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

April 23, 2026

Total budget: €2.9 billion (2025 call) for all Net Zero Technologies topics; individual pilot project awards vary.

Supports highly innovative pilot projects that demonstrate and scale breakthrough climate technologies to advance the EU’s net zero transition.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the European Commission's Innovation Fund targets pilot projects that demonstrate highly innovative technologies, processes, or products capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is on accelerating the EU’s transition to net zero by supporting solutions in sectors such as renewable energy, energy storage, energy-intensive industries, and carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS). The aim is to bridge the gap between early innovation and commercial deployment, de-risking investments and facilitating the market entry of transformative climate technologies. --- ## Due Dates - April 23, 2026: Full application submission deadline (by 17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget for all Net Zero Technologies topics in the 2025 call: €2.9 billion. - Individual grant amounts for pilot projects are not specified in the call summary, but are expected to cover substantial project costs as lump sum grants. - Funding is awarded as lump sum grants under the InnovFund-LS model. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States, EEA countries, and certain associated countries (see Section 6 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/innovfund/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_innovfund-2025-nzt_en.pdf)). - Projects must be highly innovative, demonstrate significant greenhouse gas emission reductions, and have strong potential for upscaling or market replication. - Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity. - Proposals must comply with admissibility and eligibility criteria detailed in the call documentation. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/INNOVFUND-2025-NZT-PILOTS?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=12&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the application forms and templates provided in the portal's submission system. - Key required documents include: technical proposal, feasibility study, business plan, GHG emission avoidance calculator, budget table, and participant information. - Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as degree of innovation, GHG emission avoidance, project maturity, scalability, and cost efficiency. - For detailed instructions, see the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/innovfund/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_innovfund-2025-nzt_en.pdf) and [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - The call uses a lump sum funding model; grants are paid based on project milestones rather than actual incurred costs. - The Innovation Fund aims to support projects that are not yet commercially available but are sufficiently mature for demonstration at pilot scale. - During the holiday period (December 24, 2025 – January 2, 2026), the European Commission offices will be closed, but the InnovFund Helpdesk remains operational (responses may be delayed). --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/INNOVFUND-2025-NZT-PILOTS?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=12&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/innovfund/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_innovfund-2025-nzt_en.pdf) - [FAQ and Q&A](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/document/download/9858612c-c026-4d67-a053-b29a783ca301_en?filename=IF25NZT_QA_v1.pdf) - [Guidance documents and templates](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/manuals) - [InnovFund helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/contact-program?frameworkProgramme=INNOVFUND&callType=) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Link/Details | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General enquiries | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Call-specific support | [InnovFund helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/contact-program?frameworkProgramme=INNOVFUND&callType=) | | IT/Portal support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Innovation Fund 2025 Net Zero Technologies - Pilot projects

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