Materials Commons for Europe

The main goal of this opportunity is to boost research and innovation in advanced materials by building a digital infrastructure that connects resources across Europe. The initiative aims to bring together existing and new research hubs, making it easier for scientists and industry to share data, tools, and workflows. Key focus areas include enabling access to standardized (FAIR) data, supporting experimental processes, integrating self-driving laboratories, and using AI and high-performance computing. The program also emphasizes long-term growth and adaptability for future needs. This opportunity is targeted at organizations working within the European Union.

• Projects must involve publicly funded organizations with relevant expertise in advanced materials research.
• Participating organizations must be mandated by their national ministry to act as major hubs for their country or region.
• Projects should serve as key contact points for stakeholders in their national ecosystems.
• Proposals must explore models for participation and contribution to the digital infrastructure.
• Collaboration with pan-European organizations focused on digitalizing research and innovation in advanced materials is required.
• Proposals must follow the specified page limits and layout requirements.

Example projects:

• A national research institute acting as a central hub, connecting universities and industry partners to share materials data and workflows.
• A regional consortium developing digital tools for self-driving labs, integrated with European platforms for advanced materials research.
• A network of public labs collaborating with a pan-European organization to provide access to AI-driven experimental resources for materials development.

A. Personnel Costs

• Salaries based on actual hours or daily rates.

• Applies to employees, seconded staff, SME owners, and natural persons working on the project.

B. Subcontracting

• Allowed if:

  • Clearly needed for the project.

  • Based on best value and transparent selection.

• Subcontractors cannot manage core project tasks.

C. Purchase Costs

• Travel – for staff working on the project.

• Equipment – depreciation costs only, based on usage in the project.

• Goods & Services – e.g. consumables, IT services, dissemination, etc.

D. Other Costs

• Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – e.g. grants or prizes to others (max €60,000 per third party unless justified).

• Internally Invoiced Goods/Services – based on real internal costs, using usual accounting practices.

• Access to Research Infrastructure – unit costs if relevant, must follow Annex 2a.

E. Indirect Costs

• Flat rate of 25% of eligible direct costs (excluding subcontracting, FSTP, and exempted categories).

• Total budget of the grant: 28,000,000€
• Co-financing rate: 70%
• Grants available: 1
• Budget per Grant: 28,000,000€

• Applicants must be publicly funded organizations with expertise in advanced materials research.
• Organizations must be officially mandated by their national ministry to act as a major hub or contact point.
• Applicants must be located in eligible countries as outlined in the program guide.
• Proposals must meet the admissibility conditions, including page limits and layout requirements.
• Collaboration with pan-European organizations is required.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity.
• Additional eligibility conditions may apply as described in the official program guidance.