Call reference: HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49

Overview

Horizon Europe invites applications from small consortia, including spin-offs, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to explore the commercial potential of research and innovation results generated through ongoing or completed Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects.

The call focuses on results originating from Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space, or its predecessor activities under the Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (LEIT) part of Horizon 2020.

The funding aims to bridge the gap between research and commercialisation by helping businesses assess the market potential of existing research results, validate technologies, strengthen intellectual property rights and develop credible pathways to market.

Applicants do not have to be former or current beneficiaries of the projects that generated the results, but must own or have access to the relevant knowledge assets, including intellectual property where applicable.

Funding and Support

• Total indicative budget: €4.7 million.
• Funding programme: Horizon Europe.
• Funding instrument: Innovation Action (IA).
• Grant arrangement: Budget-based Horizon Europe grant.

Funding supports activities that establish the commercial viability and exploitation potential of research results in the European Union.

Purpose and Objectives

The call aims to:

• Explore the commercial potential of Horizon-generated research results.
• Support the valorisation of research outcomes and establish pathways to commercialisation.
• Increase the involvement of start-ups and SMEs in commercialising research and innovation.
• Strengthen the connection between research outputs, business development and market opportunities.

Priority Areas or Scope of Work

Proposals should address achieved research results from ongoing or completed Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space, or predecessor LEIT activities under Horizon 2020.

Eligible project activities may include:

• Demonstrating and testing technologies.
• Defining commercialisation processes.
• Conducting market and competitiveness analyses.
• Undertaking technology assessments, certification and verification of innovation potential.
• Assessing potential end users and customers.
• Testing and piloting products or solutions with users or potential customers.
• Addressing regulatory compliance and applicable standards.
• Consolidating intellectual property rights.

Proposals should demonstrate a clear pathway to market and envisage the participation of a business partner.

Eligibility Criteria

The opportunity targets small consortia, including spin-offs, start-ups and SMEs, seeking to commercialise relevant Horizon-generated research results.

Applicants must:

• Address results from ongoing or completed Horizon 2020 LEIT or Horizon Europe Cluster 4 RIA/IA projects.
• Own or have access to the relevant research results and knowledge assets, including intellectual property where applicable.
• Provide either confirmation that at least one applicant owns or holds the necessary rights to commercialise the results for the project duration, or a commitment letter from the relevant owner(s) confirming willingness to negotiate fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access for future commercial exploitation.
• Specify the grant number and acronym of the project or projects that generated the results.
• Present a credible commercialisation pathway and envisage the participation of a business partner.
• Comply with applicable Horizon Europe eligibility and consortium requirements.

Important restriction: Entities established in an otherwise eligible country but directly or indirectly controlled by China, or by a legal entity established in China, are not eligible to participate in this action.

Proposal length: The proposal page limit is exceptionally restricted to 10 pages.

Geographic Scope

The opportunity supports the exploitation potential of eligible research results in the European Union.

Eligible participation and funding are governed by Horizon Europe country eligibility requirements and the specific conditions of the call. The applicable restrictions on entities controlled by China also apply.

Entities eligible for funding

To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:

• The Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions.
• The Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States.
• Countries associated to Horizon Europe.
• Low- and middle-income countries.

Legal entities which are established in countries not listed above will be eligible for funding if provided for in the specific call/topic conditions, or if their participation is considered essential for implementing the action by the granting authority.

Specific cases

Affiliated entities — Affiliated entities are eligible for funding if they are established in one of the countries listed above, or in a country identified in the specific call/topic conditions.

Associated partners — Entities not eligible for funding (and therefore not able to participate as beneficiaries) may participate as associated partners, unless specified otherwise in the specific call/topic conditions.

Coordination and Support Actions – To be eligible to participate as beneficiaries (or affiliated entities) in ‘Coordination and support’ actions, legal entities must be established in a Member State or Associated Country, unless the specific call/topic conditions provide otherwise (in which case the general rules for eligibility for funding apply). Legal entities established in a non-associated third country may, however, participate in ‘Coordination and support’ actions as associated partners, unless this is explicitly excluded by the specific call/topic conditions.

Important Dates

• Opening date: 13 October 2026
• Closing date: 2 February 2027
• Submission deadline: 17:00 Brussels time
• Submission procedure: Single-stage

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically through the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal.

Applicants should:

1. Identify the call reference HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-49.
2. Identify the relevant Horizon 2020 LEIT or Horizon Europe Cluster 4 project that generated the research results.
3. Demonstrate ownership of, or access rights to, the relevant knowledge assets and intellectual property.
4. Define the proposed market validation and commercialisation activities.
5. Provide the required confirmation of ownership and commercialisation rights or a commitment letter from the relevant result owner(s).
6. Specify the grant number and acronym of the originating research project.
7. Prepare a proposal within the 10-page limit and submit it through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Industry / Sector

Advanced materials; advanced manufacturing and processing; information and communication technologies; biotechnology; nanotechnology; space technologies; research and innovation commercialisation.

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