Deadline: February 17, 2026
The European Commission has opened a Horizon Europe call for innovation actions on smarter buildings as part of the energy system to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and societal readiness.
The focus of this opportunity includes measurable reduction in buildings’ energy demand together with a reduced gap between their as-designed and as-built energy performance; measurable increase in the number of building typologies with smart grid connected renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storage together with increased flexibility in grid/network management and operations; measurable enhancement of the smart readiness of buildings as rated by the Smart Readiness Indicator and/or other relevant building rating systems; improved responsiveness by the relevant stakeholders to the needs and concerns of users from a diversity of social groups, including vulnerable and disadvantaged ones, involved in or potentially affected by the smart buildings, thereby increasing the potential for beneficial societal uptake and building trust in outcomes.
This funding topic highlights the urgent need to address the construction sector’s lack of digitalisation while promoting the integration of smart technologies that optimize energy consumption, reduce CO2 emissions, and enhance flexibility across energy networks. Proposals should develop solutions that build on and upgrade existing Building (Energy) Management Systems and technical equipment. These solutions must be user-friendly, ensuring indoor environmental quality and user satisfaction while providing comfort for occupants.
Selected projects are required to demonstrate their solutions through at least three pilot projects, covering different types of buildings, climatic zones, and technical systems. The proposals must also establish a methodology to measure energy demand reduction, flexibility improvements for the grid, and enhanced interoperability in comparison with current practices. Additionally, projects must explore cost-effectiveness, replication potential, and long-term impact.
This call is part of the Societal Readiness pilot under Horizon Europe, meaning that proposals should integrate social sciences and humanities expertise to ensure that societal needs and concerns are properly addressed. This interdisciplinary approach will strengthen socio-technological collaboration and improve acceptance and adoption of smart building technologies among diverse user communities.
The total indicative budget for this call is €12 million, with up to three grants expected to be funded under the single-stage submission, closing on 17 February 2026.
For more information, visit EC.
