Innovation Fund offering subsidies for decarbonisation and clean technologies
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has announced new calls for proposals under the Innovation Fund. The calls focus on supporting highly innovative projects that are essential for achieving the EU's climate goals and contribute to the decarbonisation of industry and the development of clean technologies.
The calls offer a significant opportunity for businesses and research institutions. The main criteria are the degree of innovation, a contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of capital expenditure.
Applications for support can be submitted from 4 December 2025 to 23 April 2026 via the EU Funding & Tenders portal. As in previous years, the programme will support the general decarbonisation of industry and the production of innovative clean technology components and highly innovative technologies leading to climate neutrality. Total funds for allocation are EUR 2.9 billion, with the possibility of a 20 per cent increase.
Net Zero Technologies – General Decarbonisation – Small/Medium/Large-Scale Projects
The general decarbonisation objective is divided into three calls based on the value of the project's capital expenditure:
- Small-scale projects – €2.5 million to €20 million
- Medium-scale projects – €20 million to €100 million
- Large-scale projects – over €100 million
It is clear from the above that project expenditure must reach at least EUR 2.5 million. These calls for proposals support, e.g., activities focused on innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes in selected sectors, carbon capture, storage and utilisation, and the construction and operation of innovative technologies for renewable energy sources.
Net Zero Technologies – Clean-Tech Manufacturing
This call supports the construction and operation of facilities for the production of innovative components for clean technologies, e.g. for renewable energy sources, electrolysers and fuel cells, energy storage solutions (batteries, etc.), and heat pumps. The capital expenditure of the project must be at least EUR 2.5 million.
Net Zero Technologies – Pilot Projects
This call focuses on highly innovative and breakthrough technologies enabling the high level of decarbonisation necessary to achieve climate neutrality. Support is available for the construction and operation of pilot projects aimed at verifying, testing and optimising highly innovative solutions in selected sectors. A higher level of innovation is expected under this call than under the other calls of the programme. As with the previous call, the capital expenditure of the project must reach at least EUR 2.5 million.
The aid intensity can reach up to 60 per cent of eligible expenses. Together with the application for support, it is necessary to submit, among others, a feasibility study, business model, detailed project budget, financial model, and, above all, a calculation of greenhouse gas emissions reduction or a GHG emission avoidance calculation. The project must be implemented within the European Union or the European Economic Area.