The EU Innovation Fund supports innovative projects that accelerate Europe’s transition to climate neutrality and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The IF26 Net-Zero Technologies Call supports mature and highly innovative projects in decarbonisation, clean technology manufacturing, critical raw materials and deep-decarbonisation pilot projects.
Deadline: 01-04-2027
Scope. The programme supports innovative projects that contribute to Europe’s transition to climate neutrality and deliver significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. The call covers general decarbonisation projects, clean-tech manufacturing, critical raw materials and highly innovative pilot projects. Projects should demonstrate a strong potential for emission reduction, technological innovation, deployment and replication..
Sectors. Energy-intensive industries, renewable energy, energy storage, hydrogen, heat pumps, clean technologies, industrial decarbonisation, critical raw materials, carbon management, low-carbon technologies, clean-tech manufacturing and other sectors contributing to the EU’s climate-neutrality objectives.
Eligible applicants. Legal entities established in eligible countries participating in the Innovation Fund can apply. Projects may be developed by companies, industrial organisations and consortia, depending on the specific topic and eligibility conditions of the final call.
Key requirements. Projects should: demonstrate a significant greenhouse gas emission reduction potential; use innovative technologies or processes; demonstrate an adequate level of project maturity; provide a credible implementation and financing plan; demonstrate potential for replication and scaling; and show cost-efficient climate impact. Proposals are assessed against criteria including the degree of innovation, greenhouse gas emission avoidance, project maturity, replicability and cost efficiencys.
Funding & duration. The IF26 NZT Call is financed from revenues generated through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). It covers four topics: 1. General decarbonisation – large-scale projects with CAPEX above €100 million; 2. General decarbonisation – small and medium-scale projects with CAPEX between €2.5 million and €100 million; 3. Clean-tech manufacturing and critical raw materials – projects with CAPEX above €2.5 million; 4. Pilots – projects with CAPEX above €2.5 million focused on deep decarbonisation. Projects eligible for the dedicated IF26 SME or Maritime calls will generally not be eligible under the NZT call, unless they fall under the Pilot topic.