Horizon Europe: EUR 10 to 12.5 million for a pilot facility processing critical raw materials, Ukraine named as a priority partner, deadline 2 February 2027

Horizon Europe has launched a funding call under topic HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16 dedicated to critical raw materials. The call supports the development and demonstration of a pilot-scale facility that integrates processing and refining technologies to recover raw materials, particularly critical ones, from low-grade ores, complex ores, and extractive waste.

The total budget allocated for this topic is EUR 49 million, with an expected EU contribution ranging between EUR 10 million and EUR 12.5 million per project. Around four projects are expected to be funded at a 70% funding rate. The deadline to submit project proposals is 2 February 2027.

What is funded

The call provides financial support for the development and demonstration of pilot-scale facilities. These facilities must integrate processing and refining technologies capable of recovering raw materials, with an explicit emphasis on critical raw materials.

Projects must address the recovery of materials from low-grade and complex ores, as well as from extractive waste. The overall topic budget is EUR 49 million, which is expected to support approximately four individual projects across the eligible territories.

Who can apply

Participation is open to businesses, research institutes, and universities. Legal entities established in European Union member states, associated countries, and eligible partner countries can form eligible consortia.

The call text explicitly encourages international cooperation, naming Ukraine as a priority partner. Ukrainian organisations are eligible to participate and are strongly encouraged to join consortia applying under this topic.

Conditions and requirements

The funding rate for selected projects is 70% of eligible costs. Individual grants are anticipated to range from EUR 10 million to EUR 12.5 million, meaning applicants must secure co-financing for the remaining 30% of project expenditures.

Practical tip. Given the 70% funding rate and the substantial capital requirements of pilot-scale processing facilities, form your consortium early to secure solid co-financing commitments and integrate Ukrainian research or industrial partners.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal under topic HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16. Proposals must be finalized and uploaded before the call deadline on 2 February 2027.

Detailed submission procedures, technical annex structures, and specific evaluation criteria follow standard Horizon Europe portal workflows, though further operational guidelines are not specified in the current call summary.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: ec.europa.eu.