Innovation Fund Calls 2026
The Innovation Fund is the EU’s principal funding programme for the demonstration and deployment of innovative low-carbon technologies. It is funded by revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System and administered by the European Commission with support from CINEA.
For 2026, the programme includes five opportunities under the IF26 designation. Three are grant calls assessed against the standard Innovation Fund award criteria. Two are auctions that allocate support through competitive bidding.
This page summarises the five opportunities. Each links to a dedicated page with detailed eligibility, timeline and application guidance.
What is the Innovation Fund?
The Innovation Fund supports first-of-a-kind commercial-scale demonstration and deployment of low-carbon technologies. Projects must demonstrate:
- innovation beyond the current state of the art;
- significant greenhouse gas emission avoidance;
- sufficient project maturity for demonstration or first deployment;
- replicability across Europe;
- cost efficiency in terms of cost per tonne of CO₂ abated.
The programme is not a research grant. It funds projects that have moved beyond R&D and are approaching or entering commercial deployment.
The Five IF26 Opportunities
Grant calls
IF26 NZT Call – industrial decarbonisation, clean technology manufacturing and critical raw materials. Four topics across CAPEX bands from €2.5 million upward.
IF26 SME Call – small and medium-sized enterprises running small-scale projects between €2.5 million and €20 million CAPEX. Two application rounds per year.
IF26 Maritime Call – first-of-a-kind low- and zero-carbon technologies in maritime transport, including alternative fuels, electrification, propulsion and port infrastructure.
Auctions
IF26 Heat Auction – industrial process heat decarbonisation through electrified heat, renewable heat and nuclear technologies. Fixed premium per tonne of CO₂ abated over a maximum of five years. €1 billion planned budget.
IF26 Hydrogen Auction – fourth auction under the European Hydrogen Bank. Two topics covering RFNBO hydrogen and electrolytic low-carbon hydrogen. €500 million planned budget.
Grant Calls and Auctions
The two families operate differently.
Grant calls are assessed against five award criteria: degree of innovation, GHG emission avoidance, project maturity, replicability and cost efficiency. Applications are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Auctions award a fixed premium linked to each tonne of CO₂ abated (Heat) or support per unit of hydrogen produced (Hydrogen, subject to final Terms and Conditions). Applicants submit bids through the auction platform.
Both families are funded from the same source (EU ETS revenues) but have different application procedures, support mechanisms and evaluation logic.
Timeline at a Glance
| Call | Family | Budget | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IF26 NZT | Grant call | TBC in call document | December 2026 (planned) | April 2027 (planned) | Planned |
| IF26 SME | Grant call | €200 million | December 2026 (round 1); April 2027 (round 2) | End March 2027 (round 1); end September 2027 (round 2) | Indicative |
| IF26 Maritime | Grant call | Not stated on current EC page | December 2026 (planned) | April 2027 (planned) | Planned |
| IF26 Heat Auction | Auction | €1 billion | December 2026 (planned) | February 2027 (planned) | Planned |
| IF26 Hydrogen Auction | Auction | €500 million | December 2026 (planned) | February 2027 (planned) | Planned |
Always verify current dates in the official call document. The Commission may adjust timelines. The status labels describe the publication state shown by the Commission as of 30 September 2026.
Which IF26 opportunity may fit your project?
Call fit can be assessed using four practical variables:
- Project type – industrial process, manufacturing, maritime transport, hydrogen production or heat generation.
- CAPEX band – some calls have minimum or maximum thresholds.
- Funding mechanism – grant calls use competitive assessment against award criteria; auctions use competitive bidding under call-specific support terms.
- Eligibility exclusions – projects eligible for the SME or Maritime calls are excluded from the NZT call unless submitted as Pilots.
Impact Funding Europe supports project fit assessment, call selection and application strategy. See individual pages for call-specific eligibility or contact us.
Book an Innovation Fund Readiness Call
Official sources
FAQ
What is the Innovation Fund?
The EU’s principal funding programme for demonstration and deployment of innovative low-carbon technologies, funded by EU Emissions Trading System revenues.
How many IF26 opportunities are there?
Five: three grant calls (NZT, SME, Maritime) and two auctions (Heat, Hydrogen).
What is the difference between a grant call and an auction?
Grant calls are assessed against five award criteria. The current IF26 planning places the main grant-call launches in December 2026; SME uses two indicative application rounds. Auctions use competitive bidding and are currently planned to close in February 2027.
Can I apply to more than one call?
Eligibility rules differ per call. Projects eligible for the SME or Maritime calls are excluded from the NZT call unless submitted as Pilots. Applicants should confirm eligibility per call before applying.
Where can I find the official call documents?
All official documents are published on the European Commission’s Innovation Fund pages and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Innovation Fund scope, timelines, eligibility and funding routes depend on official call documents and European Commission decisions. This page is for general information and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of funding.
