Technologies for innovative processing of raw materials (IA)

Overview

The Horizon Europe call titled "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16" focuses on advancing technologies for the innovative processing of raw materials, particularly critical minerals and metals. The program aims to improve recovery rates from low-grade ores and mining waste while enhancing economic performance and environmental sustainability in raw materials processing.

Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community countries, and countries with which the EU has strategic partnerships on raw materials. Notably, entities from China are excluded from participation. The funding mechanism involves action grants with a minimum contribution between 10 million to 12.5 million euros per project, from a total budget of 49 million euros allocated for four grants.

The call encourages multidisciplinary consortia with a focus on industrially-driven projects. These consortia must cover the entire value chain, with a prominent role for EU-based industries and users of recovered materials. The expected maturity level for projects is Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-7, indicating a demonstration phase where technologies should be validated or piloted at a larger scale.

The application process is a single-stage open call set to open on September 22, 2026, with a submission deadline of February 2, 2027. The application stages include a complete proposal submission followed by an evaluation by expert panels. While explicit success rates are not provided, the competitiveness is high with only four projects funded from a substantial number of expected submissions.

Co-funding is implicitly encouraged as projects often exceed EU allocation amounts and must demonstrate a credible business case for full-scale deployment. The call aligns with the EU's clean industrial deal, critical raw materials act, and broader strategies for sustainable transition, promoting international cooperation particularly with Ukraine.

Overall, this funding opportunity aims to promote innovative solutions in materials processing that enhance sustainability and efficiency while supporting market uptake, all under the framework of Horizon Europe's strategic objectives.

Detail

This EU funding opportunity focuses on technologies for innovative processing of raw materials, specifically targeting minerals and metals, particularly critical raw materials. The goal is to increase the recovery rates of valuable raw materials from low-grade or complex ores and mining waste, improve economic performance through higher efficiency and flexibility in minerals processing and metallurgical processes, and enhance health, safety, and environmental performance by reducing waste, wastewater, and air pollutant emissions. The actions should develop and validate pilot-scale facilities within the EU, integrating processing and refining technologies. These facilities should aim to reduce land and sea-use change, habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. Actions can also focus on reducing toxic elements in material products. The proposed solutions should be adaptable to different ore grades and extractive waste streams, supported by robust process control, and include appropriate management of hazardous substances. Intelligent and innovative production systems should be developed to minimise losses during waste-rock separation and reduce water usage. Recycling of end-of-life products is excluded. Clustering activities with other relevant projects are encouraged for cross-project cooperation and sharing of results. Market uptake should be facilitated through industry- and user-driven multidisciplinary consortia, considering standardisation aspects and analysing financial opportunities for market exploitation. A business case and exploitation strategy are required, with a credible strategy for full-scale deployment in the EU for TRLs 6-7. International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Ukraine and other countries with EU Strategic Partnerships on raw materials.

This opportunity falls under the destination of "Achieving technological leadership for Europe’s open strategic autonomy in raw materials, chemicals and innovative materials (2026-27)," which aims to foster a globally competitive European industry through green and digital transitions, and sustainable management of chemicals, advanced materials, and critical raw materials. It aligns with initiatives like the Clean Industrial Deal, Critical Raw Materials Act, and strategies for steel, metals, chemicals, and the automotive sector. The work programme adopts an integrated approach, combining priorities from different partnerships and promoting synergies with other pillars, including the European Innovation Council and Cluster 5. The Safe and Sustainable by Design approach is promoted, considering health, environment, and climate impacts. Support for start-ups and scale-ups is included, along with business cases and exploitation strategies for industrialisation. Cooperation with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is expected for selected consortia. Legal entities established in China are not eligible.

The admissibility conditions include proposal page limits and layout as described in the application form. Eligible countries are listed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries. Participation is limited to legal entities from Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community, and countries with EU strategic partnerships on raw materials and trade agreements with raw materials cooperation provisions. Entities controlled by non-eligible countries are excluded. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C. Evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and indicative timelines are detailed in Annexes D and F. Legal and financial aspects are covered in Annex G, with the granting authority retaining the right to object to ownership transfer or exclusive licensing for up to 4 years.

Application form templates and evaluation forms are available in the Submission System. Guidance is provided through the HE Programme Guide and Model Grant Agreements. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme, EU Financial Regulation, and rules for legal entity validation.

The budget overview for 2027 includes several topics:

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02 - HORIZON-IA: 36,000,000 EUR, contributions of 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, 6 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03 - HORIZON-RIA: 36,000,000 EUR, contributions of 5,000,000 to 6,500,000 EUR, 6 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06 - HORIZON-RIA: 36,000,000 EUR, contributions of 5,000,000 to 6,500,000 EUR, 7 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08 - HORIZON-IA: 16,000,000 EUR, contributions of 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR, 3 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16 - HORIZON-IA: 49,000,000 EUR, contributions of 10,000,000 to 12,5000,000 EUR, 4 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17 - HORIZON-CSA: 3,000,000 EUR, contributions around 3,000,000 EUR, 1 grant

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22 - HORIZON-IA: 36,000,000 EUR, contributions of 6,000,000 to 7,500,000 EUR, 6 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42 - HORIZON-CSA: 2,000,000 EUR, contributions around 1,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47 - HORIZON-CSA: 5,000,000 EUR, contributions of 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49 - HORIZON-IA: 5,000,000 EUR, contributions around 2,000,000 EUR, 25 grants

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration on this topic. The submission system is planned to open on 22 September 2026, with a deadline of 02 February 2027.

In summary, this opportunity seeks to fund projects that develop and demonstrate innovative technologies for processing raw materials within the EU, focusing on critical raw materials, economic and environmental sustainability, and industrial competitiveness. It encourages collaboration, market uptake, and alignment with EU policy goals for a green and digital transition.

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Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity are legal entities established in Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community and countries with which the EU has concluded strategic partnerships on raw materials as well as trade agreements (or association/economic partnership or equivalent agreements, including the new Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships) containing raw materials cooperation provisions (i.e. Energy and Raw materials chapters). Furthermore, the industry based in the EU, and users of recovered secondary raw materials should assume a prominent role in the proposed actions. Start-ups and scale-ups are also supported.

Funding Type: The funding type includes HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires multidisciplinary consortia covering the relevant value chain. Actions should facilitate the market uptake of solutions developed through industrially- and user-driven multidisciplinary consortia covering the relevant value chain.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community and countries with which the EU has concluded strategic partnerships on raw materials as well as trade agreements (or association/economic partnership or equivalent agreements, including the new Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships) containing raw materials cooperation provisions (i.e. Energy and Raw materials chapters). Actions should develop and validate / demonstrate pilot scale facility located in the EU.

Target Sector: The target sectors are industry, raw materials, chemicals, advanced materials, minerals and metals, green and digital transition, circular economy, energy, environment, climate, manufacturing, advanced machines/processes, industrial processes/components, innovation, DeepTech, and other. The actions should target minerals and metals, particularly critical raw materials.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine, China, EU Member States, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is demonstration, validation, and commercialization, with a focus on Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 6-7.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic, ranging from around €1 million to €12.5 million.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02: €6 million to €8 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03: €5 million to €6.5 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06: €5 million to €6.5 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08: €4 million to €6 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16: €10 million to €12.5 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17: around €3 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22: €6 million to €7.5 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42: around €1 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47: €1.5 million to €2.5 million
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49: around €2 million

Application Type: The application type is open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants varies per topic, ranging from 1 to 7.
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02: 6 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03: 6 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06: 7 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08: 3 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16: 4 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17: 1 grant
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22: 6 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42: 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47: 2 grants
HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49: 25 grants

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on fostering innovation and research in the raw materials sector, specifically targeting the development and validation of pilot-scale facilities within the EU. The primary goal is to enhance the recovery of valuable and critical raw materials from low-grade ores, complex ores, and mining waste, while simultaneously improving the environmental and economic sustainability of processing and metallurgical operations. The call encourages projects that integrate advanced processing and refining technologies, reduce waste and pollution, increase energy efficiency, and minimize land use. It also emphasizes the importance of market uptake through multidisciplinary consortia and the development of robust business cases and exploitation strategies. International cooperation, particularly with countries having strategic partnerships with the EU on raw materials, such as Ukraine, is encouraged. The call falls under Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, which aims to achieve technological leadership for Europe’s open strategic autonomy in raw materials, chemicals, and innovative materials, aligning with the EU's broader objectives of green and digital transition and circular economy. Legal entities from Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, African Union Member States, MERCOSUR, CARIFORUM, Andean Community and countries with which the EU has concluded strategic partnerships on raw materials as well as trade agreements (or association/economic partnership or equivalent agreements, including the new Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships) containing raw materials cooperation provisions (i.e. Energy and Raw materials chapters) are eligible to participate, with specific funding amounts allocated to different action types, including Innovation Actions, Research and Innovation Actions, and Coordination and Support Actions. The call aims to support projects at Technology Readiness Levels 6-7, requiring a clear pathway to full-scale deployment in the EU.

Short Summary

Impact
The funding aims to enhance the recovery rates of valuable raw materials from low-grade or complex ores and mining waste, improve economic performance, and promote environmental sustainability in raw materials processing.
Applicant
Applicants should possess expertise in raw materials processing, advanced materials development, and demonstrate capabilities in forming multidisciplinary consortia for project execution.
Developments
The funding will support projects focused on innovative processing technologies for critical raw materials, including pilot-scale facility development and validation within the EU.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for legal entities established in EU Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, and other specified regions, including industry players and research institutions.
Consortium
A consortium of multiple applicants is strongly encouraged, with a focus on multidisciplinary collaboration across the relevant value chain.
Funding Amount
Funding amounts range from €10,000,000 to €12,500,000 per project, with a total budget of €49,000,000 for four grants.
Countries
Eligible countries include EU Member States, associated countries, OECD countries, and specific partnerships, while entities from China are explicitly excluded.
Industry
This funding targets the raw materials processing sector, aligning with the EU's strategic goals for technological leadership and sustainability in critical raw materials.

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