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Strategic Analysis
This call targets the deployment of industrial CCUS clusters with a strong societal readiness component, requiring interdisciplinary approaches to address technical, economic, and social challenges. Winning proposals will demonstrate near-to-market CCUS solutions that integrate cross-border industrial emitters, optimize CO2 transport and storage, and align with EU climate neutrality objectives while ensuring societal acceptance and just transition principles.
TRL → 8
Detailed planning and preparation for retrofitting capture systems to existing industrial plants;
Demonstrating important system components;
Identification and characterisation of the clustering potential of (cross-border) regional CO2 emitters;
Optimisation of industrial symbiosis between emitters and potential users of CO2;
Development of tools to optimise the design and operation of the cluster(s) and operate CO2 streams with different compositions, flow rates and operating regimes to comply with the constraints for the shared transport and storage infrastructure;
Identification of potential regional users of a common CO2 infrastructure (this could also include enlargement counties, such as the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova);
Comprehensive economic and technical assessment to identify the best (multimodal) transport options, including the re-use of existing infrastructure;
Development of business models for regional CO2 transport networks, including for dispersed industrial sites to link these to larger industrial clusters or pipeline networks;
Consideration of feasible CO2 geological storage services
Comprehensive set of studies and preparatory actions leading to permitting;
Scenarios for integrating CO2 infrastructure in (plans for) regional, national and/or cross-border energy networks (electricity, hydrogen, natural gas), also in relation to future changes in industrial landscape and energy supply mix.
Proposals should follow the instructions applying to the Societal Readiness pilot, as described in the introduction of the Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 for Climate, Energy and Mobility. They entail the use of an interdisciplinary approach to deepening consideration and responsiveness of R&I activities to societal needs and concerns.
Near-to-market solutions for the safe integration and use of CCUS technologies in the energy- and carbon-intensive industry;
A pipeline of projects that have the potential for commercial scale-up.
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.
Technologies that are safe and sustainable by design with reduced and diversified external dependence on critical raw materials
highHorizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 for Climate, Energy and Mobility (Societal Readiness pilot)
highEU Climate neutrality objectives
highStrategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan)
mediumSustainable Development Goals
mediumSpecific 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).
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.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout 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 — 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.
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 — 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 — 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
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 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
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 | |||
| SC1Detailed planning and preparation for retrofitting capture systems to existing industrial plants; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Demonstrating important system components; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Identification and characterisation of the clustering potential of (cross-border) regional CO2 emitters; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Optimisation of industrial symbiosis between emitters and potential users of CO2; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Development of tools to optimise the design and operation of the cluster(s) and operate CO2 streams with different compositions, flow rates and operating regimes to comply with the constraints for the shared transport and storage infrastructure; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Identification of potential regional users of a common CO2 infrastructure (this could also include enlargement counties, such as the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova); | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Comprehensive economic and technical assessment to identify the best (multimodal) transport options, including the re-use of existing infrastructure; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Development of business models for regional CO2 transport networks, including for dispersed industrial sites to link these to larger industrial clusters or pipeline networks; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Consideration of feasible CO2 geological storage services | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC10Comprehensive set of studies and preparatory actions leading to permitting; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC11Scenarios for integrating CO2 infrastructure in (plans for) regional, national and/or cross-border energy networks (electricity, hydrogen, natural gas), also in relation to future changes in industrial landscape and energy supply mix. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC12Proposals should follow the instructions applying to the Societal Readiness pilot, as described in the introduction of the Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 for Climate, Energy and Mobility. They entail the use of an interdisciplinary approach to deepening consideration and responsiveness of R&I activities to societal needs and concerns. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Near-to-market solutions for the safe integration and use of CCUS technologies in the energy- and carbon-intensive industry; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2A pipeline of projects that have the potential for commercial scale-up. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Substantial industrial involvementTo maximise impact, projects should ensure substantial industrial involvement across the CCUS cluster development activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Involvement of potential regional users from enlargement countriesIdentification of potential regional users of a common CO2 infrastructure could include enlargement countries such as the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Exploitation strategy aligned with public and private funding mechanismsProjects must deliver an exploitation strategy identifying public and private funding sources for CAPEX and OPEX, including InvestEU, EU Catalyst Partnership, Innovation Fund, and Regional Development policy funds. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Deliberative engagement of end users and societal stakeholdersProjects are expected to identify and engage relevant end users and societal stakeholders (such as civil society organisations, NGOs, and local associations) in deliberative activities to address public acceptability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) expertiseThe topic requires effective contribution of SSH expertise and inclusion of SSH experts in the consortium to facilitate the socio-technological interface and design Societal Readiness activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS earth observation and navigation dataIf 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 |
| Expected impacts | |||
| dEI1Energy 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 |
| dEI2Technology 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 |
| dEI3Economic 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 |
| dEI4European 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 |
| dEI5European 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 |
| dEI6European 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 |
| dEI7R&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 |
| dEI8The 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 |
| dEI9The 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 |
| dEI10Accelerated 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 | |||
| POL1Technologies that are safe and sustainable by design with reduced and diversified external dependence on critical raw materialsThe call emphasizes the need for CCUS technologies that are safe, sustainable, and minimize reliance on critical raw materials, aligning with EU circular economy and strategic autonomy goals. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 for Climate, Energy and Mobility (Societal Readiness pilot)This policy underpins the Societal Readiness pilot requirement, mandating interdisciplinary approaches to address societal needs and concerns in R&I activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3EU Climate neutrality objectivesThe call directly supports the EU's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with CCUS as a key mitigation option for hard-to-abate sectors. | · | · | 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).
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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