Innovation Fund programme

Boost low-carbon technologies with the Innovation Fund programme

Funding the demonstration and deployment of innovative net-zero, low-carbon technologies across the European Economic Area.

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Next deadline: Net Zero Technologies (NZT) call—April 23, 2026

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The Innovation Fund is the EU’s flagship instrument for scaling low-carbon and net-zero technologies.

Whether you’re advancing breakthrough clean tech, driving industrial decarbonisation, or accelerating your sustainability roadmap, the Innovation Fund helps turn high-impact innovation into commercial reality

— funding projects from pilot and demonstration stages (TRL 6–7) to full commercial deployment (TRL 8–9).

Substantial Funding

Up to 60 % of eligible project costs through non-dilutive lump-sum grants.

Strategic Advantage

Secure funding, strengthen market positioning, and attract strategic investors and partners.

STEP Seal

Receive the STEP Seal for high-quality projects meeting EU excellence standards.

Business Acceleration Services

Access coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities through CINEA and partner ecosystems.

€2.9B

Total 2026 budget

60%

Max. funding rate

€40B

2020-2030 Budget

€2.4B

Budget for IF Net-Zero Call

≈€12B

Awarded to projects so far

What you need
to know before
applying

Start your eligibility check now

 

💡 Tip: Early preparation is essential to succeed under the IF25 NZT call and related Innovation Fund calls—allow at least 4–5 months for preparation. The application process is demanding and competitive.

About the Innovation Fund programme

The Innovation Fund, an EU programme managed by the CINEA and financed through revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration and deployment of innovative low-carbon technologies. Designed to support the EU’s path to climate neutrality by 2050, it focuses on breakthrough clean technologies and flagship projects that deliver significant and measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions.

Through the Innovation Fund Net-Zero Technologies 2025 framework, the programme supports a broad range of next-generation solutions across energy-intensive industries, renewable energy, energy storage, net-zero mobility and buildings, hydrogen, and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), with projects located across the EU, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

In addition to the NZT grant calls, the 2025 round also includes EU-wide auctions for Industrial Heat and Renewable & Low-Carbon Hydrogen—though these represent a smaller part of our focus at Evolution Europe.

Eligible applicants
  • Startups, SMEs, mid-caps, large corporations, research organisations, and public institutions.
  • Applicants may apply individually or as part of a consortium (including cross-country partnerships).
  • Projects must be implemented in the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein; international partners may participate.

Eligible applicants must propose innovative technologies with strong decarbonisation potential and demonstrate credible technical, financial, and legal maturity. Large-scale, medium-scale, small-scale, clean-tech manufacturing facilities, and first-of-a-kind pilot projects are all eligible under the IF25 NZT call.

Innovation Fund calls: Large-scale, Medium-scale, Small-scale, Clean-Tech and Pilot projects

The Innovation Fund launches annual grant calls supporting the scale-up of breakthrough low-carbon technologies across Europe. While the programme also includes auctions (e.g., for hydrogen and industrial heat), our work focuses on guiding clients through the Innovation Fund call process to secure competitive grant funding.

IF25 Application Categories – Project CAPEX & Allocated Funds

IF25 Application Project CAPEX Budgets Allocated Funds
Net-Zero Technologies — Large-Scale Projects > €100 million €1.2 billion
Net-Zero Technologies — Medium-Scale Projects €20–100 million €300 million
Net-Zero Technologies — Small-Scale Projects €2.5–20 million €100 million
Net-Zero Technologies — Clean-Tech Manufacturing ≥ €2.5 million €1.0 billion
Net-Zero Technologies — Pilot Projects ≥ €2.5 million €300 million
TOTAL — €2.9 billion

These topics cover a wide spectrum of industrial decarbonisation needs—ranging from first-of-a-kind pilot demonstrations to commercial-scale deployment and clean-tech manufacturing capacity.

We support clients throughout the entire application cycle, from eligibility assessment and concept shaping to full proposal development for all IF25 NZT call categories.

Funding

Under the Innovation Fund Net-Zero Technologies 2025, projects can receive up to 60% of eligible costs, with grants disbursed flexibly according to financing needs and milestone achievements. The Innovation Fund provides non-dilutive grant funding, primarily supporting large-scale industrial decarbonisation projects by covering a share of both CAPEX and OPEX.

The IF25 Call has a total budget of €2.9 billion, distributed across large-scale, medium-scale, small-scale, pilot, and cleantech manufacturing topics.

Key funding features include:

  • Up to 40% of the grant can be paid early based on predefined milestones.
  • Pilot projects can receive up to €40 million, while large-scale industrial projects may secure grants in the hundreds of millions.
  • The Innovation Fund overall is expected to mobilise €40 billion between 2020–2030, financed through EU ETS revenues.
Key deadlines

Typically, the call opens in December, the deadline is in April of the following year, and projects are due to start in March of the following year.

IF25 NZT Call Timeline

  • 4 December 2025 – Call opens
  • 23 April 2026, 17:00 CEST – Innovation Fund 2026 Deadline (call submission closes)
  • Q3 2026 – Evaluation results
  • Q1 2027 – Grant and PDA awards
Application process

The Innovation Fund application process includes:

1. Submission: Single-stage submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

  • The process includes:
    • Part A: Administrative details (filled online).
    • Part B: Technical proposal (uploaded as a PDF).
    • Annexes: Business plan, feasibility study, financial model, GHG emissions calculations, and other required documents.

2. Evaluation: All proposals are evaluated by the European Commission based on award criteria such as innovation, GHG avoidance, and cost-efficiency.

3. Grant Agreement: Projects selected for funding enter into a Grant Agreement with the European Commission.

4. Implementation & Payments: Grants are disbursed as lump sums, linked to key milestones:

  • ✅ Financial Close
  • ✅ Entry into Operation
  • ✅ Annual GHG Emission Savings Reports (during the operational phase)
What is the evaluation criteria?

Projects under the Innovation Fund Net-Zero Technologies 2025 are evaluated on:

  1. Effectiveness of GHG emissions avoidance
  2. Degree of innovation
  3. Project maturity (technical, financial, legal)
  4. Replicability and scalability across Europe
  5. Cost efficiency

These criteria determine the ranking and selection of projects in each Innovation Fund call.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include all expenditures directly linked to the innovative components of the project, calculated according to the methodology defined in each call. These typically include:

  • Capital expenditure for equipment, materials, and infrastructure
  • Costs for clean-tech manufacturing lines
  • Pilot-scale demonstrator costs
  • Certain operating expenses where applicable
  • Additional costs related to GHG reduction performance

Cost eligibility must be clearly demonstrated, transparent, and aligned with Innovation Fund guidelines.

How We Support Your Innovation Fund Application

  • Backed by PhDs, engineers, and finance experts, we guide you through every stage of the IF application and project lifecycle.
  • We combine strategic insight with technical excellence to help innovators secure the right collaborative funding and manage their projects successfully.
Control de convocatorias (1)

1. Opportunity Scouting

We assess the technological maturity, emissions potential, and investment readiness of your project to identify the most suitable Innovation Fund call, while also scouting other EU opportunities that may fit your profile. Our team supports early diagnostics, alignment with EU priorities, and, where relevant, helps build or strengthen the consortium.
Diagnóstico y preparación

2. Grant Application

Obtención de ayuda (2)

3. Submission & Grant Agreement

We support the submission process via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and help navigate all steps leading to the Grant Agreement: clarifications, budget alignment, milestone definitions, and partner validations. Our role is to ensure a smooth transition from evaluation to funding approval.

Gestión del proyecto (1)

4. Project Management

Once awarded, we assist with ongoing compliance, preparation of technical and financial reporting for each milestone, and offer guidance during audits and fund disbursements. We help maintain clear communication with CINEA throughout the implementation phase.

Need expert advice for your Innovation Fund proposal?

Our consultants guide you through everything you need to know about EU calls, requirements, and winning strategies.

Contact our team

Other funds that might
interest you

LIFE programme

LIFE Programme

Bridge the gap to environmental and climate solutions with EU support.

  • Get funding for pilot, demonstration, and best practice projects in climate, energy, environment, and nature.
  • For public and private entities with innovative solutions aiming to support EU Green Deal goals and environmental legislation.
Horizon Europe Collaborative Projects

Horizon Europe – Collaborative calls

Tackle global challenges through collaborative R&I with EU support.

  • Get funding for large-scale collaborative projects addressing climate, health, digital, energy, mobility, and more.

  • For international consortia (min. 3 entities from 3 countries), typically working at TRL 3–6, aiming for scientific excellence and real-world impact.
EIC Accelerator programme

EIC Accelerator

Bring your deep-tech innovation to market with blended EU funding and investment.

  • Get up to €2.5 million in grant and €0.5–10 million in equity (or blended finance).

  • For startups and SMEs with technologies at TRL 6–8, ready to scale and commercialise globally.
EIC STEP Scale-UP Programme

EIC STEP Scale-Up

Scale your strategic tech company with major EU equity investment through the EIC STEP programme.

  • Get €10–30 million in equity to drive industrial deployment and growth in deep-tech or critical technologies.
  • For startups, SMEs, and small mid-caps, aiming to scale in key strategic areas for Europe.
close-up-female-researcher-holding-glassware

“Evolution’s expertise and guidance were instrumental in securing our funding. Their support throughout the entire process, from crafting the proposal to preparing for the final pitch, was invaluable. It’s the most professional and comprehensive assistance we’ve ever received.”

Paul Kamoun, Director of Spacepharma

Admins using computer in data center office, running scripts

“Evolution was pivotal in improving and refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. Besides, the writing of the proposal was elevated to a very high standard; we could not have achieved this without Evolution’s help.”

Fadhil Musa, co-founder of Delox

quote-3

“At Evolution, we found the expertise and guidance in this domain to identify and target the right programme for us. Getting Evolution alongside was fundamental to ensure peace of mind and keep the start-up team focused on project development.”

Mathieu Horras, CEO, Founder & Board Member of Aspivix

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The ultimate guide to
securing R&D funding in
Europe

  • How to identify the best funding opportunities for your project
  • Learn strategies top innovators use to secure grants, navigate complex
    applications, and maximize funding potential.
  • Proven tips for writing winning grant proposals

Download now and boost your funding success!

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovation Fund programme.

What type of funding does the Innovation Fund give?

The Innovation Fund provides non-repayable grants (i.e., direct funding, not loans or equity).

Which countries participate in the Innovation Fund call?
  • the 27 EU Member States
  • EEA/EFTA Associated Countries: These countries participate through their association with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which finances the Innovation Fund.
    • Projects can also be implemented in:
      • Norway
      • Iceland
      • Liechtenstein
  • Non-EU Partners
    • International (non-EU/EEA) partners may join a consortium,
    • But the project’s core activities must take place in an eligible country listed above.

What funding rate does Innovation Fund offer?

The Innovation Fund finances up to 60% of a project’s relevant costs, covering both:

  • CAPEX for planning, construction, and installation
  • OPEX linked to verified GHG emission reductions during the first 10 years of operation

Funding is provided as milestone-based lump-sum payments, typically triggered by events such as:

  • Financial close
  • Start of operations
  • Verified GHG savings
What is the success rate for Innovation Fund projects?

Success rates vary by call, but the Innovation Fund is generally highly competitive. Across recent rounds:

  • Only around 10–20% of full applications are ultimately funded.
  • In some topics—especially large-scale decarbonisation—success rates have dropped below 10% due to high demand.
  • Pilot and small-scale calls see slightly higher success rates, though competition remains strong.

Given the high competition, using a funding consultancy like Evolution Europe helps you maximise success with our expert support.

How long does it take to get funded?

The Innovation Fund process takes about 9–12 months from submission to first payment:

  • Evaluation: ~5 months
  • Grant agreement: ~2–3 months
  • First payment: after milestones like financial close, often within 6–12 months after grant signature

Projects are generally required to start implementation within 4–6 years, depending on the specific call conditions.

What is the TRL required to apply to the Innovation Fund programme?

To apply to the Innovation Fund, your project must be at least at:

  • TRL 6–7 for Pilot Projects (demonstration of breakthrough technologies)
  • TRL 8 or higher for Small, Medium, Large-scale, and Manufacturing Projects (near or full commercial deployment)

This ensures the technology is sufficiently mature for large-scale demonstration or market rollout.

Ready to secure Innovation Fund support for your project?

Get your free consultation Contact us today