Coordinated topic with India on recycling of EV batteries

Overview

Funding for joint EU-India research and innovation projects focused on advancing battery recycling technologies, including pilot demonstrations of innovative recycling processes and digitalized waste collection systems. Targets consortia with balanced participation from EU and Indian entities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sustainable battery recycling.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising legal entities from EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and India (as associated partners). Projects must include at least one work package for coordinated activities with a linked project funded by India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Independent, non-aligned projects are ineligible.

Funding Details

Maximum funding amount: 93,000,000 EUR. A balanced budget and effort between EU and Indian partners is expected, with matched funding provided by MHI for the Indian side.

What Is Funded

• Development and demonstration of a jointly operated recycling pilot line in India for lithium-ion batteries, focusing on improved recycling efficiency (particularly lithium recovery), environmental impact, cost, and compatibility with mixed chemistries.
• Innovative and digitalized waste collection systems, including engagement with the informal sector to improve safety, quantity, and quality of end-of-life batteries.
• Safe, fast, and cost-efficient methods for large-scale discharging and deactivation of end-of-life batteries.
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to assess the environmental impact of piloted recycling innovations.
• Alignment with EU and Indian regulatory frameworks, including the EU Batteries Regulation and India’s Battery Waste Management Rules (2022).

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must demonstrate progress beyond the current state of the art in battery recycling, with a focus on:

• Recycling processes capable of treating mixed battery chemistries, including recovery of lithium (with purity suitable for Cathode Active Material) and graphite/silicon.
• Technologies for logistics, sorting, collection, and discharging of end-of-life batteries, including anticipation of future battery chemistries.
• Compliance with EU Safe and Sustainable by Design guidelines and recycling efficiency targets under the Batteries Regulation.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-05-04
• Deadline: 2026-09-14

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage submission via the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must include detailed explanations of coordinated tasks and cross-references to the linked Indian project. Evaluation follows standard Horizon Europe criteria (Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes).

Post-Award Obligations

• Coordination with the linked Indian project funded by MHI, including aligned start dates, duration, and targets.
• Reporting and dissemination requirements as per Horizon Europe standard grant agreements.
• Potential restrictions on transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and India (as associated partners). Application language: English.

Notes

• Projects must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for satellite-based data if applicable.
• Proposals must demonstrate genuine EU-Indian cooperation, with balanced effort and matched budgets between regions.
• Alignment with EU and Indian strategic priorities, including the Battery Passport and National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage, is required.