The NCP4 IndustryPLUS project kick off meeting October 2025
CLUSTER 4 - INDUSTRY
Cluster 4, ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ aims to shape competitive and trusted technologies for EU leadership in these technologies; to enable production and consumption respecting the boundaries of our planet; and to maximise the benefits for all parts of society in the variety of social, economic and territorial contexts in Europe. In relation to ‘Industry’ this cluster will also support the Clean Industrial Deal, by driving decarbonisation and circularity in the manufacturing, energy-intensive and construction industries; and by providing the innovative advanced materials and advanced manufacturing technologies that are needed for a net-zero economy. It aims to position the European Union as a technology and industrial leader in clean technologies.
The 2026_27 Work Programme has a single Destination which brings all these items together called ‘Leadership in Materials and Production for Europe’. The programme will aim towards a globally competitive European industry through the twin green and digital transition, and the availability, development, use and disposal of chemicals, advanced materials and critical raw materials.
The 2026_27 draft work programme for Cluster 4 can be found in the European Commission Comitology Register. Some of the preliminary areas for discussion in 2026 can be found below. Preliminary 2026 deadlines (TBC) for the ‘Industry’ topics will be on 17th March, 21st April and 13th October.
Industry Destination: Leadership in Materials and Production for Europe:
Activities under this Destination in 2026 may focus on:
- Development of chemicals and innovative advanced materials through digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
- Advanced manufacturing for key products.
- Optimise the usage of resources in a circular economy.
- Efficient capture / purification / utilisation of CO2 to produce competitive products.
- ‘Proof of market’ to improve valorisation and commercialisation of Horizon generated R&I results.
- Development of safe and sustainable alternatives to substances of concern.
- AI improved advanced manufacturing and production processes in factories.
- R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries.
- Innovative technologies and tools for exploration, extraction and data modelling of raw materials.
- Improving availability of secondary raw materials through recycling.
OTHER NEWS:
In relation to the context for the Work Programme for 2026_27 the Competitiveness Compass announced initiatives that should be served directly by industry-linked activities in Cluster 4, through new, focused R&I activities, but also through the activities supported up to now:
o Clean Industrial Deal adopted in February 2025
o Critical Raw Materials Act;
o Advanced Materials Communication and future Advanced Materials Act planned for 2026;
o Future Circular Economy Act planned for 2026;
o Steel and Metals Action Plan adopted in March 2025;
o European Chemicals Industry Action Plan adopted in July 2025;
o Action Plan on automotive industries adopted in March 2025;
o Strategy on research and technology infrastructures, with regard to technology infrastructures and the valorisation of knowledge.
The Commission has launched a call for evidence and a public consultation, seeking input from all interested stakeholders to the forthcoming Advanced Materials Act. The Advanced Materials Act will aim at establishing a strategic framework for advanced materials that is crucial for industrial leadership, strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the EU. Feedback period until January 13th.
The 2025 CL4 ‘Industry’ call closed on Sept 23rd and Oct 2nd. The number of proposals submitted to the call can be found below.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-11-two-stage – 40 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-21-two-stage – 8 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-TWIN-TRANSITION-35-two-stage – 70 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-42-two-stage – 54 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-43-two-stage – 42 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-2025-05-MATERIALS-51-two-stage – 29 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-01 – 80 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-02 – 94 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-05 – 64 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-31 – 13 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-32 – 19 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-33 – 35 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-34 -12 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-36 – 25 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-37 – 22 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-38 – 1 proposal.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-39 – 3 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-31 – 33 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-44 – 4 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-35 – 3 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-52 – 35 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-61 – 38 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-62 – 31 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-63 – 7 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-MATERIALS-64 – 1 proposal.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-DIGITAL-61- 47 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-DIGITAL-62 – 7 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-60 -3 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-61 -3 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-62 -15 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-63 -10 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-64 -20 proposals.
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-65- 8 proposals
o HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-HUMAN-66- 6 proposals.
The results for the 2025 call may be released mid-December.
BROKERAGE AND INFORMATION EVENTS:
- In relation to promoting the CL4-Industry work programme for 2026, there will be a number of European and national events. To learn more, please get in touch with the CL4 Irish National Contact Points.
- The NCP4Industry+ Kick off meeting took placed in Brussels in October. NCP4Industry+ represents the European support Network of NCPs for Cluster 4 ‘Industry’ (pictured above). A brand-new website will be launched in January. For now, all information about NCP activities and events can be found here.
- November 17-21st – Brussels - Raw Materials week: The Raw Materials Week is an annual event that brings together stakeholders from European institutions, industry, governments, academia, and civil society to discuss the latest developments in raw materials policy and innovation in the EU. This edition focuses on the progress in implementing the Critical Raw Materials Act, advancing strategic projects, streamlining permitting, and mobilising sustainable investment.
- 11th December – Brussels - IAM-I Symposium. This full-day event will bring together the advanced materials community to discuss the outcomes of IAM-I Working Groups and Task Forces, foster collaboration through a dedicated brokerage session, and engage in a high-level policy dialogue with the European Commission and industry leaders. More information here.
- Save the Date: Cluster 4 Info-Days ‘Industry’ – week starting 12th January TBC.
- 19th January – Brussels - HaDEA Showcase Event 2026. ‘EU-funded projects and synergies driving competitiveness and preparedness’. The event aims to highlight how EU-funded projects contribute to Europe’s competitiveness and preparedness across key sectors, including digital, industry, space, and health.
- 4-5th February, Brussels. Chips JU - ECS Brokerage event. The annual info and brokerage event for the Chips JU calls, now at a new larger location (The EGG, Brussels). Registration to open soon. Further info – ECS Brokerage 2026.
- February 5th , Karlsruhe, Germany. Key Enabling Technologies 2026 HE Brokerage Event . To pave the way for the up-coming Horizon Europe 2026 Calls (Cluster 4 (Industry, Digital), Cluster 5 (Batteries, Hydrogen) and the industry-related topics of Cluster 6), the German and French National Contact Point Digital and Industrial Technologies (NCP DIT) in close partnership with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) partners offer this unique matchmaking event through B2B meetings. Participation is free of charge, but registration is mandatory since the number of on-site participants is limited