New technologies and solutions for reducing the environmental and climate footprint of research infrastructures

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop and implement innovative technologies and solutions that reduce the environmental and climate impact of research infrastructures throughout their entire life cycle. It focuses on minimizing environmental effects, improving resource and energy efficiency, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of research facilities in Europe. Key areas include creating resource-efficient technologies, testing and deploying solutions, training staff, integrating new developments into local contexts, and engaging society to support these changes. The opportunity is open to participants from EU Member States, associated countries, and some eligible non-EU countries. Projects are supported through lump sum grants under the Horizon Europe Programme.

• Proposals must follow the specified page limits and layout as detailed in the application guidelines.
• Each project must involve at least two different research infrastructures as beneficiaries, which can be ESFRI Landmarks, ERICs, or other international European research organizations.
• Participation of two nodes from the same ESFRI or ERIC does not count as two different infrastructures.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) can participate as a consortium member.
• Projects must clearly identify all participating research infrastructures and their beneficiaries.
• Proposals should demonstrate how they build on or differ from previous or current EU-funded projects and ensure complementarity with other initiatives.

Examples:

• A project where two major European research centers collaborate to develop and test low-energy cooling systems for laboratory equipment.
• A consortium of different international research infrastructures piloting new waste reduction technologies across their facilities.
• A partnership between a European research organization and the JRC to implement and validate renewable energy solutions for research campuses.

• Development and prototyping of innovative, resource-efficient technologies
• Validation and testing of new environmental solutions
• Deployment and scaling up of sustainable technologies
• Training and capacity-building for staff in environmental best practices
• Integration of new solutions into local contexts
• Societal engagement activities to support acceptance and integration
• Project management and coordination costs
• Dissemination and communication of project results
• Monitoring and assessment of environmental impact
• Costs must comply with the lump sum funding model. Further restrictions may apply as outlined in the official Horizon Europe guidance.

• Budget for this Call: 25,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 5
• Budget per grant: 5,000,000€

• At least two different research infrastructures must be included as beneficiaries, and they must be ESFRI Landmarks, ERICs, or other international European research organizations.
• Two nodes from the same ESFRI or ERIC do not qualify as separate infrastructures.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may be a consortium member.
• Applicants must be based in eligible countries as defined in the Horizon Europe guidelines.
• All participating research infrastructures and their beneficiaries must be explicitly identified in the proposal.
• Projects should demonstrate complementarity with other EU-funded initiatives and explain how they differ or add value.