Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The RFCS project has the following research objectives for the coal sector:
- Supporting the equitable transition of the coal sector and regions;
- Improving health and safety.
- Minimizing the environmental impact of coal mines in transition.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The RFCS Research Programme (Council Decision (EU) 2021/1094) has the following research objectives for the coal sector:
- supporting the just transition of the coal sector and regions;
- improving health and safety;
- minimising the environmental impacts of coal mines in transition.
The call objectives are:
- Repurposing of formerly operating coal and lignite mines or those in the process of closure and coal-related infrastructure including power supply services.
- Materials and waste reuse, and development of alternative materials, including recovery of critical raw materials.
- Land monitoring, modelling, stabilisation and/or restoration.
- Processing of methane emissions.
- Monitoring, management and/or treatment of mine water and water tables in coal mines in the process of closure and formerly operating mines.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals will aim to build and strengthen synergies with other EU initiatives when relevant.
Applicants may submit proposals for either pilot or demonstration projects (see Articles 15 and 16 of Council Decision 2008/376/EC).
Proposals must be in line with Council Decision (EU) 2021/1094.
Proposals should address the application of innovative technologies related to one or two of the five call objectives listed above. If addressing two call objectives, proposals should clearly identify which work packages address which call objective(s).
Proposals must include an exploitation strategy outlining possible integration of the deliverables of the project (including the pilot/demonstrators) in an industrial environment and a preliminary assessment of their economic viability. Where relevant, they can also describe activities related to economic analysis for the purposes of constructing a business case or new business models.
Activities are expected to achieve technology readiness level 7-8 (TRL 7-8) by the end of the project.
In line with Article 2 of RFCS Decision 2021/1094, research and technological development funded under the RFCS must be in line with the Just Transition Mechanism goals.
Proposals will have to demonstrate how they will support the social and economic revitalisation of the former coal mine regions, in line with the relevant Territorial Just Transition Plans. Proposals must involve the local community and focus on communication with stakeholders, including the public.
Proposals are expected to include activities to:
- promote the development of efficient reskilling and upskilling programmes for workers affected by a coal phase-out, including research on the training and reskilling of workers employed or previously employed in the coal sector, in accordance with Article 4 (e) of RFCS Decision 2021/1094.
- address potential solutions that improve working conditions for employees of the coal mines being phased out, in particular, health, safety, and ergonomics in and around the workplace, in accordance with Article 5 of RFCS Decision 2021/1094.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
50%
The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of €5 million to €9 million (and exceptionally up to €18 million for large demonstrators) would allow the objectives of this call to be addressed appropriately.
This does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
Projects should be of a size and type of action that makes them eligible for RFCS funding.
Thematic Categories
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Educational Institutions
- Legal Entities
- Natual person / Citizen / Individual
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies, e.g. undertakings, public bodies, research organizations, higher or secondary education establishments or other legal entities) which carry out an RTD activity or substantially contribute to such an activity
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)
- non-EU countries:
- countries associated to the RFCS (list of participating countries).
Consortium composition – Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of:
- minimum 2 independent applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 2 different eligible countries
Independent — Independent means that none of the entities must be under the direct or indirect control of the other or under the same direct or indirect control as the other.
For this purpose, control may, in particular, take either of the following forms:
- the direct or indirect holding of more than 50% of the issued share capital, or of a majority of the voting rights
- the direct or indirect holding, in fact or in law, of decision-making powers.
The following relationships do not in themselves constitute control:
- if the entities have the same public investment corporation, institutional investor or venture-capital company with a direct or indirect holding of more than 50% of the issued share capital or a majority of voting rights
- if the entities are owned or supervised by the same public body.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
For general information about the programme, if you have questions or want to share your views please contact us at: REA-RFCS@ec.europa.eu