Projects on Legislative and Policy Priorities in the field of Clean Energy Transition

The main goal of this opportunity is to improve understanding of how EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations impact real-life energy consumption and, where relevant, pollutant emissions. It aims to support the development and implementation of test methods that reflect actual product use in households. Key activities include gathering real-world energy consumption data, analyzing what influences household energy use, and providing policy recommendations for future EU rules and standards. The focus is on projects with a wide geographic spread across EU Member States, considering different climates and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Projects must involve at least three applicants from three different eligible countries.
• Proposals must follow the required page limit and layout as specified in the application guidelines.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong financial and operational capacity.
• Projects should bring together multidisciplinary expertise and engage relevant stakeholders.
• Activities must address the impacts of EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations.

Examples:

• A research consortium from Spain, Germany, and Sweden conducts in-situ energy measurement campaigns in diverse households across these countries.
• A project partners with consumer organizations and technical experts to analyze energy use patterns for household appliances in different EU regions.
• A team from three eligible countries develops recommendations for improving EU energy labelling based on real-world product usage data.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Co-financing rate: Maximum 90%
• Budget for this Call: 23.800.000€
• Maximum value per project: 2.000.000€

• Minimum consortium: At least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries). 

• Eligible participants: Legal entities such as public authorities, NGOs, research centres, SMEs, large enterprises, academic institutions, registered in eligible countries. 

• Coordinator: Must be based in an eligible country. 

• International third-country partners: Allowed but not counted toward the consortium minimum and generally not EU-funded. 

• Affiliated entities: Participation permitted; however, they do not count towards meeting the minimum consortium requirement. 

• Capacity requirements: All participants must demonstrate operational, technical, and financial capacity to implement the project.

• Exclusion criteria: Entities that are formally excluded from EU funding (e.g., under bankruptcy, sanctions, or financial restrictions) are not eligible.