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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must seamlessly bridge next-generation cell chemistry upscale with advanced European manufacturing machinery (addressing both @SC2 and @SC3) across the TRL 4 to 7 pathway. Given the portfolio evaluation rule prioritizing at least one automotive and one aviation proposal, consortiums must position an unambiguous sectoral championing strategy—including strict compliance with EASA airworthiness certification standards (CS.23/25/27) if targeting aviation. Crucially, the strategy must demonstrate competitive, high-throughput pilot-line integration aligned with the Batt4EU and Made in Europe partnerships while ensuring full compliance with the EU Battery Regulation and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles.
TRL 4 → 7
Upscaling of components production Technologies: Optimisation and pilot-scale integration methods of anode and cathode materials compatible with next generation electrolytes
Development of Cell Concepts, Manufacturing Equipment and Machinery Development of flexible and high-throughput processing methods for large-scale cell production (e.g., laser patterning, vacuum sintering, and advanced calendaring).
Development of next-generation production machinery, tailored for next generation lithium-ion cell manufacturing (e.g., solid electrolyte deposition tools, high-precision stacking machines).
Design and demonstration of module and packs into vehicles/relevant environment Develop module/pack design and relevant sensors and Battery Management Systems (BMS), optimised for supporting the system, for seamless cell-to-system integration, regulatory compliance, and specific end-user application requirements.
Perform comprehensive validation, including performance, durability, and safety testing under realistic operational conditions, addressing thermal management, mechanical stress, vibration resistance, and electrical performance at relevant scales.
The projects must fulfil the performance targets, at the cell and system level, corresponding to the specific targeted application, to be specified in the proposal. Appropriate KPI must be defined for the energy density (volumetric and gravimetric), Power density and C-rate, number of cycles and cost defined under operational conditions.
Boost EU competitiveness in next-generation battery technologies for mobility applications.
Develop pilot manufacturing capability for next generation lithium-based batteries.
Strengthen the EU battery value chain, including new manufacturing equipment, automation, and scalable production processes.
Advance the understanding of next-generation battery interfaces at an industrial scale, ensuring manufacturability, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
In the case of aviation, the battery requirements should be compatible at minimum with EASA CS.23 (level 4), CS.27 and preferably with CS.25 categories.
Increased competitiveness and strategic autonomy of a complete EU value chain while maximizing sustainability.
Reducing dependency on raw materials and upscaling processing capacity, also for recycled materials.
Creating an integrated European battery sector for next generation batteries , from design to manufacturing and all the way to end of life, reducing environmental impact.
Improving energy storage technologies to enhance the resilience of EU’s energy system, facilitating integration of renewable energy sources.
Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)
highThe Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, established under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, guides the innovation process towards chemicals and materials that are intrinsically safe and environmentally sustainable throughout their lifecycle.
Evaluators expect proposals to integrate SSbD assessment methodologies early into battery material selection, cell design, and manufacturing processes, demonstrating minimized hazard profiles, reduced environmental impacts, and compliance with EU sustainability metrics.
Industrial action plan for the automotive sector
highThe European Commission's strategic initiatives and industrial plans for the automotive sector focus on accelerating the transition to zero-emission mobility while strengthening industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy across supply chains.
Evaluators look for direct alignment with the decarbonization and competitiveness goals of the European automotive value chain, particularly evidence of scalable manufacturing, cost reduction, and robust industrial integration for mobility applications.
EASA CS.23
mediumEASA Certification Specifications for Normal, Utility, Aerobatic, and Commuter Category Aeroplanes (CS-23) define airworthiness and safety standards, including technical requirements for propulsion systems, structures, and electrical installations.
Where mobility applications touch electric aviation, evaluators expect proposals to address airworthiness certification pathways, thermal runaway containment, and electrical safety standards required by CS-23.
EASA CS.27
lowEASA Certification Specifications for Small Rotorcraft (CS-27) outline the minimum airworthiness codes and safety criteria for light rotorcraft, addressing powerplants, crashworthiness, and electrical energy storage systems.
Evaluators expect projects exploring aviation and urban air mobility battery systems to outline safety verification protocols, fail-safe mechanisms, and compliance considerations aligned with CS-27 specifications.
EASA CS.25
lowEASA Certification Specifications for Large Aeroplanes (CS-25) establish comprehensive airworthiness standards for transport-category commercial aircraft, enforcing rigorous safety, structural integrity, and fire-protection requirements.
Evaluators expect proposals involving high-performance, safety-critical aerospace battery applications to detail rigorous qualification processes, fault-tolerance measures, and risk assessments aligned with CS-25 airworthiness standards.
Specific requirements
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).
JRC participation status
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner, but will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal.
Exclusion of entities established in China
Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.
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Due to the complexity of the topic, the page limit for proposals is increased to 60 pages.
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.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner. The JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal - see General Annex B.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
To ensure a balanced portfolio covering different sectors, grants will be awarded to proposals not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within the automotive sector and one proposal that is the highest ranked within the aviation sector, provided that the proposals attain 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.
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.
Not applicable.
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
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Not applicable.
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
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 immediately scrutinize whether the proposal directly delivers industrial-scale manufacturability rather than merely laboratory advances, looking for tangible pilot production machinery innovations (such as laser patterning, vacuum sintering, or dry coating/stacking equipment). Key scored priorities include the definition of concrete, application-specific operational KPIs covering gravimetric/volumetric energy density, C-rate, cycle life, and cost targets (€/kWh). Note the call-specific administrative rule: the proposal page limit is extended to 60 pages (overriding the standard 40-page limit). Furthermore, evaluators will apply portfolio selection criteria (granting at least one top-ranked automotive and one aviation project), observe specific IPR objection rights (4-year post-project transfer restriction by the granting authority under Annex 5), and strictly enforce JRC participation conditions.
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 | |||
| SC1Upscaling of components production Technologies: Optimisation and pilot-scale integration methods of anode and cathode materials compatible with next generation electrolytes | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Development of Cell Concepts, Manufacturing Equipment and Machinery Development of flexible and high-throughput processing methods for large-scale cell production (e.g., laser patterning, vacuum sintering, and advanced calendaring). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Development of next-generation production machinery, tailored for next generation lithium-ion cell manufacturing (e.g., solid electrolyte deposition tools, high-precision stacking machines). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Design and demonstration of module and packs into vehicles/relevant environment Develop module/pack design and relevant sensors and Battery Management Systems (BMS), optimised for supporting the system, for seamless cell-to-system integration, regulatory compliance, and specific end-user application requirements. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Perform comprehensive validation, including performance, durability, and safety testing under realistic operational conditions, addressing thermal management, mechanical stress, vibration resistance, and electrical performance at relevant scales. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1The projects must fulfil the performance targets, at the cell and system level, corresponding to the specific targeted application, to be specified in the proposal. Appropriate KPI must be defined for the energy density (volumetric and gravimetric), Power density and C-rate, number of cycles and cost defined under operational conditions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Boost EU competitiveness in next-generation battery technologies for mobility applications. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Develop pilot manufacturing capability for next generation lithium-based batteries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Strengthen the EU battery value chain, including new manufacturing equipment, automation, and scalable production processes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5Advance the understanding of next-generation battery interfaces at an industrial scale, ensuring manufacturability, durability, and cost-effectiveness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO6In the case of aviation, the battery requirements should be compatible at minimum with EASA CS.23 (level 4), CS.27 and preferably with CS.25 categories. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Reporting to Batt4EU and Made in Europe PartnershipsProjects resulting from this topic are expected to report on their results to the European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) and the European Partnership on Advanced Manufacturing in Europe (Made in Europe) in support of monitoring KPIs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Potential involvement of the Joint Research Centre (JRC)Proposals could consider the involvement of the EC's Joint Research Centre (JRC), which may participate as a beneficiary with zero funding or as an associated partner to contribute experimental or desk-top research on battery performance or safety. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOSIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Exploitation strategy with scalability and deployment funding plansWhere results entail developing, manufacturing, or marketing a product, process, or service, the exploitation and dissemination plan must include preliminary plans for scalability, commercialisation, and deployment indicating potential funding sources (in particular the Innovation Fund). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Increased competitiveness and strategic autonomy of a complete EU value chain while maximizing sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Reducing dependency on raw materials and upscaling processing capacity, also for recycled materials. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Creating an integrated European battery sector for next generation batteries , from design to manufacturing and all the way to end of life, reducing environmental impact. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Improving energy storage technologies to enhance the resilience of EU’s energy system, facilitating integration of renewable energy sources. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1safe and sustainable by design (ssbd)The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, established under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, guides the innovation process towards chemicals and materials that are intrinsically safe and environmentally sustainable throughout their lifecycle. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2industrial action plan for the automotive sectorThe European Commission's strategic initiatives and industrial plans for the automotive sector focus on accelerating the transition to zero-emission mobility while strengthening industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy across supply chains. | · | · | 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).
JRC participation status
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner, but will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal.
Exclusion of entities established in China
Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination.
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.
Proposals must target a single specific transport mode (Automotive, Aviation, Rail, or Waterborne). Because evaluators apply a portfolio selection rule guaranteeing funding for at least one top-ranked automotive and one aviation project, selecting and unambiguously championing one of these two modes offers a distinct strategic advantage.
Source: Scope / Evaluation_pre_award
This call overrides the standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action page limit, allowing up to 60 pages. Applicants must use this expanded space to provide deep technical specifications on pilot production machinery innovations, such as laser patterning or vacuum sintering, and to define concrete, application-specific operational KPIs.
Source: Eligibility / Evaluation_pre_award
If the consortium selects aviation as its single transport mode, the battery requirements must integrate EASA airworthiness certification standards. Validation protocols must demonstrate compatibility with CS.23 (level 4) and CS.27 at a minimum, with CS.25 compliance providing a strong competitive edge.
Source: Scope / Expected outcomes
The exploitation strategy requires more than standard dissemination; it must include a concrete feasibility study and business plan for commercial deployment. Crucially, this plan must explicitly map out how the consortium will secure post-project scaling capital, specifically targeting the Innovation Fund.
Source: Scope
The granting authority retains the right to object to the transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of project results for up to 4 years after the project ends. Consortiums must structure their Consortium Agreement and commercialization timelines to accommodate this Annex 5 legal restriction.
Source: Eligibility
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