Pilot access schemes to Technology Infrastructures for European startups, scaleups and innovative SMEs (CSA)

Expected Outcome: Proposals should demonstrate the following expected outcomes: 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. Scope: Startups, scaleups and other innovative SMEs require access to state-of-the-art research and technology facilities, equipment and expertise to test, upscale, validate new products and technologies, shortening the time-to-market and increasing the chances for a successful commercialisation. Access mechanisms to Technology Infrastructures as well as access contracts and collaboration or service provision agreements are often complex, while the costs of using such infrastructures can significantly surpass the financial capacities of growing innovative companies. The action will 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). It should build on existing initiatives with already developed single access points to a comprehensive set of facilities and services in a selected technology area, like for example Open Innovation Test Beds or other integrated networks, that allow for a quick deployment of a common access scheme. The action should include setting-up a pilot centrally managed and funded access programme, allowing companies quick access to the needed services, with simplified and standardised access conditions applicable across the EU, to be coordinated and in line with the work on the envisaged European Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures. While the focus shall be the provision of access and support services to companies, the action can also include enhancing the accessibility and usability of technology infrastructure services to ensure that they meet the evolving needs of users. The action should aim at significant broadening of the user base of the technology infrastructures to address the needs of startups and scaleups that do not have access to such facilities in their local ecosystems. To this end, proposals should include the development and implementation of activities to increase the visibility and promote and demonstrate the uptake of technology infrastructures services provided to users across the EU. Furthermore, proposals should aim to enhance transnational and multisite collaboration among Technology Infrastructures fostering the building of technology infrastructures ecosystems, the sharing of experience, resources, and best practices in management, service offer, staff exchange and networking. Proposals may also benefit, especially for communication and dissemination activities, from sharing best practices and taking stock of what other relevant projects are developing in the field of Technology Infrastructures.

This Destination brings together the research and innovation for a globally competitive European industry through the twin green and digital transition , and the availability, development, use, reuse and disposal of chemicals, advanced materials and critical raw materials . The Competitiveness Compass announces initiatives that should be served directly by industry-linked activities in Cluster 4, through new, focused R&I activities, but also through the activities supported up to now: 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. In order to better translate these policy priorities into actions, to integrate the latest inputs from the partnerships, and to achieve synergies, this Work Programme part adopts a more integrated approach. The headings used under the two industry-focused destinations in previous work programmes, reflecting different partnerships and industrial sectors, are replaced by new headings making strongly interconnected contributions to the corresponding expected impacts in the Strategic Plan 2025-27, on green and digital transition and on autonomy in raw and advanced materials. The new approach takes into account R&I investments under previous work programmes and intends to introduce more synergies with other pillars (notably the European Innovation Council under Pillar III) as well as with Cluster 5. Topics in this Work Programme increasingly combine the priorities of different partnerships to enable synergies, e.g. with the Investment fund, while continuing to address the particularities of each partnership. The development of new and cross-cutting technologies will help transform existing value chains and create new ones. In addition to this Work Programme part, Cluster 4 participates in a horizontal Clean Industrial Deal Call , aiming to increase the competitiveness and decarbonisation of industry. The initiative will allow Horizon Europe beneficiaries to feed the EU deployment pipeline with R&I solutions close to market uptake and deployment, whilst also supporting the development by 2035 of a new batch of industry-led demonstrators designed for higher market readiness. In addition to decarbonisation, manufacturing and energy-intensive industries need to embrace the circular economy as a key pillar in the design of their value chains. This will be fundamental to their resource efficiency (in terms of materials, energy and water). Particularly important in this context is the upcycling of secondary raw materials and waste; de- and re-manufacturing; and the development of sustainable and resource-efficient industrial processes This Work Programme continues to promote across the calls the application of Safe and Sustainable by Design approach incorporating early and parallel considerations of innovation design choices on impacts on health, environment, climate and other sustainability parameters as a way of achieving stated policy objectives and fostering quick market uptake. Where projects are asked to contribute to the development of safe and sustainable products, projects should take into account safety concerns for consumers as well as the organisational health and safety aspects for industrial workers. Finally, to support start-ups and scale-ups , this Work Programme includes support for technology infrastructures and valorisation of knowledge. Business cases and exploitation strategies for industrialisation : This section applies only to those topics in this Destination, for which proposals should demonstrate the expected outcomes by including a business case and exploitation strategy for industrialisation . A business case and a credible initial exploitation strategy are essential components in the ultimate success of an industry-based project, as well as its prospects to attract further investments for deployment. They will both be decisive factors under the impact criterion, and proposers are encouraged to use the extended page limit to present a carefully considered business case and exploitation strategy, backed by the management of the companies involved. The business case should demonstrate the expected impact of the proposal in terms of enhanced market opportunities for the participants and deployment in the EU, in the short to medium term. It should describe the targeted market(s); estimated market size in the EU and globally; user and customer needs; and demonstrate that the solutions will match the market and user needs in a cost-effective manner; and describe the expected market position and competitive advantage. The exploitation strategy should identify obstacles, requirements and necessary actions involved in reaching higher TRLs (Technology Readiness Levels), for example: securing the required investments, including through possible synergies with other programmes; accessing the required skills; matching value chains; enhancing product robustness; securing industrial integrators; and user acceptance. For TRLs 6 and 7, a credible strategy to achieve future full-scale deployment in the EU is expected, indicating the intentions of the industrial partners after the end of the project. Where relevant, in the context of skills , it is recommended to develop training material to endow workers with the right skillset in order to support the uptake and deployment of new innovative products, services, and processes developed in the different projects. This material should be tested and be scalable, and can potentially be up-scaled through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). This will help the European labour force to close the skill gaps in the relevant sectors and occupational groups and improve employment and social levels across the EU and associated countries. Where projects are asked to contribute to the development of safe and sustainable products, projects should take into account safety concerns for consumers and the organisational health and safety aspects for industrial workers. For topics in this destination, consortia (if selected for funding) will be called upon to cooperate with the relevant parts of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) , in order to inform the next stages of EU technology and innovation policies. 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/ ). 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. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes.

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management. Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.

{
  "budgetYearsColumns": [
    "2027"
  ],
  "budgetTopicActionMap": {
    "112861": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-17 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 1,
        "minContribution": 3000000,
        "maxContribution": 3000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "3000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112862": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 6,
        "minContribution": 6000000,
        "maxContribution": 7500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "36000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112863": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 25,
        "minContribution": 200000,
        "maxContribution": 200000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "5000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112864": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-08 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 3,
        "minContribution": 4000000,
        "maxContribution": 6000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "16000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112865": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-42 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 1000000,
        "maxContribution": 1000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "2000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112866": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 4,
        "minContribution": 10000000,
        "maxContribution": 12500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "49000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112867": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 7,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 6500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "36000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112868": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 6,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 6500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "36000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112869": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 6,
        "minContribution": 6000000,
        "maxContribution": 8000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "36000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "112870": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-47 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 1500000,
        "maxContribution": 2500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2027": "5000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-09-22",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2027-02-02"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}