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Horizon Europe Cluster 4 — Twin (Green+Digital) Transition for Industry

Horizon Industry: Cleaner Raw-Material Processing

Funds €10–12.5M projects that recover critical raw materials from difficult ores and mining waste with cleaner, more efficient processing.

ScheduledEuropean CommissionEU

Europe needs more resilient supplies of the minerals and metals that underpin the green and digital transition. This topic funds pilot-scale processing and refining at an EU facility that can recover valuable and critical raw materials from low-grade or complex ores and extractive waste.

The process should be flexible enough for changing ore grades and waste streams, with intelligent control that

Developing and validating a pilot-scale facility in the EU that integrates processing and refining technologies to recover raw materials, particularly critical raw materials, from low-grade or complex ores and extractive waste. The facility should adapt to variable feeds, use robust process control, reduce water and energy use, waste and pollution, and address toxic compounds, biodiversity and habitat impacts. Projects must include a business case, exploitation strategy, cross-project clustering and a credible path to full-scale EU deployment.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.One-off
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.2 Feb 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.30%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€49M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-16Source: ec.europa.eu