'%3e%3cpath%20id='s'%20d='M0,162.5%2022.041947,230.338137%20-35.664619,188.411863H35.664619L-22.041947,230.338137z'/%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20y='-400'/%3e%3cg%20id='s5'%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20transform='rotate(30)%20rotate(-30,0,200)'/%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20transform='rotate(60)%20rotate(-60,0,200)'/%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20transform='rotate(90)%20rotate(-90,0,200)'/%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20transform='rotate(120)%20rotate(-120,0,200)'/%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s'%20transform='rotate(150)%20rotate(-150,0,200)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cuse%20xlink:href='%23s5'%20transform='scale(-1,1)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Horizon EuropeCloses in 16 daysSustainable and beautiful use of vertical space
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project. Activities may start at any TRL. What the Grant Supports This topic supports the development and demonstration of innovative solutions that make use of unused or underused vertical space above buildings and/or streets to improve housing availability and affordability and/or provide additional green spaces. Projects must: • Develop and demonstrate at least one innovative solution that uses unused or underused vertical space above buildings and/or streets in a beautiful and sustainable manner…
- Funding
- £1m+
- €5M
- Closes
- 1 December 2026
- Applicants
- Collaborative
- The listing identifies collaborative applicants but does not specify eligible lead organisation types. Applicants should confirm lead eligibility in the official brief.
What this competition funds
- Development and demonstration of at least one innovative solution using unused or underused vertical space above buildings and/or streets.
- Solutions that improve housing availability and affordability and/or provide additional green spaces.
- Beautiful and sustainable approaches to using vertical space, with activities expected to achieve TRL 6 to 8 by project completion.
Who can apply?
- Lead applicant
- The listing identifies collaborative applicants but does not specify eligible lead organisation types. Applicants should confirm lead eligibility in the official brief.
- Partners and collaborators
- Collaboration is required. Partner eligibility, consortium composition and any geographical requirements should be confirmed in the official brief.
- Worth checking
- The listing gives UK-wide coverage and allows activities to start at any TRL, with an expected end TRL of 6 to 8. Confirm eligible costs and detailed conditions in the official brief.
What assessors look for
01
Need and challenge
Explain why the selected vertical space is unused or underused and how using it would address housing availability and affordability or the need for additional green space.
02
Innovation and demonstration
Show what is innovative about the proposed solution and how its demonstration will test beautiful and sustainable use of space above buildings or streets.
03
Impact and value for money
Set out measurable housing or green-space benefits and explain how the proposed spending supports them. Confirm the formal assessment criteria and funding conditions in the official brief.
04
Delivery and team
Map the work needed to reach TRL 6 to 8, with clear responsibilities across collaborators. Explain how the team's capabilities support both development and demonstration.
Where applications usually lose marks
- A proposal that does not clearly use unused or underused vertical space above buildings or streets.
- Claims about beauty, sustainability or housing and green-space benefits without a credible way to demonstrate them.
- A weak route to TRL 6 to 8, with unclear demonstration activities or collaborator responsibilities.
How GrantUp can help
Our specialist bid writers build the scoring case, budget and narrative with you, with an over 82% success rate per engagement and over £190m secured for clients. Grant funding engagements have a minimum upfront setup fee starting from £1,750, plus a success fee payable on award. The scope and success fee are agreed before work starts. We do not take equity.
Discuss this grantFrequently asked questions
How much funding is available?
The listing states an award of €5M, total funding of €15M and a funding rate of 70%. Applicants should confirm in the official brief how the award figure applies, which costs are eligible and whether the stated rate applies to their organisation and activities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The listing identifies collaborative applicants and gives UK-wide coverage, but does not specify eligible organisation types or lead applicant rules. Activities may start at any TRL and are expected to reach TRL 6 to 8. Confirm organisational and geographical eligibility in the official brief.
Do we need collaborators?
Yes, the listing identifies this as a collaborative opportunity. It does not state partner numbers, eligible partner types or consortium geography. Confirm those requirements in the official brief, then explain how each collaborator contributes to developing and demonstrating the vertical-space solution.
How do we apply?
The listing does not specify the submission route or application documents, so applicants should confirm these in the official brief. Prepare a proposal explaining the vertical space being used, the innovative solution, its housing or green-space benefits, and the development and demonstration pathway to TRL 6 to 8.
Programme at a glance
- Funding
- £1m+
- Funder
- Horizon Europe
- Region
- UK-wide
- Partners required
- Yes
- Next deadline
- 1 December 2026
Why GrantUp
- Over 82% success rate per engagement
- Over £190m secured for clients
- Specialist technical bid writers
Considering Sustainable and beautiful use of vertical space?
Talk through your project with a specialist and find out whether this is the right competition before you invest time in an application.