Deadline: 16-Sep-2026
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to support research, pilot and demonstration activities that advance sustainable, low-carbon steel technologies. The call focuses on bridging the gap between research, innovation and commercial deployment in the steel sector.
The funding supports low-carbon steelmaking, sustainable production processes, advanced steel applications, circular economy practices, resource conservation, environmental protection and improved working conditions. The estimated budget for this call is EUR 40 million, with eligible applicants including companies, public bodies, research organisations and educational institutions.
Programme Overview
The European Commission RFCS Call supports pilot and demonstration projects that help transform the steel industry toward sustainable and low-carbon production.
The call is part of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel programme.
It is designed to support closer-to-market innovation in the steel sector by helping technologies move from research and development toward industrial application.
Funding Available
The estimated budget for this call is EUR 40 million.
Funding will support eligible pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to sustainable steel production, low-carbon industrial transformation and commercial deployment of innovative steel technologies.
Main Objective
The main objective of the call is to advance sustainable, low-carbon steel technologies and support their transition to commercial use.
The programme aims to:
- Support low-carbon steelmaking
- Improve steel production and finishing processes
- Advance innovative steel grades and applications
- Promote circular economy practices
- Reduce environmental impact
- Improve resource efficiency
- Support pilot installations
- Support industrial-scale demonstration projects
- Improve workforce management and working conditions
- Strengthen industrial transformation in the steel sector
Key Focus Areas
The call supports a broad range of steel-sector innovation priorities.
Key focus areas include:
- Low-carbon steelmaking
- Sustainable steel production processes
- Steel finishing processes
- Advanced steel grades
- Advanced steel applications
- Circular economy
- Resource conservation
- Environmental protection
- Industrial decarbonisation
- Improved working conditions
- Workforce management
- Pilot installations
- Industrial-scale demonstration projects
- Commercial deployment of steel technologies
What the RFCS Programme Supports
The Research Fund for Coal and Steel supports research and innovation in the coal and steel sectors.
Under this call, the focus is on steel-sector pilot and demonstration projects.
The programme supports projects that can help move promising technologies from research stages toward practical industrial use.
Why Low-Carbon Steel Matters
Steel is essential for construction, transport, energy systems, manufacturing and infrastructure.
However, traditional steel production can be energy-intensive and carbon-intensive.
Low-carbon steel technologies are important because they can help:
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Support industrial decarbonisation
- Improve resource efficiency
- Strengthen European industrial competitiveness
- Support climate and environmental goals
- Enable cleaner production processes
- Accelerate the transition to sustainable industry
Pilot and Demonstration Projects
The call supports two main types of projects:
- Pilot projects
- Demonstration projects
Both types of projects are designed to test, validate and scale technologies closer to commercial use.
Pilot Projects
Pilot projects involve the development, construction or operation of installations at an appropriate scale.
These projects are used to test and validate technologies in conditions that are more advanced than laboratory research.
Pilot projects may support:
- Process testing
- Technology validation
- Equipment development
- Operational learning
- Scale-up preparation
- Performance assessment
- Safety and environmental testing
Demonstration Projects
Demonstration projects focus on industrial-scale systems.
These projects aim to show that a technology, process or system can work at larger scale and under real industrial conditions.
Demonstration projects may support:
- Industrial-scale validation
- Commercial readiness testing
- Large-scale process integration
- Operational performance evaluation
- Market deployment preparation
- Industrial transformation pathways
Technology Readiness Level Requirement
Projects should progress from Technology Readiness Levels 4–5 at the start to Technology Readiness Levels 7–8 by completion.
This means that projects should begin with technologies that have already been validated in controlled or relevant environments and then move toward demonstration in operational or industrial settings.
The goal is to support technologies that are closer to market and have strong potential for commercial deployment.
Sustainable Steelmaking and Production Processes
The call supports projects that develop cleaner and more sustainable steelmaking and finishing processes.
Relevant project areas may include:
- Low-carbon production methods
- Energy-efficient steelmaking
- Cleaner finishing technologies
- Process optimisation
- Emission reduction systems
- Alternative production pathways
- Industrial process integration
- Reduced material and energy waste
Projects should show how their proposed technologies can contribute to a more sustainable steel sector.
Advanced Steel Grades and Applications
The programme also supports projects that advance steel grades and applications.
This may include new or improved steel materials that offer better performance, durability, sustainability or industrial value.
Relevant areas may include:
- High-performance steel grades
- Lightweight steel applications
- Durable steel products
- Steel for renewable energy infrastructure
- Steel for transport and mobility
- Steel for sustainable construction
- New industrial applications for advanced steel
Circular Economy and Resource Conservation
Circular economy is a major focus of the call.
Projects may support approaches that reduce waste, reuse materials and conserve resources in the steel value chain.
Relevant activities may include:
- Recycling and reuse of steel materials
- Waste reduction
- By-product valorisation
- Resource-efficient production
- Reduced raw material dependence
- Improved material recovery
- Circular design approaches
- Sustainable lifecycle management
Environmental Protection
The call supports projects that improve environmental protection in steel production and processing.
Projects may focus on reducing:
- Carbon emissions
- Air pollution
- Water pollution
- Energy waste
- Material waste
- Industrial by-products
- Environmental risks from steel production
Projects should demonstrate how they contribute to cleaner, safer and more sustainable industrial activity.
Workforce Management and Working Conditions
The programme also supports initiatives that improve workforce management and working conditions in the steel industry.
This may include projects that address:
- Worker safety
- Skills development
- Industrial process safety
- Workforce adaptation to new technologies
- Improved working environments
- Human-centred industrial transformation
- Training for low-carbon steel technologies
This focus recognises that industrial transformation must also support workers and safe workplaces.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include legal entities established in eligible countries and territories.
Eligible organisations may include:
- Companies
- Public bodies
- Research organisations
- Educational institutions
- Universities
- Technical institutes
- Industrial innovation organisations
Applicants must be established in:
- EU Member States
- Eligible overseas territories
- Associated non-EU countries participating in the RFCS programme
Suitable Applicants
This call is suitable for organisations that can contribute to pilot or demonstration projects in the steel sector.
Suitable applicants may include:
- Steel manufacturers
- Industrial technology companies
- Engineering firms
- Research institutes
- Universities
- Public sector innovation bodies
- Environmental technology developers
- Industrial equipment providers
- Circular economy organisations
- Workforce training institutions
Expected Project Results
Projects should contribute to industrial transformation and sustainability in the steel sector.
Expected results may include:
- More advanced low-carbon steel technologies
- Reduced emissions from steelmaking
- Improved production and finishing processes
- Better resource efficiency
- Stronger circular economy practices
- Improved environmental performance
- Commercially relevant steel innovations
- Industrial-scale validation of new technologies
- Better working conditions and workforce readiness
- Progress toward commercial deployment
Why This Call Matters
This call matters because the steel industry is central to Europe’s industrial economy and climate transition.
Developing sustainable steel technologies can help reduce emissions while maintaining industrial competitiveness.
By supporting pilot and demonstration projects, the call helps promising innovations move beyond research and toward market use.
This is important for creating a cleaner, more competitive and more resource-efficient steel sector.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Proposal
Applicants should prepare a technically strong and commercially relevant proposal that clearly shows how the project will advance low-carbon and sustainable steel innovation.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that their organisation is an eligible legal entity established in an eligible country or territory.
Eligible entities include companies, public bodies, research organisations and educational institutions.
Step 2: Define the Steel Sector Challenge
The proposal should clearly identify the industrial challenge the project will address.
This may include high emissions, inefficient production processes, limited circularity, resource waste, environmental impact or barriers to commercial deployment.
Step 3: Choose the Project Type
Applicants should identify whether the project is a pilot project or a demonstration project.
Pilot projects should focus on installations at an appropriate scale.
Demonstration projects should focus on industrial-scale systems.
Step 4: Explain the Technology Readiness Pathway
The proposal should show how the project will progress from TRL 4–5 at the beginning to TRL 7–8 by completion.
Applicants should explain:
- Current technology maturity
- Planned development activities
- Testing and validation methods
- Scale-up pathway
- Expected final readiness level
- Commercial deployment potential
Step 5: Demonstrate Low-Carbon and Sustainability Impact
Projects should clearly explain how they will support low-carbon steelmaking or sustainable steel production.
The proposal should include expected environmental, industrial and resource-efficiency benefits.
Step 6: Address Circular Economy and Resource Use
Applicants should show how the project supports circular economy principles where relevant.
This may include recycling, reuse, waste reduction, material efficiency or improved lifecycle performance.
Step 7: Include Industrial and Commercial Relevance
The proposal should explain how the project can move toward real industrial use.
Applicants should describe:
- Market relevance
- Industrial partners
- Commercial pathway
- Deployment potential
- Benefits for the steel sector
- Expected users or customers
Step 8: Consider Workforce and Working Conditions
Projects should address workforce management and working conditions where relevant.
This may include training, safety, skills development or adaptation to new industrial processes.
Step 9: Prepare a Realistic Implementation Plan
The proposal should include clear work packages, milestones, timelines, roles and risk management.
For pilot and demonstration projects, practical implementation planning is essential.
Step 10: Show Measurable Results
Applicants should provide clear indicators for expected outcomes.
These may include emissions reductions, energy savings, resource efficiency gains, technology validation results, environmental improvements or industrial adoption milestones.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
- Submitting a project with weak relevance to the steel sector
- Failing to show a clear low-carbon or sustainability contribution
- Not explaining the TRL progression from 4–5 to 7–8
- Treating a demonstration project like early-stage research
- Providing weak evidence of industrial relevance
- Ignoring environmental and resource efficiency outcomes
- Overlooking circular economy opportunities
- Providing unclear pilot or demonstration plans
- Not addressing commercial deployment potential
- Ignoring working conditions or workforce implications where relevant
- Submitting vague impact statements without measurable indicators
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should:
- Clearly focus on sustainable steel technologies
- Demonstrate strong low-carbon impact
- Show a realistic pilot or demonstration pathway
- Explain technology readiness and scale-up potential
- Include strong industrial relevance
- Address environmental protection and resource efficiency
- Include circular economy benefits where possible
- Present clear milestones and measurable outcomes
- Demonstrate commercial deployment potential
- Include capable partners with relevant technical expertise
- Show how the project supports transformation of the steel sector
FAQ
1. What is the European Commission RFCS steel call?
It is a funding call under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel that supports pilot and demonstration projects advancing sustainable and low-carbon steel technologies.
2. What is the estimated budget for the call?
The estimated budget for the call is EUR 40 million.
3. What types of projects are supported?
The call supports pilot projects and industrial-scale demonstration projects in the steel sector.
4. What technology readiness levels are expected?
Projects should progress from TRL 4–5 at the start to TRL 7–8 by completion.
5. What focus areas are covered?
The call covers low-carbon steelmaking, sustainable production processes, advanced steel grades and applications, circular economy, resource conservation, environmental protection, improved working conditions and workforce management.
6. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include legal entities such as companies, public bodies, research organisations and educational institutions established in EU Member States, eligible overseas territories or associated non-EU countries participating in the RFCS programme.
7. Why does the call focus on pilot and demonstration projects?
Pilot and demonstration projects help bridge the gap between research and commercial deployment by validating technologies at larger and more practical scales.
Conclusion
The European Commission RFCS steel call provides major support for pilot and demonstration projects that advance sustainable, low-carbon steel technologies.
With an estimated budget of EUR 40 million, the call helps steel-sector innovations move closer to commercial deployment.
Eligible applicants should propose technically credible, industrially relevant and sustainability-focused projects that improve steel production, reduce emissions, conserve resources, support circular economy practices and strengthen the future competitiveness of the steel industry.
For more information, visit European Commission.