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Horizon Europe Cluster 5 — Climate, Energy and Mobility

Horizon Smart Buildings: Energy & User Research

Funds three €5.25M studies of how different groups of people actually use smart buildings, and what that means for real energy savings.

OpenEuropean CommissionEU

Billions have gone into smart building hardware and software — sensors, controls, automation — but there's surprisingly little evidence on whether any of it actually improves energy performance once real people live and work with it. This topic funds that research: not new smart-building technology, but a rigorous study of how existing and new systems perform once different kinds of people actuall

Researching (TRL 4-5 by project end, starting at any TRL) the technical, social and economic factors that shape how different demographic and economic groups use smart building systems, and how that use affects real energy performance and whole-life-cycle outcomes — validated in at least three different categories of existing buildings, each in a different EU member state or associated country, and turned into actionable recommendations for equipment providers, architects, building owners and facility managers.

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.15 Sept 2026
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.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€15.8M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01Source: ec.europa.eu