New Funding Opportunity: DUT Call 2026 – Driving Urban Transitions

The aim of this call for proposals is to support transnational research and/or innovation projects that help cities tackle urban challenges and transition towards a climate neutral and resilient future for all.

There are three main topics, 15-minute City, Circular Urban Economies and Positive Energy Districts, but not all are funded by Germany.

The following section outlines the areas for which German funding is available:

15-MINUTE CITY - The 15-minute City Transition Pathway (15mC TP) addresses challenges of urban mobility, logistics, public space and proximity-based policies to promote implementation of climate neutral, resilient neighborhoods for all. It draws on research and innovation projects to showcase a diverse mosaic of approaches that drive mobility transitions. The 15mC TP aims to enable analysis, development and testing of ideas, tools and innovations for 15-minute cities within co-creative and transdisciplinary settings.

• Topic 2: Align ambitions for mobility transitions across sectors
• 3,2 Mio EUR funding
• Max. 350,000 EUR Funding per German partner, max. 500,000 EUR German funding per project

POSITIVE ENERGY DISTRICTS - The Positive Energy Districts Transition Pathway (PED TP) aims to develop innovative solutions for planning, large-scale implementation, and replication of PEDs across Europe’s urban and peri-urban areas. By combining energy efficiency, renewable energy production, and energy flexibility at the local level, PEDs offer and contribute to affordable energy systems, affordable quality housing, and competitive, resilient and inclusive local economies for cities through energy communities, contributing to European goals such as the SET Plan and the EU Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities.

• Topic 3: Sustainable PEDs. Flexibility in energy systems, and integrated technologies
• 0,67 Mio EUR funding
• Max. 330,000 EUR German funding per project

Important facts:

• 17.11.2026 – pre-proposal
• 15.04.2027 – full-proposal
• Min. 3 partner from 3 participating countries
• Project budget of 1-2 Mio EUR

Participating countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye

Important LINKs:

https://dutpartnership.eu/index.php/calls/dut-call-2026