WoodStock Grants

WoodStock Grants is sponsored by WoodStock project (funded under Horizon Europe). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

WoodStock grants for SMEs | WoodStock WoodStock grants for SMEs Funding to support climate-smart wood construction solutions Transforming the construction sector requires forward-thinking solutions.

The WoodStock grants offer a unique opportunity for SME s, 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. 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.

Activities that may qualify for financial support Expectations of grant awardees The construction sector is central to Europe’s climate transition. At the same time, significant volumes of hardwood, residual wood, low-quality wood, and damaged wood remain until today underutilised. Unlocking this potential can reduce waste, strengthen local value chains, and create sustainable economic opportunities.

The WoodStock grants support this transition by supporting projects that combine innovation, circularity, and community engagement — embedding the New European Bauhaus (NEB) values of together, sustainable, and beautiful into practical construction solutions.

Through this call, four selected projects will receive financial support to: Develop and demonstrate climate-smart wood construction solutions beyond TRL5 Facilitate the use of underutilised wood (hardwood, residual wood, low-quality wood, damaged wood) Contribute to zero-waste design and circular construction Engage in co-creation with local communities and industry actors Gain visibility through WoodStock, the WoodBook and the European Wood Construction Observatory 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.

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

Two-step selection process Step 1 – eligibility criteria be submitted 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.

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 Criterion What we are looking for 1. New European Bauhaus Embedding the NEB values (together, sustainable, beautiful). Applicants should specify their ambitions levels and demonstrate how they make use of the NEB working principles : participatory processes, multi-level engagement, and transdisciplinary approach.

2. Circularity Demonstrating in qualitative and quantitative ways the benefits in local wood use, resource efficiency, zero-waste design, longevity, and environmental gains. This criteria will be evaluated based on WoodStock design guidelines that are now under development.

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.

Each selected project may receive up to €50,000 in financial support. €30,000 will be paid upon signing the agreement. A progress report is required after one year, and the final payment will be made following positive evaluation and submission of an actual cost overview after 1.

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

Activities that qualify for financial support Funding may be used for one or more of the following activities: Prototyping, experimental set-up of innovations related to WoodStock Physical and mechanical validation, certification preparation Activities with local actors and users to improve the solution and embed them in the local value chain and community Workshops to develop new skills and knowledge Communication about the solutions to a wide audience (including video production) (max.

20% of total budget) Eligible expenses may include equipment, laboratory testing, materials, logistics and multimedia production. Expectations of grant awardees Selected projects are expected to: develop climate-smart wood construction solutions beyond TRL5 jointly organise one co-creation session with a WoodStock Living Lab in the Netherlands, France, Slovenia, Poland, Ireland or Norway.

document successful and unsuccessful innovation steps they have made, and lessons learned throughout the process share experiences and lessons learned with the WoodStock consortium contribute to the WoodBook and the European Wood Construction Observatory align dissemination with the WoodStock communication partner and contribute to WoodStock communication materials by providing input.

Milestone Date Online info session for potential applicants 5 June 2026 (1PM - 2PM) Online info session for potential applicants 1 September 2026 (4PM - 5PM) Publication of the call 15 September 2026 Deadline for submitting 15 December 2026 Evaluation period January 2027 Information to applicants February 2027 Signature of the grant agreements February – March 2027 Starting date of the actions March - April 2027 (latest) Progress report After 1 year Final reporting After 1.

5 year Reports of the actions evaluated October 2028 Final payments October 2028 Funding restrictions defined by the European Commission or Research Executive Agency for Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) may apply. The call will be open between 15 September and 15 December 2026. The detailed call document, including application guidelines and submission instructions, will be published shortly on this page.

Join WoodStock and help shape the future of climate-smart wood construction in Europe. Call opens 15 September 2026