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Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage
Objective of the call
The objective of this call is to support the deployment and upscaling of circular systemic solutions in cities and regions through living labs. It aims to accelerate place-based circular innovation, reduce environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency, and support replication of circular solutions across Europe.
Scope of activities
Projects should set up living labs to validate, test, and optimise circular systemic solutions in selected cities and regions. Activities include governance models, stakeholder engagement, co-creation processes, and implementation of circular solutions in real-life environments. Proposals should support knowledge transfer, replication, and upscaling by identifying lessons learned, barriers, enablers, and business cases for wider adoption across Europe. Projects must collaborate with the CCRI office and related initiatives.
The call follows a two-stage submission process. In the first stage, applicants submit a short proposal outlining the concept, approach, and expected impact. In the second stage, selected applicants submit a full proposal with detailed work plans, implementation strategies, consortium roles, and resource allocation. Project activities themselves are not divided by stages; the two-stage structure applies only to the evaluation and submission process.
Eligible applicants
- Innovative SMEs, startups and enterprises aiming to scale and strengthen competitiveness
- Public-sector organisations driving transformation and societal impact
- Research and academic institutions commercialising knowledge
- Non-profit organisations delivering purpose-driven innovation
- Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland and Norway, associated countries, OECD countries and MERCOSUR countries. (described in General Annex A, General Annex B, General Annex C)
- Minimum 3 independent partners from 3 eligible countries
Specific consortium we are looking for:
Consortia must include at least five distinct living labs linked to regional or local authorities. At least two living labs must be from different demonstration sites and at least three from different replication sites. One of the three replication sites must be located in Horizon Europe widening countries, including Outermost Regions. The consortium should involve public authorities, citizens, policymakers, research bodies, academia, industries, start-ups and SMEs, social economy entities, financial intermediaries, SSH experts, and end-users.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution under the Horizon Europe Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement. Activities may include:
- Research and development of advanced photonic devices and circuits
- Integration of novel materials and architectures
- Prototype fabrication and testing
- System-level validation in representative application domains
- Performance benchmarking and optimisation
- Dissemination and exploitation activities
Funding conditions
Type of action:
Innovation Actions (IA)
Funding rate:
Up to 70% (100% for non-profit legal entities)
EU contribution per project:
Around EUR 5,000,000
Number of funded projects:
Up to 2 projects
Project duration:
Typically 36 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL):
TRL 6–8 by the end of the project. Activities may start at any TRL.
*Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully deployed, market-ready solutions (TRL 9).
Deadline for submission
8 April 2027; 16 September 2027