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M-ERA.NET Call 2026 for Advanced Materials Research and Innovation

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GFI Alternative Protein Research Grants

Deadline: 12-May-2026

The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 invites international research consortia to submit proposals for collaborative projects in advanced materials technologies that support sustainable development and the green transition. The programme funds research in areas such as energy storage, energy conversion, innovative materials, coatings, and next-generation electronics, with projects lasting up to 36 months and involving partners from at least three countries.

Overview

The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 is an international funding opportunity designed to support collaborative research and innovation in advanced materials science. The call aims to accelerate technological progress that contributes to sustainable development, clean energy solutions, and environmentally responsible industrial innovation.

The programme is part of the M-ERA.NET network, which brings together public funding organizations across multiple countries to coordinate national and regional research programmes. By supporting cross-border collaboration, the initiative helps strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) and promotes knowledge exchange among researchers, industry, and innovation stakeholders.

Through this call, research teams can develop new materials, technologies, and production processes that address global challenges such as climate change, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and sustainable manufacturing.

Key Research Areas

The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 supports projects in several advanced materials research areas aligned with sustainability and technological innovation.

Materials for Energy Storage and Distribution

Research that improves technologies used to store and distribute energy, including battery technologies, grid storage systems, and energy infrastructure materials.

Materials for Energy Conversion

Development of materials that support efficient conversion of energy from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, or hydrogen-based technologies.

Innovative Surfaces, Coatings, and Interfaces

Research focused on advanced coatings, surface technologies, and functional interfaces that improve durability, performance, and environmental sustainability.

Innovative Functional Materials

Projects exploring advanced materials with engineered architectures that enable new technological applications.

Materials Addressing Environmental Challenges

Research focused on materials that help address issues such as:

Next-Generation Materials for Electronics

Development of innovative materials that enable future electronics, digital devices, sensors, and advanced computing technologies.

Alignment with Global Sustainability Goals

The M-ERA.NET programme prioritizes research that contributes to global sustainability frameworks.

European Green Deal

Projects should support clean energy technologies, sustainable industrial practices, and next-generation battery technologies aligned with the European Green Deal.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The call contributes to several SDGs, including:

Projects are encouraged to deliver both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

Key Innovation Priorities

The programme encourages research that strengthens the entire materials innovation chain, from basic research to industrial application.

Priority innovation themes include:

These priorities ensure that funded projects support sustainable manufacturing and circular economy principles.

Role of Digital Technologies in Materials Research

Digitalisation plays an important role in the M-ERA.NET programme.

Projects are encouraged to integrate:

The initiative promotes secure and interoperable data sharing, enabling researchers from different countries to collaborate effectively using standardized digital workflows and data structures.

These digital approaches help accelerate materials discovery, testing, and optimization while ensuring ethical standards, security, and inclusivity in digital transformation.

Project Requirements

Projects submitted under the M-ERA.NET Call 2026 must address research and innovation challenges related to climate sustainability and energy technologies.

Examples of eligible research topics include:

Projects should also demonstrate strong collaboration across the research, development, and innovation ecosystem, linking academic research with industrial applications.

Funding Structure and Project Duration

Projects supported under the call must follow these requirements:

Each partner receives funding from their respective national funding organization, according to local regulations.

Who is Eligible?

The programme encourages participation from a wide range of research and innovation stakeholders.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants may include:

Eligibility is determined by the national or regional funding rules of participating organizations.

Consortium Requirements

Projects must be implemented by international research consortia.

Key consortium requirements include:

Additional partners may participate as self-funded collaborators.

Proposals must also comply with rules regarding distribution of project effort among partners and countries.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

Projects should address appropriate Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) depending on the research area.

TRLs represent the maturity of a technology, ranging from:

Applicants should clearly indicate how their research contributes to advancing technologies along the innovation pathway.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the M-ERA.NET submission system.

Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. Form an International Consortium
    Identify partners from at least three eligible countries.

  2. Select the Research Topic
    Choose a topic aligned with the materials research priorities of the call.

  3. Prepare a Pre-Proposal
    Submit a preliminary proposal outlining the research concept and consortium structure.

  4. Pre-Proposal Evaluation
    Only proposals recommended at this stage will move forward.

  5. Submit a Full Proposal
    Selected applicants will be invited to submit a detailed full proposal.

  6. Final Evaluation and Funding Decision
    Proposals are evaluated based on scientific excellence, innovation potential, collaboration quality, and societal impact.

All proposals must:

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Applicants should consider the following strategies:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues when preparing a proposal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the M-ERA.NET Call 2026?

It is an international funding call supporting collaborative research projects in advanced materials technologies that contribute to sustainability and the green transition.

2. What research areas are covered?

The call supports research in energy storage, energy conversion, innovative materials, coatings, environmental materials, and next-generation electronics.

3. Who can apply for funding?

Eligible applicants include SMEs, large companies, universities, research institutions, and public research organizations.

4. What are the consortium requirements?

Projects must include at least three partners from three different countries, including at least two EU member states or associated countries.

5. How long can funded projects last?

Projects can run for a maximum of 36 months.

6. Is there a two-stage application process?

Yes. Applicants must first submit a pre-proposal, and only selected proposals will be invited to submit a full proposal.

7. How are proposals submitted?

Proposals must be submitted through the M-ERA.NET online submission system using the official templates provided in the call.

Conclusion

The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 provides a significant opportunity for researchers, universities, and industry partners to collaborate on cutting-edge materials technologies that support sustainability and the green transition.

For more information, visit M-ERA.NET.

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