Objectives

This call (MOBILITY) invites proposals under Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes and addresses two complementary R&I challenges. First, it supports solutions for propulsion and non-propulsion energy consumption in long-distance shipping, aiming to achieve at least 25% energy savings compared to 2008 levels through the development and integration of standalone solutions. It targets the development of disruptive technologies, advanced materials, and innovative concepts applicable to various ship types (including ro-pax, container ships, bulk carriers, and tankers), and asks for a robust methodology to assess energy savings considering the implementation of the IMO GHG strategy and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Projects should demonstrate scalability and replicability across ship types, operational profiles and routes, assess economic viability and environmental and climate impacts, and address safety and operational aspects, including competences and skills needs.

Proposals should also consider AI-based and digital twin features for optimisation and energy management (without counting those improvements towards the minimum 25% target). Second, the call tackles non-exhaust particulate emissions in road and railway transport, which become increasingly important as electrification increases. It seeks methods and tools to support measurement, simulation and validation of non-exhaust pollutant emissions, better emission factors for inventories and projections (including EMEP), and estimates of impacts on human health and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with particular focus on microplastics and other heavier non-airborne particles. It also aims to deliver recommendations and mitigation strategies, including KPIs and cost-benefit analysis, and to address key research gaps on source identification, dispersion and deposition, and health and environmental impacts for both road and rail.

Actions

This call covers the following topics:

HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage-D5-10: Disruptive Technologies and Innovative Concepts for Energy Saving Onboard of long-distance ships (ZEWT Partnership)

HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-Two-Stage-D5-19: Non-exhaust emissions in road and railway transport