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

April 14, 2026

€16 million total; typically 1 project funded; lump sum grant; single-stage application.

Funds projects developing energy-efficient, software-defined electric vehicles with integrated hardware and software solutions for scalable, sustainable zero-emission transport.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in this call.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Innovation Action supports the development and demonstration of energy-efficient, software-defined electric vehicles (SDVs) as part of the 2ZERO Partnership. Projects must integrate innovative traction and chassis hardware subsystems with advanced software abstraction layers to enable scalable, mass-market zero-emission vehicles. The grant aims to foster real-life demonstrations of functional integration, user and societal value, resource efficiency, vehicle-to-grid integration, and cost and energy demand reduction. Applicants are expected to address novel propulsion and chassis packaging, develop compatible system architectures, identify software interfaces for energy efficiency, and deploy solutions such as advanced battery management and AI-driven workflows. Solutions must be compatible with automotive standards and facilitate scaling via consistent data and interfaces. Collaboration with SDV initiatives and the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance is required, and projects must contribute to the European Partnership on ‘Towards zero emission road transport’ (2ZERO). --- ## Due Dates - April 14, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time): Full application deadline --- ## Funding Amount - Total budget for this topic: €16,000,000 - Indicative number of grants: 1 - Funding is provided as a lump sum grant covering all eligible project costs; the lump sum is determined during proposal preparation and fixed in the grant agreement - Projects are expected to be large-scale, multi-partner, and typically run for 36–48 months --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Any legal entity (public or private) established in an EU Member State, an Associated Country to Horizon Europe, or a listed eligible low- and middle-income country (see [General Annex 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)). - A consortium of at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different eligible country, is required. - Affiliated entities may participate if linked to a beneficiary. - Associated partners may join but cannot receive EU funding. - **Key restrictions:** - Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in this Innovation Action (including as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, subcontractors, or recipients of financial support to third parties). - Entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - Applicants must focus exclusively on civil applications. - **Other requirements:** - Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments from Member States or Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place at grant signature. - Projects must comply with EU ethical standards and security rules. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** - Single-stage: submit a full proposal via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-02). - All applications must use the standard [Horizon Europe Application Form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) and include a detailed [lump sum budget table](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_en.xlsm). - Proposals must address all aspects outlined in the topic description and demonstrate compliance with eligibility and admissibility conditions. - **Evaluation:** - Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation. - The budget is assessed for reasonableness and alignment with proposed activities. - Only proposals meeting all eligibility criteria and scoring above the thresholds are considered for funding. - **Grant Agreement:** - Funded projects sign a Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement. - Payments are made upon completion of work packages as agreed in the grant. --- ## Additional Information - **Project requirements:** - Real-life demonstration of SDVs with integrated hardware/software, vehicle-to-grid testing, and open-source building blocks are encouraged. - Collaboration with relevant European initiatives (e.g., Chips JU SDV initiative, ECAVA) is required. - Projects must report results to the 2ZERO Partnership for KPI monitoring. - **Open Science:** - Open access to research outputs and data management plans are required. - **Ethics & Security:** - Projects must undergo ethics self-assessment and comply with EU security regulations if sensitive information is involved. - **Support:** - National Contact Points and the [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) are available for applicant support. --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-02) - [General Call Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals?callIdentifier=HORIZON-CL5-2026-05) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Work Programme General Annexes (2026-2027)](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) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [Lump Sum Funding Guidance](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_en.pdf) - [Detailed Budget Table Template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_en.xlsm) - [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) - [Evaluation Form Template (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Contact | |---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [EU Funding & Tenders Portal Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Research Support | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [List of NCPs](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | Funder Contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone (EC HQ) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Energy-efficient software-defined EVs (2ZERO Partnership)

Sign in to see full grant listing