Scope:

Research proposals should address all of the following activities: theoretical understanding (and development of models if appropriate) of the factors which affect durability of materials, including corrosion and ageing phenomena; experimental methods to measure and reliably test durability, non-destructive inspection procedures and monitoring tools; development of new and more durable materials (possibly multifunctional); and “fit for purpose” validation of new materials through life testing in the planned application and environment.

The proposed solutions should go well beyond the state of the art and it should be demonstrated that materials with improved durability also fulfil all other properties necessary for the application proposed.

The following factors should also be all considered: principles of sustainability (the sustainability of each developed solution should be evaluated via life cycle assessment studies carried out according to the International Reference Life Cycle Data System - ILCD Handbook); ease of installation; realistic solutions at a reasonable price and appropriateness for the operational environment; resistance to harsh environments if applicable. When relevant, design considerations (optimal combination of new materials) should also be considered. Recycling/reuse of materials should also be addressed. Standardisation aspects should be considered when relevant. Proof of concept in terms of one (or more) component(s) containing the new materials developed should be delivered within the project, excluding commercially usable prototypes (2006/C323/01), but convincingly demonstrating scalability towards industrial needs. Information guides for applications, installation and any appropriate training on the new solutions should be provided before the end of the project.

The implementation of this topic is intended to start at TRL 4 and target TRL 6.

This topic is particularly suitable for the participation of SMEs.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 3 and 6 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact:

• At least 30% improvement in durability on the most relevant properties for the application;
• At least equivalent level for all other properties;
• At least 30% lower cost;
• Positive LCA balance over the whole life cycle;
• Proposals will have a higher impact if they are relevant to several applications;
• Contribution to strengthening competitiveness of the European industry, including in the field of “green” and/or offshore technologies.

Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the Introduction to the LEIT part of this Work Programme.

Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.
 

LIST OF COUNTRIES and APPLICABLE RULES FOR FUNDING
described in part A of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme.

Note also that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon 2020 projects (follow the links to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong &Macau, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan).
 

ELIGIBILITY and ADMISSIBILITY CONDITIONS
described in part B and C of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme.

Proposal page limits and layout: Please refer to Part B of the standard proposal template.

 

EVALUATION

3.1  Evaluation criteria and procedure, scoring and threshold: described in part H of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme , with the following exceptions:

For single-stage and second-stage evaluations, the threshold for the criteria Excellence and Impact will be 4.
The overall threshold, applying to the sum of the three individual scores, will be 12.

In case of equal overall scores in the ranked list, the priority order of proposals will be established in accordance with part H of the General Annexes, except that proposals will be ranked on the basis of individual scores for the Impact criterion before the Excellence criterion.

In case of equal overall scores in the ranked list, the priority order of proposals will be established in accordance with part H of the General Annexes, except, when comparing ex aequo proposals of different topics, the proposals will be ranked first according to the position in the topic ranked lists

3.2 Submission and evaluation process: Guide to the submission and evaluation process
    

1. INDICATIVE TIMETABLE for EVALUATION and GRANT AGREEMENT
   
   Information on the outcome of two-stage evaluation:
         For stage 1: maximum 3 months from the deadline for submission.
         For stage 2: maximum 5 months from the deadline for submission.
   Signature of grant agreements: maximum 8 months from the deadline for submission.
   
    
2. PROVISIONS, PROPOSAL TEMPLATES and EVALUATION FORMS
   for the type of action under this topic
   
   Research and Innovation Action:
   
   Specific provisions and funding rates
   Standard proposal template
   Standard evaluation form
   H2020 General MGA -Multi-Beneficiary
   Annotated Grant Agreement

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

 

• Horizon 2020 budget flexibility
• Classified information
• Technology readiness levels (TRL) – where a topic description refers to TRL, these definitions apply.
• Financial support to Third Parties – where a topic description foresees financial support to Third Parties, these provisions apply.

OPEN ACCESS
must be granted to all scientific publications resulting from Horizon 2020 actions, and proposals must refer to measures envisaged. 

Where relevant, proposals should also provide information on how the participants will manage the research data generated and/or collected during the project, such as details on what types of data the project will generate, whether and how this data will be exploited or made accessible for verification and re-use, and how it will be curated and preserved.
 

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 - Regulation of Establishment
• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 Rules for Participation
• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 Specific Programme
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Introduction
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Introduction to Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEITs)
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Nanotechnologies, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and processing, biotechnology
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Cross-cutting activities (Focus Areas)
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Dissemination, Exploitation and Evaluation
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: General Annexes

The deadline for the second stage is 4 May 2017.