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

September 2, 2025 (single-stage)

€500,000 lump sum | Project duration: 3 years | 1 award expected

Supports EU coordination, best practice exchange, and regulatory learning for net-zero technology sandboxes under the Net-Zero Industry Act.

--- ## Description This grant aims to strengthen the implementation of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) by supporting the establishment and coordination of regulatory sandboxes for net-zero technologies across EU Member States. The funded project will facilitate the exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and regulatory cooperation among national authorities, industry, SMEs, start-ups, social partners, consumers, and other stakeholders. Key activities include comparative analyses of national legislative frameworks, the creation of a public repository of sandbox schemes and projects, and the implementation of outreach, engagement, dissemination, and sustainability strategies to ensure continued impact and reusability of project data. The overarching goal is to accelerate innovation and regulatory learning in net-zero technologies, contributing to the EU’s climate neutrality, energy resilience, and the wider deployment of innovative solutions. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: May 6, 2025 - Application deadline: September 2, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time - Single-stage submission --- ## Funding Amount - Lump sum grant of €500,000 - Project duration is expected to be 3 years - Only one grant will be awarded under this topic --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities established in EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe. - Proposals must include contributions from national and regional authorities, industry (including SMEs), social partners, research and civil society organizations, consumers’ and users’ associations, universities, and European associations relevant to net-zero regulatory sandboxes. - Full eligibility criteria are detailed in [Annex B of the Horizon Europe 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). --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-12?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=8&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - The process is single-stage: submit the full proposal by the deadline. - Proposals must follow the page limits and layout described in the application form (Part B). - Evaluation criteria, financial and operational capacity, and other requirements are detailed in the [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). - The grant will use a lump sum funding model; see [lump sum 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). --- ## Additional Information - The project must ensure accessibility and reusability of data produced. - Proposals should include a finance and sustainability plan for continuation beyond the project’s lifetime. - Strong emphasis is placed on outreach, societal engagement, and dissemination to maximize EU-wide impact. - SMEs and start-ups are particularly encouraged to participate and benefit from the project. - For partner search and networking, use the [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). --- ## External Links - [Call details 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 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) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [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) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact / Link | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | [European Commission Contact Page](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 NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Funding & Tenders IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

NZIA regulatory sandbox exchange forum support

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