On 4 August, the European Commission opened a new Horizon Europe call under Cluster 5: Energy. Researchers, businesses and public authorities can apply for funding for research and innovation projects focusing on sustainable and low-carbon energy. A total budget of € 131.5 million is available under this call. Project proposals can be submitted until 1 December 2026.

What is Horizon Europe Cluster 5?

The new call is part of Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility and focuses on solutions that contribute to a more efficient, sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply. The call offers grant opportunities for a wide range of developments, from solar energy and renewable fuels to geothermal energy and the use of AI in the energy sector.

Which topics are covered by the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call?

The call has the reference HORIZON-CL5-2026-11 and consists of five separate topics. Each topic has its own objectives, conditions and available budget.

The five topics are:

• Sustainable solid biofuels: demonstration of regional value chains for the supply and conversion of fully sustainable solid biofuels into high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP);
• Geothermal energy: improving the assessment of the potential of deep sedimentary reservoirs and reservoirs in the crystalline basement;
• Solar energy: improving system designs for innovative photovoltaic applications within the EUPI-PV Partnership;
• Renewable fuels: reducing risks associated with renewable fuel technologies through transnational pre-commercial procurement;
• AI and energy: sharing data to train and develop AI foundation models for applications in the energy sector.

The call therefore covers several areas of the energy transition. When preparing an application, organisations should carefully assess which topic best matches their technology, research activities and intended results.

Who could benefit from this Horizon Europe call?

Horizon Europe Cluster 5 focuses on research and innovation in climate, energy and mobility. Key areas within the cluster include energy supply, energy systems and grids, energy storage, and the decarbonisation of buildings and industrial facilities. The new call may therefore be relevant to research institutes, universities, technology developers, energy companies and innovative SMEs working internationally on new energy solutions.

European collaboration generally plays an important role in Horizon Europe projects. A strong project therefore requires more than a promising concept. Building the right consortium, establishing a clear division of responsibilities between partners and ensuring a strong fit with the objectives of the selected topic are also important.

What is the application process for Horizon Europe Cluster 5?

The HORIZON-CL5-2026-11 call opened on 4 August 2026 and follows a single-stage application procedure. The key details are:

• Opening date: 4 August 2026
• Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 17:00 CET
• Available budget: €131.5 million
• Number of topics: 5

Applications and the accompanying documentation are available through the European Funding & Tenders Portal.

Start preparing your Horizon Europe application now

Although the deadline is not until 1 December 2026, preparing a Horizon Europe application requires careful planning. Among other things, you need to determine which topic best matches your project, involve suitable international partners and clearly define your project’s objectives, activities and expected impact.

Would you like to know whether your research or innovation project fits this Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call? Our specialists can assess your opportunities and support you in preparing your application. Contact us at info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or fill in our contact form.

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