Adoption of the reform of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel

Today, the Council of the EU adopted two Decisions reforming the Research Fund for Coal and Steel. The reform strengthens and simplifies the Research Programme of this self-standing programme, securing substantial investments for the decarbonisation and clear transition of the coal and metal sectors till 2034 and thus strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. 

As introduced within the Steel and Metals Action Plan of March 2025, the reform of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel goals to simplify and enhance investments in metal analysis and keep strong manufacturing in Europe. It additionally offers funding for coal-dependent areas to help the transition away from coal. The Fund helps to de-risk investments in analysis, innovation and decarbonisation initiatives, and to take care of Europe’s technological and industrial management. 

The revised Research Fund for Coal and Steel permits for: 

• larger annual allocations of as much as €120 million, enabling formidable work programmes over the interval 2027-2034
• larger co-funding charges, aligned with these proposed for the Horizon Europe analysis and innovation funding programme 2028-2034: as much as 70% for {industry} contributors and as much as 100% for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-profit organisations

This won’t solely improve the attractiveness of the Fund, but in addition simplify the general EU funding panorama, making it simpler for potential beneficiaries to navigate. 

Background

The analysis programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel co-finances initiatives within the areas of metal decarbonisation and coal transition by way of analysis and innovation grants. These initiatives are industry-led, with a powerful participation from universities and analysis centres. The programme is funded from the remaining property and revenues generated by the previous European Coal and Steel Community. As offered by Protocol n°37 annexed to the Treaties, these funds are used solely for analysis, exterior the analysis framework programme, within the sectors associated to the coal and metal {industry}.

More info 

Research Fund for Coal and Steel