The Innovation Fund 2025 is one of the European Union‘s main financial levers to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In particular, the fund also plays a strategic role in promoting innovative hydrogen-related projects, a key element for the decarbonisation of the most energy-hungry industrial sectors and for the development of new green supply chains.
What the Innovation Fund 2025 provides
The Innovation Fund 2025 provides important resources for the realisation and commercialisation of innovative technologies with a low environmental impact. Activated by the European Commission within the EU ETS (Emission Trading System), it aims to bring industrial solutions to the market to decarbonise the European economy and support the transition towards climate neutrality.
Specifically, the fund provides:
- A total budget of around EUR 40 billion for the period 2020-2030, with a large part allocated to renewable hydrogen projects and low-emission fuel technologies
- Non-repayable grants covering up to 60% of the costs for projects of all sizes, including pilot, small-, medium– and large-scale projects. To ensure the effectiveness of the financed interventions, up to 40% of the grants are awarded during the project preparation and study phase according to pre-defined targets. The remaining share is linked to the actual effectiveness of the projects, calculated in terms of avoided emissions into the atmosphere.
The maximum duration of the funded projects is 10 years.
Who the Innovation Fund 2025 is aimed at
The Innovation Fund 2025 is aimed at a wide range of beneficiaries:
- Companies of any size, industrial consortia, public bodies, SMEs and start-ups that intend to develop innovative projects in one of the EU Member States or in the countries of the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein).
- Organisations operating in energy-intensive industries, renewable energy production, hydrogen and CO2 capture and storage technologies.
- Participation is also open to public-private partnerships and entities wishing to implement pilot projects.
Project selection criteria for the Innovation Fund 2025
Projects submitted for the Innovation Fund 2025 are assessed according to strict criteria, which include several factors:
- Degree of innovation, i.e. the project’s ability to introduce advanced technological solutions that have not yet been widely deployed in the market.
- Impact on emissions reduction, i.e. the project’s potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional technologies.
- Technical and financial maturity of the proposed solution and soundness of the business plan.
- Scalability of the project, i.e. the possibility of replicating and expanding it in the market.
- Cost efficiency, i.e. optimisation of resources and economic sustainability of the initiative.
Deadlines and useful info about the Innovation Fund 2025
To obtain funding, one has to apply to an open call of the Innovation Fund 2025. Specifically, applications must be submitted online via the official portal of the European Commission.
Calls are usually published towards the end of the year on the European Commission‘s website and on the EU’s Funding and Procurement portal.
The call for applications for 2025 was opened on 3 December 2024 and the deadline for applications was April 2025. The results of the selection are expected to be announced by the end of this year, while the signature of the financing contracts is planned for early 2026 and the selected projects will be able to start their activities from next year.
The next call for applications is scheduled for December 2025, with an indicative application deadline of April 2026.
Simplifhy support for companies to participate in calls such as the Innovation Fund 2025
Simplifhy offers comprehensive support to companies interested in taking advantage of Innovation Fund 2025 opportunities:
- Feasibility analysis and preliminary assessment of the project idea in relation to the requirements of the call.
- Assistance in drafting the technical and economic proposal, optimising the presentation of strengths and environmental impact.
- Partnership management and coordination of consortia, facilitating collaboration between companies, research organisations and stakeholders.
- Support in the reporting and monitoring phase, to ensure proper management of funds and compliance with project deadlines and milestones.
Relying on our team means increasing your chances of success in accessing European funding and accelerating the development of innovative hydrogen solutions, contributing to the energy transition and competitiveness of the European industrial system.
Ask for our advice to apply your project to the Innovation Fund 2025 calls for proposals!
