Development of safe and sustainable by design alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (IA)

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop safe and sustainable alternatives to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for use in various industries. The focus is on ensuring these alternatives meet industry performance needs while supporting competitiveness and public health. Projects should generate new knowledge about PFAS alternatives that can be shared with regulatory agencies and policymakers. Key areas include using the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework, overcoming barriers to substitution, adapting production processes, and involving stakeholders and citizens. The opportunity is open to participants from EU countries, associated countries, and some specifically eligible non-EU countries.

• Projects must follow the application guidelines, including page limits and layout as specified in the official application form.
• Proposals must not reveal organization names, acronyms, logos, or personnel in the abstract and first-stage application (blind evaluation).
• Projects should address developing PFAS alternatives following the Safe and Sustainable by Design principles.
• Projects must include plans for stakeholder and citizen engagement.
• Proposals should consider adapting production lines and overcoming barriers to substitution.

Examples:

• A project proposing a new, non-fluorinated coating for textiles that meets performance standards and involves consumer feedback.
• An initiative to redesign a manufacturing process to use a sustainable PFAS alternative, with input from industry workers and environmental groups.
• A study to identify and address market barriers preventing the adoption of safer PFAS alternatives in food packaging.

• Personnel costs for project staff
• Costs of materials and supplies for research and development
• Equipment costs necessary for testing or production adaptation
• Subcontracting costs for specialized tasks
• Travel and meeting expenses for stakeholder engagement
• Costs related to dissemination and communication of results
• Training and capacity building activities
• Consultancy services for regulatory or market analysis
• Costs for citizen involvement activities

Restrictions: All eligible expenses are covered as a lump sum, and must comply with the specific rules outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme documents.

• Budget for this Call: 30.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 4
• Budget per project: 7.000.000€

• Applicants must be established in an EU country, an associated country, or a specifically eligible non-EU country as described in the Horizon Europe guidelines.
• Legal entities from China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions under this opportunity.
• Applicants must comply with all requirements set out in the official application guidelines.
• Proposals must adhere to the blind evaluation rules, avoiding disclosure of identifiable information in the first stage.
• Projects should be relevant to the development of safe and sustainable PFAS alternatives.
• Applicants may be required to demonstrate stakeholder or citizen engagement in their project plans.