Call updates

09 December 2024

24 September 2024

CALL UPDATE: PROPOSAL NUMBERS

PROPOSAL NUMBERS

Call HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE (stage 2) has closed on the 24/09/2024.

28 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic is:

HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35: 13 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in 3rd week of December 2024.

Jun 4, 2024 9:49:23 PM
General reminder:

Please make sure that your full proposal is consistent with your short outline proposal. It may NOT differ substantially. The project must stay the same.

Proposal part B page limit:

The title, list of participants and sections 1, 2 and 3, together, should not be longer than 48 pages. All tables, figures, references and any other element pertaining to these sections must be included as an integral part of these sections and are thus counted against this page limit.

The page limit will be applied automatically. At the end of this document you can see the structure of the actual proposal that you need to submit, please remove all instruction pages that are watermarked.

If you attempt to upload a proposal longer than the specified limit before the deadline, you will receive an automatic warning and will be advised to shorten and re-upload the proposal. After the deadline, excess pages (in over-long proposals/applications) will be automatically made invisible, and will not be taken into consideration by the experts. The proposal is a self-contained document. Experts will be instructed to ignore hyperlinks to information that is specifically designed to expand the proposal, thus circumventing the page limit.

Please, do not consider the page limit as a target! It is in your interest to keep your text as concise as possible, since experts rarely view unnecessarily long proposals in a positive light.

Proposal part B formatting conditions:

The following formatting conditions apply.

The reference font for the body text of proposals is Times New Roman (Windows platforms), Times/Times New Roman (Apple platforms) or Nimbus Roman No. 9 L (Linux distributions).

The use of a different font for the body text is not advised and is subject to the cumulative conditions that the font is legible and that its use does not significantly shorten the representation of the proposal in number of pages compared to using the reference font (for example with a view to bypass the page limit).

The minimum font size allowed is 11 points. Standard character spacing and a minimum of single line spacing is to be used. This applies to the body text, including text in tables.

Text elements other than the body text, such as headers, foot/end notes, captions, formula's, may deviate, but must be legible.

The page size is A4, and all margins (top, bottom, left, right) should be at least 15 mm (not including any footers or headers).

This document is tagged. Do not delete the tags; they are needed for our internal processing of information, mostly for statistical gathering. In that light, please do not move, delete, re-order, alter tags in any way, as they might create problems in our internal processing tools. Tags do not affect or influence the outcome of your application.

Jun 4, 2024 5:13:22 PM

GENERALISED FEEDBACK for successful applicants

after STAGE 1

HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE, 1 stage

In order to best ensure equal treatment, successful stage 1 applicants do not receive the evaluation summary reports (ESRs) for their proposals, but this generalised feedback with information and tips for preparing the full proposal.

Information & tips

Main shortcomings found in the proposals evaluated in Stage 1.

TOPIC HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-35

" BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS FOR SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING MATERIALS "

Clarity and Pertinence of Objectives

· Most of the objectives are measurable and verifiable, with specific key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined. However, some benchmarks and baseline levels are not sufficiently detailed.

· Realistic achievability of some objectives is not clearly demonstrated.

· Starting TRLs of some key technologies and the credibility of achieveing target TRL levels are not explained in sufficient detail.

Soundness of methodology

· The scientific methodology is not always clear and robust. The description of the underlying concepts, models and assumptions is not addressed in sufficient detail.

· The methodological aspects regarding the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not sufficiently detailed to demonstrate technical robustness.

· In some cases integration of expertise from various disciplines is not fully described.

· Open science practices are followed but lack some details.

· The data management and data storage are insufficiently described particularly the data handling, storage and sharing between partners.

· The role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines is not well integrated.

· Gender dimension considerations are insufficient.

· In some proposals the risk analysis from an environmental perspective is not convincingly addressed.

· Collaborations and synergies with existing projects are underdeveloped. Specific actions to enforce this collaborations are not clearly demonstrated.

Impact Assessment

· The credibility of the pathways to achieve expected outcomes and impacts in some proposals is insufficiently described, particularly how the overall impact would be scaled up. Contributions to wider impacts in terms of achieving increased autonomy in key value chains are not explained in sufficient detail.

· Potential barriers to outcomes and impacts are not consistently identified and mitigated. Some potential barriers are identified, and adequate measures are proposed, along with some generic mitigation procedures. However, the costs, risks associated with 'alternative pathways for material sourcing,' suply chains, R&I-related technological barriers, and economic barriers and their mitigations are not sufficiently described.

· Negative environmental impacts and their management are often overlooked.

May 8, 2024 1:46:00 PM

CALL UPDATE: FLASH EVALUATION RESULTS

HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE, 1 stage 

EVALUATION RESULTS

Published: 07.12.2022

Deadline: 07.02.2024

Available budget: EUR 62,000,000

In accordance with General Annex F of the Work Programme, the evaluation of the first-stage proposals was made looking only at the criteria ‘Excellence’ and ‘Impact’. The threshold for both criteria was 4. The overall threshold (applying to the sum of the two individual scores) was set for each topic/type of action with separate call-budget-split at a level that allowed the total requested budget of proposals admitted to stage 2 be as close as possible to 3 times the available budget (and not below 2.5 times the budget):

• HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35 (Biodegradable polymers for sustainable packaging materials): 9 points

The results of the evaluation for each topic are as follows:

Summary of observer report:

The Independent observer (IO) finds that the evaluation followed the applicable rules for the call, and that it was competently evaluated in a fair and equitable manner by both the experts and Agency staff. The IO did not observe any event or activity that gave rise to specific concern that might have jeopardised the fairness of the evaluation. The IO understands that the experts were comfortable with the process and the schedule, and many expressed support for the blind evaluation process, which would encourage new participation and reduce unintentional bias. 

We recently informed the applicants about the evaluation results for their proposals.

For questions, please contact the Research Enquiry Service.

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GENERALISED FEEDBACK for successful applicants

after STAGE 1

HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE, 1 stage

In order to best ensure equal treatment, successful stage 1 applicants do not receive the evaluation summary reports (ESRs) for their proposals, but this generalised feedback with information and tips for preparing the full proposal.

Information & tips

Main shortcomings found in the proposals evaluated in Stage 1.

TOPIC HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-35

" BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS FOR SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING MATERIALS "

Clarity and Pertinence of Objectives

• Most of the objectives are measurable and verifiable, with specific key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined. However, some benchmarks and baseline levels are not sufficiently detailed.
• Realistic achievability of some objectives is not clearly demonstrated.
• Starting TRLs of some key technologies and the credibility of achieveing target TRL levels are not explained in sufficient detail.

Soundness of methodology

• The scientific methodology is not always clear and robust. The description of the underlying concepts, models and assumptions is not addressed in sufficient detail.
• The methodological aspects regarding the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not sufficiently detailed to demonstrate technical robustness.
• In some cases integration of expertise from various disciplines is not fully described.
•  Open science practices are followed but lack some details.
• The data management and data storage are insufficiently described particularly the data handling, storage and sharing between partners.
• The role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines is not well integrated.
• Gender dimension considerations are insufficient.
• In some proposals the risk analysis from an environmental perspective is not convincingly addressed.
• Collaborations and synergies with existing projects are underdeveloped. Specific actions to enforce this collaborations are not clearly demonstrated.

Impact Assessment

• The credibility of the pathways to achieve expected outcomes and impacts in some proposals is insufficiently described, particularly how the overall impact would be scaled up. Contributions to wider impacts in terms of achieving increased autonomy in key value chains are not explained in sufficient detail.
• Potential barriers to outcomes and impacts are not consistently identified and mitigated. Some potential barriers are identified, and adequate measures are proposed, along with some generic mitigation procedures. However, the costs, risks associated with 'alternative pathways for material sourcing,' suply chains, R&I-related technological barriers, and economic barriers and their mitigations are not sufficiently described.
• Negative environmental impacts and their management are often overlooked.

In your stage 2 proposal, you have a chance to address or clarify these issues as full proposals are not anonymous anymore.

Please bear in mind that your full proposal will now be evaluated more in-depth and possibly by a new group of outside experts.

Please make sure that your full proposal is consistent with your short outline proposal. It may NOT differ substantially. The project must stay the same.

TOPIC HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-36

" ADVANCED BIOMATERIALS FOR THE HEALTH CARE "

 Objectives

• Measurability and verifiability of objectives could be further improved.
• The State-of-the-Art (SoA) can be further elaborated in full proposals, which will not be anonymous.
•  The progress from start to target Technology Readiness Level should be further elaborated.

Methodology

• When Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) is proposed, the technical robustness of the AI system should be explained sufficiently.
• Integration of expertise from different disciplines should be more robust.
• Implementation of open science practices needs to be more integral in proposed methodologies.
• Effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) should be better addressed.
• Sufficient evidence should be provided, showing that proposals will build on or seek collaboration with existing projects and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes and platforms.
• Gender dimension incorporation in research and innovation content requires further elaboration.

Impact

• Contribution credibility towards expected outcomes and wider impacts requires strengthening.
• Quantification and estimation of project's scale and significance of contributions needs further explanation.
• Identification of potential barriers to expected impacts and outcomes should be elaborated further.

In your stage 2 proposal, you have a chance to address or clarify these issues as full proposals are not anonymous anymore.

Please bear in mind that your full proposal will now be evaluated more in-depth and possibly by a new group of outside experts.

Please make sure that your full proposal is consistent with your short outline proposal. It may NOT differ substantially. The project must stay the same.

Feb 7, 2024 8:56:43 PM

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Call HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE_stage1 was closed on 07/02/2024.

132 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic:

HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35: 41 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in the 2nd half of June 2024.

Sep 19, 2023 9:23:18 AM

The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35(HORIZON-IA)

Biodegradable polymers for sustainable packaging materials (IA)

TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-35

Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
Call: RESILIENT VALUE CHAINS 2024 TWO STAGE (HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-TWO-STAGE)
Type of action: HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]
Deadline model: two-stage
Planned opening date: 19 September 2023
Deadline dates: 07 February 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time
24 September 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time

ExpectedOutcome:
Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

The packaging industry will have access to the next generation of biodegradable polymer materials, which will also be recyclable materials. Plastic materials producers will switch from PP, PE, and PET to bio-degradable materials with reduced GHG emissions along the value chain.
The packaging industry will apply business model of circularity-by-design and sustainable end-of-life (EoL) solutions for plastic packaging materials. This has the potential to lead to a reduction in landfill waste volume of packaging materials; and to a reduction of littering of plastics, coherent with the ambition of the Horizon Europe Ocean and Waters mission, to reduce the plastic pollution of the oceans. Projects are expected to contribute to the Plastics strategy, the Single-use Plastics Directive and the EU Circular Economy Action plan (CEAP).
Standards and labels for specific applications will be further defined based on the development of testing of biodegradability of plastics in open environments
Scope:
Proposals should address at least four of the following activities:

Develop new, demonstrate and scale-up novel advanced bio-degradable polymer materials and innovative processes that will allow the bio-degradable polymers to be produced at a large scale with a similar economy of scale to replace present production with PE, PP and PET, and with an improved sustainability profile compared to present production and EoL characteristics.
Develop sustainable additives and catalysts to support the production of bio-degradable polymers.
Provide evidence with life cycle and techno-economic assessment (LCA/TEA) that the cost for the novel advanced biodegradable polymer products are not significantly higher compared to existing polymer products (PE, PP, PET) on the market.
Scale up the production of packaging materials at pilot level.
Identify and test the biodegradability pathways in all environmentally relevant conditions (for the application of the developed material in relevant shape or form); and extensive quantified risk analysis from both a human and environmental perspective for all the different intermediate and end products of biodegradation, including quantification of the contribution to GHG emissions. Contribute to further defining standards and labels for specific applications. Model the lifetime of the developed polymers along the biodegradation pathway in environmentally relevant conditions, both in natural, (terrestrial and marine), and in waste processing environments.
Demonstrate complete biodegradability in all relevant conditions and environmental compartments (e.g. landfill, compost site, litter in marine-freshwater-sediment-soil) within acceptable timeframes, determination of the main influencing environmental conditions; and assessment of the impact on the environment. Integrate a holistic sustainability assessment, accounting for the full life cycle (including sourcing of feedstock).
Develop and demonstrate circular business model for production at industrial level, where the release of GHG emissions is; and assess significantly reduced; and assess the potential of secondary raw materials as a feedstock (including from renewable sources) for the production of bio-degradable polymers.

To enable a fast development of new advanced materials, digital tools, such as modelling and simulation, and characterisation techniques (including those provided by analytical infrastructures) are under the scope, assisted by advanced methods, e.g. physics-based methods or artificial intelligence (including machine learning).

The future Commission initiative for Safe and Sustainable by Design will set a framework for assessing safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials and should be considered as a baseline in the proposal.

Proposals submitted under this topic should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination.

This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. An early involvement of end users could be essential.

Projects should build on or seek collaboration with existing projects (e.g. Open Innovation Testbeds) and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes and platforms. Where relevant, proposals should seek links with and capitalise on the results of past and ongoing EU funded research projects, including the ones under Cluster 6 'Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment' and Circular Bio-based Europe JU (CBE JU).

Specific Topic Conditions:
Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.