The Societal Readiness Pilot (SRP) under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5 – Climate, Energy, and Mobility Work Programme 2025 encourages research and innovation (R&I) projects to better align with the needs, values, and expectations of society. Instead of being an added bureaucratic step, SRP is meant to build trust and legitimacy through early and meaningful societal engagement. It ensures that research outcomes are more likely to be adopted, supported, and impactful.

Societal Readiness is about integrating social considerations into the entire lifecycle of an R&I project—from idea development to implementation—not just at the end when results are presented. It encourages inclusive practices, co-creation, responsiveness, and reflexivity. SRP does not mean public approval ratings or assessing technological solutions in isolation; rather, it promotes a shift in mindset to make research processes socially robust and relevant.

This approach builds on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles and relies on guiding questions that explore key dimensions such as reflection, inclusion, anticipation, and responsiveness. These are not fixed checklists but tools to help teams engage more deeply with stakeholders and societal actors. The process is flexible and creative, with no strict pathway—each consortium can tailor SRP to its context and strengths. However, real ownership from all partners is essential; SRP is not a symbolic gesture but a collaborative effort.

The Societal Readiness Pilot is being implemented across eight topics included in CL 5’s Work Programme 2025:

• 1 in Climate sciences & climate neutrality (Deadline: September 2025 – 3 projects expected)
• 1 in Competitive energy supply (Deadline: September 2025 – 3 projects expected)
• 1 in Inclusive energy use (Deadline: February 2026 – 3 projects expected)
• 1 in Competitive solutions for all transport modes (Deadline: September 2025 – 2 projects expected)
• 4 in Safe, resilient transport and smart mobility services (Deadline: September 2025 – 2, 1, 2, and 2 projects)
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These 8 topics will generate around 18 funded projects that explore how to better align science and technology with public needs. A separate Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-09) will also support monitoring and learning from the pilot over 42 months, with activities such as annual workshops, a knowledge-sharing web platform, and a publication to support effective interdisciplinary work.

Applicants must account for SRP in their proposals by adding two pages to the standard Horizon Europe application form. These pages are meant to show how SRP is integrated into the overall project design—not as a separate work package. Projects will be required to deliver two public reports: a First Report (within six months) outlining SRP vision and plans, and a Final Report (in the last three months) assessing outcomes, lessons learned, and future recommendations.

Societal Readiness Think Tool offers practical guidance for researchers who wish to mature the societal readiness of their work. The thinking tool asks reflective questions to stimulate thinking about how to integrate ideas about responsible research and innovation into research practice, at different stages in the project life).

For support, the European Commission has made direct contact available via:
EC-HE-SOCIETAL-READINESS@ec.europa.eu