Next generation of renewable energy technologies

Overview

Funding for breakthrough renewable energy technologies that accelerate the EU’s transition to a net-zero economy by 2050, targeting high-risk, high-return solutions with minimal environmental impact and strong societal acceptance. Intended for consortia or organizations advancing mature innovations in renewable energy integration, storage, or hybrid systems.

Who Can Apply

Consortia or single applicants from eligible EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions. Participation of SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) experts is required.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €4,000,000 per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Co-funding requirements are not specified.

What Is Funded

• High-risk, high-return renewable energy technologies, including:

- Catalyst development. - Renewable energy storage systems. - Integration of renewable energy technologies into single generation systems. - Hybrid renewable energy systems. - Heating and cooling systems. - Fuels production systems (excluding hydrogen via electrolysis and fuel cells). - Direct solar fuels and solar-driven chemical processes. - Hybrid electricity generation solutions.

• Exclusions: Hydrogen production via electrolysis, fuel cells, basic material research, and batteries.
• Activities must address environmental impact (biodiversity, pollution), resource efficiency, and policy support for deployment.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Proposals must demonstrate technological feasibility at TRL 4 or 5 at submission.
• Target outcomes must reach TRL 7–9 by project completion.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2025-12-17
• Deadline: 2026-03-30

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1) and evaluation templates apply.

Post-Award Obligations

• Projects must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for satellite-based data if applicable.
• Reporting on environmental impact, societal acceptance, and policy recommendations is required.
• Dissemination of results and adherence to lump-sum funding rules.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must include a comparison with existing commercial technologies to demonstrate advantages in economic performance, environmental impact, and energy security.
• SSH expertise is mandatory for addressing societal acceptance and policy support.
• Excludes hydrogen production via electrolysis, fuel cells, basic material research, and batteries.