EU Innovation Fund
Innovation Fund
Status not published
At verification the official page stated: 'There are currently no open Innovation Fund calls. Calls typically open at the end of the year.' The next round (IF26, including an IF26 Heat Auction) was in draft terms and conditions consultation, with a stakeholder workshop on 7 July 2026; no IF26 deadline was published.
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: annual_call — At verification the official page stated: 'There are currently no open Innovation Fund calls. Calls typically open at the end of the year.' The next round (IF26, including an IF26 Heat Auction) was in draft terms and conditions consultation, with a stakeholder workshop on 7 July 2026; no IF26 deadline was published.
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
Source. https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/innovation-fund_en — checked 2026-08-14
"€40 billion From 2020 - 2030 ... innovative clean technologies ... energy-intensive industries, renewables, energy storage, net-zero mobility and buildings, hydrogen, and carbon capture, use and storage"