Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility
‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’ is the fifth cluster under the Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness Pillar of the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Read more about Horizon Europe’s pillars, the Climate, Energy and Mobility cluster and its aims.
What are Horizon Europe’s Global Challenges?
The Horizon Europe R&I Programme is built around three pillars. Pillar 2, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness focuses on the major challenges that not only the European Union, but the whole world, is facing. This pillar is divided into six thematic clusters, all aimed at tackling societal challenges in different areas, while strenghtening key industrial technologies and the EU’s competitiveness on a global stage. The six clusters are:
- Health
- Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
- Civil Security for Society
- Digital, Industry and Space
- Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Food, Bio-economy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
The goal of Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility
The goal of Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility is to speed up the fight against climate change and help the European Union in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Between 2025 and 2027, it focuses on delivering the twin green and digital transitions across the energy and transport sectors, driving the climate transition and reducing environmental impacts.
Through targeted research and innovation topics and large-scale innovation projects, launched via several calls, it supports the development of clean and competitive solutions, renewable energy sources, and more accessible transport while promoting increased efficiency in the use of natural resources. By investing in cutting-edge science and next-generation technologies, Cluster 5 strengthens Europe’s energy security and competitiveness and accelerates the shift to a sustainable, resilient and low-carbon economy.
Cluster 5 – Key Strategic Orientations
To better understand the aims of Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility, the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 has set out three different Key Strategic Orientations (KSOs), namely:
- The Green Transition: aiming to support Europe in achieving climate neutrality and becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
- The Digital Transition: focusing on reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy through research in core digital technologies.
- A More Resilient, Competitive, Inclusive, and Democratic Europe: aiming to bolster Europe’s social rights and democratic values.
Expected impacts of the Horizon Europe Cluster 5
To support the KSOs defined by the strategic plan, Horizon Europe Cluster 5 will contribute to the following six expected impacts (or ‘destinations’), which cover key research and innovation topics in the energy and transport sectors and help to fight climate change.
Destination 1: Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality
This destination advances cutting-edge climate science, modelling and observation, helping policymakers, industries and communities anticipate risks and plan effective adaptation and mitigation. It contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations through four objectives:
- To support and accelerate climate action (both mitigation and adaptation) globally
- To close key knowledge gaps related to climate change
- A strengthened European Research Area on climate change by boosting scientific excellence and capacity in an inclusive manner
- The maximisation of synergies with other policy priorities
Destination 2: Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition
This Destination covers thematic areas which are cross-cutting by nature and can provide key solutions for climate, energy and mobility applications. This destination backs innovations in areas such as circular economy, industrial symbiosis, nature-based solutions and digital tools that link sectors and stakeholders. By fostering systemic approaches and social innovation, it helps create scalable models for climate action, supports behavioural change and ensures that economic transformation benefits citizens and businesses alike.
Destination 3: Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supplies
Europe needs reliable, affordable and low-carbon energy to power its economy. This destination invests in advanced renewable energy technologies, sustainable fuels and energy storage to diversify supply and reduce dependence on fossil imports. It promotes integrated energy systems, offshore renewable deployment and next-generation grids, ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in clean energy while guaranteeing energy security and market competitiveness.
Destination 4: Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use
Increased efficiency in energy use is the fastest and most cost-effective path to reducing emissions. This destination supports innovative solutions for buildings, industry and communities to cut energy demand and integrate renewable energy sources. It fosters inclusive approaches so that households, businesses and public services can benefit from affordable, clean energy. Smart technologies, digitalisation and new business models will make energy systems more flexible, sustainable and accessible to all, further contributing to the climate transition.
Destination 5: Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes
To decarbonise transport and strengthen Europe’s industrial base, this destination drives the development of clean and competitive solutions, including zero- and low-emission options, for road, rail, air and maritime mobility. It supports advanced vehicle technologies, sustainable fuels, electrification, and next-generation infrastructure. By coupling innovation with competitiveness, it aims to reduce the environmental impacts and climate footprint of transport while keeping European manufacturing and service industries at the forefront of global markets.
Destination 6: Safe, resilient transport and smart mobility services for passengers and goods
Modern mobility must be both safe and adaptable. This destination advances intelligent transport systems, digital traffic management and resilient infrastructure to cope with environmental impacts, cyber threats and changing demand. It promotes seamless, multimodal and accessible transport, and data-driven logistics that protect passengers, goods and the environment. The goal is a smart, connected mobility system that is secure, reliable and ready for future challenges.
How does the Climate, Energy and Mobility cluster contribute?
Horizon Europe supports the aims of Cluster 5 through funding of research and innovation that address the different destinations. Proposals and partnerships are invited to apply for a variety of topics and ‘calls for proposals’. All of these calls come with different total budgets and contributions per project. The total budget of Horizon Europe Cluster 4 in 2025 is around €1.2 billion.
Who can apply?
Horizon Europe Cluster calls are open to a wide range of organisations, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility rules. Universities, research institutes, companies of all sizes (including start-ups and SMEs), public bodies, and non-profit organisations can all participate.
Most calls require a consortium of at least three independent entities from three different EU Member States or countries associated to Horizon Europe. Some specific calls may allow a single applicant or smaller partnerships. Organisations from non-EU countries can often join as additional partners. Certain topics can set extra conditions or limit participation to protect EU strategic interests.
How to apply for funding
Applications for funding go through Horizon Europe’s Funding and Tenders Portal.
Further reading on Horizon Europe
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