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Horizon Europe New European Bauhaus (NEB)

Horizon NEB: Beautiful, Low-Carbon Thermal Comfort

Funds three €4M projects that cut buildings’ need for air conditioning with vernacular, nature-based, or bioclimatic design, tested in two climate zones.

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Buildings that don’t handle heat well end up leaning on air conditioning to stay comfortable. That burns energy, costs money, and pushes more heat out into the street, making the urban heat island effect worse for the whole neighbourhood. Elderly and low-income households feel this hardest, since they’re least able to absorb the extra cost or discomfort. Cutting the life cycle carbon emissions of

Developing and physically demonstrating at least two thermal-comfort solutions for buildings, grounded in vernacular building knowledge, nature-based solutions, bioclimatic design, and/or frugal innovation — used in place of energy-intensive cooling such as air conditioning. The two solutions are demonstrated on real buildings, new or existing, in at least two different climatic zones located in different EU Member States or Associated Countries, and at least one of the two has to be a cultural heritage building. Proposals have to measure the reduction in life cycle GHG emissions and life cycle cost against solutions that currently dominate the market, show the result works for people in a vulnerable situation, and treat the solution’s aesthetic quality (“beautiful”) as a real requirement. They also have to name the barriers — regulatory and otherwise — blocking wider rollout, and set aside at least 0.8% of the budget to report results into the Horizon Europe-funded New European Bauhaus hub.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.1 Dec 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.30%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€12M

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01Source: ec.europa.eu