Call for Applications: Coal Pilot and Demonstration Projects

Deadline: 16-Sep-2026

The European Commission is inviting grant applications under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel to support pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the transition and sustainable development of the coal sector. The call focuses on just transition, health and safety, and reducing the environmental impacts of coal mines in transition.

The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000. Eligible projects should begin at Technology Readiness Levels 4–5 and progress to TRL 7–8 by the end of the project, demonstrating practical innovation and real-world relevance for coal sector transformation.

Call Overview

The RFCS Coal Pilot and Demonstration Projects Call supports research and innovation activities that help the coal sector transition towards more sustainable, safer and environmentally responsible practices.

The call is part of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel framework.

It supports pilot and demonstration projects that bridge the gap between research and practical implementation in the coal sector.

Main Objective

The main objective of the call is to support innovative projects that contribute to coal sector transition and sustainable development.

The call aims to:

• Support the just transition of the coal sector
• Support coal regions in transition
• Improve health and safety
• Reduce environmental impacts of coal mines
• Promote practical innovation in the coal sector
• Demonstrate technologies or approaches at relevant scale
• Bridge the gap between research and implementation
• Assess industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits

Key Focus Areas

The call focuses on coal sector transformation and applied innovation.

Key focus areas include:

• Coal sector transition
• Just transition
• Sustainable development
• Coal regions in transition
• Health and safety
• Environmental impact reduction
• Coal mine transition
• Pilot projects
• Demonstration projects
• Industrial-scale innovation
• Research and innovation
• Technology readiness
• Practical implementation
• RFCS coal research

What the Call Supports

The call supports pilot and demonstration projects in the coal sector.

Supported projects should test, develop, validate or demonstrate solutions that are relevant to coal sector transition and sustainability.

Projects should show clear practical value and measurable benefits for coal mines, coal regions, workers, communities or the environment.

What Are Pilot Projects?

Pilot projects involve the construction, operation and development of installations at an appropriate scale.

A pilot project is used to test whether an innovative solution can work beyond laboratory or early research conditions.

Pilot projects may help validate technical feasibility, operational performance and potential for wider use.

What Are Demonstration Projects?

Demonstration projects involve the construction and/or operation of industrial-scale installations.

A demonstration project is closer to real-world deployment and is used to show whether a solution can perform effectively in an industrial setting.

Demonstration projects should provide strong evidence of practical usefulness and future application potential.

Technology Readiness Level Requirement

Funded activities are expected to begin at Technology Readiness Levels 4–5.

By the end of the project, activities should progress to TRL 7–8.

This means projects should move from validated technology in controlled or relevant environments toward system demonstration in operational or near-operational environments.

What Are Technology Readiness Levels?

Technology Readiness Levels describe how mature a technology or solution is.

For this call:

• TRL 4–5 means the technology has been validated in a laboratory or relevant environment.
• TRL 7–8 means the system has been demonstrated in an operational or near-operational environment and is close to real-world use.

Applicants should clearly explain the starting TRL, target TRL and how the project will achieve this progression.

Just Transition in the Coal Sector

A just transition means supporting workers, communities and regions affected by the shift away from traditional coal-based activities.

Projects may contribute to just transition by supporting:

• Safer working conditions
• New uses for coal-related infrastructure
• Environmental rehabilitation
• Regional economic resilience
• Worker and community wellbeing
• Practical solutions for coal mine transition
• Sustainable development in coal regions

The proposal should explain how the project supports fair and practical transition outcomes.

Health and Safety Improvements

The call supports projects that improve health and safety in coal sector transition activities.

Projects may address:

• Safer mine closure or transition processes
• Worker protection
• Risk reduction
• Monitoring systems
• Emergency preparedness
• Safer industrial operations
• Improved working conditions
• Prevention of environmental or operational hazards

Health and safety benefits should be clearly described and supported by evidence.

Environmental Impact Reduction

The call supports projects that minimise environmental impacts linked to coal mines in transition.

Projects may focus on:

• Pollution reduction
• Mine site rehabilitation
• Water management
• Land restoration
• Waste reduction
• Emissions reduction
• Environmental monitoring
• Circular or sustainable use of coal-related assets
• Long-term environmental protection

Applicants should show how the proposed project can reduce harm and support more sustainable coal region outcomes.

Required Impact Assessment

Applicants must include an assessment of expected benefits.

The assessment should cover:

• Industrial benefits
• Economic benefits
• Social benefits
• Environmental benefits

This section is essential because the call supports practical projects that should demonstrate measurable value.

Industrial Benefits

Industrial benefits may include improved technology performance, better operational processes, safer installations, stronger transition capacity or scalable solutions for coal sector transformation.

Economic Benefits

Economic benefits may include cost savings, job protection, new economic opportunities, improved regional resilience or better use of existing infrastructure.

Social Benefits

Social benefits may include improved worker safety, stronger community wellbeing, support for coal regions, skills development or fair transition outcomes.

Environmental Benefits

Environmental benefits may include reduced pollution, improved land or water conditions, lower emissions, better monitoring or reduced long-term environmental risks.

Funding Available

The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000.

Applicants should prepare budgets that are realistic, justified and directly connected to the pilot or demonstration activities proposed.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legal entities that carry out or substantially support research and technological development activities.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Public bodies
• Private bodies
• Undertakings
• Public authorities
• Research organisations
• Higher education establishments
• Secondary education establishments
• Other legal entities involved in research and technological development

Applicants should ensure that all participating entities meet the eligibility rules of the RFCS framework.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be established in eligible countries.

Eligible countries include:

• European Union Member States
• Overseas countries and territories associated with the European Union
• Non-EU countries associated with the Research Fund for Coal and Steel

Applicants should confirm country eligibility before preparing and submitting a proposal.

What Makes a Project Suitable?

A suitable project should be practical, technically credible and relevant to coal sector transition.

A strong project should:

• Address one or more focus areas of the call
• Start at TRL 4–5
• Progress to TRL 7–8
• Demonstrate pilot or industrial-scale relevance
• Include a clear technical work plan
• Assess industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits
• Support just transition, health and safety or environmental improvement
• Show potential for replication or wider use

Why This Call Matters

Coal regions face complex challenges as the sector transitions toward more sustainable futures.

These challenges include environmental rehabilitation, worker safety, economic restructuring and the need for practical innovation.

This RFCS call matters because it supports pilot and demonstration projects that can test and prove solutions in real-world settings.

By funding applied innovation, the programme helps coal regions move from research ideas to practical transition tools, safer operations and reduced environmental impact.

Expected Results

Funded projects are expected to support practical progress in the coal sector.

Expected results may include:

• Demonstrated transition technologies
• Improved health and safety solutions
• Reduced environmental impacts from coal mines
• Stronger support for coal regions in transition
• Progress from TRL 4–5 to TRL 7–8
• Industrial-scale validation of innovative approaches
• Evidence of economic and social benefits
• Improved environmental monitoring or rehabilitation
• Practical knowledge for future coal sector transition activities

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal

Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that demonstrates technical quality, eligibility, impact and feasibility.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

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

They should also confirm that each entity contributes meaningfully to research, technological development or demonstration activities.

Step 2: Select the Project Type

Applicants should decide whether the proposal is a pilot project or a demonstration project.

The project type should match the scale, maturity and intended impact of the proposed solution.

Step 3: Define the Coal Sector Challenge

The proposal should clearly explain the challenge being addressed.

This may relate to just transition, health and safety, environmental impact reduction or sustainable development of coal regions.

Step 4: Describe the Innovation

Applicants should explain what is innovative about the proposed technology, process, installation or approach.

The proposal should show why the innovation is needed and how it improves on existing practices.

Step 5: State the Starting and Target TRL

Applicants should clearly state the starting TRL and target TRL.

Projects should begin at TRL 4–5 and reach TRL 7–8 by the end of the project.

Step 6: Explain the Pilot or Demonstration Plan

The proposal should describe how the installation will be constructed, operated, tested or demonstrated.

Applicants should include clear work packages, timelines, responsibilities and technical milestones.

Step 7: Assess Expected Benefits

Applicants must include an assessment of industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits.

The assessment should be specific, evidence-based and linked to project outcomes.

Step 8: Prepare a Realistic Budget

The budget should be directly connected to eligible project activities.

Applicants should justify costs related to construction, operation, testing, research, personnel, equipment, monitoring and dissemination where relevant.

Step 9: Address Risk Management

Applicants should identify technical, operational, financial, social and environmental risks.

The proposal should explain how risks will be managed during implementation.

Step 10: Plan Knowledge Sharing

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

This may include industry actors, public authorities, coal regions, researchers, worker representatives and environmental stakeholders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Submitting a project outside the coal sector focus
• Failing to define whether the project is pilot or demonstration
• Starting below or above the expected TRL range without explanation
• Not showing progress toward TRL 7–8
• Providing weak evidence of practical application
• Omitting the required benefit assessment
• Ignoring industrial, economic, social or environmental impacts
• Submitting vague technical plans
• Providing an unrealistic budget
• Failing to show relevance to just transition, health and safety or environmental protection
• Including partners from ineligible countries
• Not demonstrating how the project bridges research and innovation

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should:

• Clearly align with RFCS coal transition objectives
• Address a specific coal sector challenge
• Show strong technical feasibility
• Demonstrate practical pilot or industrial-scale relevance
• Include credible TRL progression
• Provide measurable expected benefits
• Address environmental and social impacts
• Support just transition outcomes
• Include capable project partners
• Present a realistic budget and timeline
• Explain how results can be used beyond the project
• Demonstrate strong risk management and implementation capacity

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of this European Commission RFCS coal call?

The call supports pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the transition and sustainable development of the coal sector.

2. How much funding is available?

The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000.

3. What topics are covered?

The call focuses on just transition of the coal sector and regions, health and safety improvements, and minimising environmental impacts of coal mines in transition.

4. What is the required TRL progression?

Projects are expected to start at TRL 4–5 and progress to TRL 7–8 by the end of the project.

5. What is the difference between pilot and demonstration projects?

Pilot projects involve construction, operation and development of installations at an appropriate scale. Demonstration projects involve construction and/or operation of industrial-scale installations.

6. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include public or private legal entities, undertakings, public authorities, research organisations, higher or secondary education establishments and other legal entities involved in research and technological development.

7. What countries are eligible?

Eligible countries include EU Member States, overseas countries and territories associated with the EU, and non-EU countries associated with the Research Fund for Coal and Steel.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s RFCS Coal Pilot and Demonstration Projects call provides €2,880,000 to support practical innovation for coal sector transition and sustainable development.

The call funds pilot and demonstration projects that improve just transition outcomes, health and safety, and environmental performance in coal mines and coal regions.

Applicants should prepare strong proposals that demonstrate clear coal sector relevance, TRL progression from 4–5 to 7–8, practical implementation, measurable benefits and strong alignment with RFCS objectives.

For more information, visit European Commission.