Deadline Date: September 15, 2026
The European Commission has launched its applications to support sustainable battery-grade material production, advanced refining technologies, and bio-based electrode material development for next-generation batteries.
The opportunity focuses on significantly reducing EU dependency on imported battery-grade raw materials, particularly emerging technologies and carbon-based electrode materials, while establishing European value chains for next-generation battery materials to strengthen technological leadership and strategic autonomy.
Under the first category, proposals are expected to develop and validate innovative and environmentally friendly refining technologies capable of producing battery-grade metals and advanced electrode materials suitable for next-generation battery chemistries.
The second category supports the development of synthetic graphite and alternative carbon-based materials derived from bio-based European feedstocks such as biomass, forestry residues, agricultural waste, and lignocellulosic materials. Proposals should include comprehensive characterization and validation of the developed electrode materials in sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery cells, demonstrating performance comparable to or better than conventional graphite electrodes in terms of cycle stability, energy density, and charging performance.
The initiative aims to increase the competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the European battery value chain while maximizing sustainability. It also seeks to reduce dependency on raw materials, scale up processing capacity including recycled materials, create an integrated European battery ecosystem from design to end-of-life management, and improve energy storage technologies to strengthen the resilience of Europe’s energy systems and renewable energy integration.
The total funding available under this HORIZON Research and Innovation Action is €28,300,000. Legal entities from eligible countries, including non-associated third countries and international organizations, may participate provided they meet Horizon Europe Regulation conditions and any topic-specific requirements.
Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, associations, interest groupings, and the Joint Research Centre may also participate under the specified participation conditions. However, legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Research and Innovation Actions or Innovation Actions under this destination.
Applicants and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) and complete validation procedures before signing the grant agreement. Participation is open to beneficiaries and eligible entities capable of fulfilling the legal and financial requirements established under Horizon Europe rules.
For more information, visit European Commission.
