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

October 2026 (Full application, single-stage; projected)

~€5 million per project; total topic budget €10 million; project duration typically 36-48 months

Funds research on advanced materials for photonic devices to enable low-power, ultra-broadband telecommunication technologies in Europe.

This is a forecasted call; all dates are projected and subject to confirmation.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) supports projects developing innovative advanced materials (IAMs)—such as two-dimensional materials and electro-optic polymers—for integrated photonic devices and systems. The focus is on enabling next-generation telecommunication networks with low power consumption and ultra-broadband performance, as well as advancing miniaturized, high-performance, and cost-effective photonic technologies. Projects are expected to deliver scalable solutions compatible with existing photonic and electronic platforms, integrate manufacturing technologies, and produce packaged prototypes for testing in relevant environments. The scope includes: - Optimizing electronic and photonic design, fabrication, testing, wafer-scale production, and co-packaging. - Building synergies across the European materials value chain. - Collaboration with European research infrastructures and alignment with standards and relevant initiatives. - Contributing to the objectives of the Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe (IAM4EU) partnership. This topic is part of the IAM4EU partnership and is aligned with the broader EU strategy for technological leadership in digital and industrial technologies. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026: Full application submission deadline (single-stage, anticipated/projection) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Indicative budget per project:** Around €5 million - **Total topic budget:** €10 million (typically funding 2 projects) - **Project duration:** Typically 36–48 months - **Funding rate:** 100% of eligible costs for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium requirements:** At least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries (at least one from an EU Member State, two from other Member or Associated Countries). - **Eligible applicants:** Any legal entity (including universities, research organizations, SMEs, industry) from EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and certain low- and middle-income countries. See [full list of eligible countries](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). - **Exclusions:** Entities from China are not eligible for Innovation Actions; entities from Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - **Additional requirements:** Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications. Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions from EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Single-stage, electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-46?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Proposal format:** Use the standard Horizon Europe RIA template (max. 40–45 pages for Part B). - **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:** - [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) - [Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Additional Information - **Mandatory synergies:** Proposals are expected to integrate the European materials value chain, collaborate with EU research infrastructures (e.g., ARIE network), and align with relevant standards and partnerships (e.g., Graphene Flagship for 2D materials). - **Standardisation:** Consideration of standardisation is encouraged as part of innovation and dissemination activities. - **Gender dimension:** Integration of the gender dimension in research content is not mandatory for this topic. - **Industrial involvement:** Strong industrial participation and exploitation strategies are expected, including a credible business case and initial exploitation plan for industrialisation. - **Open science and dissemination:** Projects must include a plan for exploitation, dissemination, and communication of results, and comply with Horizon Europe open science requirements. --- ## External Links - [Funder Homepage: European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) - [Official Call Topic Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-03-MATERIALS-46?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/) - [General Annexes (2025)](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) - [Application Form Template (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 (RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | Funder Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT/Portal Support | [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) | ---

Innovative Advanced Materials (IAMs) for photonics, enabling low-power and ultra-broadband performance for telecommunication (RIA) (Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe partnership)

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