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

September 3, 2025: Full application deadline (single-stage)

€500,000 lump sum per project | 1 grant expected | Project duration: 3 years

Supports coordination, knowledge-sharing, and enhancement of net-zero regulatory sandboxes across EU Member States under the Net-Zero Industry Act.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, part of Horizon Europe (Cluster 5), supports activities to implement and enhance net-zero regulatory sandboxes in EU Member States, as mandated by the Net-Zero Industry Act. The call aims to foster cross-border cooperation, regulatory learning, and innovation for climate-neutral technologies by enabling real-world testing environments. The funded project will provide support to the Net Zero Europe Platform, facilitate stakeholder engagement, conduct comparative analyses of national legislative frameworks, maintain a public repository of sandbox projects, and promote the participation of national authorities, industry, SMEs, research organizations, and civil society. Outreach, dissemination, data accessibility, and sustainability beyond the project lifetime are key deliverables. --- ## Due Dates - **Full application deadline:** September 3, 2025, by 17:00 Brussels local time (postponed from September 2) Evaluation results are expected in December 2025. --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available budget for this topic:** €500,000 (lump sum) - **Indicative number of grants:** 1 - **Project duration:** Up to 36 months (3 years) - **Funding rate:** 100% of eligible costs (lump sum) - **Type of action:** HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Action) --- ## Eligibility - **Applicant types:** Any legal entity from EU Member States or countries associated to Horizon Europe. - **Consortium:** Proposals may be submitted by a single entity or a consortium, but must ensure broad stakeholder engagement (including authorities, SMEs, research organizations, civil society). - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States, associated countries, and certain low- and middle-income third countries (see [Annex B of the 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)). - **Specific requirements:** Public bodies, research organizations, or higher education establishments must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. - **Activities must focus exclusively on civil applications.** --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-12?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=8&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Application format:** Standard Horizon Europe forms, including a detailed technical description (Part B) and a mandatory detailed lump sum budget table (Excel). - **Page limit:** 33 pages for the technical description (CSA with lump sum). - **Key documents required:** - Administrative forms (Part A) - Technical description (Part B) - Detailed lump sum budget (Excel) - Ethics self-assessment - **Evaluation criteria:** Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation (thresholds: 3/5 per criterion, 10/15 overall). - **Timeline:** Results expected in December 2025; grant agreements typically signed within 8 months of deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Scope of activities:** - Support for stakeholder engagement and information exchange - Comparative analysis of national sandbox frameworks - Creation and maintenance of a public repository of sandbox projects - Inclusion of SMEs, start-ups, and civil society in sandboxes - Outreach, dissemination, and exploitation strategies - Data accessibility and sustainability planning - **Budget structure:** Lump sum covers all eligible direct and indirect costs; detailed cost estimation required at proposal stage. - **Consortium agreement:** Required for multi-beneficiary projects. - **Open science and gender equality:** Integration of open science practices and the gender dimension is expected. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Page and Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-12?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=8&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes (Eligibility, Award Criteria, etc.)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_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) - [Standard Application Form (HE CSA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [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 | Type | Details | |-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder general contact | +32 2 299 11 11 | | Funder contact page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service| [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your National Contact Point](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | ---

NZIA regulatory sandbox exchange forum support

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