The Horizon Europe programme funds innovation in the construction sector, mainly through the lenses of the circular economy and energy efficiency. What topics are covered, and what are the participation conditions? Our colleagues at NCP Brussels, whose mission is to support Brussels-based applicants with this programme, have laid the groundwork for you in this article.
Topics
Several strands of Horizon Europe address the construction sector, including Cluster 4 with a focus on innovative materials, Cluster 5 with a focus on energy, Cluster 6 with calls on the circular economy, and finally the New European Bauhaus dedicated to circular and regenerative approaches for the built environment.
Under Cluster 4 – Industry
| Topic | Budget, deadline & information |
| Circular innovative advanced materials: facilitating the transition from design to markets | Budget per project: EUR 5 to 6.5 million. Deadline: 2 February 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-06 The construction sector is explicitly targeted. |
| Innovative advanced materials and new production processes – reducing dependencies on Critical and Strategic Raw Materials | Budget per project: EUR 6 to 7.5 million. Deadline: 2 February 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MAT-PROD-22 Construction is explicitly listed among the targeted strategic sectors. |
Under Cluster 5 – Energy
| Topic | Budget, deadline & information |
| Integrating circularity in LCA-based modelling frameworks for building renovation (Built4People Partnership) | Budget per project: approx. EUR 6.75 million. Deadline: 15 September 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-07 |
| Thermal energy optimisation and waste heat recovery of high energy demand IT rooms in buildings or small edge data centres | Budget per project: approx. EUR 5.25 million. Deadline: 15 September 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-06 |
| On-site robotic and automated techniques for building renovation and new construction | Budget per project: approx. EUR 6.75 million. Deadline: 15 September 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL5-2027-05-D4-05 |
Under Cluster 6 – Circular economy
| Topic | Budget, deadline & information |
| Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products | Budget per project: EUR 5 million. Deadline: 22 September 2027 Link: HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02 |
Under the New European Bauhaus Facility – Built environment
| Topic | Budget, deadline & information |
| Sustainable, inclusive, affordable and beautiful solutions for thermal comfort in buildings | Budget per project: EUR 4 million. Deadline: 1 December 2026 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01 |
| Advancing sustainable maintenance and repair measures for existing buildings | Budget per project: EUR 5 million. Deadline: 1 December 2026 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-02 |
| Innovative solutions for the sustainable and beautiful use of vertical space | Budget per project: EUR 5 million. Deadline: 1 December 2026 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-03 |
| Combining conventional and innovative construction materials, products and techniques for sustainable and beautiful buildings | Budget per project: EUR 4 million. Deadline: 1 December 2027 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2027-01-REGEN-01 |
| Sustainable, beautiful and healthy construction and renovation sites | Budget per project: EUR 4 million. Deadline: 1 December 2027 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2027-01-REGEN-02 |
| Enabling environments for a sustainable and circular construction sector | Budget per project: EUR 4.5 million. Deadline: 1 December 2027 Link: HORIZON-NEB-2027-01-REGEN-04 |
Smaller “cascade funding” calls (i.e. calls issued by projects funded under Horizon Europe) are also worth highlighting:
| Topic | Budget | Deadline | Reference & link |
| Climate-smart wood construction solutions (test, validate and scale up innovative zero-waste solutions in real-world contexts) | Total: EUR 200,000 Per project: EUR 50,000 | 15 December 2026 | WoodStock |
Participation conditions
The European programme is open to any legal entity (public or private body, university, SME or association) established in a country participating in Horizon Europe, including Belgium.
Calls generally fund collaborative projects whose partnership must bring together at least three independent legal entities established in at least three different countries (EU Member States or countries associated with the programme).
Regarding funding, the EU funding rate varies between 70% and 100% of the total eligible budget, depending on the type of organisation (for-profit or non-profit) and the maturity of the project.
Professional support
We invite you to contact our colleagues at NCP Brussels and benefit from their expertise:
- Cluster 4: CARNEC Benjamin – bcarnec@hub.brussels
- Cluster 5: BIJLSMA Sabrina – sbijlsma@hub.brussels
- Cluster 6: DEHESTRU Camille – cdehestru@hub.brussels
- Cluster 6: DE BROUWER Bénédicte – bdebrouwer@hub.brussels
- New European Bauhaus (NEB): DE BROUWER Bénédicte
Their mission is to guide you through every stage of these projects, from identifying calls and searching for partners (as with this Cluster 5 event) to reviewing the application file and submitting a proposal.
More information: NCP Brussels
