Are you a researcher or innovation-driven entrepreneur in climate-tech, green transition, or digital innovation? The CORE12.01 Responsive Innovation Fellowship is your opportunity to unlock world-class mentoring, training, and networking. Apply by 29 Jan 2026.
About CORE12.01
CORE12.01 (Carbon Responsive Ecosystems) is an ambitious Horizon Europe project, running from June 2025 to May 2027. Its mission is to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and market impact across Europe’s climate-tech and deep-tech landscape.
CORE12.01 links researchers, policymakers, citizens, investors, and industry leaders—building a more connected, inclusive, and resilient ecosystem for breakthrough solutions in sectors like energy, mobility, water, sustainable materials, carbon removal, and circularity.
Key features of CORE12.01:
- Supports researchers to clarify their commercialisation journey, launch spin-offs, license technologies, form industry partnerships, and attract investment.
- Focuses especially on moderate and emerging innovation ecosystems (“Widening countries”), tackling disparities and driving inclusive, impact-driven climate innovation.
- Provides hands-on support, access to a pan-European ecosystem, performance-driven tools, and connections to funding opportunities.
- Addresses long-standing challenges such as fragmented stakeholder engagement, limited infrastructure, and the entrepreneurial readiness gap in academia.
CORE12.01 actively engages stakeholders at all levels. Through dedicated activities, ecosystem sessions, and corporate engagement strategies, the project ensures that every solution is aligned with real-world needs and opportunities—empowering Fellows to connect, collaborate, and thrive.
About the Fellowship Programme
At the heart of the project lies the Responsive Ecosystem Fellowship Programme (REFP)—a structured, pan-European acceleration and training initiative that selects 30 outstanding Innovation Fellows through a competitive Open Call.
The Fellowship offers:
- Tailored mentoring and coaching from entrepreneurs, innovation managers, and sector experts.
- Training modules on business development, intellectual property, stakeholder engagement, investment readiness, and more.
- Commercialisation tools:
- The Responsive Ecosystem Toolbox (RET) for ecosystem mapping and stakeholder engagement.
- The Responsive Innovation Monitoring Tool (RIM) for setting and tracking business, regulatory, social, and technological KPIs.
- Corporate engagement opportunities and industry feedback.
- Networking with corporates, investors, policymakers, and civil society actors across the quadruple helix.
- A final Showcase & Pitch Event at a major European innovation summit.
This hands-on programme is especially focused on supporting researchers and ventures from underrepresented and widening regions, aiming to make climate-tech innovation truly inclusive, impact-driven, and regionally anchored.
Why Apply?
Participating in the CORE12.01 Fellowship means you can:
- Transform your scientific breakthroughs into market-ready innovations
- Gain practical entrepreneurial skills and learn what corporations look for in deep-tech partners
- Access tailored coaching and real-time feedback from top European experts
- Map and track your commercialisation journey with advanced tools (RET & RIM)
- Build relationships with industry, policymakers, and innovation actors
- Increase your visibility at the EU level through pitching, events, and communications
Important: There’s no direct funding—just premium services and ecosystem access valued at tens of thousands of euros.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual researchers: PhD candidates, postdocs, early-career or senior researchers
- Innovation-driven spin-offs, start-ups, or SMEs with a strong research focus
You must:
- Work on a project related to climate-tech, green transition, or digital innovation
- Operate at TRL 4–7
- Be based in a Horizon Europe eligible country
- Be ready to engage fully in all programme activities
Tip: Apply early to avoid technical issues or last-minute bottlenecks!
How to Apply?
Applications are submitted entirely online.
Prepare:
- Main applicant and organisational details
- Eligibility declarations
- Description of your innovation, expected impact, and team capacity
- Signed Declarations (Honour, Ethics, GDPR)
- Submit before the deadline: 29 January 2026
Proposal Requirements for the CORE12.01 Fellowship
Your application should cover:
- Solution/innovation details and business model
- TRL (4–7) and value proposition
- Expected impact (societal, economic, environmental)
- CV and previous achievements
- Stakeholder engagement and ecosystem fit
- Signed Declaration of Honour and Ethics & GDPR Compliance Statement
Evaluation & Selection Process
Applications are evaluated on:
- Excellence: Innovation, competitive advantage, IP strategy
- Impact & Motivation: Market potential, societal relevance
- Implementation Capacity: Experience, motivation, commitment
- Synergies & Ecosystem Fit: Relevance to project goals and stakeholder engagement
Minimum score: 12/20.
Final selection also ensures gender balance, geographic diversity, and inclusion of emerging innovation regions.
Important Dates
- Open Call launch: 28 November 2025
- Deadline for applications: 29 January 2026
- Notification of results: Shortly after the deadline
- Start of Fellowship: Spring 2026
Final Thoughts on Open Horizons Open Call 2
CORE12.01 is your gateway to becoming a driver of Europe’s green and digital transition.
With hands-on support, strategic tools, and an unrivalled network, this fellowship is the launchpad for the next generation of climate-tech innovation.
Don’t miss out—apply now and turn your vision into impact!
Open Call Analysis: CORE12.01 Responsive Innovation Fellowship
