fundsforNGOs
Grants and Resources for Sustainability
Deadline: 16-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications under the Research Fund for Coal and Steel to support pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the transition and sustainable development of the coal sector. The call focuses on just transition, health and safety, and reducing the environmental impacts of coal mines in transition.
The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000. Eligible projects should begin at Technology Readiness Levels 4–5 and progress to TRL 7–8 by the end of the project, demonstrating practical innovation and real-world relevance for coal sector transformation.
The RFCS Coal Pilot and Demonstration Projects Call supports research and innovation activities that help the coal sector transition towards more sustainable, safer and environmentally responsible practices.
The call is part of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel framework.
It supports pilot and demonstration projects that bridge the gap between research and practical implementation in the coal sector.
The main objective of the call is to support innovative projects that contribute to coal sector transition and sustainable development.
The call aims to:
The call focuses on coal sector transformation and applied innovation.
Key focus areas include:
The call supports pilot and demonstration projects in the coal sector.
Supported projects should test, develop, validate or demonstrate solutions that are relevant to coal sector transition and sustainability.
Projects should show clear practical value and measurable benefits for coal mines, coal regions, workers, communities or the environment.
Pilot projects involve the construction, operation and development of installations at an appropriate scale.
A pilot project is used to test whether an innovative solution can work beyond laboratory or early research conditions.
Pilot projects may help validate technical feasibility, operational performance and potential for wider use.
Demonstration projects involve the construction and/or operation of industrial-scale installations.
A demonstration project is closer to real-world deployment and is used to show whether a solution can perform effectively in an industrial setting.
Demonstration projects should provide strong evidence of practical usefulness and future application potential.
Funded activities are expected to begin at Technology Readiness Levels 4–5.
By the end of the project, activities should progress to TRL 7–8.
This means projects should move from validated technology in controlled or relevant environments toward system demonstration in operational or near-operational environments.
Technology Readiness Levels describe how mature a technology or solution is.
For this call:
Applicants should clearly explain the starting TRL, target TRL and how the project will achieve this progression.
A just transition means supporting workers, communities and regions affected by the shift away from traditional coal-based activities.
Projects may contribute to just transition by supporting:
The proposal should explain how the project supports fair and practical transition outcomes.
The call supports projects that improve health and safety in coal sector transition activities.
Projects may address:
Health and safety benefits should be clearly described and supported by evidence.
The call supports projects that minimise environmental impacts linked to coal mines in transition.
Projects may focus on:
Applicants should show how the proposed project can reduce harm and support more sustainable coal region outcomes.
Applicants must include an assessment of expected benefits.
The assessment should cover:
This section is essential because the call supports practical projects that should demonstrate measurable value.
Industrial benefits may include improved technology performance, better operational processes, safer installations, stronger transition capacity or scalable solutions for coal sector transformation.
Economic benefits may include cost savings, job protection, new economic opportunities, improved regional resilience or better use of existing infrastructure.
Social benefits may include improved worker safety, stronger community wellbeing, support for coal regions, skills development or fair transition outcomes.
Environmental benefits may include reduced pollution, improved land or water conditions, lower emissions, better monitoring or reduced long-term environmental risks.
The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000.
Applicants should prepare budgets that are realistic, justified and directly connected to the pilot or demonstration activities proposed.
Eligible applicants include legal entities that carry out or substantially support research and technological development activities.
Eligible applicants may include:
Applicants should ensure that all participating entities meet the eligibility rules of the RFCS framework.
Applicants must be established in eligible countries.
Eligible countries include:
Applicants should confirm country eligibility before preparing and submitting a proposal.
A suitable project should be practical, technically credible and relevant to coal sector transition.
A strong project should:
Coal regions face complex challenges as the sector transitions toward more sustainable futures.
These challenges include environmental rehabilitation, worker safety, economic restructuring and the need for practical innovation.
This RFCS call matters because it supports pilot and demonstration projects that can test and prove solutions in real-world settings.
By funding applied innovation, the programme helps coal regions move from research ideas to practical transition tools, safer operations and reduced environmental impact.
Funded projects are expected to support practical progress in the coal sector.
Expected results may include:
Applicants should prepare a clear proposal that demonstrates technical quality, eligibility, impact and feasibility.
Applicants should confirm that all participating organisations are eligible legal entities and are established in eligible countries.
They should also confirm that each entity contributes meaningfully to research, technological development or demonstration activities.
Applicants should decide whether the proposal is a pilot project or a demonstration project.
The project type should match the scale, maturity and intended impact of the proposed solution.
The proposal should clearly explain the challenge being addressed.
This may relate to just transition, health and safety, environmental impact reduction or sustainable development of coal regions.
Applicants should explain what is innovative about the proposed technology, process, installation or approach.
The proposal should show why the innovation is needed and how it improves on existing practices.
Applicants should clearly state the starting TRL and target TRL.
Projects should begin at TRL 4–5 and reach TRL 7–8 by the end of the project.
The proposal should describe how the installation will be constructed, operated, tested or demonstrated.
Applicants should include clear work packages, timelines, responsibilities and technical milestones.
Applicants must include an assessment of industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits.
The assessment should be specific, evidence-based and linked to project outcomes.
The budget should be directly connected to eligible project activities.
Applicants should justify costs related to construction, operation, testing, research, personnel, equipment, monitoring and dissemination where relevant.
Applicants should identify technical, operational, financial, social and environmental risks.
The proposal should explain how risks will be managed during implementation.
Applicants should explain how results will be shared with relevant stakeholders.
This may include industry actors, public authorities, coal regions, researchers, worker representatives and environmental stakeholders.
Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:
A strong application should:
The call supports pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the transition and sustainable development of the coal sector.
The total funding available under this call is €2,880,000.
The call focuses on just transition of the coal sector and regions, health and safety improvements, and minimising environmental impacts of coal mines in transition.
Projects are expected to start at TRL 4–5 and progress to TRL 7–8 by the end of the project.
Pilot projects involve construction, operation and development of installations at an appropriate scale. Demonstration projects involve construction and/or operation of industrial-scale installations.
Eligible applicants include public or private legal entities, undertakings, public authorities, research organisations, higher or secondary education establishments and other legal entities involved in research and technological development.
Eligible countries include EU Member States, overseas countries and territories associated with the EU, and non-EU countries associated with the Research Fund for Coal and Steel.
The European Commission’s RFCS Coal Pilot and Demonstration Projects call provides €2,880,000 to support practical innovation for coal sector transition and sustainable development.
The call funds pilot and demonstration projects that improve just transition outcomes, health and safety, and environmental performance in coal mines and coal regions.
Applicants should prepare strong proposals that demonstrate clear coal sector relevance, TRL progression from 4–5 to 7–8, practical implementation, measurable benefits and strong alignment with RFCS objectives.
For more information, visit European Commission.
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