Unlocking EU funding opportunities for advanced materials research: From concept to market

Horizon Europe Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space – Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership

With over €550 million allocated, Cluster 4 offers substantial opportunities for materials innovators. In 2025, calls will focus on:

• Safe and sustainable materials by design (SSbD), replacing PFAS and enhancing LCA practices.
• Advanced materials for coatings, electronics, and photonics (e.g., stretchable electronics, sealants, optical fibre).
• Initiatives like the IAM4EU Partnership, which promote faster time-to-market for high-impact materials through digital design, modelling, and standardization.

You can address critical challenges in sectors such as aerospace, construction, and renewables while contributing to European industrial sovereignty.

You can find more information about the Cluster 4 calls on the official Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders portal under the section for Digital, Industry and Space.

Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE JU) – Bio-based Materials and Circular Innovation

Bioeconomy actors have the opportunity to enhance circularity, reduce GHG emissions, and create EU-based value chains for bio-based materials. From urban waste valorisation to drop-in bio-based chemicals, the 2025 Annual Work Programme offers funding for:

• Scaling sustainable biorefineries.
• New bio-based alternatives to hazardous chemicals in textiles and coatings.
• SSbD biopolymers for packaging, construction, and consumer goods.

Details on current and upcoming CBE JU funding calls are published on the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking website.

Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility – Materials for a Sustainable Future

Materials that enable energy transition technologies (batteries, hydrogen systems, wind blades) are essential to Europe’s Green Deal objectives. With €312 million in calls, 2025 presents numerous R&D prospects in:

• Lightweight composites and magnet-free motors for electric mobility.
• Low-carbon construction materials and adaptive insulation for positive-energy buildings.
• Battery innovations, including new chemistries, second-life applications, and recyclability.

More information about Cluster 5 calls can be found on the Horizon Europe portal under the Climate, Energy and Mobility section.

European Defence Fund (EDF): Advanced Materials for Defence and Dual-Use Technologies

The EDF 2025 work programme supports materials-related R&D through both structured and open calls, with over €182 million in research actions. Key opportunities include:

Strategic Topics:

• Rotorcraft propulsion systems using new lightweight, high-performance materials for harsh military environments.
• Chiplet-based integrated systems using advanced materials for secure, scalable defence electronics.
• Resilient composites and coatings for CASEVAC platforms and hostile operational conditions.

Open Thematic Topics (EDF is not only for large defence primes. These open topics invite cutting-edge material science from academia and SMEs, with dual-use potential and fast-track to technology maturation):

• Disruptive Technologies (DIS): Aimed at radically new materials, including quantum-enhanced coatings, nano-engineered surfaces, self-healing or shape-memory structures — ideal for TRL 1-3 research with high defence potential.
• SMERO (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Research Organisations): Targeted support for SMEs and research institutes developing innovative material solutions — e.g., multifunctional materials, extreme-environment components, or additive manufacturing technologies.

You can explore the full list of EDF topics in the European Commission’s European Defence Fund 2025 work programme.

PNO Innovation is your partner in EU-funded innovation

As Europe’s largest independent innovation and funding consultancy, PNO Innovation has a proven track record of helping stakeholders navigate these exact challenges. We have decades of experience in turning innovative concepts into successful EU-funded projects across all sectors, including advanced materials. Our team, which includes scientists and consultants with deep expertise in materials science, industrial technologies, and EU programmes, stands ready to support organisations at every step of the journey.

What PNO Innovation offers?

We provide end-to-end support, from identifying the most suitable funding opportunities to building consortia and writing high-quality proposals. For instance, if you have a promising concept for a new material or process, we can scan the Horizon Europe and other EU calls to pinpoint the best fit (be it a Cluster 4 call on advanced materials, a CBE JU call on bio-based solutions, or an EDF call for disruptive technologies). We then help assemble strong partners from our extensive network across Europe, ensuring your consortium meets all criteria and has the right capabilities. Critically, our proposal writing and review expertise can greatly enhance the clarity and impact of your application, increasing the chances of success in these competitive programmes. We understand the formal requirements and evaluation criteria of EU proposals inside out, and we make sure your project narrative is compelling and aligned with EU objectives.

PNO Innovation also supports clients in the project execution phase once funding is won: from grant agreement negotiation to project management and dissemination of results. Our goal is to not only secure funding but also to help you deliver tangible results and innovations that create value. We pride ourselves on being a bridge between visionary ideas and European funding, accelerating innovation for our clients. Over the years, PNO has been instrumental in winning funding for projects in advanced materials (such as initiatives in sustainable plastics, advanced composites, battery technologies, and more), thereby contributing to our clients’ growth and to Europe’s innovation ecosystem.

Why collaborate with us?

Navigating EU funding can be complex and time-consuming. By partnering with us, organisations large or small gain a dedicated ally who brings clarity, efficiency, and expertise to the process. We keep abreast of the latest policy developments and work programme updates, like those for 2025, so we can provide up-to-date insight into what evaluators are looking for. Ultimately, our support allows you to focus on the technical development of your material innovation, while we help shape the strategy and paperwork to meet EU expectations.

If your organisation is working on an innovative materials idea and looking for funding or collaboration, we invite you to reach out. Feel free to contact us for a conversation on how we can collaborate and help secure the support you need.