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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must design and validate a streamlined, cross-border pilot access mechanism linking European startups and scaleups to advanced Technology Infrastructures (TIs), capitalising on existing networks such as Open Innovation Test Beds (OITBs). It should emphasize actionable, standardized service level agreements (SLAs) and cross-EU voucher or grant schemes compliant with the European Charter of Access, prioritizing critical areas like clean tech, advanced materials, and biotech.
Develop and test pilot multi-site access schemes for startups, scaleups and other innovative SMEs, involving a critical mass of Technology Infrastructures operators and users in priority areas (including but not limited to advanced materials, clean energy, or health and biotechnology), building on existing initiatives with already developed single access points to a comprehensive set of facilities and services in a selected technology area (such as Open Innovation Test Beds or other integrated networks).
Set up a pilot centrally managed and funded access programme allowing companies quick access to needed services, with simplified and standardised access conditions applicable across the EU, coordinated and in line with the European Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures.
Enhance the accessibility and usability of technology infrastructure services to ensure they meet the evolving needs of users, with a core focus on the provision of access and support services to companies.
Develop and implement activities to increase visibility, promote, and demonstrate the uptake of technology infrastructures services across the EU, broadening the user base to address startups and scaleups lacking local access.
Enhance transnational and multisite collaboration among Technology Infrastructures to build ecosystems and foster sharing of experience, resources, and best practices in management, service offer, staff exchange, and networking, taking stock of relevant projects in the field.
A sound understanding of the specific needs of industrial users (including but not limited to innovative SMEs, startups and scaleups) for Technology infrastructure services in specific priority areas including but not limited to advanced materials, clean energy, or health and biotechnology;
Increased opportunities for industrial users for development, testing, up-scaling and deployment of new technologies via the use of services offered by Technology Infrastructures;
Strengthened innovation and technology development capacity of European SMEs, startups and scaleups via improved access to Technology Infrastructures;
Attractiveness and effectiveness of the developed access schemes for broadening the range of Technology Infrastructures users, especially for startups and scaleups, including with transnational access.
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.
INnovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions (INCITE) ( https://innovation-centre-for-industrial-transformation.ec.europa.eu/ ).
The Energy and Industry Geography Lab: EIGL ( https://energy-industry-geolab.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ ).
European Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures
highThe European Charter provides non-binding principles and guidelines to harmonize and facilitate access to research infrastructures and technology infrastructures for industrial users, including SMEs and startups. It outlines transparent access modes, intellectual property handling, service standards, and cost transparency to promote public-private collaborative R&I.
Evaluators expect proposals to structure the pilot access schemes directly around the Charter's principles, detailing transparent, fair, and standardized access procedures, non-disclosure/IP protocols, and clear service provision frameworks tailored to startups and innovative SMEs.
Strategy on research and technology infrastructures
highThe EU Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures aims to create an integrated, sustainable, and accessible ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures across Europe. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and industrial application by supporting innovation ecosystems, upgrading testing facilities, and fostering cross-border industry access.
Evaluators expect the CSA to articulate a strategic approach to mapping, connecting, and opening technology infrastructures across Europe, lowering technical and financial barriers for startups and SMEs, and demonstrating clear alignment with EU-level infrastructure governance.
Clean Industrial Deal
mediumThe Clean Industrial Deal focuses on decarbonizing energy-intensive European industries while safeguarding economic competitiveness and securing green supply chains. It promotes investments in clean technologies, circular business models, and high-value resource efficiency.
Evaluators expect clear evidence of how proposed bio-based recycling or upcycling pathways reduce carbon intensity and provide circular, cost-competitive alternatives to fossil feedstocks in industrial manufacturing.
Critical Raw Materials Act
mediumThe Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252) establishes a regulatory framework to secure sustainable, diversified, and resilient supplies of critical and strategic raw materials essential for the EU's green and digital transitions. It sets benchmarks for domestic extraction, processing, recycling, and mitigation of supply chain risks.
Evaluators expect proposals enabling access to technology infrastructures to demonstrate how supported SMEs and startups can validate, scale up, or substitute technologies reliant on critical raw materials, thereby de-risking supply chains and boosting circular processing.
Advanced Materials Communication
mediumThe "Advanced Materials Communication" refers to the European Commission's communication on advanced materials, which typically outlines a strategic vision and actions to foster the development, production, and uptake of advanced materials in the EU. It emphasizes their importance for the green and digital transitions, industrial competitiveness, and strategic autonomy, often highlighting the need for a supportive regulatory framework, investment, and innovation ecosystems.
Proposals should demonstrate a clear understanding of the strategic importance of advanced materials as outlined in the Communication. They should show how their project contributes to the EU's leadership in advanced materials, supports key industrial value chains, and aligns with the objectives of the green and digital transitions, potentially by addressing challenges in scaling up, market access, or sustainability.
Specific requirements
Topic-specific consortium
Many CSA topics require a broader consortium than the general-annex minimum. The call-specific Eligibility and admissibility conditions override the general annex.
Restricted beneficiary type
Many CSA calls are reserved for specific beneficiary types (national funding agencies, research infrastructures, standards bodies). Check the call.
Coordination/support activities only
CSA funds coordination, networking, policy support, dissemination, training. Not research activities per se.
Gender Equality Plan
GEP eligibility criterion applies to public bodies, research organisations, higher education institutions from MS/AC.
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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.
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.
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.
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
Standard application form (HE CSA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Framework Partnership Agreement FPA
Call-specific instructions
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 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 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 strictly evaluate whether this proposal operates as a genuine coordination and support mechanism rather than funding basic R&D. They will look for:
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 and test pilot multi-site access schemes for startups, scaleups and other innovative SMEs, involving a critical mass of Technology Infrastructures operators and users in priority areas (including but not limited to advanced materials, clean energy, or health and biotechnology), building on existing initiatives with already developed single access points to a comprehensive set of facilities and services in a selected technology area (such as Open Innovation Test Beds or other integrated networks). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Set up a pilot centrally managed and funded access programme allowing companies quick access to needed services, with simplified and standardised access conditions applicable across the EU, coordinated and in line with the European Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Enhance the accessibility and usability of technology infrastructure services to ensure they meet the evolving needs of users, with a core focus on the provision of access and support services to companies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Develop and implement activities to increase visibility, promote, and demonstrate the uptake of technology infrastructures services across the EU, broadening the user base to address startups and scaleups lacking local access. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Enhance transnational and multisite collaboration among Technology Infrastructures to build ecosystems and foster sharing of experience, resources, and best practices in management, service offer, staff exchange, and networking, taking stock of relevant projects in the field. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1A sound understanding of the specific needs of industrial users (including but not limited to innovative SMEs, startups and scaleups) for Technology infrastructure services in specific priority areas including but not limited to advanced materials, clean energy, or health and biotechnology; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Increased opportunities for industrial users for development, testing, up-scaling and deployment of new technologies via the use of services offered by Technology Infrastructures; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Strengthened innovation and technology development capacity of European SMEs, startups and scaleups via improved access to Technology Infrastructures; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Attractiveness and effectiveness of the developed access schemes for broadening the range of Technology Infrastructures users, especially for startups and scaleups, including with transnational access. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Capitalise on Open Innovation Test Beds and existing networksProposals should build on existing initiatives with already developed single access points to facilities and services in a selected technology area, such as Open Innovation Test Beds (OITBs) or other integrated networks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Exchange best practices with other relevant Technology Infrastructure projectsProposals are expected to share best practices and take stock of what other relevant projects are developing in the field of Technology Infrastructures, especially for communication and dissemination activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Broaden user base to underserved startups and scaleupsActivities must significantly broaden the user base to address startups and scaleups lacking access to technology infrastructure facilities in their local ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Synergies with European Innovation Council and Cluster 5Actions under this Destination are intended to introduce more synergies with other pillars, notably the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Pillar III, as well as with Cluster 5. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approachThe Destination promotes the Safe and Sustainable by Design approach, incorporating early and parallel considerations of innovation design choices on health, environment, climate, and sustainability parameters. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Scalable training material up-scalable via ESF+Where relevant in the context of skills, proposals are recommended to develop tested, scalable training material to endow workers with skillsets that can potentially be up-scaled through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Cooperation with the Joint Research Centre (JRC)Selected consortia will be called upon to cooperate with relevant parts of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to inform future stages of EU technology and innovation policies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| 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 |
| EI9INnovation Centre for Industrial Transformation and Emissions (INCITE) ( https://innovation-centre-for-industrial-transformation.ec.europa.eu/ ). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10The Energy and Industry Geography Lab: EIGL ( https://energy-industry-geolab.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ ). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructuresThe European Charter provides non-binding principles and guidelines to harmonize and facilitate access to research infrastructures and technology infrastructures for industrial users, including SMEs and startups. It outlines transparent access modes, intellectual property handling, service standards, and cost transparency to promote public-private collaborative R&I. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2strategy on research and technology infrastructuresThe EU Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures aims to create an integrated, sustainable, and accessible ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures across Europe. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and industrial application by supporting innovation ecosystems, upgrading testing facilities, and fostering cross-border industry access. | · | · | 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.
Topic-specific consortium
Many CSA topics require a broader consortium than the general-annex minimum. The call-specific Eligibility and admissibility conditions override the general annex.
Restricted beneficiary type
Many CSA calls are reserved for specific beneficiary types (national funding agencies, research infrastructures, standards bodies). Check the call.
Coordination/support activities only
CSA funds coordination, networking, policy support, dissemination, training. Not research activities per se.
Gender Equality Plan
GEP eligibility criterion applies to public bodies, research organisations, higher education institutions from MS/AC.
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Evaluators will strictly penalize proposals that attempt to fund basic R&D rather than operating as a genuine coordination and support mechanism. The core objective is to design and validate a centrally managed access programme and standardized service level agreements, not to conduct the technological research itself.
Source: evaluation_pre_award
The proposal must structure its pilot access schemes directly around the European Charter of access for industrial users. Evaluators expect concrete blueprints for standardized access protocols, transparent IP handling, and service provision frameworks tailored to startups, rather than generic collaboration agreements.
Source: policies
A winning outreach strategy must explicitly target startups and scaleups from geographically underserved regions that lack local advanced infrastructure. Proposals failing to demonstrate a high-impact selection process to broaden the user base beyond established, infrastructure-rich hubs will score poorly on impact.
Source: evaluation_pre_award
The consortium must demonstrate a credible critical mass of existing Technology Infrastructure operators by linking directly with pan-EU initiatives like Open Innovation Test Beds (OITBs), JRC collaboration, or the INCITE platform. Proposing to build new networks from scratch rather than integrating these existing single-entry points will severely undermine the proposal's credibility.
Source: scope
Because this is a lump-sum CSA, the proposal must thoroughly detail the financial and operational mechanics of the centrally funded access programme while strictly adhering to the reduced 28-page limit. The payment milestone structure must clearly align with the delivery and validation of the cross-EU voucher or grant schemes.
Source: evaluation_pre_award
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