Jan 22, 2026

Clean Hydrogen Partnership opens 2026 call with €105 million for hydrogen research and innovation

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has opened its 2026 Call for Proposals, making €105 million available under Horizon Europe to support cutting-edge hydrogen research, development, and large-scale demonstration projects across Europe.

The call targets researchers and innovation teams working on technologies that move clean hydrogen closer to cost-effective, reliable, and scalable deployment. A strong emphasis is placed on upscaling, system integration, and real-world validation, bridging the gap between laboratory results and industrial application.

Who should apply

The call is open to universities, research institutes, technology centres, SMEs, industry partners, and public organisations forming international consortia from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. Projects must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility rules and demonstrate clear scientific excellence combined with strong implementation capacity.

Research areas & funding focus

The 2026 call covers the full hydrogen value chain, from production to end use, with dedicated budgets per area:

Renewable hydrogen production (e.g. electrolysers, system efficiency) – €16 million
Hydrogen storage and distribution (incl. pipelines, compression, carriers) – €17.5 million
Transport applications (heavy-duty road, rail, maritime, aviation interfaces) – €25 million
Hydrogen for heat and power (industrial heat, CHP, grid integration) – €16 million
Cross-cutting research topics (safety, system integration, sustainability) – €5.5 million
Hydrogen Valleys (integrated regional demonstration ecosystems) – €25 million

Most topics support Innovation Actions and demonstration projects, typically at medium to high TRLs, and are designed for consortia combining academic research with applied development.

Funding per project

The indicated budgets represent the total funding available per topic. Depending on the topic and action type, individual projects are expected to receive multi-million-euro grants, particularly for large-scale demonstrations and Hydrogen Valley projects.

Key dates & submission

Call opening: 10 February 2026
Deadline for submission: 15 April 2026 (17:00 CET)
Researchers are encouraged to consult TUD’s European Project Center.