The Advanced Materials for a Sustainable European Future (MAT4EU) project runs from October 2025 to September 2028 and is co-funded by the European Union under the Single Market Programme (SMP) – Euroclusters call. The project aims to strengthen the European advanced materials ecosystem and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing innovative and sustainable solutions.
To achieve this goal, the MAT4EU consortium has launched its first open call, targeting manufacturing SMEs working on advanced materials solutions within one of the four targeted materials and across at least one of six sectors covered by the project.
The calls are open exclusively to European SMEs working on at least one of the following advanced materials:
- Metals;
- Ceramics;
- Composites;
- Polymers.
Applicants must also be positioned in at least one of the following six strategic sectors:
- Aeronautics & Defence;
- Agri-food Packaging;
- Renewable Energy;
- Construction;
- Health;
- Mobility.
Two funding strands are available:
Strand 1 – Product Innovation Supporting European Autonomy
Support for R&D and innovation projects related to sustainable materials, advanced recycling, substitution of critical raw materials, and AI applications for material design and traceability. Funding up to €60,000.
Strand 2 – Mastering Green and Digital Transformation
Support for the adoption of greener and more digital industrial processes, including process optimisation, AI tools, smart sensors, recycling technologies, and reindustrialisation solutions. Funding up to €33,750.
The application deadline is 6th July 2026.
For further information see the Guide for Applicants.
The total budget for this call is €600,000 for Strand 1, with the aim of supporting at least 10 SMEs projects, and €607,500 for Strand 2, with the aim of supporting at least 19 SMEs projects. A second MAT4EU Open call will be launched in December 2026 on similar topics, aiming to support 6 SMEs projects for Strand 1 and 11 SMEs projects for Strand 2.
