Safer, cleaner and smarter construction sites: essential elements for robotic solutions in HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-01
17th December 2025 at 10:23 am
Modernising the construction sector is essential to accelerate Europe’s transition to a more accurate, faster, less disruptive and highly resource-effective built environment. The Research and Innovation Action (RIA) HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-01 targets innovative on-site robotic and automated solutions that can transform both building construction and renovation activities. With a €15.00 million budget for three projects and a deadline on 17 February 2026, the call demands validated, evidence-based prototypes that outperform current best practices in accuracy, speed, environmental impact and resource efficiency. Here, we unpack the essential elements for designing a competitive proposal aligned with Horizon Europe expectations.
1. Demonstrating measurable performance gains: the core obligation
The European Commission (EC) expects proposals to deliver quantifiable improvements compared to today’s best practices, which includes reductions in on-site time, higher accuracy between design and as-built structures, more resource-efficient processes and overall cost-effective renovation and construction workflows.
Tips for applicants
- Present benchmarking data comparing your robotic solution with established market practices.
- Define measurable indicators for time reduction, accuracy, resource efficiency and costs.
- Demonstrate cost-effectiveness by linking performance gains to reduced operational or labour inputs.
- Use reproducible methodologies to validate and compare performance gains at scale.
2. Validating innovative robotic and automated solutions, including 3D printing
Projects must test and validate solutions for both construction and renovation, and at least one solution must investigate 3D printing. Validation should take place in a laboratory or a relevant environment and reflect real-use conditions.
Tips for applicants
- Design validation protocols that demonstrate applicability to multiple building typologies.
- Include 3D printing as a core element of at least one prototype.
- Ensure prototypes are tested under realistic constraints, such as uneven surfaces or limited access.
- Combine digital modelling with physical validation for robust results.
3. Comparing innovations with current best practices: a methodological requirement
The EC is explicit: proposals must include a research methodology enabling comparison of at least the three expected outcomes with state-of-the-art practices, including reductions in noise, air and other pollution.
Tips for applicants
- Define a clear and justified baseline for current best practices across renovation and construction processes.
- Apply standardised and transparent metrics for time, accuracy, environmental impact and pollution levels.
- Include quantifiable measurements of noise, air and particulate pollution reductions to demonstrate environmental performance.
- Document comparative results using robust, repeatable assessment methods, ideally supported by independent validation.
4. Addressing worker safety and human–robot collaboration
The call requires applicants to investigate how robotic systems will interact with workers on-site. Ensuring safety, clear workflows and appropriate interfaces is essential for real-world adoption.
Tips for applicants
- Assess risks associated with human–robot proximity and co-working tasks.
- Include ergonomic and safety analyses for operators.
- Define communication, control or handover interfaces between humans and robots.
- Integrate safety-by-design principles from early development.
5. Testing at scale: demonstrating robustness across diverse building typologies
Proposals must validate at least three prototype solutions and ensure applicability across a range of building types that represent the European stock, which includes both renovation and new construction scenarios.
Tips for applicants
- Justify your selected building typologies based on relevance to Europe’s building stock.
- Include different structural materials, layouts or accessibility challenges.
- Ensure prototypes demonstrate flexibility to adapt to varied construction conditions.
- Present results that highlight how the solution performs under different building constraints.
6. Considering collaboration with the Joint Research Centre
While optional, involving the Joint Research Centre (JRC) can add credibility, especially for large-scale validation and independent performance assessment of robotic prototypes.
Tips for applicants
- Identify JRC facilities or expertise that align with your prototype testing needs.
- Clarify the added value of JRC involvement (e.g. full-scale testing, safety evaluation, validation methodologies).
- Demonstrate how collaboration would strengthen the evidence base of your results.
- Ensure roles and contributions are clearly defined within the consortium.
Looking for support in preparing your robotic renovation proposal?
At accelopment, we support research and innovation projects that advance sustainable construction, digital transformation and energy-efficient building solutions. Our experience includes projects such as HEAT-INSYDE, DERREG and CHEOPS. Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to enabling technologies that improve performance, enhance precision and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable built environment. With our expertise in proposal writing, consortium coordination and impact communication, we help research teams design competitive and strategically aligned projects under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5 and beyond.
Dr. Johannes Ripperger
Research & Innovation Manager
Andreia Cruz
Research & Innovation Project Manager