[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

October 7, 2027

€5,000,000 total; expected one grant of approximately €5,000,000 (lump sum, single-stage)

Supports European cities in developing and implementing hydrogen-based decarbonisation strategies through twinning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.

--- ## Description This grant, under the Horizon Europe programme, aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable hydrogen strategies in European cities, particularly targeting the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, heavy-duty transport, aviation, and maritime activities. The initiative will establish twinning partnerships between existing Hydrogen Valleys and cities interested in deploying hydrogen solutions to improve air quality and reduce emissions. Key activities include organizing a selection process for twinning pairs, developing tailored collaborative activities, creating roadmaps for hydrogen integration, and facilitating best-practice exchange. The project emphasizes cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and leveraging EU platforms like the Hydrogen Valley Platform and Cities Mission Platform to support the EU's climate-neutral and smart cities mission. --- ## Due Dates - October 7, 2027: Full application/submission deadline (closing date) --- ## Funding Amount - Total available: €5,000,000 (2027) - Expected number of grants: 1 - Typical award: ~€5,000,000 as a lump sum grant for a single project --- ## Eligibility - Applications are open to entities from eligible countries as defined in [Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - At least one twinned city must be among the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. - Proposals must involve mentor-mentee pairings, which may include cities from enlargement countries (e.g., Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova). - Collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform (NetZeroCities) is mandatory and must be formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage application process. - Submission opens: February 9, 2027. - Submission deadline: October 7, 2027, 17:00 Brussels time. - Proposals must use the [standard application form for HE CSA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf). - Applications must adhere to page limits and formatting described in the application form and [Annex A/E](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - Evaluation and award criteria are detailed in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf). - Submission is through the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). --- ## Additional Information - The project must include activities and resources to enforce collaboration and synergies with other relevant EU projects. - The use of hydrogen for heating is explicitly excluded from the scope. - Eligible costs are covered by a lump sum as per Horizon Europe rules. - Guidance and further documentation are available in the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Call Details and Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=3&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Mission Innovation Hydrogen Valley Platform](https://h2v.eu/) - [NetZeroCities Platform](https://netzerocities.eu/) - [HE Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find NCPs](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | ---

Hydrogen cities - European Commission

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