Call for Indian Experts: Joint EU–India Initiative on Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling

“Indirect Tax I Indirect Tax Litigation I Customs & FTP I Central Licensing I Arbitration I Advisory”

Dated: 22.05.2026

Call for Indian Experts: Joint EU–India Initiative on Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Government of India, in partnership with the European Commission, has announced an exciting opportunity for Indian experts to participate in a landmark initiative focused on the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This joint call, under the EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) framework, aims to foster innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration in the rapidly growing field of battery recycling.

About the Joint Call

Call Reference: HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04
Opening Date: 5 May 2026
Submission Deadline: 15 September 2026
Total Budget: EUR 9.40 million (EU) + INR 65 crore (India)
Type of Action: Innovation Action (IA)
Technology Target: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7–8 by project end
Pilot Plant: To be established and operated jointly in India

This initiative is part of the broader EU–India Strategic Partnership and is jointly funded by Horizon Europe and the Government of India. Proposals must involve coordinated activities between EU and Indian consortia, ensuring true collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Areas of Expertise Sought

Indian experts with proven experience in the following domains are encouraged to apply:

Technical & Scientific

Battery Recycling Processes:
- Pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries
Material Recovery:
- Processing black mass and recovering lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and silicon-graphite
Cathode Active Material (CAM):
- Recovery and purification to battery-grade purity
Battery Chemistry:
- Next-generation technologies (gen4, mixed chemistries)
End-of-Life Logistics:
- Collection, sorting, discharging, and deactivation technologies
Digital Systems:
- Digitalized waste collection and supply chain management
Analysis & Diagnostics:
- Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA), and battery state of health diagnostics
Safety & Monitoring:
- Active monitoring and safety systems for battery storage and handling

Regulatory & Policy

Indian Regulations:
- Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR 2022)
- National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage
EU Regulations:
- EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 and Battery Passport implementation
- Safe and Sustainable by Design guidelines
- EU–India science and technology cooperation frameworks

Innovation & Commercialisation

Scale-up and Pilot Plant Design
Technology Transfer and Industry-Academia Collaboration
Benchmarking and State-of-the-Art Assessment

Evaluation Process & Commitment

Joint Panel: Evaluation will be conducted by a Joint India–EU Expert Panel, managed by the European Commission’s Research Executive Agency (REA).
Criteria: Proposals are assessed on Excellence, Impact, and Quality of Implementation.
Time Commitment: 15–20 working days between late September and November 2026.
Remuneration: Paid assignment as per European Commission expert evaluation rates.

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply if:

You have expertise in one or more of the listed areas.
You are available for 15–20 working days between late September and November 2026.
You are not participating in or affiliated with any consortium submitting a proposal under this call (strict conflict of interest rules apply).

How to Register as an Expert

Step 1: Register on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Create an EU Login account and build your expert profile on the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal.
Refer to the Expert Registration online manual and EU Login guide.
Watch the video tutorial: Search “How to become a Horizon Europe project evaluator” on YouTube.
Review the Terms of Reference.

Step 2: Notify MHI

After registering on the EU portal, send the following details to vikas.anand@gov.in before 15 April 2026:

#	Field	Description
1	Full Name	As per official documents
2	EU Expert / EMI Registration	Registration number from EU portal
3	Designation & Affiliation	Current role and institution
4	Contact Email Address	Primary email for correspondence
5	Area(s) of Expertise	Select from areas listed above

Registration Deadline: 15 April 2026. Late registrations may not be considered.

Why Participate?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, international initiative shaping the future of sustainable mobility and battery recycling. By joining the Joint India–EU Scientific Evaluation Panel, you will help drive innovation, influence policy, and foster global collaboration in a critical sector.

Listen to this on our #YouTube Channel

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

We offer Legal advice and litigation support in matters related to Indirect Tax-Customs, FTP, other Indirect Tax matters & Arbitration law, all sorts of Central licensing and related matters. Come and explore the new way of doing business with us!

Source: MHI

Disclaimer

Handy Download:

Recycling framework for EV Batteries under the EU- India Trade and Technology Council (TTC)Download

Connect with us for more-

@ Team S J EXIM SERVICES, New Delhi, IN

CP: Ms. Shubhra Jha, Founder

Tel: +91-11-4999 2707 I +91-9999005693

Web: www.sjexim.services

EMAIL: operations@sjexim.services I shubhra@sjexim.services

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sjeximservices

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90794255/admin/feed/posts/