The Horizon Europe Cluster 4 Industry calls continue to show strong engagement from Europe’s research and innovation community, with more than 800 proposals evaluated across single-stage and two-stage calls
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) has now completed key evaluation phases, an important step forward in funding projects that aim to strengthen Europe’s industrial, digital, and technological leadership.
The results show that the programme’s competitiveness and the breadth of industrial challenges it addresses, from raw materials and manufacturing to artificial intelligence and circular economy solutions.
Results from the single-stage call
HaDEA has finalised the evaluation of 639 proposals submitted under the Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Industry single-stage call, which closed on 23 September 2025. Following an assessment process, 72 proposals have been retained for funding and invited to begin preparing grant agreements.
These retained projects cover a wide range of strategic industrial priorities. Several focus on securing and optimising access to raw materials, a critical issue for Europe’s supply chain resilience. Others address advanced manufacturing techniques to improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.
A significant share of selected proposals targets energy-intensive industries, with particular attention to decarbonisation, energy efficiency, circularity, and zero pollution. These areas are central to the EU’s climate objectives and its ambition to transition heavy industry toward greener and more resource-efficient models.
Additional projects concentrate on innovative advanced materials and the Safe and Sustainable by Design approach, supporting the development of materials that meet high-performance standards while reducing environmental and health impacts.
Artificial intelligence in science also plays a strong role, demonstrating AI’s growing ability to accelerate research and innovation. Standardisation and knowledge valorisation round out the portfolio, ensuring that research outcomes can be effectively transferred into real-world industrial applications.
Two-stage call moves to the next phase
HaDEA has completed the evaluation of stage-one proposals submitted to the Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Industry two-stage call. A total of 243 proposals were assessed, with 59 shortlisted and invited to proceed to stage two, where full applications will be submitted.
The shortlisted proposals span several key thematic areas, including construction and social circular enterprises, highlighting the programme’s attention to both technological and societal dimensions of industrial transformation. Energy-intensive industries remain a strong focus, particularly in circularity and zero pollution.
Innovative advanced materials and Safe and Sustainable by Design are again well represented, underlining their importance across multiple industrial sectors. The diversity of topics moving forward to stage two suggests a continued emphasis on cross-sectoral solutions and systemic innovation.
What comes next for applicants
Projects retained for funding under the single-stage call will now enter grant agreement preparation, while shortlisted consortia in the two-stage call will focus on developing detailed proposals for stage two evaluation.
Applicants and interested stakeholders are encouraged to regularly consult the Funding and Tenders portal and HaDEA’s dedicated call page for updates on evaluation timelines, grant preparation, and upcoming funding opportunities. As Horizon Europe continues to roll out new calls, Cluster 4 remains a central pillar for advancing Europe’s industrial resilience, sustainability, and technological leadership.
