Deadline Date: May 12, 2026
The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 is now accepting applications to support collaborative research projects that advance innovative materials technologies contributing to sustainable development and the green transition.
The call focuses on materials for energy storage and distribution systems, materials for energy conversion, innovative surfaces, coatings and interfaces, innovative functional materials with defined architectures, materials addressing environmental challenges, and next generation materials for electronics. The initiative also prioritizes supporting the European Green Deal through clean energy technologies and future batteries, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals including clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industrial innovation and infrastructure, and sustainable consumption and production. Additional priorities include creating socio-ecological benefits through responsible research and innovation, strengthening interdisciplinarity and the innovation chain, and promoting digitalisation and effective data management.
M-ERA.NET is a network of public funding organisations that supports coordination and convergence of national and regional funding programmes in advanced materials research. The initiative aims to strengthen the European Research Area by promoting collaborative projects, knowledge exchange, and sustainable solutions in materials science while fostering partnerships between researchers, academia, industry, and other stakeholders.
The programme supports technological innovation that contributes to environmental goals and economic growth aligned with the European Green Deal. Its activities encourage progress in functional materials, composites, surfaces, coatings, and interfaces while addressing challenges in product design, materials development, and manufacturing processes. The initiative promotes improved durability of materials, reduced energy and material consumption, substitution of hazardous materials, and development of products that are lighter, easier to maintain, repair, upgrade, remanufacture, or recycle. It also supports strategies to mitigate health risks and reduce plastic waste.
The programme encourages the use of digital technologies and materials modelling to improve material properties and optimise production processes. Through the promotion of interoperable and secure data sharing, the initiative supports international collaboration and the development of uniform data structures and digital workflows across borders while ensuring ethical considerations, security, and inclusivity in digital transformation.
Projects funded under the call must contribute to research and innovation addressing climate and sustainability challenges, including efficient energy harvesting, energy storage devices, and environmentally friendly battery technologies. The programme also aims to strengthen connections across the innovation chain by linking fundamental research with industrial applications and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration among participating partners.
Eligible project consortia must include at least three partners requesting funding from funding organisations participating in the call and must represent at least three different countries, including at least two European Union member states or associated countries. Additional partners may participate, including self-funded partners. Proposals must be submitted through the M-ERA.NET submission system, written in English, and follow the official proposal templates provided for the call.
Applicants may include small and medium-sized enterprises, large companies, academic research groups, universities, public research organisations, and other research institutions that are eligible for funding under their national or regional regulations. Proposals must comply with requirements related to project effort distribution among partners and countries and must address the relevant technology readiness levels associated with the selected topic.
The maximum duration of a funded project is thirty-six months. Only proposals recommended after the pre-proposal stage will be invited to submit a full proposal.
For more information, visit M-ERA.NET.
