A clean planet for all – a purposeful research programme to achieve Europe’s vision
15th June 2021 at 4:30 pm
Finally, the waiting for the Work Programmes of Horizon Europe for 2021 and 2022 came to an end. They have all been published yesterday.
Today we are taking a view on one of these Work Programmes, the Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy and Mobility. As the name suggests, Cluster 5 unites topics that had been covered in three separate work programmes for energy, transport and climate under Horizon 2020, the predecessor of Horizon Europe. The merger makes sense because both the energy and the transport sectors today are producing a large portion of the greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change. In addition, it is expected that there will be a stronger interconnection between energy and transport, for example with the possibility to use batteries of electric vehicles for intermediate energy storage in local “smart” electric grids or with the advent of technologies to produce “green” fuels from renewable energy sources.
With a total budget of € 2.8 billion for 2021 to 2022, the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 will contribute to achieving the EU’s long-term goal of becoming a climate neutral society by 2050. As outlined in the EU’s vision “A Clean Planet for all“, this encompasses the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality of the energy and mobility sectors by 2050 at the latest, while boosting their competitiveness, resilience, and utility for citizens and society. To enable efficient pathways to such climate neutrality, climate science is expected to keep delivering the required knowledge.
The Cluster 5 is structured in 6 so-called “destinations”:
- Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality
- Destination 2 – Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition
- Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply
- Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use
- Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes
- Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods
The following infographic provides an overview of the upcoming calls and deadlines for the year 2021 under the different destinations.
Although the Horizon Europe Climate, Energy and Mobility programme offers a wide array of funding opportunities for scientists, companies, and other organisations, we expect a tough competition similar to the previous Horizon 2020 programmes. Our initial analysis of the upcoming call topics shows the key facts and anticipated number of funded projects.
| Destination | Call topic | Type | Title | EU contribution per project estimation | Anticipated number of funded projects |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-01 | RIA | Sustainable processing, refining and recycling of raw materials (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 6-7 M | 3 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-02 | RIA | Advanced high-performance Generation 3b (high capacity / high voltage) Li-ion batteries supporting electro mobility and other applications (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 6-8 M | 3 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-03 | RIA | Advanced high-performance Generation 4a, 4b (solid- state) Li-ion batteries supporting electro mobility and other applications (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 8-9 M | 4 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-04 | RIA | Environmentally sustainable processing techniques applied to large scale electrode and cell component manufacturing for Li ion batteries (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 5 M | 4 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-05 | RIA | Manufacturing technology development for solid-state batteries (SSB, Generations 4a – 4b batteries) (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 6-7 M | 3 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-06 | RIA | Sustainable, safe and efficient recycling processes (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 9-10 M | 3 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-07 | CSA | Support for establishment of R&I ecosystem, developing strategic forward-looking orientations to ensure future skills development, knowledge and technological leadership for accelerated disruptive technology exploration and uptake (Batteries Partnership) | EUR 3 M | 1 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-08 | RIA | Emerging technologies for a climate neutral Europe | EUR 2.5 M | 8 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-09 | RIA | Methane cracking to usable hydrogen and carbon | EUR 2-3 M | 2 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-10 | RIA | Technologies for non- CO2 greenhouse gases removal | EUR 2-3 M | 2 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-11 | RIA | Direct atmospheric carbon capture and conversion | EUR 2-3 M | 2 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-12 | RIA | Fostering a just transition in Europe | EUR 3-4 M | 3 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-13 | CSA | Strengthening Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research communities in climate, energy and mobility disciplines | EUR 2-3 M | 1 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-14 | CSA | Accelerating the climate transition in difficult contexts: transition super-labs (pilot) | EUR 2-3 M | 1 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-15 | CSA | Fostering cooperation between Horizon Europe cluster 5 National Contact Points (NCPs) | EUR 3.5 M | 1 |
| Destination 2 – Cross sectoral solutions for the climate transition | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-16 | COFUND | Co-Funded Partnership: Driving Urban Transitions to a sustainable future (DUT) | EUR 37 M | 1 |
| Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-01-01 | IA | Establish the grounds for a common European energy data space | EUR 8 M | 4 |
| Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-01-02 | CSA | Laying down the basis for the demonstration of a Real Time Demonstrator of Multi-Vendor Multi-Terminal HVDC with Grid Forming Capability: Coordinated action | EUR 1 M | 1 |
| Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-01-03 | CSA | Interoperability community | EUR 5 M | 1 |
| Destination 3 – Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-01-04 | COFUND | Clean Energy Transition | EUR 70 M | 1 |
| Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D4-01-01 | IA | Advanced energy performance assessment and certification | EUR 3-5 M | 2 |
| Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D4-01-02 | IA | Industrialisation of deep renovation workflows for energy-efficient buildings | EUR 5-8 M | 2 |
| Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D4-01-03 | IA | Advanced data-driven monitoring of building stock energy performance | EUR 3-5 M | 2 |
| Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D4-01-04 | IA | Full-scale demonstration of heat upgrade technologies with supply temperature in the range 90 – 160°C | EUR 8 M | 2 |
| Destination 4 – Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D4-01-05 | IA | Industrial excess (waste) Heat-to-Power conversion based on organic Rankine cycles | EUR 10-14 M | 1 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-01 | IA | More powerful and reliable on-board perception and decision-making technologies addressing complex environmental conditions (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 6-8 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-02 | RIA | Common approaches for the safety validation of CCAM systems (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 12-15 M | 1 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-03 | IA | Physical and Digital Infrastructure (PDI), connectivity and cooperation enabling and supporting CCAM (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 7-9 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-04 | RIA | Cyber secure and resilient CCAM (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 5-6 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-05 | RIA | Analysis of socio-economic and environmental impacts and assessment of societal, citizen and user aspects for needs based CCAM solutions (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 3-4 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-06 | RIA | Framework for better coordination of large-scale demonstration pilots in Europe and EU-wide knowledge base (CCAM Partnership) | EUR 5-6 M | 1 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-07 | IA | More efficient and effective multimodal freight transport nodes to increase flexibility, service visibility and reduce the average cost of freight transport | EUR 7-8 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-08 | IA | New delivery methods and business/operating models to green the last mile and optimise road transport | EUR 7-8 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-09 | IA | Climate resilient and environmentally sustainable transport infrastructure, with a focus on inland waterways | EUR 7.5 M | 3 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-10 | RIA | Testing safe lightweight vehicles and improved safe human-technology interaction in the future traffic system | EUR 3.50-4 M | 3 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-11 | RIA | Radical improvement of road safety in low and medium income countries in Africa | EUR 4 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-12 | RIA | Controlling infection on large passenger ships | EUR 3-5 M | 2 |
| Destination 6 – Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D6-01-13 | IA | Safe automation and human factors in aviation – intelligent integration and assistance | EUR 4-8 M | 2 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-01 | RIA | Improved understanding of greenhouse gas fluxes and radiative forcers, including carbon dioxide removal technologies | EUR 8 M | 3 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-02 | RIA | Modelling the role of the circular economy for climate change mitigation | EUR 5 M | 3 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-03 | CSA | Maximising the impact and synergy of European climate change research and innovation | EUR 4-5 M | 2 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-04 | RIA | Enhanced integrated assessment in pursuit of global climate goals | EUR 5 M | 3 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-05 | RIA | Better understanding of the interactions between climate change impacts and risks, mitigation and adaptation options | EUR 6-7 M | 3 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-06 | CSA | Supporting and standardising climate services | EUR 9 M | 1 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-07 | RIA | Improved economic methods for decision-making on climate and environmental policies | EUR 3 M | 2 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-08 | RIA | Restoration of natural wetlands, peatlands and floodplains as a strategy for fast mitigation benefits; pathways, trade-offs and co- benefits | EUR 6-7 M | 3 |
| Destination 1 – Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-09 | RIA | The contribution of forest management to climate action: pathways, trade-offs and co-benefits | EUR 6 M | 3 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-01 | IA | Nextgen vehicles: Innovative zero emission BEV architectures for regional medium freight haulage (2ZERO) | EUR 10-15 M | 3 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-02 | RIA | Nextgen EV components: Integration of advanced power electronics and associated controls (2ZERO) | EUR 4-6 M | 4 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-03 | RIA | System approach to achieve optimised Smart EV Charging and V2G flexibility in mass-deployment conditions (2ZERO) | EUR 7-10 M | 3 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-04 | CSA | LCA and design for sustainable circularity – holistic approach for zero-emission mobility solutions and related battery value chain (2ZERO & Batteries Partnership) | EUR 4 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-05 | RIA | Greenhouse gas aviation emissions reduction technologies towards climate neutrality by 2050 | EUR 2-6 M | 6 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-06 | RIA | Next generation digital aircraft transformation in design, manufacturing, integration and maintenance | EUR 3-6 M | 5 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-07 | IA | Enabling the safe and efficient on-board storage and integration within ships of large quantities of ammonia and hydrogen fuels (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 10 M | 2 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-08 | RIA | Enabling the full integration of very high power fuel cells in ship design using co-generation and combined cycle solutions for increased efficiency with multiple fuels (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 15 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-09 | CSA | CSA identifying waterborne sustainable fuel deployment scenarios (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 0.5 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-10 | RIA | Innovative on-board energy saving solutions (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 5 M | 4 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-11 | IA | Hyper powered vessel battery charging system (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 7 M | 2 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-12 | IA | Assessing and preventing methane slip from LNG engines in all conditions within both existing and new vessels (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 7 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-13 | RIA | Digital Twin models to enable green ship operations (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 7 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-14 | IA | Proving the feasibility of a large clean ammonia marine engine (ZEWT Partnership) | EUR 10 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-15 | IA | Development and demonstration of cost affordable and adaptable retrofit solutions for tailpipe and brake polluting emissions | EUR 4-5 M | 2 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-16 | RIA | Assessment of noise and particle emissions of L category vehicles from real driving conditions | EUR 4-5 M | 1 |
| Destination 5 – Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes | HORIZON-CL5-2021-D5-01-17 | CSA | Support for dissemination events in the field of Transport Research | EUR 1.5 M | 1 |
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