Testing and optimising models of co-creation of advanced research infrastructure technologies

The Horizon Europe initiative, specifically the HORIZON-INFRA, focuses on the advancement of research infrastructure technologies through a collaborative grant mechanism. Eligible applicants mainly include research infrastructures designated as ESFRI Landmarks, ESFRI Projects, ERICs (European Research Infrastructure Consortia), and international European research organizations. Proposals must involve at least two different research infrastructures, promoting cooperation across sectors. This is aimed at fostering innovation and creating deep-tech ecosystems by engaging with SMEs, startups, and other research institutions. The funding type is primarily through grants linked to the HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) framework. The budget allocation for this specific initiative is an indicative €30 million, with expected project contributions ranging from €10 million to €15 million each, and up to €500,000 available per third-party collaboration in the form of grants. A formal consortium structure is mandated, emphasizing collaboration among research infrastructures and requiring identification of beneficiaries in proposals. Geographic eligibility spans EU Member States and Associated Countries, with potential provisions for international collaborators under special arrangements. Target sectors include advanced scientific instrumentation, digital solutions, and technology transfer, emphasizing sustainable and efficient research infrastructures. Projects are expected to reach beyond Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4) and aim for practical validation and deployment while potentially advancing toward commercial application. The application process opens on March 9, 2027, with a submission deadline of June 15, 2027, in a single-stage format. This call represents an opportunity for significant funding aimed at elevating Europe’s position in deep-tech innovation. While success rates for applications are not specified, the competitive nature of the grant suggests participation will be highly selective, with historical data hinting at lower success probabilities. Overall, the HORIZON-INFRA initiative seeks to consolidate European research infrastructures, enabling them to act as a backbone for technological development and innovation in the region, thereby contributing to strategic EU objectives in digital and scientific competitiveness.

This is a summary of several Horizon Europe funding opportunities related to research infrastructures. The overarching objective is to strengthen the European research infrastructure landscape, enhance its competitiveness, and support the EU's ambition to be a leader in deep-tech innovation.

The funding opportunities are structured around several key areas:

1. EOSC (European Open Science Cloud):

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-01:This is a HORIZON-COFUND action with a budget of €40,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. It is expected that one grant will be awarded.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-02:This is a HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Action) with a budget of €8,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 2,500,000 and €4,000,000, and it is anticipated that two grants will be awarded.

2. Development and Innovation:

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-01:This is a HORIZON-CSA with a budget of €30,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 1,500,000 and €3,500,000, and it is anticipated that nine grants will be awarded.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-02:This is a HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Action) with a budget of €20,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 2,000,000 and €5,000,000, and it is anticipated that four grants will be awarded.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-03:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €29,500,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 3,000,000 and €4,500,000, and it is anticipated that eight grants will be awarded.

3. Services and Applications:

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-01:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €105,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. It is expected that around three grants will be awarded, with each project receiving approximately €35,000,000.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-02:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €35,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. It is expected that around six grants will be awarded, with each project receiving approximately €6,000,000.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-03:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €12,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. It is expected that around four grants will be awarded, with each project receiving approximately €3,000,000.

4. Technology Development:

HORIZON-INFRA:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €30,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 10,000,000 and €15,000,000, and it is anticipated that two grants will be awarded.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-02:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €30,000,000. It is a single-stage application process, opening on 09/03/2027 and closing on 15/06/2027. The expected contribution per project is between 7,000,000 and €12,000,000, and it is anticipated that three grants will be awarded.

Cross-Cutting Themes and Requirements:

All projects are expected to contribute to strengthening the European research infrastructure landscape and fostering deep-tech innovation.

Projects should focus on co-creation of advanced technologies, development of partnerships between research infrastructures and industry, and promoting the uptake and exploitation of technological solutions.

Developments for the specific use case of research infrastructures are expected to go beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4. If developments have potential applications beyond research infrastructures, the TRL should go up to 3-4.

Consortia must include at least two different research infrastructures as beneficiaries, each being an ESFRI infrastructure, a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), or another international European research organisation.

Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties (FSTP) in the form of grants, with a maximum amount of €500,000 per third party.

Proposals may include pre-commercial procurement (PCP) subcontracting activities.

The integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

General Conditions:

Admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria, evaluation and award processes, and legal and financial set-up are all governed by the standard Horizon Europe rules and annexes.

Application and Evaluation:

Application forms and evaluation templates are available in the Submission System.

Applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, and other guidance documents for detailed instructions.

Overall, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster the European research infrastructure ecosystem by funding projects that develop and implement innovative technologies, foster collaboration between research and industry, and promote the translation of scientific advancements into tangible economic and societal benefits. The call encourages projects that address common needs across different research infrastructures and contribute to Europe's technological sovereignty in deep-tech sectors.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types include research infrastructures, ESFRI infrastructures, European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC), international European research organisations, other public and private research performing organisations, industry, start-ups, and scaleups. Consortia must include at least two different research infrastructures as beneficiaries, each of them being an ESFRI infrastructure, and/or a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) or another research infrastructure that is an international European research organisation.

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The Model Grant Agreement is a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties (FSTP) in the form of grants.

Consortium Requirement:A consortium of multiple applicants is required. Specifically, consortia must include at least two different research infrastructures as beneficiaries, each of them being an ESFRI infrastructure, and/or a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) or another research infrastructure that is an international European research organisation.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, associated countries, and potentially certain non-EU/non-associated countries, as provisions have been made for funding participants from those countries in Horizon Europe projects. See the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for details.

Target Sector:The program targets the research infrastructures sector, with a focus on deep-tech startups and scaleups, innovation, science and technology. It aims to enhance the scientific and technological competitiveness of European research infrastructures.

Mentioned Countries:The opportunity mentions EU Member States and associated countries, as well as non-EU/non-associated countries that have specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 for the specific use case of research infrastructures. When proposed developments have the potential to lead to applications beyond the specific use case of research infrastructures, the TRL of these additional developments should go up to TRL 3-4.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €8,000,000 to €105,000,000 in total budget, with individual contributions ranging from €1,500,000 to €40,000,000.

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-01:€40,000,000 (around €40,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-02:€8,000,000 (€2,500,000 to €4,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-01:€30,000,000 (€1,500,000 to €3,500,000 per grant, 9 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-02:€20,000,000 (€2,000,000 to €5,000,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-03:€29,500,000 (€3,000,000 to €4,500,000 per grant, 8 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-01:€105,000,000 (around €35,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-02:€35,000,000 (around €6,000,000 per grant, 6 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-03:€12,000,000 (around €3,000,000 per grant, 4 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA:€30,000,000 (€10,000,000 to €15,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)

HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-02:€30,000,000 (€7,000,000 to €12,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)

Application Type:The application type is a single-stage call.

Nature of Support:The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants. Beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties (FSTP) in the form of grants, up to €500,000 per third party.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned, but the HORIZON-COFUND action implies a co-funding element.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call, Research Infrastructures 2027 (HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01), aims to bolster the European research infrastructure landscape, making it a central component of Europe's innovation-based competitiveness and supporting the continent's ambition to be a leader in deep-tech startups and scaleups. The call encompasses various topics, each designed to address specific needs within the research infrastructure ecosystem. These topics range from co-funding actions to coordination and support activities, as well as research and innovation actions focused on developing and implementing innovative technologies and solutions. The call encourages collaboration between research infrastructures, industry, and other research organisations to foster technological advancements, promote the uptake of new technologies, and strengthen the EU's innovation capacity and technological sovereignty. Consortia applying for these grants must include at least two different research infrastructures as beneficiaries, meeting specific criteria related to ESFRI infrastructures, ERICs, or international European research organisations. The funding amounts vary depending on the topic, with a range of €1,500,000 to €40,000,000 per grant. The application process is a single-stage submission, and while co-funding may be required for certain actions, the primary nature of support is financial through grants. This call is a strategic initiative to enhance the European research landscape, drive innovation, and support the growth of deep-tech industries across Europe.