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

September 4, 2025

Around €7.5 million per project; single-stage call; 1 grant expected.

Supports the development and demonstration of standardized, market-ready wind-assisted propulsion solutions to reduce ship emissions and enhance the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity aims to foster the development and demonstration of optimal integrated onboard renewable energy solutions, with a particular focus on Wind-Assisted Propulsion (WAP) systems for ships. The call seeks projects that will establish standardized methodologies for monitoring, recording, and verifying energy use from WAP devices, enabling their integration into greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity calculations in line with EU and International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. Projects should address the challenges of standardization, market uptake, and operational safety for WAP technologies, ultimately supporting the adoption of these solutions in both new and existing vessels. The initiative is part of the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership and aligns with EU strategies for sustainable, competitive, and autonomous waterborne transport. --- ## Due Dates - September 4, 2025: Full application submission deadline for HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15 (Optimal integrated onboard renewable energy solutions, ZEWT Partnership) --- ## Funding Amount - **Indicative funding per project:** Around €7,500,000 - **Total available for this topic:** €7,500,000 - **Number of grants expected:** 1 - **Funding rate:** Up to 70% of eligible costs (up to 100% for non-profit legal entities) - **Project duration:** Typically 36–48 months (to be specified in proposal) --- ## Eligibility - **Type of action:** Innovation Action (IA) - **Eligible applicants:** - Any legal entity established in an EU Member State, an associated country, or certain low- and middle-income countries as listed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. - Consortia must include at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country, with at least one in an EU Member State. - **International participation:** Entities from non-associated third countries may participate in specific roles but are generally not eligible for funding unless their participation is essential. - **Exclusions:** Entities from China are not eligible for Innovation Actions, and entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are excluded. - **Additional requirements:** Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments from EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan. - **Focus:** Projects must have an exclusive focus on civil applications. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=9&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) by the deadline. - **Format:** Single-stage application using the standard forms for Horizon Europe Innovation Actions. - **Page limits:** 45 pages for full applications (see application form for details). - **Evaluation criteria:** Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (see [evaluation form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf)). - **Key documents:** - [Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/general-mga_horizon-euratom_en.pdf) --- ## Additional Information - **Expected outcomes:** - Development and demonstration of a standardized methodology for WAP energy monitoring and verification. - Standardized frameworks for GHG and emission reduction claims. - Uniform rules and assessment criteria for WAP solutions. - Facilitation of market uptake and retrofitting of WAP systems. - Addressing safety, operational, and market confidence barriers. - Contribution to the competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the EU waterborne sector. - **Project requirements:** - Demonstrate at least one full-scale WAP solution. - Develop holistic design optimization frameworks. - Employ advanced digital monitoring technologies. - Assess environmental, economic, and operational impacts. - Propose business and market measures for industry adoption. - **Reporting:** Projects must report results to the ZEWT Partnership for KPI monitoring. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Page & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=9&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [European Commission (Funder)](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points Directory](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EC Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](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) | | IT Helpdesk | [Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points| [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | ---

Optimal integrated onboard renewable energy solutions, by considering Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (ZEWT Partnership)

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