Grant Program Supporting Digital and Technological Innovations in Facade Construction

The European AMALTEA project announces its second open call for cascade funding (Open Call 2) to support innovative developments in the facade industry. The initiative aims to digitalize, automate, and green the construction sector through the implementation of artificial intelligence, robotics, data analysis, and advanced material recycling technologies in line with Green Deal objectives.

The program offers financial and expert support for the development of software and hardware solutions. Call winners will have the opportunity to integrate their technologies into the AMALTEA digital ecosystem, which encompasses 10 key Digital Tools for all stages of the facade lifecycle—from design and manufacturing to installation, dismantling, and material recycling.

The developed solutions will be tested and validated across 4 large-scale Pilot sites (Pilots / Living Laboratories) in Europe, including manufacturing facilities in Budapest (Hungary) and real-world residential, office, and healthcare buildings in Central and Southern Europe. Participants receive comprehensive support, including technical mentoring, business guidance, alpha-to-beta development, and deployment of solutions at pilot sites.

• Legal Entities: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including start-ups.
• Non-profit legal entities.
• Applications must be submitted by individual applicants (one applicant per proposal).
• Geographic Eligibility: Legal entities registered in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries (including Ukraine).
• Initial Technology Readiness Level must meet TRL ≥ 3.
• Mandatory selection of one of the 8 defined Innovation Challenges within the proposal.

• Total cascade funding (FSTP) budget is 2,500,000 EUR.
• Funding is provided under a fixed lump-sum model.
• Up to 16 winning projects in total will be selected (combined software and hardware solutions).
• Funding amount for software solutions is up to 100,000 EUR per project (9-month program duration).
• Funding amount for hardware solutions is up to 200,000 EUR per project (12-month program duration).
• The grant covers up to 70% of eligible costs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.
• The grant covers up to 100% of eligible costs for non-profit legal entities.
• Eligible costs include direct and indirect expenses for development, manufacturing, integration, and pilot testing of the created solution.

• Development of AI-enhanced parametric design software systems, automated simulation, and facade digital twins.
• Creation of hardware and robotic systems for automated welding, glass bonding, structural silicone application, and quality control.
• Development of collaborative mobile robotic platforms, sensors, and navigation systems with obstacle detection for facade installation and dismantling.
• Development of technologies for automated material sorting, identification, and recycling of facade materials.
• Creation of data integration systems, standardized APIs, and web-based GUIs for design decision-making.
• Participation in the support program: technical mentoring, alpha-to-beta development.
• Deployment, testing, and validation of technologies across 4 pilot sites in Central and Southern Europe.
• Business model development activities and market readiness preparation for the innovative product.

• November 04, 2026: Official opening of project application submissions.
• Near future: Announcement of the final application deadline and publication of the full Package of Documents.
• Completion of a 5-step selection procedure following the close of applications:
  • Initial formal eligibility check (Initial check).
  • Scope alignment screening (In/Out Scope Screening).
  • Independent external evaluation (External Evaluation).
  • Expert committee consensus meeting (Consensus meeting).
  • Project presentation and defense before the final panel (Jury Day).
• Launch of selected projects and commencement of the acceleration support program.
• Execution of software projects over a 9-month period.
• Execution of hardware projects over a 12-month period.
• Final deployment, testing, and validation of solutions within real-world European pilot sites.

• Proceed to the application system via the "To the Application Form" button on the call page.
• Complete the online application form in English, providing technical description, budget, and work schedule.
• Attach all required supporting documents in accordance with the Package of Documents guidelines.
• Submit the fully completed application via the web portal prior to the announced deadline.

• Clear alignment of the development with the AMALTEA project mission to modernize and digitalize the facade sector.
• Ability of the solution to interface with, enhance, or complement one or more of AMALTEA's 10 Digital Tools via standardized APIs and data models.
• Relevance to the chosen topic among the 8 defined Innovation Challenges.
• Starting Technology Readiness Level of no less than TRL 3, with proven capacity to reach TRL 6+ during implementation.
• Realism of the development timeline within 9 months (software) or 12 months (hardware).
• Technical feasibility of deploying, testing, and validating the solution in real-world pilot environments.
• Innovation value, market potential, and scalability of the development.

• Online Application Form completed in English via the competition portal.
• Technical description of the innovative solution specifying starting and target TRL, as well as integration architecture with AMALTEA Digital Tools.
• Detailed development and deployment schedule for pilot site testing.
• Budget justification under the lump-sum budget proposal template.
• Official documents verifying the applicant's legal status (registration extract for SME, start-up, or non-profit entity).
• Full set of application materials according to the Package of Documents to be released at official launch.

• Compliance with Horizon Europe framework rules and requirements regarding the use of cascade funding (FSTP).
• Submission of proof demonstrating attainment of the target TRL 6+ upon project completion.
• Submission of technical and financial reporting according to lump-sum model agreement terms.
• Mandatory fulfillment of technical interoperability requirements with AMALTEA Digital Tools.
• Mandatory participation in technology testing and deployment activities at designated pilot sites.
• Successful completion of the Due Diligence process prior to final grant agreement execution.

• Application of European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Framework Programme rules regarding Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP).
• Funding provided under a fixed lump-sum model, disbursed upon full achievement of planned project deliverables and verified milestones.
• Operations conducted in compliance with EU standards regarding absence of conflict of interest, compliance, ethics, and intellectual property rights protection.
• Project application preparation and submission performed exclusively at the applicant's own expense and risk; preparation costs are non-reimbursable.
• Call announcement publication creates no automatic legal obligation on the part of the AMALTEA Consortium to award grant funding to all applicants.
• AMALTEA Consortium reserves the right to adjust selection terms, grant allocation, or reject proposals failing to meet technical or ethical criteria.
• Costs incurred by the applicant prior to grant agreement signature or after official project completion are unallowable and non-reimbursable.
• Mandatory applicant compliance with EU regulations regarding absence of fraud, corruption, bankruptcy, or placement under international sanctions.