Apply for Funding Up to €2.5M With ERMA Booster Call

EIT RawMaterials is investing with ticket sizes of up to €2.5m in the raw materials sector. The call is aimed at start-ups, scale-ups, and mining projects active in the raw materials value chain. By participating, you will gain access to funding, expert guidance, and Europe’s largest network of industry leaders to help scale your business and solve Europe’s critical raw materials challenges.

With up to €2.5m available for eligible projects, this funding call is open to the following groups who can demonstrate market relevance, stability and a clear business case.

Categories

• Economic Impact
  • Savings of costs in raw materials value chain
  • Creation of jobs in raw materials sector
  • Improved industrial competitiveness
• Environmental Impact
  • Carbon savings in the raw materials sector
  • Enhanced sustainability (sustainability standards)
  • Increased recycling rates
• Supply Chain and Availability
  • Increased supply of CRMs/SRMs for Europe
  • Securing raw materials supply
  • CRM substitution/reduction
• Innovation and Development
  • Advanced materials development/produced
  • Raw materials concentrate produced

Funding Information

• Eligible Start-ups at the forefront of innovation in raw and advanced materials can receive funding up to €0.5m.
• Eligible Scale-Ups and SMEs focusing on cutting-edge innovation in raw and advanced materials can receive up to €1.5m.
• Eligible mining projects, and recycling projects with advanced extraction, processing, or recycling capabilities can receive up to €2.5m.

Benefits

• EIT RawMaterials is well-equipped to support both Group 1—startups and scale-ups, as well as SMEs—and Group 2—advanced projects and companies focused on extraction, processing, and recycling.
• They offer:
  • Investment: EIT RawMaterials invests directly and creates financing opportunities.
  • Access to Finance: Supports you in securing capital for your growth journey.
  • Network: Leverage their global ecosystem to expand connections and grow your business.
  • Customers: Boost sales and secure feedstock or off-take agreements through their value chain network.
  • Knowledge: Access expertise in raw materials and a collaborative environment to scale your business.
  • Talent: Recruit skilled graduates from the EIT RawMaterials Academy with technical and entrepreneurial expertise.
  • Experts: Benefit from coaching, mentoring, and strategic guidance from EIT RawMaterials and community experts.

Eligibility Criteria

• EIT RawMaterials is inviting Group 1. Start-ups, Scale-ups and SMEs that:
  • Are a registered legal entity in one of the EU Member Countries or Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (at least at the time of application).
  • Have an innovation relevant to the market of one of the raw materials’ Innovation Themes.
  • Have a strong founding/management team and 100% devoted time to the company for the next 5+ years.
  • Have a customer validated product/service at minimum TRL4 with a proven market need.
  • Have an average time to market and to revenues of 2-3 years.
  • Address a sizable/scalable market with high growth potential.
  • Demonstrate ease in collaboration and are enthusiastic about developing a stable, long-lasting relation with EIT RawMaterials.
  • Are in search of additional value-added services and financing advisory services support (indicative services value is minimum 20% to the funding request).
  • Confirm they can clearly demonstrate that any use of provided investment is compatible with Horizon Europe’s eligibility criteria.
  • Can confidently execute expenditure of such funds in line with the eligibility rules.
  • Seed start-ups are eligible to apply up to € 500,000 and need to minimum meet the above eligibility criteria.
  • Scale-ups are eligible to apply up to € 1,500,000, only if they are at TRL8 and CRL8 minimum and have commercial revenues of € 200,000 minimum.
  • Propose projects with duration between 6-18 months (exceptions may apply upon rational milestone and budget planning).
• EIT RawMaterials is inviting companies in Group 2. Raw Materials Large Projects that:
  • Have projects that have been formally recognised by the EU Commission as a ‘Strategic Project’ (through the calls launched by DG Grow) and/or have been approved as an ERMA supported project at the time of the beginning of the proposed funded activity funding (please refer to ‘Other Information Sources’). For clarity, applicant need not be an ERMA supported project or a Strategic Project at the time of application.
  • Are a registered legal entity in one of the EU member countries or Participating Countries in Horizon Europe (at least at the time of application).
  • Have an active, advanced extraction, processing or recycling project relevant to the EU industry and supported by a techno-economic model. Extraction related projects must be at PFS stage or later by recognized international standards and norms. Recycling projects must have legally secured recyclable material in sufficient and reliable quantities and meet the quality standards required for the process and permits for waste recycling and handling must be in place for the entire duration of the proposed projects.
  • Have a strong management team with relevant experience.
  • Are technically feasible, realistic, economically viable, have potential to attract investment, and have a time to production of less than four years.
  • Confirm they can clearly demonstrate that any use of provided investment is compatible with Horizon Europe’s eligibility criteria, with an emphasis on innovation at TRL4 or higher.
  • Can confidently execute expenditure of such funds in line with the eligibility rules.
  • Wish to secure additional mandated EIT RawMaterials support services including capital raising, marketing, and end user/off-taker support.
  • Have the firm intention to supply a substantial amount of their Critical or Strategic Raw Material product to one or several EU member states.
  • Are looking for equity investment.
  • Have a proposed funded activity with duration between 6-18 months (exceptions may apply upon rational milestone and budget planning).

For more information, visit EIT RawMaterials.