Site icon fundsforNGOs

Funding Opportunity for Sustainable Steel Research Projects

fundsforngos
Call for Mentee Applications: Global Ambassadors Program 2023

Deadline: 16-Sep-2026

The European Commission is seeking grant applications under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel to support research projects that advance the steel sector through new knowledge, experimental work, and practical innovation. The call focuses on sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking, advanced steel grades, circular economy, resource conservation, environmental protection, and workforce-related challenges.

The total funding available under this call is €20,500,000. Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities, research organisations, education establishments, undertakings, and other organisations involved in research, technological development, demonstration activities, or substantial support to such activities.

Call Overview

The Research Fund for Coal and Steel Research Projects Call supports investigative and experimental research activities in the steel sector.

The call is designed to generate knowledge that helps achieve practical objectives for the future of steel production, processing, applications, sustainability, and workforce development.

Unlike priority-specific calls, this topic has no annual priority, meaning proposals may address any eligible research objective within the steel framework.

Main Objective

The main objective of the call is to support research that advances the steel sector through practical, knowledge-based innovation.

The call aims to:

Key Focus Areas

The call supports research across several major steel sector themes.

Key focus areas include:

What the Call Supports

The call supports research projects focused on investigative or experimental work.

Supported projects should help acquire new knowledge that can contribute to practical objectives in the steel sector.

Eligible research may include:

Research Objectives Covered

Projects may address one or more research objectives related to the steel sector.

Eligible objectives include:

New, Sustainable and Low-Carbon Steelmaking

Projects may explore cleaner and more sustainable methods of producing steel.

This can include research into reduced emissions, improved process efficiency, and new steelmaking pathways.

Steel Finishing Processes

Projects may focus on improving finishing technologies that enhance steel performance, quality, durability, or usability.

Advanced Steel Grades and Applications

Projects may develop or investigate advanced steel materials and new applications for industrial, construction, energy, mobility, or other relevant sectors.

Conservation of Resources

Projects may focus on reducing material, energy, or water use in steel production and processing.

Environmental Protection and Circular Economy

Projects may support pollution reduction, recycling, reuse, waste minimisation, circular material flows, and more sustainable steel value chains.

Workforce and Working Conditions

Projects may address workforce management, occupational conditions, skills, safety, organisational practices, or working environments in the steel sector.

No Annual Priority

There is no annual priority for this topic.

This means proposals are not restricted to a single yearly theme.

Applicants may submit research projects from any eligible area covered by the steel research objectives, provided the project contributes to practical outcomes for the sector.

Funding Available

The total funding available under this call is €20,500,000.

Applicants should prepare budgets that are realistic, clearly justified, and directly linked to the proposed research activities.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants and affiliated entities must be legal entities involved in research, technological development, demonstration activities, or substantial support to such activities.

Eligible applicants may include:

Eligible Countries

Eligible participants must be established in an eligible country.

Eligible countries include:

Applicants should confirm country eligibility before submitting a proposal.

What Makes a Project Suitable?

A suitable project should focus on research that generates useful knowledge for the steel sector.

A strong project should:

Why This Call Matters

The steel sector is central to European industry, infrastructure, manufacturing, and economic competitiveness.

At the same time, the sector faces major challenges related to emissions reduction, resource efficiency, environmental protection, circularity, and workforce transformation.

This call matters because it funds the research needed to support practical progress in these areas.

By supporting knowledge generation, the programme helps create the foundation for cleaner technologies, advanced materials, better working conditions, and more sustainable steel systems.

Expected Results

Funded projects are expected to contribute to knowledge and practical progress in the steel sector.

Expected results may include:

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal

Applicants should prepare a clear research proposal that demonstrates eligibility, technical quality, relevance, and practical value.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that all participating organisations are eligible legal entities and are established in eligible countries.

This includes checking the eligibility of affiliated entities where relevant.

Step 2: Select the Research Objective

Applicants should identify which steel sector objective their project addresses.

The proposal may focus on sustainable steelmaking, low-carbon processes, advanced steel grades, circular economy, environmental protection, workforce issues, or another eligible objective.

Step 3: Define the Research Problem

The proposal should clearly explain the research challenge.

Applicants should describe why the problem matters for the steel sector and what practical objective the research will support.

Step 4: Develop a Strong Methodology

Applicants should explain how the research will be carried out.

The methodology should include:

Step 5: Demonstrate Practical Relevance

The project should show how the research can contribute to practical steel sector objectives.

Applicants should explain the possible use of results in technology development, environmental improvement, process innovation, workforce management, or future demonstration activities.

Step 6: Build a Capable Consortium

Where relevant, applicants should include partners with complementary expertise.

A strong consortium may include research organisations, industrial partners, education institutions, or other organisations that can contribute to research and technological development.

Step 7: Prepare a Clear Budget

The budget should be linked directly to research activities.

Applicants should justify staff time, research costs, equipment needs, testing, analysis, coordination, and dissemination expenses where relevant.

Step 8: Plan Knowledge Sharing

Applicants should explain how research results will be shared with relevant stakeholders.

This may include reports, technical outputs, workshops, publications, industry engagement, or knowledge transfer activities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should:

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of this European Commission steel research call?

The call supports research projects that generate knowledge to help achieve practical objectives in the steel sector.

2. How much funding is available?

The total funding available under this call is €20,500,000.

3. What topics are covered?

The call covers sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking, finishing processes, advanced steel grades and applications, resource conservation, environmental protection, circular economy, workforce management, and working conditions.

4. Is there an annual priority for this topic?

No. There is no annual priority for this topic, so projects from all eligible steel research objectives may be considered.

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include public or private legal entities such as undertakings, public bodies, research organisations, higher or secondary education establishments, and other organisations involved in research, technological development, or demonstration activities.

6. What countries are eligible?

Eligible participants must be established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories associated with the EU, or non-EU countries associated with the Research Fund for Coal and Steel programme.

7. What type of projects are supported?

The call supports research projects involving investigative or experimental work that helps acquire knowledge for practical steel sector objectives.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel call provides €20,500,000 to support research projects that advance the steel sector through new knowledge and practical innovation.

The call supports work on sustainable steelmaking, low-carbon processes, advanced steel grades, circular economy, environmental protection, resource conservation, and workforce conditions.

Applicants should prepare proposals that clearly define the research problem, align with eligible steel objectives, use rigorous methods, demonstrate practical relevance, and meet all legal entity and country eligibility requirements.

For more information, visit European Commission.

Exit mobile version