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Strategic Analysis
To succeed, proposals must demonstrate how innovative advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., additive, hybrid, photonics, composites, lightweight materials, in-line testing) will enable the production of key and high-performance products in Europe. A winning angle will clearly articulate how these technologies significantly enhance circularity and resource efficiency (materials and energy), directly contributing to the 'Made in Europe partnership' and the EU's industrial policy objectives, including the Clean Industrial Deal and future Circular Economy Act.
TRL 5 → 7
Innovative additive manufacturing;
Hybrid manufacturing (additive, subtractive);
Photonics;
Advanced joining technologies;
Polymer composite manufacturing;
Advanced technologies for surface treatment and structuring, to tailor surface properties for specific applications;
Manufacturing of components with lightweight materials; and
In-line testing.
Advanced manufacturing technology and machinery becomes available in Europe for the manufacturing of key and high-performance products;
Where relevant, production becomes increasingly circular through the reuse of secondary raw materials; and/or innovative advanced materials are incorporated in manufactured products, leading to better performance and quality;
Resource efficiency in terms of materials and energy is increased significantly; and
Clean Industrial Deal adopted in February 2025;
Critical Raw Materials Act;
Advanced Materials Communication and future Advanced Materials Act planned for 2026;
Future Circular Economy Act planned for 2026;
Steel and Metals Action Plan adopted in March 2025;
European Chemicals Industry Action Plan adopted in July 2025;
Industrial action plan for the European automotive sector adopted in March 2025; and
Strategy on research and technology infrastructures, with regard to technology infrastructures and the valorisation of knowledge.
Clean Industrial Deal
highThe "Clean Industrial Deal" refers to the industrial dimension of the European Green Deal, aiming to make European industry more sustainable, competitive, and resilient. It focuses on decarbonization, circularity, resource efficiency, and the development of clean technologies and products, while ensuring a level playing field and supporting innovation.
Proposals should demonstrate how their advanced manufacturing solutions contribute to the green transition of industry, for example, by reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, enabling circularity, or developing clean technologies. Alignment with the EU's climate and environmental objectives and enhancing industrial competitiveness are key.
Critical Raw Materials Act
highThis act aims to secure the EU’s supply of critical raw materials (e.g., lithium, cobalt) by diversifying imports, improving recycling, and reducing dependence on single suppliers. It emphasizes domestic sourcing and circular economy principles.
Proposals must show how the project reduces reliance on imported critical raw materials, either through recovery from waste streams (e.g., brines) or substitution with alternative materials. Demonstrating scalability and economic viability is key.
Advanced Materials Communication
highThe Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership outlines a strategic approach to strengthen the EU's leadership in advanced materials. It identifies key actions to boost research, innovation, production, and uptake of advanced materials across various industrial sectors, recognizing their foundational role for technological progress and competitiveness.
Proposals should clearly articulate how their advanced manufacturing solutions leverage or contribute to the development and deployment of advanced materials. This includes demonstrating the innovative aspects of the materials used or produced, their performance benefits, and their potential for industrial application and market uptake within the EU.
Advanced Materials Act
highThe proposed Advanced Materials Act aims to establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of advanced materials in the EU. It seeks to streamline regulatory processes, foster investment, and create a more predictable environment for innovation in advanced materials, crucial for strategic industries and the green and digital transitions.
Proposals should demonstrate how their advanced manufacturing activities align with the objectives of fostering innovation and industrial uptake of advanced materials. This could involve addressing regulatory hurdles, contributing to standardization, or showcasing pathways for rapid deployment and scaling of new materials and their manufacturing processes.
Circular Economy Act
highThe "Circular Economy Act" refers to the legislative and policy framework stemming from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plans. It aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy by promoting sustainable product design, reducing waste, increasing recycling and reuse, and fostering circular business models across key value chains.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how their advanced manufacturing processes contribute to circularity. This includes aspects like resource efficiency, waste reduction, use of secondary raw materials, design for longevity, repairability, or recyclability, and the development of circular business models within the manufacturing context.
Safe and Sustainable by Design approach
highThe Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach promotes the integration of safety and sustainability considerations into the design and development process of materials, products, and processes from the earliest stages. The goal is to minimize environmental and health impacts throughout their lifecycle, reducing risks and fostering innovation.
Proposals should explicitly describe how the SSbD principles are integrated into their advanced manufacturing solutions. This includes demonstrating how potential hazards are identified and mitigated, how resource efficiency and circularity are maximized, and how the overall environmental and health footprint of the manufactured products and processes is minimized.
European Partnership Made in Europe
highThe European Partnership Made in Europe aims to strengthen Europe's manufacturing industry by fostering innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies. It focuses on developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness, supporting the green and digital transitions of the sector.
Proposals must explicitly align with the strategic objectives and expected impacts of the Made in Europe partnership. This includes demonstrating how the advanced manufacturing solutions contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and human-centric European manufacturing industry, and how they will be deployed and scaled up within the EU.
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
highRegulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe, the EU's framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It sets out the overall objectives, structure, budget, and rules for participation, aiming to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases, foster competitiveness, and deliver on EU policy priorities.
Proposals are inherently expected to comply with the general objectives and principles of Horizon Europe. This includes demonstrating scientific excellence, potential for impact, and quality and efficiency of implementation, as well as alignment with cross-cutting priorities like gender equality, open science, and international cooperation where relevant.
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
highDecision (EU) 2021/764 establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe. It details the specific objectives, budget breakdown, and broad lines of activities for each pillar and cluster of Horizon Europe, providing more granular guidance on the types of research and innovation activities to be supported.
Proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of how their project fits within the specific objectives and expected outcomes outlined for the relevant cluster (e.g., Cluster 4 'Digital, Industry and Space' for advanced manufacturing) and destination within the Horizon Europe Specific Programme.
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
highThis regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare.
Evaluators will look for clear financial planning, cost-efficiency analysis, and compliance with EU financial rules, particularly in demonstrating the economic viability and sustainability of the proposed AI solutions.
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
highThis decision provides the legal basis for using lump sum funding in Horizon Europe, offering a simplified funding model where a fixed amount is paid upon completion of predefined work packages or milestones, rather than based on actual incurred costs. It aims to reduce administrative burden and focus on results.
If the call or topic allows for or mandates lump sum funding, proposals must clearly define the work packages, milestones, and deliverables associated with the lump sum amounts. Evaluators will assess the clarity, realism, and justification of the proposed lump sum breakdown in relation to the project's objectives and expected outcomes.
Steel and Metals Action Plan
mediumThe Steel and Metals Action Plan (or similar initiatives) focuses on supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of the EU's steel and metals industries. It addresses challenges such as decarbonization, raw material supply, energy efficiency, and the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies to ensure the sector's long-term viability and contribution to the green transition.
If the advanced manufacturing project involves steel or other metals, proposals should highlight how it contributes to the objectives of this action plan, such as reducing the carbon footprint of metal production, improving resource efficiency in metal processing, or developing innovative metal products and processes.
European Chemicals Industry Action Plan
mediumTargets safe and sustainable chemicals management. Relevant for proposals addressing hazardous substances in circular manufacturing.
If applicable, inclusion of safe chemical management practices in circular processes.
Strategy on research and technology infrastructures
mediumThis strategy aims to strengthen the European Research Area by developing, integrating, and optimizing world-class research and technology infrastructures. It focuses on providing researchers with access to cutting-edge facilities, fostering collaboration, and supporting the translation of research results into innovation and industrial applications.
Proposals should demonstrate how they leverage existing research and technology infrastructures or contribute to their development and accessibility, particularly for advanced manufacturing. This could involve using shared facilities for testing, piloting, or scaling up innovative manufacturing processes, or contributing to the infrastructure's capabilities.
Industrial action plan for the European automotive sector
lowThis action plan aims to support the European automotive sector in its twin green and digital transitions, enhancing its competitiveness and resilience. It addresses challenges such as electrification, connectivity, automation, and the need for new skills, while fostering innovation in manufacturing processes and supply chains.
If the advanced manufacturing project specifically targets the automotive sector, proposals should demonstrate how their solutions contribute to the sector's transformation, for example, by enabling new production methods for electric vehicles, improving supply chain resilience, or supporting the development of autonomous driving components.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
lowThe European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the EU's main instrument for investing in people. It supports Member States in addressing employment, education, and social inclusion challenges, contributing to a fair and social Europe. It funds initiatives related to skills development, job creation, social innovation, and combating poverty.
Proposals should consider the social dimension of advanced manufacturing, such as the impact on skills requirements, job creation, and workforce adaptation. While not a primary technical focus, demonstrating how the project contributes to upskilling/reskilling the workforce for advanced manufacturing or addresses social inclusion aspects could be a valuable addition.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout In order to include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination, the page limit in part B of the General Annexes is exceptionally extended by 3 pages. Admissibility conditions are 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.
2. Eligible Countries — 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 .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — To ensure a balanced portfolio covering also the automotive industry, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked with focus on the automotive industry, provided that the applications attain all thresholds. are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5. 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 Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Operating Grants MGA Framework Partnership Agreement FPA Call-specific instructions Information on financial support to third parties (HE) Information on clinical studies (HE)
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide 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 Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that:
Clearly articulate the novelty and technical excellence of the chosen advanced manufacturing technologies, addressing at least one of @SC1 to @SC8.
Demonstrate a strong link to key and high-performance products in Europe, showing how the technology will make them available (@EO1).
Provide a robust plan for achieving circularity (reuse of secondary raw materials) and/or incorporating innovative advanced materials for superior performance and quality (@EO2).
Quantify the expected significant increase in resource efficiency (materials and energy) (@EO3).
Explicitly reference and contribute to the listed underlying EU policies and expected impacts (@EI1-@EI8), especially the "Made in Europe partnership" and the "Clean Industrial Deal".
Show a clear path from TRL 5 to TRL 7, indicating a strong Innovation Action with demonstrable prototypes and pilot lines.
For proposals focusing on the automotive industry, ensure this focus is prominently highlighted, as grants will be awarded to at least one highest-ranked proposal in this sector, provided all thresholds are met.
Note the exceptionally extended page limit by 3 pages in Part B to include a comprehensive business case and exploitation strategy.
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 | |||
| SC1Innovative additive manufacturing; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Hybrid manufacturing (additive, subtractive); | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Photonics; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Advanced joining technologies; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Polymer composite manufacturing; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Advanced technologies for surface treatment and structuring, to tailor surface properties for specific applications; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Manufacturing of components with lightweight materials; and | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8In-line testing. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Advanced manufacturing technology and machinery becomes available in Europe for the manufacturing of key and high-performance products; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Where relevant, production becomes increasingly circular through the reuse of secondary raw materials; and/or innovative advanced materials are incorporated in manufactured products, leading to better performance and quality; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Resource efficiency in terms of materials and energy is increased significantly; and | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Clean Industrial Deal adopted in February 2025; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Critical Raw Materials Act; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Advanced Materials Communication and future Advanced Materials Act planned for 2026; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Future Circular Economy Act planned for 2026; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Steel and Metals Action Plan adopted in March 2025; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6European Chemicals Industry Action Plan adopted in July 2025; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7Industrial action plan for the European automotive sector adopted in March 2025; and | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8Strategy on research and technology infrastructures, with regard to technology infrastructures and the valorisation of knowledge. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1clean industrial dealThe "Clean Industrial Deal" refers to the industrial dimension of the European Green Deal, aiming to make European industry more sustainable, competitive, and resilient. It focuses on decarbonization, circularity, resource efficiency, and the development of clean technologies and products, while ensuring a level playing field and supporting innovation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2critical raw materials actThis act aims to secure the EU’s supply of critical raw materials (e.g., lithium, cobalt) by diversifying imports, improving recycling, and reducing dependence on single suppliers. It emphasizes domestic sourcing and circular economy principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3advanced materials communicationThe Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership outlines a strategic approach to strengthen the EU's leadership in advanced materials. It identifies key actions to boost research, innovation, production, and uptake of advanced materials across various industrial sectors, recognizing their foundational role for technological progress and competitiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4advanced materials actThe proposed Advanced Materials Act aims to establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate the development, testing, and deployment of advanced materials in the EU. It seeks to streamline regulatory processes, foster investment, and create a more predictable environment for innovation in advanced materials, crucial for strategic industries and the green and digital transitions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5circular economy actThe "Circular Economy Act" refers to the legislative and policy framework stemming from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plans. It aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy by promoting sustainable product design, reducing waste, increasing recycling and reuse, and fostering circular business models across key value chains. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6safe and sustainable by design approachThe Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach promotes the integration of safety and sustainability considerations into the design and development process of materials, products, and processes from the earliest stages. The goal is to minimize environmental and health impacts throughout their lifecycle, reducing risks and fostering innovation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL7european partnership made in europeThe European Partnership Made in Europe aims to strengthen Europe's manufacturing industry by fostering innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies. It focuses on developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness, supporting the green and digital transitions of the sector. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL8he framework programme 2021/695Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes Horizon Europe, the EU's framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027. It sets out the overall objectives, structure, budget, and rules for participation, aiming to strengthen the EU's scientific and technological bases, foster competitiveness, and deliver on EU policy priorities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL9he specific programme decision 2021/764Decision (EU) 2021/764 establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe. It details the specific objectives, budget breakdown, and broad lines of activities for each pillar and cluster of Horizon Europe, providing more granular guidance on the types of research and innovation activities to be supported. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL10eu financial regulation 2024/2509This regulation governs the financial management of EU funds, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of resources. It is relevant for proposals involving large-scale piloting and validation of AI systems in healthcare. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL11decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the horizon europe programmeThis decision provides the legal basis for using lump sum funding in Horizon Europe, offering a simplified funding model where a fixed amount is paid upon completion of predefined work packages or milestones, rather than based on actual incurred costs. It aims to reduce administrative burden and focus on results. | · | · | 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.
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. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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.
European industry faces challenges in accessing and implementing cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technologies, hindering the domestic production of key and high-performance products and increasing reliance on external supply chains.
Current manufacturing practices often follow linear models, leading to significant waste generation and high consumption of virgin materials and energy, which is unsustainable and costly, and misaligned with circular economy goals.
There is a gap in the widespread adoption of circular economy principles and the incorporation of innovative advanced materials into mainstream manufacturing, limiting product performance, quality, and environmental sustainability.
The complexity of advanced manufacturing processes, particularly those involving new materials and hybrid techniques, necessitates sophisticated in-line testing and quality control methods to ensure product reliability and performance, which are currently lacking or underdeveloped.
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises operating in the manufacturing sector, seeking to adopt advanced technologies to improve competitiveness and sustainability.
Major industrial players, particularly in strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, interested in integrating advanced manufacturing processes and materials.
Organisations involved in applied research and technology transfer, contributing expertise and infrastructure for advanced manufacturing development and validation.
Academic institutions providing fundamental research, skilled personnel, and contributing to the scientific advancement in advanced materials and manufacturing.
Researchers and academics across Europe and internationally who will benefit from new knowledge, data, and methodologies generated by the project.
European and national policy makers responsible for industrial strategy, circular economy, and raw materials, who will use project outcomes to inform future legislation and initiatives.
End-users of products manufactured using the developed technologies, benefiting from higher quality, performance, and more sustainable goods.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project will make advanced manufacturing technology and machinery available in Europe, fostering the domestic production of key and high-performance products, thereby strengthening European industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy, aligning with the Clean Industrial Deal and Advanced Materials Communication.
The project will contribute to making production increasingly circular through the reuse of secondary raw materials and/or the incorporation of innovative advanced materials, leading to significant increases in material and energy resource efficiency. This directly supports the Clean Industrial Deal, Critical Raw Materials Act, and future Circular Economy Act.
By incorporating innovative advanced materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, the project will lead to products with better performance and quality, aligning with the Advanced Materials Communication and future Advanced Materials Act.
The project will directly support the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal, Critical Raw Materials Act, and specific industrial action plans such as for the European automotive sector, strengthening Europe's industrial base and competitiveness.
The project will generate new knowledge and develop advanced technology infrastructures, contributing to the broader scientific and research community and supporting the Strategy on research and technology infrastructures and the valorisation of knowledge.