EU Innovation Fund
The EU Innovation Fund is a key financial instrument of the European Union for combating climate change. It promotes innovative low-carbon technologies and processes to achieve the goal of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. The program is characterized by supporting highly innovative and showcase projects across all EU member states that lead to significant emission reductions.
Who is funded?
The EU Innovation Fund primarily targets companies that want to implement innovative projects in the field of low-carbon technologies and climate protection. The program aims to help the EU meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement and the goal of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. Funding is geographically focused on all EU member states.
What is funded?
The EU Innovation Fund supports projects focusing on innovative low-carbon technologies and processes in various key industries. This includes specific sectors such as energy-intensive industries, renewable energies, and energy storage. Funding covers capital and operating costs, with a focus on technologies with a high degree of innovation and significant potential for emission reduction. Projects should also demonstrate high technical, financial, and operational maturity, as well as scalability and cost-efficiency.
Type and extent of funding
The Innovation Fund provides financial support in the form of grants. Funding amounts to up to 60% of the relevant project costs and is designed to support the introduction and scaling of highly innovative low-carbon technologies. The total budget of the fund is significant and is generated through the auctioning of EU Emissions Trading Scheme allowances.
Conditions and requirements
Specific criteria for selecting projects under the EU Innovation Fund include the effectiveness of emission avoidance, the degree of innovation, project maturity, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Importantly, Innovation Fund grants are not considered state aid and can be combined with other funding programs, offering applicants additional flexibility.
Application procedure
The application procedure for the EU Innovation Fund takes place through regular calls for proposals published on the European Commission's Funding & Tender Portal. There are separate calls for large projects and small projects, each subject to a single-stage application process. The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is the application office.
Legal basis
The EU Innovation Fund is an important financial instrument within European climate policy and the commitments under the Paris Agreement. It is based on revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which forms the financial basis for the fund.
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Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Open
Maximum Amount:
up to 60% of additional capital and operating costs
Allocated Budget:
approx. EUR 38 billion
Deadline:
always open
Open Until:
31.12.2030
Award Channel:
Framework Programme Call
Region:
European Union
Sectors:
Energy Production and Supply, Renewable Energy, Environmental and Climate Protection
Application Type:
Unknown
Funding Stages:
Experimental Development, Prototyping, Pilot Testing, Product Development, Process Optimization, Market Introduction, Scaling, Commercialization, Planning
Funding Provider
Program Level:
European Union
Funding Body:
European Commission
Managed By:
European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
Website: