.

This is a summary of a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focused on supporting the BRIDGE initiative. The BRIDGE initiative, established by the European Commission, aims to connect projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe in areas like Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Islands, and Digitalisation. The initiative has two main goals: to encourage the sharing of information, experience, knowledge, and best practices among projects, and to provide real-world experience and feedback to help overcome obstacles to innovation. The ultimate aim is to provide policymakers with coordinated and coherent recommendations to support research and innovation and to utilize project results effectively.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this opportunity include:

1. Providing evidence from real-life projects to support European research and innovation policies and energy policies in smart energy systems.

2. Informing Horizon Europe projects about energy systems with solutions and methodologies developed by previous European-funded projects, enabling effective benchmarking and comparison of lessons learned.

3. Strengthening the BRIDGE initiative as a recognized European resource for innovative solutions in smart and integrated energy systems.

4. Improving cooperation between BRIDGE and other relevant European initiatives, such as the European Technology and Innovation Platform - Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET).

The scope of the proposals should include:

1. Providing organizational and logistical support to the BRIDGE initiative, its working groups, and task forces, including governance, meeting preparation, and coordination with EU and national initiatives. This also involves supporting working group chairs and facilitating the renewal of chairmanship.

2. Onboarding new projects and maintaining a database of BRIDGE members, including project details, implementing organizations, working group and task force memberships, and contact information.

3. Ensuring the completion and publication of reports, studies, brochures, and policy briefings. This includes BRIDGE annual brochures, annual thematic/expert reports with policy conclusions, and other reports as needed.

4. Maintaining BRIDGE's online presence through its website, online newsletter, and social media.

5. Enabling BRIDGE to provide policy support to the European Commission, particularly DG Energy, by gathering, structuring, and presenting information on technological progress, innovation, competitiveness, and digitalisation in smart energy systems.

6. Organizing the annual BRIDGE General Assemblies, including invitations, hosting, minute-taking, and follow-up actions.

7. Managing cooperation with other European initiatives, especially ETIP SNET, and representing BRIDGE at key events like the European Sustainable Energy Week and other relevant fairs.

The grant encourages cooperation with other European initiatives and ensuring data accessibility and reusability. The indicative project duration is three years.

General conditions for participation include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

2. Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed 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 also in Annex F.

6. Legal and financial set-up: Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal. Further details are in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

The application process involves:

1. Application form templates available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE CSA).

2. Evaluation form templates, including the Standard evaluation form (HE CSA).

3. Guidance from the HE Programme Guide.

4. Model Grant Agreements (MGA), specifically the Lump Sum MGA.

5. Call-specific instructions and a detailed budget table (HE LS).

6. Additional guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include:

1. HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction.

2. HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility.

3. HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes.

4. HE Programme Guide.

5. HE Framework Programme 2021/695.

6. HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764.

7. EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

8. Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

9. Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment.

10. EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement.

11. Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

12. Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions.

13. Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for the year 2025 includes several topics:

1. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 20,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

2. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-06 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 3,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1.

3. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

4. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-10 - HORIZON-COFUND HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions: Budget 69,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1.

5. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-11 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 7,500,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 15.

6. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-12 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 500,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1.

7. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 20,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

8. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 3.

9. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-06 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 28,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 4.

10. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 18,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

11. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-11 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 18,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 3.

12. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-15 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 4,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1.

13. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-16 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 1,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1. This specific call, HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-16, is detailed separately.

14. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-17 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 20,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

15. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-21 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

16. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-25 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

17. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-26 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 5,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 1.

18. HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-27 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, indicative number of grants 2.

The opening date for submissions is 6 May 2025, and the deadline is 2 September 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

This Horizon Europe call is designed to bolster the BRIDGE initiative, which plays a crucial role in shaping research, innovation, and energy policies related to smart and integrated energy systems. By supporting the BRIDGE initiative, the EU aims to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and provide evidence-based recommendations to policymakers, ultimately accelerating the transition to sustainable and efficient energy systems. The call encourages proposals that not only support the BRIDGE initiative's organizational and logistical needs but also promote cooperation with other relevant European efforts and ensure the accessibility of project data. The funding mechanism is based on lump sum contributions, and the indicative project duration is three years.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe calls, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The specific eligibility criteria are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required. However, Horizon Europe projects often involve consortia to bring together diverse expertise and resources. Depending on the specific topic within the call, either a single applicant or a consortium may be appropriate.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU member states and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The program targets the energy sector, specifically smart and integrated energy systems, smart grids, energy storage, islands, and digitalisation. It also focuses on research and innovation policies related to these areas, climate, energy and mobility.

Mentioned Countries: The text does not explicitly mention specific countries, but refers to EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. Therefore, the geographic scope is primarily European, with potential participation from other countries as defined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific type of action. The call includes HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA). This suggests that the projects can range from research and development to demonstration and deployment, as well as coordination and support activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic. The budget overview provides a list of topics with their respective budgets, ranging from €500,000 to €69,000,000. For example, HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-16 has a budget of €1,000,000, while HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-10 has a budget of €69,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process, as indicated by the "single-stage" designation in the budget overview and the "Open For Submission" status.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant, as indicated by the Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process, meaning applicants submit a full proposal by the deadline.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the text. However, the "Indicative number of grants" column in the budget overview provides an indication of the number of projects that are expected to be funded for each topic.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement, except for HORIZON-COFUND actions, which by definition involve co-funding. For other actions, co-funding requirements would be specified in the detailed call conditions.

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Cluster 5, focusing on Climate, Energy and Mobility. The call aims to support the BRIDGE initiative, which brings together projects related to smart grids, energy storage, islands, and digitalisation to foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices. The primary goal is to provide evidence-based support for research and innovation policies and general energy policies in the area of smart and integrated energy systems. The call includes various types of actions, such as Innovation Actions, Research and Innovation Actions, and Coordination and Support Actions, each with different funding levels and objectives. Eligible applicants can include a wide range of organizations from EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU countries under specific conditions. The application process is a single-stage submission, and funding is provided as a lump sum grant. The call encourages cooperation across Europe and emphasizes the accessibility and reusability of data produced during the projects. The indicative project duration is three years.