CFPs: RIS Innovation Projects to Strengthen Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chain

Deadline: 24-Jun-2026

The EIT RIS Innovation Projects Call is part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s raw materials sector through innovation-driven solutions. It supports projects that improve the entire value chain, from exploration and mining to recycling and resource substitution.

The programme is designed to:

• Promote sustainable raw materials extraction and processing
• Strengthen circular economy systems in Europe
• Support regional innovation ecosystems
• Enable scalable industrial solutions
• Improve resource efficiency and sustainability

It operates under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology framework and aligns with the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS).

Key Focus Areas

Raw Materials Innovation

Projects may focus on:

• Exploration and identification of raw material resources
• Sustainable mining technologies
• Improved mineral extraction techniques

Processing and Industrial Innovation

• Advanced mineral processing methods
• Energy-efficient production systems
• Reduced environmental impact in processing chains

Recycling and Circular Economy

• Material recovery technologies
• Waste-to-resource transformation systems
• Circular economy business models
• Industrial symbiosis solutions

Resource Substitution and Efficiency

• Alternative material development
• Reduction of critical raw material dependency
• Resource-efficient industrial design

Product, Service, and Business Model Innovation

• New products based on sustainable materials
• Service innovation in supply chains
• Circular and digital business models
• Market-ready industrial solutions

Regional Innovation Ecosystem Strengthening

• Capacity building in less innovative regions
• Collaboration between academia, industry, and startups
• Knowledge transfer and commercialization support

Objectives of the Programme

The call aims to:

• Strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain
• Accelerate sustainable mining and recycling technologies
• Support innovation-led regional development
• Increase competitiveness in critical raw materials sectors
• Promote circular and low-carbon industrial systems

Project Scope and Duration

• Project duration: 1 to 2 years
• Focus: Applied innovation and scalable solutions
• Expected outcomes: Technology, product, and business model development
• Emphasis: Practical deployment and market readiness

Funding Structure

• Phase 1 funding: up to €500,000
• Phase 2 funding: €300,000 to €500,000 additional
• Total maximum funding: €1,000,000 per project
• Co-funding requirement: minimum 30% from consortium partners

Funding is performance- and phase-based, supporting development from early-stage innovation to scaling.

Who Can Apply

Eligible participants must form a consortium that includes:

• At least 2 legal entities
• From at least 2 different Horizon Europe-eligible countries
• Representing at least 2 parts of the knowledge triangle:
  • Education
  • Research
  • Industry or business

Additional rules:

• Consortium size: up to 5 partners
• Must include co-funding contributions
• Must align with Horizon Europe eligibility conditions

Eligible participants may include:

• Universities and research institutions
• SMEs and large enterprises
• Industry partners and startups
• Public or private innovation organizations

Strategic Alignment Requirements

All proposals must align with:

• European Institute of Innovation and Technology Strategic Agenda 2021–2027
• EIT RawMaterials priorities
• EU goals for circular economy and sustainability
• Horizon Europe eligibility framework

Key Expected Outcomes

Projects should deliver:

• New raw materials technologies and processes
• Circular economy-based industrial solutions
• Scalable business models and innovations
• Strengthened regional innovation capacity
• Improved sustainability across supply chains

How the Programme Works

Step 1: Consortium formation

• Build a 2–5 partner consortium
• Ensure cross-country participation
• Include knowledge triangle representation

Step 2: Proposal development

• Identify raw materials innovation challenge
• Define technology or solution pathway
• Include commercialization strategy

Step 3: Co-funding arrangement

• Secure at least 30% co-funding
• Align financial contributions across partners

Step 4: Implementation planning

• Define 1–2 year project roadmap
• Include pilot testing or demonstration activities
• Plan scaling strategy

Step 5: Submission

• Submit under EIT RIS Innovation Projects Call
• Ensure compliance with eligibility and alignment criteria

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing required knowledge triangle structure
• Weak or missing co-funding strategy
• Overly theoretical proposals without practical outcomes
• Lack of scalability or market orientation
• Poor alignment with EIT RawMaterials priorities
• Weak cross-border collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the main goal of this call
  • To strengthen Europe’s raw materials value chain through innovation in
    • Sustainable mining
    • Processing technologies
    • Recycling systems
    • Circular economy solutions
• How much funding is available per project
  • Phase 1: up to €500,000
  • Phase 2: €300,000–€500,000
  • Total: up to €1 million
• What is the project duration
  • Typically 1 to 2 years
• What is the co-funding requirement
  • At least 30% co-funding from consortium partners
• Who can apply
  • Consortia of at least 2 partners
  • From at least 2 eligible countries
  • Including education, research, and industry actors
• What is the maximum consortium size
  • Up to 5 partners per project
• What types of activities are supported
  • Exploration and mining innovation
  • Mineral processing improvements
  • Recycling and circular economy systems
  • Resource substitution technologies
  • Business model and product innovation

Conclusion

The EIT RIS Innovation Projects Call is designed to accelerate sustainable innovation across Europe’s raw materials value chain. By supporting collaborative, cross-border projects with strong industry and research involvement, the programme aims to develop scalable technologies, strengthen regional ecosystems, and advance Europe’s transition toward a circular and resource-efficient economy.

For more information, visit EIT RawMaterials.