Development of safe and sustainable by design alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (IA)
HORIZON-CL 4-2025-05-MATERIALS-51-two-stage
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
23/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Development of safe and sustainable by design alternatives to Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (IA) Call?
Grant Description
This call aims to develop and demonstrate safe and sustainable alternatives to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances for targeted industrial applications, applying the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework. Projects should deliver new PFAS-free materials or technologies for electronics, construction, textiles or automotive sectors, supported by multidisciplinary research (including socio-economic and health impact analyses), and include business cases and exploitation strategies. Outputs inclu...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Safer and more sustainable PFAS alternatives made available to industry, enhancing competitiveness of EU products.
• New and publicly accessible knowledge on PFAS replacements provided to the Commission, regulatory agencies, Member States and associated countries.
• Support for EU strategies and legislation (future PFAS restrictions under REACH, EU Ecolabel criteria, EU Taxonomy compliance, Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation) through deployment of safe, sustainable PFAS substitutes.
• Demonstration of the SSbD framework’s applicability to avoid regrettable substitution and to guide safe alternative development.
• Evidence of improved human health and environmental protection (e.g., biodiversity, indoor/outdoor air quality) enabled by the new alternatives.
• New and publicly accessible knowledge on PFAS replacements provided to the Commission, regulatory agencies, Member States and associated countries.
• Support for EU strategies and legislation (future PFAS restrictions under REACH, EU Ecolabel criteria, EU Taxonomy compliance, Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation) through deployment of safe, sustainable PFAS substitutes.
• Demonstration of the SSbD framework’s applicability to avoid regrettable substitution and to guide safe alternative development.
• Evidence of improved human health and environmental protection (e.g., biodiversity, indoor/outdoor air quality) enabled by the new alternatives.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
1. Address at least one of the specified industrial application areas (electronics/grids; construction; technical textiles; automotive parts).
2. Develop PFAS substitutes in full alignment with the SSbD framework, and publish all assessment methods and data in FAIR repositories.
3. Provide a clear technological and socio-economic rationale for chosen PFAS alternatives, including hazard and life-cycle impact analyses.
4. Demonstrate through rigorous testing that new materials/functions meet or exceed PFAS performance under realistic conditions.
5. Identify and propose solutions for substitution barriers and necessary adaptations in existing production lines.
6. Include a robust business case and exploitation strategy describing target markets, competitive advantages, roadmaps to higher TRLs and plans for commercial deployment.
7. Involve SSH expertise to conduct analysis of user and societal acceptance, behavioural changes and consumer rights implications.
8. Commit to annual policy briefs to the European Commission and indicate contributions to chapters of the Strategic Research and Innovation Plan for chemicals and materials.
9. Demonstrate added value for human health, biodiversity protection and air quality.
10. Allocate resources for collaboration with relevant OITBs, Joint Undertakings, related Horizon Europe topics and international partners.
1. Address at least one of the specified industrial application areas (electronics/grids; construction; technical textiles; automotive parts).
2. Develop PFAS substitutes in full alignment with the SSbD framework, and publish all assessment methods and data in FAIR repositories.
3. Provide a clear technological and socio-economic rationale for chosen PFAS alternatives, including hazard and life-cycle impact analyses.
4. Demonstrate through rigorous testing that new materials/functions meet or exceed PFAS performance under realistic conditions.
5. Identify and propose solutions for substitution barriers and necessary adaptations in existing production lines.
6. Include a robust business case and exploitation strategy describing target markets, competitive advantages, roadmaps to higher TRLs and plans for commercial deployment.
7. Involve SSH expertise to conduct analysis of user and societal acceptance, behavioural changes and consumer rights implications.
8. Commit to annual policy briefs to the European Commission and indicate contributions to chapters of the Strategic Research and Innovation Plan for chemicals and materials.
9. Demonstrate added value for human health, biodiversity protection and air quality.
10. Allocate resources for collaboration with relevant OITBs, Joint Undertakings, related Horizon Europe topics and international partners.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Two-stage submission under the Horizon Europe Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) lump sum model (HORIZON-AG-LS).
• Stage-1 blind evaluation pilot: abstracts and Part B must not disclose applicant identities.
• Legal entities established in China are ineligible for Innovation Actions.
• Eligibility and evaluation as per Horizon Europe General Annexes (Annexes A–G), including Annex B country lists and Annex D award criteria.
• Lump sum funding rules apply, with no cost reporting beyond lump sums as defined in the 7 July 2021 Simplified Costs Decision.
• Proposals must use the standard HE IA application and evaluation forms, comply with MGA templates and follow Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
• Applicants must explore collaboration with existing Open Innovation Test Beds and allocate resources for cross-project cooperation.
• Mandatory inclusion of a business case and credible exploitation strategy addressing market entry, TRL progression and post-project deployment intentions.
• Annual reporting of policy briefs and contributions to Joint Research Centre platforms on industrial transformation and emissions (INCITE) and the Energy and Industry Geography Lab (EIGL).
• Stage-1 blind evaluation pilot: abstracts and Part B must not disclose applicant identities.
• Legal entities established in China are ineligible for Innovation Actions.
• Eligibility and evaluation as per Horizon Europe General Annexes (Annexes A–G), including Annex B country lists and Annex D award criteria.
• Lump sum funding rules apply, with no cost reporting beyond lump sums as defined in the 7 July 2021 Simplified Costs Decision.
• Proposals must use the standard HE IA application and evaluation forms, comply with MGA templates and follow Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
• Applicants must explore collaboration with existing Open Innovation Test Beds and allocate resources for cross-project cooperation.
• Mandatory inclusion of a business case and credible exploitation strategy addressing market entry, TRL progression and post-project deployment intentions.
• Annual reporting of policy briefs and contributions to Joint Research Centre platforms on industrial transformation and emissions (INCITE) and the Energy and Industry Geography Lab (EIGL).
Important dates
Open from: 22/05/2025
Deadline:23/09/2025
Application period has ended
Win your grant with Cogrant
How cogrant works
Smart Funding Fit Check
Instantly know if your project fits call criteria. Our system highlights strengths, gaps, and risks, so you only apply when your chances are real.
Intelligent Research Engine
Our research engine digs deeper than any founder could alone. It pulls data about your company, your market, and even your competitors - giving your proposal an edge backed by facts, not fluff.
Full Proposal Development
Our system builds your entire proposal from start to finish, ensuring every section is complete, coherent, and crafted to the highest quality. You focus on your vision — we deliver the winning document.
Expert Review
Our experts run a complete review before delivery, ensuring your draft proposal is accurate, well-structured, and polished. You’ll receive a high-quality draft that’s ready for your final touches before submission.
Our Numbers
Results that speak for themselves
70+
proposals prepared
€36.7M
total funding secured for clients
65%
win rate in highly competitive calls