ENDE
Status: Indicative · Last reviewed: 30 September 2026

IF26 SME Call: Innovation Fund Funding for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The IF26 SME Call is a planned Innovation Fund opportunity designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises running small-scale projects. It is structured to reduce the administrative burden of application relative to the standard Innovation Fund calls.

Book an IF26 SME Readiness Call Check whether your SME project is eligible

What the IF26 SME Call Funds

The call funds small-scale clean technology and decarbonisation projects with capital expenditures between €2.5 million and €20 million. The planned total budget is €200 million.

SME Definition

SME status is defined under EU Recommendation 2003/361, based on staff headcount and either turnover or balance sheet total. Applicants should confirm their status against the official definition before applying.

Design Features

The call’s design includes:

Reduced documentation

Fewer documents and less information required at application.

Semi-automated GHG calculation

A tool to calculate greenhouse gas avoidance.

Simplified reporting and monitoring

Two application rounds per year

Each round ends with a cut-off date. Applicants not ready for the first round can apply in the next.

Higher-risk project support

The call is structured to accommodate projects that may carry more risk than those supported under other Innovation Fund calls.

Eligibility

ItemDetail
CAPEX range€2.5 million – €20 million
SME definitionEU Recommendation 2003/361
Planned budget€200 million
Application roundsTwo per year

Related calls: Compare with the IF26 NZT Call, IF26 Maritime Call, IF26 Heat Auction, IF26 Hydrogen Auction, or see All Innovation Fund calls.

What the Evaluation Process Requires

Applicants must demonstrate the characteristics required under the applicable award criteria:

  1. Innovation

    The project must go beyond the current state of the art.

  2. GHG emission avoidance

    Measurable, verifiable emission reductions.

  3. Project maturity

    Readiness for demonstration or first deployment.

  4. Replicability

    Capability for replication or scaling.

  5. Cost efficiency

    Reasonable cost per tonne of CO₂ abated.

Timeline

ItemDetail
StatusIndicative
Planned openingDecember 2026
First-round deadlineEnd of March 2027 (indicative)
Second-round deadlineEnd of September 2027 (indicative)
Stakeholder consultation19 June 2026 (held)
Note

Always verify current dates in the official call document.

Check whether your SME project fits the IF26 SME Call

Book an IF26 SME Readiness Call Contact us about the IF26 SME Call

Official sources

FAQ

What does the IF26 SME Call fund?

Small-scale clean technology and decarbonisation projects run by SMEs, with CAPEX between €2.5 million and €20 million.

How is an SME defined?

Under EU Recommendation 2003/361, based on staff headcount and either turnover or balance sheet total.

What is the budget?

€200 million planned.

What are the CAPEX thresholds?

Between €2.5 million and €20 million.

How many application rounds are there?

Two per year, each ending with a cut-off date.

What makes the SME call different from other Innovation Fund calls?

Reduced documentation, a semi-automated GHG calculation tool, simplified reporting, and two application rounds per year.

When does the IF26 SME Call open and close?

The first round is planned for publication in December 2026, with an indicative application deadline at the end of March 2027. A second round is planned for publication in April 2027, with an indicative application deadline at the end of September 2027.

IF26 SME scope, timelines, eligibility and funding routes depend on the official call document and European Commission decisions. This page is for general information and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of funding.

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Clean Energy

In 2019 the EU completed a comprehensive update of its energy policy framework to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy and to deliver on the EU’s Paris Agreement commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The agreement on this new energy rulebook – called the Clean energy for all Europeans package – marked a significant step towards the implementation of the energy union strategy, published in 2015.

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