Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The RFCS project has the following research objectives for the coal sector:
- Supporting the equitable transition of the coal sector and regions;
- Improving health and safety.
- Minimizing the environmental impact of coal mines in transition.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Proposals should address one of the following objectives:
- New, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes (Article 8)
Proposals should address objectives listed in Article 8 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC. - Advanced steel grades and applications (Article 9)
Proposals should address objectives listed under Article 9 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC.
If the objectives of a proposal focus on recycling, it should be submitted under the topic RFCS-2026-Steel-Big Tickets under the Clean Industrial Deal.
Detailed Call Description
Scope:
- Applicants may submit proposals for either pilot or demonstration projects (see Articles 15 and 16 of Council Decision (EU) 2008/376/EC).
- Proposals must address the application of innovative technologies related to at least one of the objectives.
- Projects are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by completion.
- Proposals must be consistent with the general and specific objectives listed in the memorandum of understanding for the European Partnership on Clean Steel launched under Horizon Europe.
- Proposals must include an exploitation strategy outlining the possible industrial integration of the outcomes of the project (including the pilot/demonstrators) and a preliminary assessment of their economic viability.
- Targeted improvements (relative to existing installations or, for new projects, the relevant ETS benchmark) must be clearly quantified and demonstrated using energy system and material balance assessments (including emissions), which must be clearly defined by the applicants.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rate fixed in the Grant Agreement: 50 %
Projects should normally range between 36 and 54 months. Projects of longer duration may be accepted in duly justified cases. Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment.
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Industry
- Other Services
- Other Thematic Category
- Processing
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies, e.g. undertakings, public bodies, research organisations, higher or secondary education establishments or other legal entities) which carry out an RTD activity or substantially contribute to such an activity
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries :
- countries associated to the RFCS (list of participating countries).
Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register — before submitting the proposal — and will have to be validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation). For the validation, they will be requested to upload documents showing legal status and origin.
Consortium composition
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of a minimum of 2 independent applicants from 2 different eligible countries