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HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04

Optimise the usage of resources in a circular economy

RIA Cluster 4 €64,000,000 21 Apr 2026
Topic CodeHORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04F&T Portal
Call IdentifierHORIZON-CL4-2026-01Call — INDUSTRY (single stage)
InstrumentHORIZON-RIAResearch and Innovation Action
Budget ModelLump SumHORIZON-AG-LS
Funding Rate100%Annex G — RIA = 100%
Page Limit (Part B)48 pagesRIA + lump sum = 45pp + 3pp business case
Evaluation Thresholds3 / 3 / 3 · cum. 10Standard — no override
Expected Projects9€5–8M each (WP stated)
DestinationLeadership in materials and production for EuropeWP Part 7
Cluster / PillarCluster 4 / Pillar IIDigital, Industry and Space
China EligibilityExcluded ▲RIA & IA excluded under this destination
Special ConditionsPortfolio approach ▲At least 2 steel-sector proposals funded
Verify: Open this topic on the F&T Portal →  ·  Sources: General Annexes 2026-2027, WP Part 7
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Chinese entities are excluded from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) under this destination. "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."
Portfolio approach: steel sector. Grants will be awarded not only in order of ranking but at least also to two proposals that are the highest ranked that focus on the recovery of iron-containing residuals / waste / by-products using low-CO2 processes; provided that the applications attain all thresholds.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Material recycling and upcycling are significantly enhanced compared to the state of the art through technology development along the value chain and integrated value chain optimisation, leading to reduced GHG and air pollutant emissions;
  2. Through the recycling of (iron-containing or other) production waste / residuals / by-products or optimisation of the recovery of critical / strategic raw materials or ferroalloys, the EU's dependencies on imports from single or very limited numbers of country suppliers are reduced, and the yields of recycling of production-waste / by-products are increased;
  3. The usage of raw materials, fresh water and energy is minimised, and ecosystem and habitat degradation avoided;
  4. The impact of impurities in materials produced for special applications of strategic importance for European environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability is reduced by either minimising their amount or by modification of impurity-material-structure, morphology, and properties;
  5. Cost efficient use of resources is reached with minimal energy usage and optimized use of labour.

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