HORIZON-CID-2027-01-01
Objective and scope
Develop first-of-a-kind operational demonstrators or optimise newly installed industrial decarbonisation solutions in Europe, combining technological innovation with commercially credible clean products and industrial deployment.
Scope – all three main areas:
- Managing the carbon cycle (CCU and/or CCUS): optimise and demonstrate capture, use or storage of CO₂ and/or CO from energy-intensive installations. Target a 30% reduction in capture-related energy input per tonne compared with current technologies, considering capture rate, purity, life-cycle performance, market potential and cost.
- Clean energy usage in production: electrify processes and integrate clean energy carriers such as hydrogen, bio-based feedstocks and processes, on-site renewable-energy storage, and waste-heat recovery or upgrading, supporting major improvements by 2035.
- Circularity and resource efficiency of production processes: target a 30% improvement in material, energy and water efficiency by 2035 compared with current industrial performance. Develop commercially viable circular value networks turning industrial side streams or end-of-use waste into feedstocks where low-carbon technologies do not yet exist, with positive overall life-cycle performance.
Proposals should select one main area. Integrated combinations are possible. Portfolio considerations aim to support at least one proposal above all evaluation thresholds in each main area.
Projects should be led by industry and involve a small, manageable consortium, with operational industrial demonstrations and a credible route to deployment and commercial uptake.
A business plan and market-readiness strategy are required, including annual updates, commercialisation, supply-chain and scale-up considerations. Establish a credible permitting pathway and an engineering and techno-economic assessment supporting a go/no-go decision for further deployment. Plan cooperation and knowledge exchange with relevant EU initiatives and other funded projects.
Expected technology maturity: TRL 6 to TRL 7–8.
Eligible applicants
International consortia of companies, SMEs, start-ups, universities, research organisations, public bodies and other eligible legal entities established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, subject to the General Annexes and topic conditions.
Standard consortium minimum: three independent legal entities in three different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including at least one entity established in an EU Member State.
Relevant partners: Energy-intensive manufacturers such as chemicals, cement, steel and metals companies; technology and equipment suppliers; CCU/CCUS, electrification, hydrogen, bio-based process and resource-efficiency specialists; industrial demonstration sites; SMEs; universities and RTOs.
Specific restrictions apply to participation by entities established in China and, where applicable, entities under Chinese control. Where satellite-based observation, positioning or navigation data and services are used, the applicable Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS requirements must be followed.
Funding
- Action: Innovation Action (IA).
- Funding rate: up to 70% of eligible costs; up to 100% for non-profit legal entities.
- Indicative topic budget: €125 million.
- Expected EU contribution per project: €15–25 million. Proposals requesting other amounts may also be submitted and considered.
- Indicative number of projects: 8.
- Technology maturity: TRL 6 to TRL 7–8.
Eligible costs follow the Horizon Europe grant rules and may include personnel, subcontracting, purchases and other eligible costs needed for the project. Applicants must justify the budget and project duration in line with the proposed activities.
Deadline for submission
Status: Forthcoming.
Planned opening: 12 January 2027.
Deadline: 15 September 2027, 17:00 Brussels time (CEST).
Single-stage submission. The topic-specific Part B page limit is 60 pages. Consult the Funding & Tenders Portal and the applicable work programme and General Annexes before applying.
Official Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027: Horizontal activities