This grant aims to advance Direct Air Capture technologies by supporting projects that scale up existing technical solutions to pilot demonstrations. Projects must focus on improving cost efficiency, manufacturing potential, and flexible operations, as well as conducting comprehensive life cycle assessments of the DAC systems.
General information
- Programme
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)2021–2027
- Call
- BATTERIES and ENERGY HORIZON-CL5-2027-02
- Programme part
- Pillar II · Global Challenges & CompetitivenessCluster 5 · Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Destination
- Ensuring more efficient, sustainable, secure, and competitive renewable and decarbonised energy supply (2026-27)
- Type of action
- HORIZON-IA Innovation Actions
- Type of MGA
- HORIZON-AG-LS HORIZON Lump Sum Grant
- Status
- Forthcoming
- Deadline model
- Single-stage
- Opening date
- 03.12.2026
- Deadline date
- 31.03.2027, 17:00 Brussels time
- Cross-cutting priorities
Budget overview
| Type of action | Budget 2027 | EU contribution per project | Grants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HORIZON-IAInnovation Actions | €16M | €8M | 2 | 31.03.2027 |
Expected outcome
Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcome:
- Accelerating the commercial availability of Direct Air Capture technologies.
Scope
Projects are expected to aim at scaling up existing technical solutions to at least the level of pilot demonstration in relevant environments (TRL 7 or higher).
Projects are expected to demonstrate:
- Improving the cost efficiency of the capture and regeneration process, including Balance of Plant;
- Improving material performance and process designs (e.g. capture/desorption capacity and kinetics, durability, long-term stability in air);
- Potential for manufacturing and scale-up (recycling and reuse of materials);
- Flexible operation under intermittent or surplus renewable energy supply.
Depending on the technology, other important issues to address are:
- Reducing energy use for sorbent/solvent regeneration;
- Alternative materials for - and approaches to - CO2 separation;
- Development and demonstration of materials in particular for DAC systems operating in cold temperatures or under humid conditions, or in areas with severe air pollution;
- Accuracy of simulated predictions compared to validation experiments;
- New designs for efficient, high-flux air contactors, optimised for maximum air contact.
Projects must develop a comprehensive life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental implications of the entire DAC system, from material extraction and use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through to end-of-life.
The use of the European Research Infrastructure for CO2 Capture, Utilisation, Transport and Storage ECCSEL is encouraged but not mandatory.
International cooperation with participating countries of the Mission Innovation Carbon Dioxide Removal Mission is encouraged.
Who can apply
- A consortium of at least three independent organisations from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, at least one from an EU Member State.
- Ukraine has been associated to the programme since 2022: Ukrainian organisations can coordinate and receive funding on equal terms.
- Universities, research organisations, companies (including SMEs), public authorities and NGOs can take part.
Topic-specific condition: In line with the “restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
Applicant types in our database: Higher Education Institutions (HEI), Research Institute or Organization (RnD), Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Start-Up, Non-governmental organization (NGO).
How to apply
- Register your organisation on the Funding & Tenders portal and get a PIC (9 digits).
- Build a consortium or join one: use Partner Search on the topic page.
- Download the proposal template (Part A forms, Part B narrative) in the submission system on the topic page.
- Submit by 31.03.2027, 17:00 Brussels time. The system opens on 03.12.2026.
The official topic text, templates and submission are on the Funding & Tenders topic page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-30?
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What type of action is it?
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Become a partner in a proposal
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