# Horizon Europe (EU R&D Framework Program)

## Overview
Horizon Europe is the EU's key funding program for research and innovation, providing grants for collaborative R&D and innovation projects with strong focus on Green Deal objectives.

## Managing Body
European Commission

## Funding Type
Grants for collaborative R&D and innovation projects

## Funding Amount
- Multi-partner Research/Innovation Actions: 70–100% of costs
- Project budgets: €3–10+ million range
- EIC Accelerator (within Horizon Europe): Up to €2.5M grant + optional equity up to €15M

## Deadlines
- Calls released under multi-year work programmes
- 2024 call on "Hubs for Circularity": 19 Sept 2023 (closed)
- EIC Accelerator: Short applications continuous; Full application deadlines: 12 March 2025 (closed), 1 October 2025 (closed)
- Next EIC Accelerator deadlines: Check official website for 2026 dates
- Horizon Europe calls: Check Funding & Tenders portal for current 2026 calls

## Eligibility
- Consortia of at least 3 entities from different EU/associated countries
- Some instruments support single SMEs
- EIC Accelerator: Single startups/SMEs with breakthrough innovations

## Thematic Alignment
Strong focus on Green Deal objectives:
- Circular economy
- Industrial symbiosis
- Emissions reduction
- Digital industrial innovation
- Processes4Planet partnership: "Hubs for Circularity" for industrial-urban symbiosis solutions (TRL 6–8)

## Relevance to City Resource Graph
- Industrial symbiosis platforms
- Cross-company resource optimization
- Digital platforms for circular economy
- Smart industrial clusters

## Links
- [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders_en) - Main portal with call documents
- [A.SPIRE Partnership](https://aspire2050.eu/) - Processes4Planet partnership
- [EIC Accelerator](https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator/eic-accelerator-open_en)

## Application Checklist

### Pre-Application Requirements
- [ ] Verify eligibility:
  - [ ] **Consortium**: At least 3 entities from different EU/associated countries (✅ Germany eligible as partner)
  - [ ] **OR** single SME for some instruments (EIC Accelerator)
- [ ] Determine project type:
  - [ ] Collaborative R&D project (consortium required) OR
  - [ ] Single SME innovation (EIC Accelerator)
- [ ] Build consortium (if collaborative):
  - [ ] At least 3 partners from different EU countries
  - [ ] Include research institutions, SMEs, large companies
  - [ ] Define roles and responsibilities
- [ ] Check specific call requirements and deadlines

### Required Documents (Collaborative Projects)
- [ ] Consortium agreement
- [ ] Project description with innovation focus
- [ ] Work packages and deliverables
- [ ] Budget breakdown per partner
- [ ] CVs of key team members
- [ ] Partnership agreements
- [ ] Letters of support
- [ ] Market analysis and impact assessment
- [ ] Circular economy/environmental impact description

### Required Documents (EIC Accelerator - Single SME)
- [ ] See [EIC Accelerator checklist](./eic-accelerator.md) for details
- [ ] Company registration (German/EU)
- [ ] Business plan
- [ ] Technology description (TRL 5-8)
- [ ] Market analysis

### Application Steps
1. [ ] Review [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders_en)
2. [ ] Check current 2026 calls for circular economy/industrial symbiosis
3. [ ] For collaborative projects: Build consortium (3+ partners from different countries)
4. [ ] For single SME: Consider EIC Accelerator (no consortium needed)
5. [ ] Review call-specific requirements and deadlines
6. [ ] Prepare and submit application before deadline

### Project Alignment Checklist
- [ ] Project aligns with Green Deal objectives
- [ ] Demonstrates circular economy/industrial symbiosis focus
- [ ] Shows environmental impact and emissions reduction
- [ ] Includes digital innovation component (if applicable)
- [ ] Demonstrates EU-wide impact
- [ ] Shows collaboration benefits (if consortium)

### Consortium Building (Collaborative Projects)
- [ ] Identify partners from different EU countries
- [ ] Define partner roles (research, industry, SME, large company)
- [ ] Establish consortium agreement
- [ ] Allocate work packages to partners
- [ ] Define budget distribution
- [ ] Note: Germany/Berlin company can be consortium coordinator or partner

### Post-Submission
- [ ] Save confirmation and reference number
- [ ] Monitor evaluation timeline
- [ ] Prepare for potential evaluation/interview
- [ ] Have additional documentation ready if requested

## Application Tips
- Requires strong consortium building across EU countries
- Focus on TRL 5-8 for EIC Accelerator
- Emphasize environmental impact and circular economy benefits
- Multi-year work programmes require early planning
- **German companies eligible** - can participate in consortia or apply alone (EIC Accelerator)
- **Berlin location perfect** - EU member state eligible for all calls