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Strategic Analysis
To win this blind-evaluated, two-stage Processes4Planet Innovation Action, the proposal must demonstrate a highly integrated upcycling ecosystem that bridges advanced sorting/purification technologies with viable business models. A key strategic differentiator will be the active integration of Ukrainian industrial and non-profit partners to leverage the EC's portfolio-balancing priority, alongside a robust Digital Product Passport (DPP) framework that ensures data interoperability across the value chain.
TRL → 7
Develop processes for the upcycling of end-of-life materials in an integrated way, including the development of better novel separation, sorting and processing technologies as well as digitalisation and automation of the processes as necessary;
Integration of technologies and logistics systems into business models of circular schemes;
Focus on processes and secondary raw materials which offer the highest additional upcycling potential and accordingly develop novel upcycling technologies and processes including purification technologies;
Identify the likely impacts of the upcycling solutions with respect to economic and job creation potential, as well as environmental footprint referring to the full set of planetary boundaries including freshwater intake aspects;
Where relevant, minimise the presence of substances of concern to mitigate the impacts of multiple recycling loops as well as the accumulation of additives and trace materials in secondary resource streams;
Consider advanced monitoring and sensing along the value chains and improved data completeness, accuracy and interoperability between the process and recycling companies. In this context, digital tools, such as a Digital Product Passport for tracking and tracing of materials throughout the lifecycle of a product should be applied and data sharing should be addressed.
Prove the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of the upcycling of end-of-life waste materials by process industries in integrated circular schemes – including for supplying the value chains of net zero technologies and components;
Enable doubling the ratio of secondary raw materials upcycled leading to a significant increase in resource, including energy efficiency and improved carbon lifecycle across the value chain compared to present levels;
Increase the competitiveness of the European process industry, including by providing new business opportunities and revenue flows for recycling companies benefiting particularly SMEs – including for supplying the value chains of net zero technologies and components;
Foster the use of digital tools as well as the data sharing, and FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) digital assets principles.
Support a globally competitive European industry through the twin green and digital transition.
Boost the transformation of existing value chains and the creation of new ones.
Support net-zero manufacturing to transition towards a green and sustainable society.
Achieve significant reductions in emissions to help Europe become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
Processes4Planet Partnership
highThe Processes4Planet Partnership (P4Planet) is a European co-programmed partnership aiming to transform the European process industries to achieve climate neutrality, circularity, and competitiveness. It focuses on near-zero landfilling and water discharge, circular business models, and the deployment of breakthrough technologies by 2050.
Evaluators expect proposals to explicitly align with the P4Planet Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Proposals must demonstrate how the proposed upcycling technologies contribute to the partnership's targets of climate neutrality, circularity, and competitiveness, including clear KPIs for resource efficiency and CO2 reduction.
Net-Zero Industry Act
mediumThe Net-Zero Industry Act aims to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU, including solar PV. It sets a target of 40% of the EU's annual deployment needs to be met by domestic production by 2030.
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that demonstrate industrial readiness (TRL 7) and scalable production processes for tandem PV technologies. Clear pathways to commercialization and market deployment are essential.
Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027
mediumThe Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027 outlines the EU’s key research and innovation priorities for the final phase of the Horizon Europe programme. It focuses on addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and health, while reinforcing the EU’s competitiveness and resilience. The plan emphasizes mission-driven research, cross-sectoral collaboration, and alignment with broader EU policies like the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade.
Evaluators expect proposals to demonstrate clear alignment with the plan’s key strategic orientations, particularly in health-related clusters (e.g., Cluster 1: Health). Proposals should highlight how they contribute to the plan’s expected outcomes, such as improving health system efficiency, reducing inequalities, or advancing digital health solutions. Strong proposals will also show how they address the plan’s cross-cutting priorities, such as sustainability, inclusiveness, and international cooperation.
Industry 5.0 paradigm
mediumThe Industry 5.0 paradigm complements the existing Industry 4.0 approach by putting research and innovation at the service of the transition to a sustainable, human-centric, and resilient European industry. It shifts the focus from sole shareholder value to broader stakeholder value, emphasizing worker well-being and environmental limits.
Evaluators look for proposals that integrate social sustainability alongside technological innovation. This includes demonstrating how upcycling technologies empower workers, ensure safe working environments, and build industrial resilience against supply chain disruptions, rather than focusing solely on digital or economic efficiency.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
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Applicants submitting a proposal under the blind evaluation pilot (see General Annex F) must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application (see General Annex E).
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
This topic is part of the blind evaluation pilot under which first stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.
To ensure a portfolio including support leading to the recovery and upgrading of industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking, but also to at least one project involving at least one non-profit partner and at least one industrial partner established and located in Ukraine, provided that the application attains all thresholds.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
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 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Stage 1: Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND)
Stage 2: 2025 RIA/IA Application form: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_v9.0_en.pdf
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Strage 1: Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND)
Stage 2: 2025 RIA/IA Evaluation form: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_v3.0_en.pdf
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
2025 Detailed budget table: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_v3.3_en.xlsm
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)
Information on clinical studies (HE)
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will prioritize: (1) The technical and economic feasibility of doubling the upcycling ratio of secondary raw materials (@EO2) with clear, quantified baselines; (2) Strict adherence to the Stage 1 blind evaluation rules (ensuring no partner names, acronyms, or logos are disclosed); (3) Concrete roles for Ukrainian partners to secure the portfolio-balancing award preference; (4) A clear pathway to TRL 7 with validated business models involving SMEs; and (5) A holistic environmental footprint assessment covering planetary boundaries, specifically freshwater intake.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop processes for the upcycling of end-of-life materials in an integrated way, including the development of better novel separation, sorting and processing technologies as well as digitalisation and automation of the processes as necessary; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Integration of technologies and logistics systems into business models of circular schemes; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Focus on processes and secondary raw materials which offer the highest additional upcycling potential and accordingly develop novel upcycling technologies and processes including purification technologies; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Identify the likely impacts of the upcycling solutions with respect to economic and job creation potential, as well as environmental footprint referring to the full set of planetary boundaries including freshwater intake aspects; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Where relevant, minimise the presence of substances of concern to mitigate the impacts of multiple recycling loops as well as the accumulation of additives and trace materials in secondary resource streams; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Consider advanced monitoring and sensing along the value chains and improved data completeness, accuracy and interoperability between the process and recycling companies. In this context, digital tools, such as a Digital Product Passport for tracking and tracing of materials throughout the lifecycle of a product should be applied and data sharing should be addressed. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Prove the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of the upcycling of end-of-life waste materials by process industries in integrated circular schemes – including for supplying the value chains of net zero technologies and components; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Enable doubling the ratio of secondary raw materials upcycled leading to a significant increase in resource, including energy efficiency and improved carbon lifecycle across the value chain compared to present levels; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Increase the competitiveness of the European process industry, including by providing new business opportunities and revenue flows for recycling companies benefiting particularly SMEs – including for supplying the value chains of net zero technologies and components; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Foster the use of digital tools as well as the data sharing, and FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) digital assets principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Support a globally competitive European industry through the twin green and digital transition. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Boost the transformation of existing value chains and the creation of new ones. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Support net-zero manufacturing to transition towards a green and sustainable society. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Achieve significant reductions in emissions to help Europe become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1processes4planet partnershipThe Processes4Planet Partnership (P4Planet) is a European co-programmed partnership aiming to transform the European process industries to achieve climate neutrality, circularity, and competitiveness. It focuses on near-zero landfilling and water discharge, circular business models, and the deployment of breakthrough technologies by 2050. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
Page limit Stage 1
Part B Section 1+2+3 combined is typically capped at 10 pages at Stage 1. Pages exceeding the limit are invisible to evaluators.
Consortium continuity
The consortium declared at Stage 1 is expected to submit Stage 2. Substantial changes must be justified.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
Civil applications only
Exclusive military or dual-use applications are excluded.
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current sorting and purification technologies fail to remove substances of concern, leading to downcycling or accumulation of additives in multiple recycling loops, preventing their use in net-zero technologies.
High logistics costs and fragmented value chains prevent the economic integration of upcycled materials into net-zero technology supply chains, limiting SME competitiveness.
Absence of interoperable digital tools and data-sharing frameworks prevents tracking materials throughout their lifecycle, hindering FAIR principles and DPP implementation.
Large-scale manufacturers in chemicals, minerals, or steel seeking high-purity secondary raw materials to transition to net-zero manufacturing.
Small and medium enterprises specializing in waste sorting, processing, and upcycling seeking new revenue streams and business models.
Entities established in Ukraine involved in industrial recovery, infrastructure upgrading, and circular economy integration.
Researchers in circular economy, industrial ecology, advanced materials processing, and digital product passport standards.
Regulators and bodies tracking the Net-Zero Industry Act, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and DPP standards.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
Enable doubling the ratio of secondary raw materials upcycled, leading to a significant increase in resource efficiency across the value chain compared to present levels.
Achieve significant reductions in emissions to help Europe become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through improved carbon lifecycles.
Increase the competitiveness of the European process industry, providing new business opportunities and revenue flows for recycling companies benefiting particularly SMEs.