The EU’s Clean Hydrogen Partnership has opened its 2026 call for proposals, making €105m available to support the rollout of clean hydrogen technologies. The funding from Horizon Europe aims to back projects that could bring innovations closer to market, covering hydrogen production and storage through to fuel cells.

€25m is reserved for Hydrogen Valleys – the EU’s cluster initiative, designed to ramp up regional hydrogen value chains.

The remaining €80m is available for various elements of hydrogen technology advancement, including €16m for green hydrogen production, €17.5m for hydrogen storage and distribution, €25m for transport, €16m for heat and power, and €5.5m for crosscutting activities.

Applications open on 10 February and must be submitted before 15 April, via the EU’s Funding and Tenders portal.

Clean Hydrogen Partnership Executive Director, Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, said the call underlines the partnership’s commitment to Europe’s clean hydrogen value chain.

“It targets wider applications, better fuel cell performance and improved electrolysis efficiency – while addressing costs, durability, safety and infrastructure.”

It should be noted, however, that the level of funding is €79.5m less than was available in the same scheme last year, when €184.5m was made available – a reduction of over 40%!