RAMP launches first Joint Transnational Funding Call: Almost €41 Million for Raw Materials Research and Innovation

The European Union is supporting international research and innovation projects across the entire raw materials value chain through Horizon Europe – from extraction and processing to recycling and reuse. Around €41 million is available under the first funding call launched by the EU partnership RAMP (Raw Materials Partnership for the Green and Digital Transition). International consortia can submit their pre-proposals by 22 September 2026.

What is RAMP?

Europe needs secure raw materials supply chains to advance the energy transition and digital transformation. Through the EU partnership RAMP – Raw Materials Partnership for the Green and Digital Transition, the European Union pools funding from several countries to support cross-border research and innovation. RAMP brings together 56 partner organisations from 33 countries.
The partnership covers the entire raw materials value chain: from exploration and extraction to processing and product design, as well as reuse, recycling and material recovery. RAMP plans to launch a total of seven joint transnational funding calls.

Almost €41 Million for International Projects

The first Joint Transnational Call 2026 has been open since 23 June 2026. A total of 40 funding organisations from 27 countries are providing almost €41 million for international research and innovation projects. The call supports projects that improve access to raw materials, close material loops, and reduce social and environmental impacts.
Projects should not focus on isolated stages of the value chain. RAMP is looking for integrated solutions that connect several stages of the raw materials supply chain, bring together different disciplines, and involve industry, policymakers and wider society..

What Does the RAMP 2026 Funding Call Support?

The call covers six thematic areas:

• Topic 1: Ensuring a resilient supply of raw materials from primary sources
• Topic 2: Targeting secondary sources to enhance access to raw materials
• Topic 3: Efficient and effective use of raw materials in design and production
• Topic 4: Overcoming technological barriers to circularity
• Topic 5: Putting circular economy ambitions into action
• Topic 6: Innovative approaches for analysing raw materials value chains

Each consortium must select one main topic. However, every proposal must also address cross-cutting considerations. These include societal acceptance, gender equality, open science and the “Safe and Sustainable by Design” principle.

Who Can Apply?

A consortium must consist of at least three eligible partners from three participating countries. At least two of these countries must be EU Member States or countries associated with Horizon Europe.

Eligible applicants include:

• universities and research organisations,
• small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies,
• consultancy firms,
• municipalities and other public bodies,
• associations, foundations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Organisations that are not eligible for funding may also participate as self-funded partners. However, they do not count towards the required minimum consortium size.

What Rules Apply to German Applicants?

In addition to the international call requirements, German partners must comply with the funding regulations of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). Project Management Jülich (PtJ) is responsible for administering the national funding.

The call is aimed at application-oriented, pre-competitive research and development projects that contribute to a resilient and sustainable supply of raw materials. Projects should generally be positioned between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 and 7. Funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant.

What Are the Submission Deadlines?

The application process consists of two stages. In the first stage, the project coordinator submits a pre-proposal on behalf of the entire consortium.

Key Dates:

• Deadline for pre-proposals: 22 September 2026, 3:00 p.m. CEST
• Results of the first stage: expected in mid-December 2026
• Deadline for full proposals: 15 February 2027, 3:00 p.m. CET
• Funding decisions: expected between June and September 2027
• Project start: expected from mid-2027 onwards
  
  Only selected consortia will be invited to submit a full proposal. Each project partner will subsequently receive funding from the responsible national or regional funding organisation.

Turning Raw Materials Dependence into Strategic Capacity

The European Critical Raw Materials Act calls for a secure, resilient and sustainable supply of raw materials. At the same time, Europe aims to use raw materials more efficiently and keep a greater share of materials in circulation. RAMP translates these policy objectives into concrete research and innovation projects.
For interested teams, the work therefore begins well before the proposal is submitted. They should clarify at an early stage whether all partners are eligible for national funding, which tasks each organisation will assume and what joint impact the project is expected to achieve. RAMP explicitly recommends contacting the relevant national funding agencies before submitting a proposal.

Further Information

Official RAMP 2026 Call Website.

Funding announcement for projects on “Resilient and Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains for Future Technologies” within the European partnership “Raw Materials for the Green and Digital Transition”, as part of the German Federal Government’s High-Tech Agenda, published in the Federal Gazette on 3 July 2026.

For technical questions regarding the submission of pre-proposals.

Contact at BayFOR

Do you already have a project idea and would like to submit a pre-proposal under the RAMP call?

BayFOR’s experts will be pleased to advise you, including on funding opportunities under Horizon Europe.

Dr. Daniel Kießling
Scientific Officer Information & Communication Technologies |
Engineering & Natural Sciences
Phone: +49 911 50715-920
Email: kiessling@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org

Dr. rer. nat. Panteleïmon Panagiotou
Head of Unit Information & Communication Technologies |
Engineering & Natural Sciences
Phone: +49 89 9901888-130
Email: panagiotou@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org