Balance of plant components, architectures and operation strategies for improved PEMFC system efficiency and lifetime

The Clean Hydrogen JU program targets consortia from European research and industrial sectors, including fuel cell manufacturers and specialized BoP component developers. Projects must be conducted within EU Member States and Associated Countries, aiming to improve PEMFC system efficiency and durability for heavy-duty transport, aligning with the European Green Deal's climate neutrality objectives.

This funding specifically targets research and innovation in hydrogen fuel cell technology, with a focus on improving Balance of Plant (BoP) components and system strategies. The eligible activities span from understanding degradation mechanisms to developing and validating new BoP solutions, aiming for technology readiness levels suitable for integration into heavy-duty transport applications. Funding is provided as lump sums, and specific conditions apply to certain topics regarding full capitalized costs for equipment and subcontracting.

Financial support for this program is provided through grants in the form of lump sum contributions. For this specific topic, the maximum EU contribution is set at 4 million Euro. The program generally operates on project-specific durations, which are not explicitly defined in the provided document, but typically align with research and innovation project timelines.

Applicants must adhere to general Horizon Europe conditions regarding admissibility, eligibility, and financial capacity. A key requirement is the consortium structure, necessitating collaboration between research and industrial entities. While no specific De Minimis regulation is highlighted, stringent rules apply to subcontracting, limiting it to EU Member States and Associated Countries. The program also allows for full capitalized costs for certain large-scale demonstration projects.

The application process involved a single-stage submission, with proposals accepted through a dedicated online system using provided templates. Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are clearly defined in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, ensuring a transparent selection process. Results were expected by late July/early August 2024.

The program is fundamentally rooted in the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and its associated legal instruments. Key documents like the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Clean Hydrogen JU Annual Work Programme provide detailed regulations and specific conditions, ensuring transparent and legally sound operation. Official texts are made available through the Funding & Tenders Portal for public access and applicant reference.