What this call funds
Expected Outcome
- The commercial potential of Horizon research results is explored;
- Results of Horizon projects are valorised, by ensuring a pathway to commercialisation; and
- Startups and SMEs become involved in valorisation.
Scope
The EU must do better in translating the knowledge generated by the Framework Programme into innovations with economic and societal value.
The objective of this action is to provide financial support (‘Proof of market’) to small consortia (i.e. spin-offs, startups, SMEs) to explore the exploitation potential, in the EU, of achieved results from ongoing or completed projects funded under Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ or its predecessor activities under the Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT)[1] part of Horizon 2020.
The consortia do not necessarily have to be made of former or current beneficiaries but should own or have access to the knowledge assets of projects, including intellectual property, where relevant.
Proposals should envisage valorisation activities, such as:
- demonstrating a technology (e.g. testing);
- defining a commercialisation process;
- undertaking: • a market and competitiveness analysis;
- a technology assessment and/or certification;
- a verification of innovation potential;
- assessing potential “end users” of the expected innovation;
- testing, piloting with users or potential customers;
- complying with regulatory compliance and standards;
- consolidating IP rights.
Proposals should address achieved results from ongoing or completed Research and Innovation Actions and Innovation Actions (RIA/IA) funded directly under Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ or its predecessor activities under the Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT) part of Horizon 2020.
Applicants can be owners of the achieved results from previous projects or new participants. Proposals should include at least one of the following:
- Confirmation that at least one of the applicants of the current proposal is the owner or holder of the relevant knowledge assets including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and possesses the necessary rights to commercialise the results for the entire duration of the proposed project, or
- Commitment letter from the owner(s) of the relevant result(s) confirming the owner(s)’ willingness to negotiate fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory access to the results, including IPR where relevant, for the purpose of future commercial exploitation.
The proposal should specify the grant number and acronym of the project(s) which generated the results.
Proposals should present a clear vision of the intended pathway to market. Hence, the participation of a business partner should be envisaged.
[1] Information and communication technologies, Nanotechnologies, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing, Biotechnology and Space.
Eligibility & conditions+
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
Given the scope of this topic, the page limit is exceptionally reduced to 10 pages.
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
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.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) 
Guidance
HE Programme Guide 
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
HE MGA 
Operating Grants MGA 
Framework Partnership Agreement FPA 
Call-specific instructions 
Information on financial support to third parties (HE) 
Information on clinical studies (HE) 
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 7. Digital, Industry and Space
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual 
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions 
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal · synced 2026-10-13