EU Innovation Fund Call and Auction launched

28 November 2023: The European Commission has launched the Innovation Call and Innovation Auction for 2023.

On one side, the Commission launched the first European Hydrogen Bank auction with €800 million of subsidies for renewable hydrogen production coming from the emissions trading revenues. Producers of renewable hydrogen can bid for support in the form of a fixed premium per kilogram of hydrogen produced. Bidders have until 8 February 2024 to apply via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, and applicants will be informed about evaluation results in April 2024. An information day will take place online on 30 November and other info days will be organised by Member States. The Commission also intends to launch a second round of auctions in 2024. 

On the other side, the Commission opened €4 billion call for proposal for net-zero technologies under the Innovation Fund. The call funded by revenues from the EU ETS trading system aims to support the deployment of innovative decarbonisation technologies. Project promoters may apply under five topics with distinct budget and capital expenditure requirements. They will have until 9 April 2024 to apply via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and applicants will be informed about evaluation results in the fourth quarter of 2024. An information day will be held on 7 December 2023 and other information days will be organised by Member States.