WoodStock Grants to support climate-smart wood construction solutions

Funding body: Ghent University

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants must be:

• An SME, start-up, or non-profit organisation
• Or a consortium led by an SME, start-up or non-profit organisation

Applicants must be based in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe (Pillar 2).

Professionals from architecture, design, forestry, wood industries, construction, and green building sectors, as well as members of the European Bauhaus community are encouraged to apply. Interdisciplinary collaboration across the wood construction value chain is strongly encouraged.

Two-step selection process

Step 1 - eligibility criteria

Proposals must:

• Be submitted through the Evalato submission form on the WoodStock website before the call deadline
• Be in line with the description and involve participant(s) from EU Member State(s) or countries associated with Horizon Europe
• Demonstrate how they will achieve at least ambition level I for each of the NEB values (together, sustainable, beautiful), using the NEB Compass
• Demonstrate how they will facilitate the use of at least one type of currently underutilised wood source types: hardwood, damaged wood, low-quality wood, and post-consumer and residual wood as defined by the WoodStock project

Only proposals meeting these criteria will be further evaluated.

Please note that there is a strict prohibition of double funding from the EU budget. Applicants will be required to confirm that the project, in whole or in part, has not received funding from any other EU grant and has not been or will not be submitted for funding under any other EU grant.

Step 2 - evaluation criteria

Eligible proposals will be scored (0-5 points per criterion). Each proposal must score at least 3 points for each evaluation criterion. Based on the overall scores, all proposals that meet the threshold will be ranked.

The six evaluation criteria are:

1. New European Bauhaus: Embedding the NEB values (together, sustainable, beautiful). Applicants should specify their ambition levels and demonstrate how they make usre of the NEB working principles: participatory processes, multi-level engagement, and transdisciplinary approach. Applicants can consult the WoodStock zero-waste design guidelines for inspiration on how to apply the NEB values to concepts using underutilised wood.
2. Circularity: Demonstrating in qualitative and quantitative ways the benefits in local wood use, resource efficiency, zero-waste design, longevity, and environmental gains. This criterion will be evaluated based on the WoodStock design guidelines.
3. Community-based: Integrating clearly into the local community through co-creation activities, local employment, or a positive social impact.
4. Scalability: Providing a realistic and concise plan for scaling and replicating the innovation to increase the potential for positive impact.
5. Systemic: Contributing to systemic change across the wood construction value chain. Consortia that create meaningful collaborations between otherwise disconnected actors will be preferred.
6. Capacity of the applicant: Proving demonstrated expertise, experience, equipment, and networks to achieve the project objectives.

The following criteria provide added value for the selection but are not required for eligibility:

1. Innovative business model: Proposals with a clear plan for a circular and (environmentally and socially) sustainable business model will be preferred, supported by the sustainable business model canvas (NEB Toolbox).
2. Existing building stock: Solutions applicable to upgrading the existing building stock (including renovation, building extensions, or valorisation of underused urban spaces) will be preferred.

The WoodStock Grants offer a unique opportunity for SMEs, start-ups, non-profit organisations, or consortia led by one of these to make better use of underutilised wood in construction and develop climate-smart wood construction solutions beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.

Through this call, four selected projects will receive up to € 50,000 each to test, validate and scale up innovative zero-waste solutions in real-world contexts. The committee will award a maximum of one grant per EU Member State (or Horizon Europe associated country), based on the country of the lead applicant only. One project will be granted per underutilised wood source type (hardwood, low-quality wood, damaged wood, post-consumer wood and residual wood). If a wood source type has no application that reaches 3 points on every evaluation criterion, the overall second-best proposal from among the other underutilised wood source types will be granted instead. By joining the WoodStock project, grant recipients will contribute to activating the European wood construction market and to demonstrating the feasibility and scalability of circular approaches across the value chain.

€ 30,000 will be paid upon signing the agreement. A progress report is required after six months, and a final report after one year. The final payment will be made following positive evaluation.

The selection committee may adjust proposed budgets if necessary (without exceeding € 50,000).

Funding restrictions defined by the European Commission or the Research Executive Agency for Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) may also apply.

In case an SME is involved in multiple project applications, please be aware that the total amount of funding received within the WoodStock grants cannot exceed € 60,000, in accordance with Financial Support to Third Parties regulations.

Estimated timeline:

• 15 December 2026, 17:00 CET: deadline for submitting
• January 2027: evaluation period
• February 2027: information to applicants
• February - March 2027: signature of the grant agreements
• March - April 2027 (at the latest): starting date of the actions
• After half a year: progress report
• After 1 year: final reporting, including a financial report
• September 2028: reports of the actions evaluated
• October 2028: final payments