Deadline Date: September 15, 2026
The European Commission is inviting applications to support research and innovation focused on improving the usability, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of smart and energy-efficient building systems across different social and demographic groups.
The programme focuses on increasing evidence on physiological, behavioural, social, environmental, and cultural factors that influence how different groups perceive and use smart, secured, integrated energy-efficient building systems, and how these systems affect building life-cycle performance, energy savings, occupant satisfaction, health, and well-being.
It also aims to improve the design and operation of smart buildings by making them more user-friendly, inclusive, effective, resilient, secure, flexible, climate-neutral, accessible, and sustainable while contributing to energy efficiency, climate resilience, and reduced environmental impact throughout the building life cycle.
The topic requires strong involvement from Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines to ensure meaningful societal impact. Projects funded under this call are also expected to contribute to the objectives of the Built4People partnership, support knowledge transfer to innovation clusters, and report results aligned with Built4People Key Performance Indicators.
Selected projects may consider involving the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), which can provide scientific advice, technical analysis, support for transferring research outputs into standards, and access to research infrastructure for full-scale building testing.
The opportunity falls under HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01 – HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). The total funding available is €15,750,000. Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States and Associated Countries under Horizon Europe rules. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) or Innovation Actions (IAs) under this destination.
For more information, visit European Commission.
