EU Innovation Fund
Innovation Fund
Closed for now
IF26 package opens December 2026.
Programme size is '€40 billion From 2020 - 2030' based on 'a carbon price of 75 €/tonne', financed by EU Emissions Trading System revenues. Individual grant sizes depend on the call and the project's relevant costs; the CINEA programme page does not publish per-project thresholds or a maximum funding rate, so both are recorded as null. The most recent launched call round (IF25, launched 4 December 2025) comprised three calls totalling EUR 5.2 billion: the IF25 NZT call (regular grants), the IF25 Heat Auction and the IF25 Hydrogen Auction.
European Commission (DG CLIMA), implemented by CINEA, financed from EU Emissions Trading System revenues
public · supranational
Deadline: One call a year — There are currently no open Innovation Fund calls. Calls typically open at the end of the year. Five IF26 calls open in December 2026: NZT, SME, Maritime, Heat Auction, Hydrogen Auction.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- Sectors: climate, manufacturing
- Stage: growth
- Locally registered entity required
Projects must be 'located in the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway'. Supports 'innovative clean technologies' across 'energy-intensive industries, renewables, energy storage, net-zero mobility and buildings, hydrogen, and carbon capture, use and storage'. Realistically this is for capital-intensive demonstration and first-of-a-kind commercial plants, not for early-stage startups. Innovation Fund grants are directly managed EU funds, not Member State de minimis aid.
How to apply
- Monitor the Innovation Fund calls page; calls typically open at the end of the calendar year. — link
- Register on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a PIC. — link
- Submit the application (grant call) or bid (auction) via the Funding & Tenders Portal by the call deadline. — link
What you will need
- Application form Part A and Part B
- Business plan and financial model
- GHG emission avoidance calculation
- Feasibility and permitting evidence
Related reading: How grant deadlines actually work
Source. https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/eu-funding-climate-action/innovation-fund/calls-proposals_en
"5 calls for proposals will open in December 2026 ... IF26 NZT Call, IF26 SME Call, IF26 Maritime Call, IF26 Heat Auction, IF26 Hydrogen Auction"
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: climate.ec.europa.eu
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