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Strategic Analysis
This high-budget (€40M) Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) action aims to de-risk advanced renewable fuel value chains across aviation and maritime transport by orchestrating a transnational buyers group. A winning proposal must demonstrate a robust joint procurement strategy involving credible public procurers and fleet operators, establishing a multi-phase phased competition across critical pathways (e.g., ATJ-SPK, FT-SPK, BioMethanol/MTJ, and e-methanol) up to TRL 8 validation.
TRL 5 → 8
Production of advanced bioEthanol and further processing into ATJ-SPK
Biomass Gasification and FT-Synthesis to produce FT-SPK
Production of BioMethanol for further processing into MTJ
Hydrotreatment of Lipids from marginal/contaminated lands to produce HEFA
Biomass Pyrolysis and Upgrading or co-processing to produce biokerosene and bio-heavy fuel oil
Biomethane from AD and Gasification and Methanation to produce biomethane for shipping or further processing into methanol (methanolysis) for shipping
E-Methanol production from CO2 and renewable H2 for shipping
Public authorities, industry, technology providers, energy producers and consumers profit from de-risking of cost-effective essential value chains of those renewable fuel technologies that can contribute to domestic commercial fuel production beyond 2030 customized to their needs, from improved access to better financing exploiting synergies across funding schemes, and from more effective market uptake, business models, increased competitiveness, and commercialization opportunities.
Energy producers, clean tech manufacturing industries, researchers and consumers benefit from improved performance, lower environmental impact, security and competitiveness of ad-hoc renewable fuel technologies compared to existing ones, as well as new market opportunities.
Community, public authorities and industry benefit from sharing the de-risking cost and reducing it by engaging several competing solution suppliers/technology providers in parallel, boosting transnational public and private investments in de-risking and attracting new players to tackle supplier lock-in issues
The implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) Action of Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy is supported and facilitated by better alignment of public and private R&I priorities and of funding mechanisms.
Policy makers and regulators are provided with evidence to accelerate permitting procedures and increase the public acceptance of innovative and sustainable renewable fuel projects improving the regulatory framework.
Energy producers have access to efficient and competitive European renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies with a solid knowledge base and are able to deploy them to enhance the EU’s energy security and reach its climate neutrality objectives, in a sustainable way in environmental (e.g., biodiversity, multiple uses of land and water, natural resources, pollution) and socioeconomic terms, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Technology providers have access to European, competitive, resilient, reliable, sustainable, and affordable value chains of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies including emerging ones, and with strong export potential to supply both the EU internal and global markets. They benefit also from circular renewable energy technologies that are safe and sustainable by design with reduced and diversified external dependence on critical raw materials.
Economic sectors benefit from better integration of renewable energy and renewable fuel-based solutions that are, among others, competitive, cost-effective, efficient, flexible, reliable, and sustainable. Such integration is facilitated through digitalisation and integration of artificial intelligence of renewable energy technologies that provide network stability and reliability.
European industries benefit from a reinforced export potential of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies, also through international partnerships, and become more competitive in innovative renewable energy technologies in Europe and globally.
European researchers benefit from a stronger community and from a reinforced scientific basis on renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies including emerging ones, also through international collaborations.
European citizens have access to an energy market that is fair and equitable, more resilient, uses all different types of local renewable energy resources, and is less dependent on fossil fuels imports. Citizens experience less fuel and energy poverty, and also benefit from new employment and upskilling opportunities. Local communities benefit from a more decentralized, affordable, and secure energy system and from multiple uses of land and water.
R&I actions will support the just digital and green transformation of the energy system through advanced solutions for accelerating the energy systems integration and decarbonisation . The developed clean, sustainable solutions will contribute to making the energy system work better for actors and supply more reliable, resilient and secure energy – even under increasingly more frequent extreme climate events.
The solutions developed will contribute to increase flexibility and grid hosting capacity for renewables through optimizing cross sector integration and grid scale storage as well as cover off-grid situations. They will improve the preparedness of the electricity system to support the EU's binding target for 2030 of minimum of 42.5% renewables in the gross final energy consumption (with the aspiration to reach 45%), and full decarbonisation by 2050. They will enable further electrification of demand and will enhance the competitiveness of the European value chain , reduce pressure on resources (also by making technologies ‘circular by design’) and decrease dependencies. Such solutions would also enable a better EU resilience to climate risks.
The solutions will improve consumer awareness and engagement in the energy transition, via innovative offers and services (e.g. demand response, energy communities) and will target different types of consumers, including “hard to reach” population groups (such as energy poor or low-income households). This will result in increased trust in, and uptake of the new products and services entering the energy system.
Accelerated deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) as a CO2 emission mitigation option in electricity generation and/or in industry applications, as well as carbon dioxide removal for negative emissions.
Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan)
highThe SET Plan aims to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies, including CCUS, to meet EU climate and energy targets.
Evaluators will look for alignment with SET Plan priorities, including technology roadmaps, cost reduction pathways, and collaboration with industry to ensure market uptake.
Directive 2014/24/EU
highDirective 2014/24/EU establishes the EU legal framework for public procurement by public authorities. It sets standards for transparent, fair, and competitive tendering procedures while allowing innovation partnerships and pre-commercial procurement mechanisms.
Evaluators expect public procurers within the consortium to demonstrate strict compliance with EU public procurement rules, including non-discrimination, fair competition, and appropriate risk-benefit sharing frameworks typical for R&D procurements.
Directive 2014/25/EU
highDirective 2014/25/EU regulates procurement by entities operating in the utilities sectors, notably water, energy, transport, and postal services. It outlines flexible yet compliant procurement routes to procure innovative and commercial-scale solutions.
Evaluators expect utility sector procurers to detail how transnational procurement procedures will adhere to sector-specific procurement rules, ensuring equal treatment, transparency, and effective management of intellectual property rights.
Regulation (EU) 2021/695
highRegulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its objectives, budget, forms of funding, and rules for participation. It defines the specific conditions and principles under which Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI) actions operate.
Evaluators expect proposals to satisfy the specific eligibility, co-funding, and implementation conditions for Pre-Commercial Procurement actions as defined by the Horizon Europe legal framework, including rules on joint procurement and competitive step-by-step phases.
Specific requirements
Buyers group of public procurers
A minimum of two beneficiaries must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
No potential providers in the consortium
To avoid conflicts of interest, there can be no participants in the consortium that are potential providers of solutions for the PCP (General Annex H).
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).
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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).
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.
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 PCP)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE PCP PPI)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
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 critically scrutinize the composition of the buyers group, ensuring strict compliance with PCP rules (no conflict of interest between procurers and potential R&D supplier bidders) and genuine public purchasing leverage. They will prioritize clear demand aggregation, a transparent and competitive 3-phase procurement architecture (solution design, prototyping, operational field-testing/pilot batch validation), and alignment with the EU SET Plan Action on Renewable Fuels and ReFuelEU Aviation / FuelEU Maritime targets. Note the call-specific increased page limit of 60 pages due to topic complexity.
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 | |||
| SC1Production of advanced bioEthanol and further processing into ATJ-SPK | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Biomass Gasification and FT-Synthesis to produce FT-SPK | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Production of BioMethanol for further processing into MTJ | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Hydrotreatment of Lipids from marginal/contaminated lands to produce HEFA | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Biomass Pyrolysis and Upgrading or co-processing to produce biokerosene and bio-heavy fuel oil | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Biomethane from AD and Gasification and Methanation to produce biomethane for shipping or further processing into methanol (methanolysis) for shipping | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7E-Methanol production from CO2 and renewable H2 for shipping | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Public authorities, industry, technology providers, energy producers and consumers profit from de-risking of cost-effective essential value chains of those renewable fuel technologies that can contribute to domestic commercial fuel production beyond 2030 customized to their needs, from improved access to better financing exploiting synergies across funding schemes, and from more effective market uptake, business models, increased competitiveness, and commercialization opportunities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Energy producers, clean tech manufacturing industries, researchers and consumers benefit from improved performance, lower environmental impact, security and competitiveness of ad-hoc renewable fuel technologies compared to existing ones, as well as new market opportunities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Community, public authorities and industry benefit from sharing the de-risking cost and reducing it by engaging several competing solution suppliers/technology providers in parallel, boosting transnational public and private investments in de-risking and attracting new players to tackle supplier lock-in issues | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4The implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) Action of Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy is supported and facilitated by better alignment of public and private R&I priorities and of funding mechanisms. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5Policy makers and regulators are provided with evidence to accelerate permitting procedures and increase the public acceptance of innovative and sustainable renewable fuel projects improving the regulatory framework. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Open PCP call to R&D providers across EU and Associated CountriesThe pre-commercial procurement must be open to providers of R&D services established in any EU Member States and Associated Countries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Synergies with EIC, InvestEU, and regional funds for R&D providersConsortia are encouraged to plan activities to raise awareness among winning PCP contractors on combining contracts with support from the EIC, InvestEU, regional funds, or other Union funding, and to involve managing/funding entities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Planned approach for follow-up deployment and procurementProcurers must include in the proposal their planned approach for deployment if solutions are successful, such as limited deployment during the PCP or a deliverable preparing follow-up procurement after the project. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Compliance of hydrogen feedstock with EU renewable and low-carbon rulesAll hydrogen used for producing synthetic fuels must comply with EU legislation on renewable and low-carbon methodology; steam methane reforming using fossil fuels is strictly excluded. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Cross-sector synergies across end-use energy and transport sectorsIndustrial value chains should be developed based on domestic sustainable feedstocks and create synergies across all end-use energy and transport sectors for markets and production facilities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS earth observation dataIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Energy producers have access to efficient and competitive European renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies with a solid knowledge base and are able to deploy them to enhance the EU’s energy security and reach its climate neutrality objectives, in a sustainable way in environmental (e.g., biodiversity, multiple uses of land and water, natural resources, pollution) and socioeconomic terms, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Technology providers have access to European, competitive, resilient, reliable, sustainable, and affordable value chains of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies including emerging ones, and with strong export potential to supply both the EU internal and global markets. They benefit also from circular renewable energy technologies that are safe and sustainable by design with reduced and diversified external dependence on critical raw materials. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Economic sectors benefit from better integration of renewable energy and renewable fuel-based solutions that are, among others, competitive, cost-effective, efficient, flexible, reliable, and sustainable. Such integration is facilitated through digitalisation and integration of artificial intelligence of renewable energy technologies that provide network stability and reliability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4European industries benefit from a reinforced export potential of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies, also through international partnerships, and become more competitive in innovative renewable energy technologies in Europe and globally. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5European researchers benefit from a stronger community and from a reinforced scientific basis on renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies including emerging ones, also through international collaborations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6European citizens have access to an energy market that is fair and equitable, more resilient, uses all different types of local renewable energy resources, and is less dependent on fossil fuels imports. Citizens experience less fuel and energy poverty, and also benefit from new employment and upskilling opportunities. Local communities benefit from a more decentralized, affordable, and secure energy system and from multiple uses of land and water. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7R&I actions will support the just digital and green transformation of the energy system through advanced solutions for accelerating the energy systems integration and decarbonisation . The developed clean, sustainable solutions will contribute to making the energy system work better for actors and supply more reliable, resilient and secure energy – even under increasingly more frequent extreme climate events. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8The solutions developed will contribute to increase flexibility and grid hosting capacity for renewables through optimizing cross sector integration and grid scale storage as well as cover off-grid situations. They will improve the preparedness of the electricity system to support the EU's binding target for 2030 of minimum of 42.5% renewables in the gross final energy consumption (with the aspiration to reach 45%), and full decarbonisation by 2050. They will enable further electrification of demand and will enhance the competitiveness of the European value chain , reduce pressure on resources (also by making technologies ‘circular by design’) and decrease dependencies. Such solutions would also enable a better EU resilience to climate risks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9The solutions will improve consumer awareness and engagement in the energy transition, via innovative offers and services (e.g. demand response, energy communities) and will target different types of consumers, including “hard to reach” population groups (such as energy poor or low-income households). This will result in increased trust in, and uptake of the new products and services entering the energy system. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10Accelerated deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) as a CO2 emission mitigation option in electricity generation and/or in industry applications, as well as carbon dioxide removal for negative emissions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1strategic energy technology plan (set plan)The SET Plan aims to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies, including CCUS, to meet EU climate and energy targets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2directive 2014/24/euDirective 2014/24/EU establishes the EU legal framework for public procurement by public authorities. It sets standards for transparent, fair, and competitive tendering procedures while allowing innovation partnerships and pre-commercial procurement mechanisms. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3directive 2014/25/euDirective 2014/25/EU regulates procurement by entities operating in the utilities sectors, notably water, energy, transport, and postal services. It outlines flexible yet compliant procurement routes to procure innovative and commercial-scale solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4regulation (eu) 2021/695Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishes the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its objectives, budget, forms of funding, and rules for participation. It defines the specific conditions and principles under which Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI) actions operate. | · | · | 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.
Buyers group of public procurers
A minimum of two beneficiaries must be independent legal entities that are public procurers, each established in a different Member State or Associated Country and with at least one of them established in a Member State.
No potential providers in the consortium
To avoid conflicts of interest, there can be no participants in the consortium that are potential providers of solutions for the PCP (General Annex H).
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).
4 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 critically scrutinize the consortium for any conflict of interest between the buyers group and potential R&D suppliers. The consortium must be composed of public and private procurers demonstrating genuine public purchasing leverage, and must explicitly exclude potential technology providers from the buyers group to ensure a fair competitive tender.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Proposals targeting hydrogen production as an end-product will be rejected as out of scope. Furthermore, any hydrogen utilized in the production of synthetic fuels must comply with EU renewable and low-carbon methodologies; processes relying on Steam Methane Reforming using fossil fuels are strictly excluded.
Source: Scope
Procurers must explicitly define their planned approach for deployment assuming the PCP yields successful solutions. A winning proposal must either integrate the deployment of a limited set of solutions during the project lifecycle or include a dedicated deliverable preparing the follow-up procurement for larger commercial volumes.
Source: Scope
This call grants an increased page limit of 60 pages to accommodate the complexity of the PCP instrument. Use this extra space to rigorously detail the mandatory 3-phase procurement architecture: solution design, prototyping, and operational field-testing/pilot batch validation up to TRL 8.
Source: Eligibility rules
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