- Initiative type
- EU Funding Programmes
- Target beneficiary
- SMEs and micro companies
- Large enterprises
Processes4Planet: Horizon Europe co-programmed partnership (2021–2027) under Pillar II – Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry & Space). Coordinated by ASPIRE, it aims to make Europe’s process industries climate-neutral and circular by 2050 through R&I projects that close energy and feedstock loops and scale both technological and non-technological innovations. The partnership involves over ten sectors (e.g. steel, chemicals, cement, ceramics) and has a total budget of EUR2.6 billion (EUR1.3 billion from the EU, EUR1.3 billion from industry). Projects cover TRL 3–9, from pilot to demonstration scale, and support areas like renewable energy use, industrial symbiosis, and CO₂ valorisation. Calls are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal under Cluster 4 – Industry. Active topics for 2025 include renewable energy integration and clean processing. For example, search topic HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025. Deadline: 23 September 2025. Candidates should consult the Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and can join ASPIRE’s network to access updates, matchmaking tools, and proposal guidance.
Horizon Europe Partnerships
A key instrument within this framework is its European Partnerships, co-funded alliances that pool resources and strategic focus between the EU, Member States, industry, and research entities. Following the adoption of the Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027, 60 Partnerships have been identified, spanning mission-critical sectors like clean hydrogen, sustainable batteries, low-carbon steel, advanced manufacturing (Made in Europe), raw materials, and innovative materials—each guided by a Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) to ensure alignment with EU policy goals.
How to apply
Under Horizon Europe, European Partnerships are implemented in three ways: Institutionalised Partnerships (long-term collaborations requiring EU legislative action, such as Joint Undertakings and Article 185 initiatives), Co-funded Partnerships (joint research programs co-funded by the EU and public authorities), and Co-programmed Partnerships (collaborative research efforts structured through memoranda of understanding with industry associations).
When it comes to the NZIA realm, relevant partnerships are co-programmed, co-funded or institutionalised ones. For co-programmed partnership, call topics are available through the Funding & Tenders Portal. Co-funded partnerships may involve joint calls for application. Institutionalised partnerships publish their calls for proposals in the relevant webpage of the partnership.