The Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for innovative low-carbon technologies. The fund encourages companies and public authorities to invest in clean technologies, contributing to Europe’s climate objectives and the competitiveness of European industry. Its main instrument is the Net-Zero Technologies call (NZT), which generally opens once a year. Through this call, the European Commission supports projects that take breakthrough technologies from demonstration to commercial deployment and deliver substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Is your organisation working on an innovative decarbonisation project that is ready to scale up? Then this call could make a major contribution to its financing.

IF26 Net-Zero Technologies call

The next round is the IF26 Net-Zero Technologies call. It is expected to open in December 2026 and close in April 2027. The European Commission will announce the exact dates when the call opens. The budget for this round has not yet been published. The IF25 Net-Zero Technologies call had a budget of € 2.9 billion.

Who is the Innovation Fund NZT-call for?

The Net-Zero Technologies call is intended for organisations that want to build and deploy an innovative climate technology, either at commercial scale or as a pilot. It is therefore not about research, but about projects that are taking the step to market. Think of energy-intensive industries, the energy sector (renewable energy, energy storage, carbon capture and storage) and manufacturers of clean-tech components.

Who can apply?

• Companies of any size, as well as other organisations such as public bodies; research organisations often take part as partners.
• You can apply on your own or together with partners in a consortium.
• The project must take place in the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
• SMEs with a project of € 2.5 to € 20 million and maritime projects apply under the SME call or the Maritime call, unless the project is a pilot.

Which projects are eligible?

The call is divided into four topics, each with its own budget. You only compete with projects within the same topic. Which topic fits depends on the size of your investment and the type of project.

• General decarbonisation, large-scale (CAPEX above € 100 million): large installations with substantial CO2 reductions. For example, a steel plant switching from coal to hydrogen, carbon capture and storage at a cement plant, or a large-scale plant for renewable fuels.
• General decarbonisation, small- and medium-scale (CAPEX € 2.5 to € 100 million): similar projects on a smaller scale. For example, electrifying a production process, an innovative energy storage system at a wind or solar farm, or an installation that turns plastic waste into new raw materials.
• Clean-tech manufacturing and critical raw materials (CAPEX above € 2.5 million): factories that make components for the energy transition, or projects that strengthen Europe’s supply of critical raw materials. For example, a factory for electrolysers, heat pump components or parts for solar panels and wind turbines, or an installation that recovers critical metals from used batteries.
• Pilots (CAPEX above € 2.5 million): breakthrough technology that has not yet been proven at commercial scale and can lead to deep decarbonisation. For example, a first installation that cracks chemical feedstocks electrically instead of with natural gas, or a new production process for low-carbon cement.

The exact structure may vary from call to call. Are you an SME with a small-scale project? Then also take a look at the Innovation Fund SME call, which offers a simplified application procedure.

How much funding can you receive?

The grant covers up to 60% of the project’s relevant costs. Payments are largely linked to achieving pre-agreed milestones. In addition, part of the grant depends on the emission reductions actually achieved.

How are applications assessed?

The Innovation Fund is highly competitive. The European Commission assesses projects against five criteria:

• Degree of innovation: does the project go beyond the current state of the art?
• Greenhouse gas emission avoidance: how much in emissions does the project avoid, calculated using the Innovation Fund methodology?
• Project maturity: is the project technically, financially and operationally ready for implementation?
• Replicability and scalability: can the technology be applied at other sites, in other sectors or at a larger scale?
• Cost efficiency: what is the ratio between the requested grant and the emissions avoided?

A convincing case on all five criteria is essential. Projects that score well but are not yet mature enough may qualify for Project Development Assistance (PDA): support to develop the project further for a future call.

Support from Hezelburcht

Hezelburcht has supported organisations with their Innovation Fund applications since the programme was launched in 2020. Our specialists combine technical and subject-matter expertise with years of experience in European funding programmes, so we know exactly what the European Commission expects. Three projects we supported were selected in the Innovation Fund 2025 call. One example is BioCirc’s RECLAIM project: Europe’s first fully integrated biocircular energy cluster.

We can help you at every stage:

• an initial check of whether your project fits the SME call;
• substantiating the innovation, emission reduction and project maturity;
• writing and submitting a strong application;
• grant agreement preparations and negotiations;
• project management for meeting your obligations and deadlines once the grant has been awarded.

Contact our Innovation Fund specialists

Considering an application for the Innovation Fund Net-Zero Technologies call? Start your preparations early to maximise your chances. Contact us via info@hezelburcht.com or 088 495 20 00 to schedule a meeting. Our specialists are happy to assist!