[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

March 31, 2027

Total budget: €16,000,000 | Indicative grant size: ~€8,000,000 per project (2 grants expected)

Supports innovation and scale-up of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies, focusing on efficiency, material performance, and environmental impact assessment.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity, under Horizon Europe, aims to accelerate the commercial availability of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies by supporting projects that scale up existing technical solutions to at least pilot demonstration level (TRL 7 or higher). Projects must address improving cost efficiency, material performance, and process designs for DAC systems, with emphasis on durability, long-term stability, and flexible operation under intermittent or surplus renewable energy. Funded projects should also explore reducing energy use for sorbent/solvent regeneration, alternative materials for CO₂ separation, and solutions for DAC operation in harsh environments (e.g., cold, humid, or polluted conditions). A comprehensive life cycle assessment of the DAC system, from material extraction to end-of-life, is mandatory. The use of European Research Infrastructure for CO₂ Capture, Utilisation, Transport and Storage (ECCSEL) is encouraged, as is international cooperation with Mission Innovation Carbon Dioxide Removal Mission countries. --- ## Due Dates - March 31, 2027: Full application submission deadline (by 17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget for this call: €16,000,000 - Indicative grant size: Approximately €8,000,000 per project - Expected number of grants: 2 - Funding is provided as a lump sum under the Horizon Europe Innovation Actions (IA) scheme --- ## Eligibility - Open to entities from EU Member States and associated countries (see [Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) for full list). - Consortia must typically include at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries. - Additional eligibility and admissibility conditions apply (see [Annex A and B](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf)). - International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Mission Innovation Carbon Dioxide Removal Mission countries. - For projects using satellite-based earth observation, Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data/services must be used. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application process. - Submission system opens December 3, 2026. - Applications must be submitted through the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-30?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) by March 31, 2027, 17:00 Brussels time. - Proposals must follow the format and page limits described in the application form template (see [HE RIA, IA template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf)). - Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - Grants are awarded as lump sums as per [Horizon Europe rules](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - Projects should conduct a full life cycle assessment of the DAC system. - The use of ECCSEL infrastructure is encouraged but not mandatory. - Partner search tools and national contact points are available for consortium building. - Detailed guidance and manuals are available in the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) and [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-30?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Application Form Template (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points| [Find NCPs](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Advancements in Direct Air Capture - European Commission

Sign in to see full grant listing