Developing small, flexible, zero-emission and automated vessels to support shifting cargo from road to sustainable Waterborne Transport

This program targets a wide range of entities involved in research and innovation within the transport sector, specifically focusing on waterborne solutions. It broadly covers EU Member States and Associated Countries, aiming to foster advancements that contribute to climate-neutral and environmentally friendly mobility.

This program funds research and innovation actions focused on developing and validating small, flexible, zero-emission, and automated vessels. The scope includes advancing propulsion systems, automation technologies, and integrated logistics solutions to shift cargo from road to waterborne transport. Projects should contribute to significant cost and emission reductions.

This funding is provided as grants under the Horizon Europe framework. For eligible Research and Innovation Actions, the program anticipates funding a total of 9,000,000 €, with individual projects potentially receiving up to 4,500,000 €.

Applicants must adhere to general conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, covering admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity, and ethical considerations. Proposals should also consider specific project requirements related to satellite data use and cooperation.

The application process followed a single-stage submission procedure, with detailed guidelines available in the Submission System and relevant Annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Evaluation criteria and processes are clearly defined to ensure a fair assessment of proposals.

This funding program operates under the overarching legal framework of Horizon Europe, established by specific EU regulations and decisions, and is governed by a set of comprehensive documents detailing its implementation and financial management.