European Commission logo
European Commission

Improving availability of secondary raw materials through recycling

Funds around four projects, each worth up to EUR 7.5 million, to build higher-quality metal-recycling systems from collection through to renaturing old mine sites.

ClosedEuropean CommissionEU

This Innovation Action funds new or improved EU-based systems that recycle and re-use metals, focusing on critical raw materials, across the full chain from collection, disassembly and sorting through refining, purification and final renaturation of urban mines or waste deposits. Downcycling, where the recovered material ends up lower quality than the original, is out of scope, and projects should…

The Commission wants demonstrator systems, based in the EU, that improve the whole metals-recycling chain — collection, disassembly, sorting, refining — while cutting biodiversity impact and renaturing urban mines or waste deposits afterward. Downcycling, where the recycled material ends up lower quality than the original, is explicitly out of scope.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
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.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€28M

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see the timeline

Sign up free to see where teams trip up

Guides for this application

All guides →

More from European Commission

All grants from this funder →
European Commission logo
Open

Coordination for Cross-Sector Nuclear Technologies

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds coordination of European nuclear research platforms across energy, medicine, space, maritime uses and radiation protection.

Energy TechMedtech+2
€500KSep'26
European Commission logo
Open

Euratom Radiation Protection Partnership (PIANOFORTE)

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds PIANOFORTE’s 2026-27 continuation, an EU radiation-safety research partnership — only for its current members and any partner who joins them.

MedtechBiotech
€15MSep'26
European Commission logo
Open

European Stable Isotopes for Nuclear Medicine

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds industrial production of stable isotopes needed for radionuclide therapies and a more resilient European medical supply chain.

Medtech
€2MSep'26
European Commission logo
Open

Horizon Batteries: EV Recycling Pilot with India

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds a €9.4M lithium-ion battery recycling pilot line in India, matched to a separately funded Indian project on the same schedule.

Energy TechAdvanced Materials+2
€9.4MSep'26
European Commission logo
Open

Horizon Batteries: Sustainable Electrode Materials

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds four €7.1M projects that make battery electrode materials cleaner to produce — via greener refining or plant-based sourcing instead of mined graphite.

Energy TechAdvanced Materials+2
€7.1MSep'26
European Commission logo
Open

Horizon Buildings: Whole Life Carbon Data Platforms

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds three €5.25M projects that plug embodied and operational carbon data into building certificates, passports and BIM tools.

Built EnvironmentAI
€5.3MSep'26
Innovate UK logo
Open

National Materials Innovation Programme: CR&D Rd1

🇬🇧Innovate UK · United Kingdom

Funds UK-registered businesses collaborating on industrial research into advanced materials, covering up to 70% of project costs from a £12 million pool.

Advanced MaterialsMedtech+1
£500K – £1MOct'26
European Innovation Council logo
Open

EIC Pathfinder Challenge: Advanced Materials for Miniaturised Energy Harvesting Systems

🇪🇺EIC · European Union

Supports developing advanced materials for miniaturised energy harvesters to power IoT and sensor networks autonomously.

Climate TechEnergy Tech+2
€4MOct'26
Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) logo
Open

KIAT EUREKA Network Strategic Call — Lightweight Materials

🇰🇷KIAT · South Korea

Funds Korean-led teams and international partners on lightweight materials for transport and manufacturing.

Advanced MaterialsAdvanced Manufacturing+1
₩200M – ₩3BOct'26
VLAIO (Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen) logo
Open

ICON (Interdisciplinary Cooperative Research)

🇧🇪VLAIO · Belgium

Supports cooperative demand driven research bridging Flemish strategic research centres clusters and at least independent Flemish companies.

AISemiconductors+4
€100K – €3M
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) logo
Open

RIVCircular Open Call — Interregional Circular Economy Innovation Proposals

🇪🇸EISMEA · European Union

Offers RIVCircular Call Interregional Circular Economy Innovation Proposals for practical innovation and measurable results.

Climate TechEnergy Tech+3
€200K – €2MSep'26
Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) logo
Open

KIAT Regional Industry Strategic R&D Program

🇰🇷KIAT · South Korea

Funds Korean regional teams with coordinated support for collaborative innovation in economic zones and parks.

Advanced ManufacturingAdvanced Materials+3
₩300M – ₩2B