Question 1

What EU grants are available for the Manufacturing sector?

Accepted Answer

The European Commission offers a wide range of funding opportunities specifically designed for the Manufacturing sector. These include grants through Horizon Europe (the EU's flagship research and innovation programme with a budget of €95.5 billion), the European Innovation Council (EIC) which provides funding for breakthrough innovations, and various sector-specific initiatives. Funding types range from Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with 100% funding rates, to Innovation Actions (IA) with 70% funding for companies, and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for networking and coordination activities. Our database helps you find grants that match your organization's specific needs, project stage, and funding requirements.

Question 2

How do I apply for Manufacturing grants from the EU?

Accepted Answer

Applying for EU grants in the Manufacturing sector involves several key steps. First, use Grantalist to identify suitable open calls that match your project idea and organization type. Next, carefully review the call documentation, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the work programme. Most EU grants require you to form a consortium with partners from at least 3 different EU member states or associated countries. Once ready, you'll submit your proposal through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, which includes a detailed description of your project, work packages, budget breakdown, and impact assessment. The evaluation process typically takes 3-5 months, after which successful applicants enter grant agreement preparation. We recommend starting your application at least 2-3 months before the deadline.

Question 3

What is the typical funding amount for Manufacturing EU grants?

Accepted Answer

EU grants for the Manufacturing sector offer diverse funding levels depending on the programme and action type. Small-scale grants through programmes like EIC Accelerator can start from €500,000 up to €2.5 million in grant funding, plus up to €15 million in equity investment. Collaborative research projects under Horizon Europe typically range from €3 million to €10 million for standard projects, while some large-scale flagship initiatives can exceed €20 million. SMEs and startups often benefit from higher funding rates (up to 70% for Innovation Actions compared to large companies) and access to specialized instruments. The exact amount depends on the specific call topic, project scope, consortium size, and type of activities proposed.

Question 4

Who is eligible for Manufacturing EU grants?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for Manufacturing EU grants extends to a wide range of organizations. Legal entities from EU member states and associated countries (including the UK for some programmes, Norway, Switzerland, and others) are typically eligible. This includes universities and research institutions, large enterprises and multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, startups and scale-ups, public bodies and NGOs, and international organizations. Some calls specifically target certain organization types, such as SME-only calls or academic-focused research grants. Third-country participation is possible in many programmes, though often without EU funding.

EU Grants for Manufacturing

Strengthening the EU plant protection ecosystem for a future-proof agriculture

Tackling pesticide resistance: early detection, management strategies, and foresight

Leveraging R&I knowledge on microbiome

Open topic: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural production factors

Living labs to enhance soil health in managed forests and in natural/semi-natural lands

Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems

Living labs to enhance soil health in Alpine and Atlantic biogeographical regions

Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for regulated plant pests to support safe international trade

Green Transition Food Processing Africa

Advanced innovative solutions for improved competitiveness and sustainability in controlled environment agriculture (CEA)

Boosting circularity and diversification strategies of terrestrial livestock production systems

Accelerating the development of breeding tools for perennial crops, specifically fruits and nuts

Open topic: Boosting organic farming for a competitive, sustainable and resilient farming sector

AI-assisted digital aircraft design, manufacturing and MRO, towards a competitive aviation

Non-exhaust emissions in road and railway transport

Sustainable and healthy diets based on health status and socio-economic risk factors of ageing population

Shipyards of the future (ZEWT Partnership)

Ports of the future (ZEWT Partnership)

Large-scale demonstration of Heavy-Duty Battery Electric Vehicles (HD BEV) towards long-haul logistics operations (2ZERO Partnership)

Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Concepts for Energy Saving Onboard of long-distance ships (ZEWT Partnership)

Apply AI: Next-Generation Agile and Intelligent Robotics Platforms for Industrial and Service Applications (Partnership in AI, Data and Robotics) (RIA)

Challenge-Driven GenAI4EU Booster in Apply AI prioritised sectors (RIA) (AI/Data/Robotics Partnership)

Large-Scale Photonic Quantum Computing Platform Technologies (RIA)

Standards for Quantum Technologies – Coordination and Support Action (CSA)

Grand Challenge on Quantum Sensors for Inertial Navigation

New or enhanced Innovative Advanced Materials (IAM) enabled sensing functionality (RIA)

Apply AI: Pilot of the “Science for AI” Pillar of RAISE (“Resource for AI science in Europe”) (RIA)

Efficient and compliant access to and use of data (IA) (AI, Data and Robotics partnership)

Open topic: Develop Earth Intelligence solutions using environmental observations and state-of-the-art AI for sustainable competitiveness and policy making

Economics of climate change and cost of inaction

Frequently Asked Questions About Manufacturing EU Grants