HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-15: Prospective evaluation of nuclear power potential for shipping (ZEWT… — expected outcomes, evaluation and traps

Topic	HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-15
Status	Forthcoming
Call	HORIZON-CL5-2027-03 — MOBILITY
Destination	Achieving sustainable, inclusive, and competitive transport modes (2026-27)
Type of action	Coordination and Support Actions · lump sum
Opening	15 December 2026
Deadline	14 April 2027
Budget	around EUR 2 million per project · 1 project expected · EUR 2 million in total
Part B page limit	28 pages (standard application form; check your call)
Template	Work Programme 2026–2027 application form

Expected outcomes

Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes. The topic says: “Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:”

EO1 Drafting of a R&I roadmap towards deploying nuclear power in commercial shipping, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear technologies (e.g. complementing the latest European Industrial Alliance on SMRs technology roadmap), including identification of research gaps, infrastructures and future innovation needs.
EO2 Mapping of relevant regulatory regimes nationally, regionally and internationally for the use of nuclear-powered shipping, including recommendations on regulatory frameworks and international cooperation.
EO3 Development of scenarios for the use of the technology, including potential damage scenarios.
EO4 The implications for National Energy and Climate Plans and National Air Pollution Control Programmes as well as water pollution policies required by EU legislative framework.
EO5 Assessment of total cost of ownership for the deployment of current and potential technologies.
EO6 Development of safety, training and operational guidelines for nuclear-powered ships.

Expected impacts named in the destination

The wider, long-term effects the destination seeks. Your outcomes feed them; they are not project deliverables.

EI1 Accelerated uptake of a zero-tailpipe emission ecosystem, with interoperable technological solutions developed at system level (vehicles, infrastructure, user and energy grid) that support the global competitiveness of the EU transport and mobility system.
EI2 Zero-tailpipe emission mobility solutions developed that are affordable, efficient, user-friendly, inclusive, safe and circular with concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours and socio-economic conditions of all end-users.
EI3 Clean mobility solutions for a climate neutral and environmentally friendly and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity.
EI4 Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns.
EI5 Enable breakthrough technologies and innovations that will contribute to the design (addressing also eco-design and circularity principles), manufacturing, maintenance and operations of new generation aircrafts, also powered by renewable energy and sustainable aviation fuels, for a competitive and clean EU aviation ecosystem (including airports).
EI6 Derisk and accelerate the introduction of new digital technologies (with emphasis on AI) at all levels in the industrial aviation ecosystem, while addressing all safety-related issues in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
EI7 Higher autonomy range in electric and hybrid vessels.
EI8 Uptake of renewable and low carbon fuels and improved knowledge on the suitability of innovative renewable and low carbon fuels and other energy carriers for waterborne transport.
EI9 Support the objectives of the European Port Strategy and Waterborne Industrial Strategy, contributing the role of ports as energy hubs, improving efficiency and safety through digitalization, improving the resilience and security of the transport network, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the industrial and technology EU capabilities.
EI10 Significant reduction of emissions from large vessels due to the merging of energy efficiency and renewable and low carbon fuels.
EI11 Sustainability of waterborne transport by design, considering air and water pollution, circularity and life-cycle assessments in shipbuilding.
EI12 Improved safety of seafarers, port workers and the environment.

What evaluators will look for in this topic

Expected outcomes

Projects should contribute to all of the expected outcomes.
For each outcome (EO1 to EO6), name who will use or adopt your results (a specific group, not “industry” or “society”), how they get them, and the indicator that shows the change, with baseline, target and date.
Use the topic's own words for each outcome, so the evaluator can tick it off.

What the scope asks for

Evaluators check the proposal against these sentences of the scope. Answer each one visibly, in the call's own words.

“A coordinated effort among various stakeholders including industry partners, research performing organisations, NGOs, the European Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) should help evaluate such prospective potential.”
“It should benefit from the latest Research and Innovation (R&I) results, technical, socio-economic and environment studies, or initiatives being capitalised at EU and international level, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.”
“Following a preliminary assessment and literature review, as well as detailed technical and economic studies regulatory and technical recommendations should be developed, along with a review of on-going pilot projects aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of nuclear-powered vessels.”
“The project should help evaluate the technical, economic, regulatory, environmental and social aspects of deploying nuclear power in commercial shipping, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear technologies.”
“Actions should address all the following aspects:.”
“Additionally, a strategy for skills development should be presented, associating social partners and civil society where relevant.”
“Proposals are expected to demonstrate how their objectives contribute to EU added value and long-term competitiveness in nuclear-powered vessel technologies.”

Conditions that shape the proposal

Part B, sections 1–3: 28 pages (standard application form). Text beyond the limit is not read; tables and figures count.
Lump sum: the budget is fixed per work package and paid when each work package is completed. Every work package needs activities and deliverables an evaluator can verify, and the effort must match the money.
Coordination and support action: no research is funded. Evaluators look for coordination, networking, dissemination or policy support with a clear audience.
Other Eligible Conditions: “Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.”

Impact pathway and traps

The scope expects pilots or demonstration. Name the sites, the partners who run them and what is measured there.
International cooperation is part of the scope. Explain what the non-EU partners add and how the cooperation is organised.
Life-cycle or safe-and-sustainable-by-design assessment is expected. Name the method and where in the work plan it runs.
Policy or regulation is in scope. Name the policy owners you will reach and what you will give them.
Keep outputs, outcomes and impacts apart: what you deliver, what changes when others use it, and the long-term effect.
For each destination impact you claim, show which of your outcomes feeds it. Destination impacts are long-term effects, not project deliverables.
Name the barriers outside the project (regulation, markets, user behaviour) that could block uptake, and what you will do if they do.
Section 2.3 (the summary canvas) is optional on this call; the old split into scientific, economic and societal impact is no longer required.

The scope, as published

Nuclear propulsion has the potential to reduce emissions of air pollutants and to decarbonize the shipping sector, producing zero GHG tank-to-wake emissions and low upstream well-to-tank emissions. A coordinated effort among various stakeholders including industry partners, research performing organisations, NGOs, the European Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) should help evaluate such prospective potential. It should benefit from the latest Research and Innovation (R&I) results, technical, socio-economic and environment studies, or initiatives being capitalised at EU and international level, to ensure a comprehensive assessment. The main objectives are to assess the feasibility, safety, and environmental impact of using nuclear power for shipping to achieve zero-emission of GHG, air and water pollutants in maritime transport. Following a preliminary assessment and literature review, as well as detailed technical and economic studies regulatory and technical recommendations should be developed, along with a review of on-going pilot projects aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of nuclear-powered vessels. The project should help evaluate the technical, economic, regulatory, environmental and social aspects of deploying nuclear power in commercial shipping, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced nuclear technologies. Actions should address all the following aspects: Technical Feasibility: a) To assess the suitability of SMRs and other nuclear technologies for maritime use; b) To evaluate any integration challenges with existing and potential new ship designs, including modular designs.; c) To study the lifecycle of nuclear-powered vessels, including construction, operation, and decommissioning. Economic Viability: a) To conduct cost-benefit analyses comparing nuclear-powered shipping to conventional and renewable low and zero-carbon fuel options, taking into account the long-term availability of fuel and the cost of disposal of residues; b) To evaluate infrastructure requirements in the EU, such as port facilities for nuclear vessels; c) Mapping full costs for a nuclear propelled ship on a life cycle basis. Safety and Security: a) To develop safety protocols for nuclear-powered ships, including emergency response and accident mitigation; b) To address cybersecurity risks, external threats and proliferation concerns and safety in ports. c) Assessing long-term crew training requirements for nuclear operations, safety and security and their implementation in international training and certification regulations. Environmental Impact: a) To analyze the potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollutants caused by mining, refining, use and disposal of spent nuclear fuel; b) To assess the impact of nuclear waste management, disposal as part of implementation of a circular economy approach; c) To assess the impact of nuclear-powered ships on marine ecosystems addressing in particular water pollutions and by contaminants; d) To analyze possible damage scenarios with a view to liability issues and mitigation of damages. Regulatory and Legal Framework: a) To identify gaps in international maritime law and IAEA nuclear regulations; and b) To propose recommendations related to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and other relevant treaties The implications for National Energy and Climate Plans and National Air Pollution Control Programmes required by EU legislative framework. Additionally, a strategy for skills development should be presented, associating social partners and civil society where relevant. Proposals are expected to demonstrate how their objectives contribute to EU added value and long-term competitiveness in nuclear-powered vessel technologies. This includes enhancing the EU’s R&I capacity, safeguarding critical technological know-how, developing skilled human capital, and reinforcing the resilience of the EU’s industrial and manufacturing base in this strategic sector. This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on results to the European Partnership ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs. European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/industrial-alliances/european-industrial-alliance-small-modular-reactors_en https://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/Pages/International-Convention-for-the-Safety-of-Life-at-Sea-(SOLAS),-1974.aspx

Source and attribution

Topic text from the official topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, retrieved 19 October 2026. © European Union, reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU (CC BY 4.0). Changes: the expected outcomes and impacts are split into numbered statements, long passages are shortened, and the evaluator checklist is GrantWise's own commentary. Your call and the Work Programme always win; check them before you submit. GrantWise is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the European Commission.

Prospective evaluation of nuclear power potential for shipping (ZEWT Partnership)

Expected outcomes

Expected impacts named in the destination

What evaluators will look for in this topic

Expected outcomes

What the scope asks for

Conditions that shape the proposal

Impact pathway and traps

Other topics in HORIZON-CL5-2027-03

Source and attribution