Next generation of renewable energy technologies - European Commission
Funds high-risk research into innovative renewable energy technologies for the EU’s net-zero transition, requiring both technical and social science approaches.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
European Commission has archived this opportunity.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: March 31, 2026 (Stage 1) | October 20, 2026 (Stage 2)
Funding Amounts: Total budget: €23.5M (2026); typical grant: ~€4M; ~6 projects funded; duration varies.
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-reward research into advanced renewable energy technologies for a net-zero EU, emphasizing innovation, environmental impact, and societal acceptance.
Key Information: Two-stage application; social sciences & humanities expertise required; certain technology areas excluded.
Description
This funding opportunity supports collaborative research projects developing breakthrough, game-changing renewable energy technologies that accelerate the EU’s transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2050. The focus is on high-risk, high-reward innovations in areas such as advanced catalyst development, renewable energy storage, integration of multiple renewable sources, hybrid systems, heating and cooling, and solar-driven chemical processes. Proposals must establish technological feasibility at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4–5 and address environmental impacts, resource efficiency, risk mitigation, and societal acceptance.
Projects must explicitly exclude hydrogen production via electrolysers, fuel cells, basic material research, and batteries. Social sciences and humanities (SSH) expertise is required to enhance societal impact, and applicants are encouraged to leverage European research infrastructures. Proposals should compare their solutions to current commercial technologies, assess economic and environmental advantages, and analyze policy and social acceptance factors to ensure a just and inclusive transition.
