Open Call: Steel Big Tickets Dual-Use Programme 2026

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 developing innovative steel technologies for civil and defence applications. The programme focuses on sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking, advanced steel grades, steel finishing processes and dual-use steel innovations that can strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience and strategic autonomy.

The total funding available under this topic is €25,000,000. Projects should start at Technology Readiness Level 3–4 and reach TRL 5–8 by the end of the project, demonstrating progress toward validated industrial application.

Programme Overview

The Research Fund for Coal and Steel Pilot and Demonstration Projects support applied industrial-scale development of innovative steel technologies.

This call focuses on steel technologies with potential civil and defence applications.

It aims to bridge the gap between research and innovation by helping projects move from early-stage technological validation toward demonstration in relevant industrial environments.

Main Objective

The main objective of the programme is to support pilot and demonstration projects that advance innovative, sustainable and strategically important steel technologies.

The programme aims to:

• Support new steelmaking and finishing processes
• Promote sustainable and low-carbon steel production
• Develop advanced steel grades and applications
• Support dual-use civil and defence steel technologies
• Move research results toward industrial application
• Strengthen EU industrial resilience
• Support strategic autonomy in steel and metals
• Improve defence-related steel production capacity
• Demonstrate technologies in relevant environments

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports projects across major steel innovation priorities.

Key focus areas include:

• Sustainable steelmaking
• Low-carbon steelmaking
• Steel finishing processes
• Advanced steel grades
• Advanced steel applications
• Civil steel technologies
• Defence-related steel technologies
• Dual-use steel innovation
• Industrial demonstration
• Pilot-scale development
• Technology validation
• Strategic autonomy
• Industrial resilience
• Steel sector innovation

What Are RFCS Pilot and Demonstration Projects?

RFCS Pilot and Demonstration Projects are applied projects that help move technologies closer to industrial use.

They are intended to bridge the gap between research and market or operational deployment.

Pilot Projects

Pilot projects test and validate technologies at a smaller or intermediate scale.

They help prove technical feasibility before full industrial deployment.

Demonstration Projects

Demonstration projects show how a technology performs in a relevant or near-industrial environment.

They are closer to real-world application and help prove that the technology can be integrated into industrial systems.

Technology Readiness Level Requirement

Projects are expected to begin at Technology Readiness Level 3–4.

By the end of the project, they should reach TRL 5–8.

This means projects should show clear technological progress from experimental proof-of-concept or laboratory validation toward demonstration in relevant or operational environments.

What Are Technology Readiness Levels?

Technology Readiness Levels are used to describe how mature a technology is.

In this programme:

• TRL 3–4 means the technology has moved beyond basic research and is being validated in laboratory or controlled settings.
• TRL 5–8 means the technology is being validated, demonstrated or prepared for real-world industrial application.

Applicants should clearly explain the starting TRL, target TRL and evidence supporting the expected progress.

Eligible Project Themes

Proposals must address at least one of the programme’s core objectives.

Eligible project themes include:

• New steelmaking processes
• Sustainable steel production
• Low-carbon steel technologies
• Steel finishing innovation
• Advanced steel grades
• New steel applications
• Dual-use technologies for civil and defence markets
• Industrial-scale technology validation
• Demonstration of innovative steel processes

Projects should align with the relevant provisions of the governing RFCS framework.

Dual-Use Steel Applications

Dual-use applications are technologies that can serve both civil and defence markets.

For this call, dual-use steel projects must clearly demonstrate the connection between civil and defence-related research and innovation activities.

Examples may include steel technologies that improve performance, resilience, durability, protection, efficiency or manufacturing capacity for both civilian industry and defence-related needs.

Funding Available

The total funding available under this topic is €25,000,000.

Applicants should prepare realistic budgets that match the scale of pilot or demonstration activities.

The budget should clearly support industrial-scale development, validation, testing, assessment and exploitation planning.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include legal entities carrying out or supporting research and technological development activities.

Eligible applicants may include:

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

Applicants must be established in eligible countries and comply with the topic-specific eligibility and security requirements.

Eligible Countries and Control Requirements

The call text indicates that participation is limited to legal entities established in EU Member States and that all participants must not be controlled by non-EU countries or entities.

The broader RFCS framework may also refer to eligible countries such as:

• 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 follow the topic-specific eligibility rules in the final call documents, especially where defence-related or strategic autonomy requirements apply.

Security Requirements

Projects must comply with security requirements.

Proposals must not include EU classified information.

Applicants working on dual-use or defence-related elements should ensure that security-sensitive content is handled appropriately and that the proposal remains compliant with all applicable requirements.

Exploitation Strategy Requirement

Each proposal must include an exploitation strategy.

The exploitation strategy should explain how project results may be used or integrated into industrial applications.

A strong exploitation strategy should describe:

• Potential industrial users
• Expected applications
• Market relevance
• Scale-up pathway
• Technology adoption route
• Intellectual property considerations
• Commercial or operational value
• Future deployment opportunities

Economic Viability Requirement

Each proposal must include a preliminary assessment of economic viability.

This assessment should explain whether the proposed technology has realistic potential for industrial use.

It may consider:

• Production costs
• Operating costs
• Energy savings
• Emissions reductions
• Market demand
• Industrial integration costs
• Performance improvements
• Comparison with existing solutions
• Potential return on investment

Energy, Material and Emissions Assessment

Applicants must quantify targeted improvements compared to existing installations or ETS benchmarks.

This should be done through energy system and material balance assessments.

The assessment should include:

• Energy inputs
• Energy savings
• Material flows
• Resource efficiency
• Emissions impacts
• Process efficiency
• Comparison with existing installations
• Comparison with ETS benchmarks where relevant

Clear quantified improvements are important for demonstrating technical and environmental value.

Link with the European Steel and Metals Action Plan

The programme aligns with the European steel and metals action plan.

It supports the transformation of the steel sector by strengthening:

• EU strategic autonomy
• Industrial resilience
• Low-carbon steel innovation
• Defence-related production capacity
• Advanced steel technology development
• Sustainable manufacturing systems
• Competitiveness of the European steel sector

What the Programme Supports

The programme supports applied industrial development activities.

Supported activities may include:

• Pilot-scale testing
• Demonstration of steel technologies
• Industrial validation
• Process optimisation
• Steel grade development
• Finishing technology development
• Testing in relevant environments
• Technology scale-up
• Civil and defence use-case validation
• Economic feasibility assessment
• Environmental performance assessment
• Exploitation and deployment planning

Expected Results

Funded projects are expected to advance steel technologies toward industrial application.

Expected results may include:

• Validated low-carbon steel technologies
• Demonstrated advanced steel processes
• Improved steel grades or applications
• Stronger civil and defence steel innovation pathways
• Quantified emissions reductions
• Improved resource efficiency
• Stronger industrial resilience
• Clear exploitation routes
• Progress from TRL 3–4 to TRL 5–8
• Stronger EU strategic autonomy in steel production

Why This Programme Matters

Steel is central to Europe’s industrial, infrastructure and defence capabilities.

The sector must reduce emissions, improve efficiency and develop advanced materials while remaining globally competitive.

This RFCS Pilot and Demonstration Projects call matters because it supports technologies that can move beyond research and toward real industrial use.

By funding pilot and demonstration activities, the programme helps accelerate sustainable steel innovation and strengthens Europe’s capacity to produce strategically important materials for both civil and defence markets.

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal

Applicants should prepare a clear, evidence-based proposal that demonstrates technical progress, industrial relevance and compliance with RFCS requirements.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that all participating entities meet the country, legal entity, security and control requirements.

For this topic, applicants should pay special attention to EU Member State establishment and non-EU control restrictions.

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 maturity of the technology and the intended TRL progress.

Step 3: Define the Technology

The proposal should clearly explain the steel technology being developed.

Applicants should describe whether the project focuses on low-carbon steelmaking, finishing processes, advanced steel grades, steel applications or dual-use development.

Step 4: State the Starting and Target TRL

Applicants should identify the starting TRL, expected target TRL and evidence for both.

The project should begin at TRL 3–4 and reach TRL 5–8 by completion.

Step 5: Explain Industrial Relevance

The proposal should show how the technology can move toward industrial application.

Applicants should explain the industrial problem, target users, operational context and expected benefits.

Step 6: Quantify Improvements

Applicants must quantify targeted improvements compared with existing installations or ETS benchmarks.

This should include energy, material and emissions assessments.

Step 7: Include an Exploitation Strategy

The proposal should explain how results will be used after the project.

This includes potential adoption pathways, industrial partners, scale-up plans and future application opportunities.

Step 8: Assess Economic Viability

Applicants should include a preliminary economic viability assessment.

This should explain whether the technology can be commercially, industrially or operationally feasible.

Step 9: Address Dual-Use Relevance

If the proposal includes dual-use applications, it must clearly show the connection between civil and defence-related innovation.

The proposal should avoid vague defence references and instead explain practical links between both application areas.

Step 10: Ensure Security Compliance

Applicants should ensure that the proposal does not include EU classified information.

Security requirements should be addressed clearly, especially for defence-related projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Submitting a proposal that does not address at least one required objective
• Failing to define whether the project is pilot or demonstration
• Providing unclear TRL starting and target points
• Not showing progress toward industrial application
• Failing to quantify improvements using energy and material balance assessments
• Omitting emissions comparisons
• Providing a weak exploitation strategy
• Ignoring economic viability
• Making vague dual-use claims without showing civil and defence links
• Including EU classified information
• Overlooking participant control and eligibility restrictions
• Submitting a project without clear relevance to RFCS steel priorities

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong proposal should:

• Clearly identify the steel technology and its innovation value
• Align with RFCS priorities
• Show credible progress from TRL 3–4 to TRL 5–8
• Demonstrate industrial-scale relevance
• Quantify energy, material and emissions improvements
• Compare results with existing installations or ETS benchmarks
• Include a realistic exploitation strategy
• Present a strong economic viability assessment
• Explain civil and defence relevance where applicable
• Demonstrate security compliance
• Show how the project supports EU strategic autonomy and industrial resilience

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of this RFCS Pilot and Demonstration Projects call?

The call supports pilot and demonstration projects that develop innovative steel technologies for civil and defence applications under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel framework.

2. How much funding is available?

The total funding available under this topic is €25,000,000.

3. What technology areas are supported?

The programme supports new, sustainable and low-carbon steelmaking and finishing processes, advanced steel grades and applications, and dual-use civil and defence steel developments.

4. What TRL levels are required?

Projects are expected to start at TRL 3–4 and achieve TRL 5–8 by the end of the project.

5. What is required in the exploitation strategy?

The exploitation strategy must explain how project results may be integrated into industrial applications and should describe likely users, deployment pathways, scale-up potential and future use.

6. Are dual-use projects eligible?

Yes. Dual-use projects are eligible if they clearly demonstrate the connection between civil and defence-related research and innovation activities.

7. Can proposals include EU classified information?

No. Projects must comply with security requirements and must not include EU classified information.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s RFCS Pilot and Demonstration Projects call provides €25,000,000 to support innovative steel technologies for civil and defence applications.

The programme helps move promising steel research toward industrial application by funding pilot and demonstration activities that validate technologies at higher readiness levels.

Applicants should prepare strong proposals that show clear TRL progression, quantified performance improvements, industrial relevance, economic viability, exploitation potential, security compliance and alignment with Europe’s strategic goals for low-carbon, resilient and dual-use steel production.

For more information, visit European Commission.