Horizon Europe: €188.6 Million Funding for Sustainable Energy Supply and Usage Research Projects

The European Union has made available a total of €188.6 million in funding for energy projects through two new calls under Horizon Europe’s Work Programme for 2023-2024. The application deadline for these funding opportunities is set for 4 February, 2025. The calls focus on two critical areas:

1. Sustainable, secure, and competitive energy supply (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-02)
   • This call includes 13 topics and has a budget allocation of €138.6 million for various types of actions, such as Innovation Actions (HORIZON IA), Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON RIA), and Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON CSA).
2. Efficient, sustainable, and inclusive energy use (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D4-02)
   • This call covers 5 topics with a budget of €50 million, also supporting a range of action types, including HORIZON IA and HORIZON RIA.

Background Information

Horizon Europe serves as the EU’s flagship funding program for research and innovation, boasting a total budget of €95.5 billion. Within this framework, the Energy, Climate Action, and Mobility research actions are categorized under Cluster 5. The primary goal of this cluster is to expedite the twin transitions toward a green and digital economy, aiming to meet the EU's climate goals and enhance energy resilience across member states.

Application Process

Detailed guidance on funding opportunities is outlined in the multiannual Climate, Energy and Mobility work programme, which was approved by the European Commission in December 2022.

To access the funding and apply, interested parties can consult the following resources:

• Funding and Tenders Portal: Provides comprehensive information on the calls and application procedures.
• Online Manual: Offers guidance on processes from proposal submission to grant management.
• Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Details the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
• Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers common questions related to proposal submission, evaluation, and grant management.
• Research Enquiry Service: For specific inquiries regarding Horizon Europe.

Requirements for Applying

The specific requirements for submitting project proposals are outlined in the relevant documents available on the individual call pages. Each proposal will be evaluated by independent experts from the European Commission's external evaluator database, with applicants receiving evaluation results no later than five months after the submission deadline. Successful applicants can expect to sign grant agreements within eight months of their submission.

This funding opportunity represents a significant step forward in advancing research and innovation in the energy sector, facilitating sustainable energy solutions across Europe.

Source: Horizon Europe