Next generation of reversible proton conducting ceramic cells and stacks for efficient energy applications at ≥1 kW scale
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking or Clean Hydrogen Partnership is a unique public-private partnership supporting research and innovation (R&I) activities in hydrogen technologies in Europe. It builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
This topic focuses on the development of advanced protonic or co-ionic ceramic electrochemical cells and stacks for reversible application to improve performance and durability. This should take into consideration strategies for reducing and/or recycling critical and strategic raw materials at cell/stack level. All geometries (e.g. tubular or planar) and cell architectures are in the scope of the topic. The applications of hydrogen separation, and/or hydrogen pumping or related (either side of the PCC in reducing gas atmospheres) are not in the scope.
Detailed Call Description
The proposals should focus on the development and validation of novel proton ceramic or co-ionic (dual transport of protons and oxygen ions) electrochemical cells and stacks, which operate reversibly in electrolysis and fuel cell mode with high efficiency and durability. The reversible technology should be integrated in various use cases (e.g., considering various sectors, use of different fuels for the fuel cell mode, integration with renewable sources, etc.). The proposals should demonstrate how the reversibility is beneficial to the selected user cases and establish how the performance and durability of both cells and stacks are affected by the cell/stack design and the operational strategies.
Proposals should go beyond the scope and ambition of previous European projects (e.g., eCOCO2, WINNER, PROTOSTACK, GAMER, HySPIRE, PEPPER, ECOLEFINS) and should address:
- Innovations in design and manufacturing of materials, components and assemblies to improve performance, efficiency, and durability under reversible operation;
- The proposal should demonstrate how sustainability aspects – such as reduction of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials (CSRM) content or incorporation of recycling strategies – are addressed;
- Cell and stack design advancements to optimise operation under dynamic conditions, as well as optimisation of thermal management within the stack undertaken through both modelling and experimental validation to provide design guidelines for scaling-up the stack technology. Thermal management of the stack and analysis of thermo-mechanical stresses in the different operation modes (e.g. in fuel cell mode and electrolysis mode) at stack design shall be considered;
- Validation of the reversible operation in both fuel cell (power generation) and electrolysis modes involving hydrogen, and where relevant for the use case scenario, operation with other hydrogen carriers (e.g. ammonia), co-electrolysis or (de)hydrogenation processes, etc;
- Validation of cell and stack operation in testing conditions representative of the selected applications for 2,000 hr operation;
- Production of stacks with multiple repeating units;
- The reversible operation should be demonstrated at a minimum scale of 1 kW power class;
- Elucidation of degradation mechanisms at component, cell and stack levels with the support of modelling and/or advanced characterisation techniques;
- Techno-economic assessment of the reversible technology, demonstrating system-level feasibility, impact of thermal management and associated benefits in selected user cases;
- Evaluation of at least two use cases with assessment of the environmental impact. This includes environmental life cycle analysis (LCA), demonstrating added value, decarbonisation potential, and compatibility with future energy system scenarios.
Experimental activities are expected to start at the material and cell level and end at the stack level with validation under relevant operation conditions. Broad engagement of stakeholders across the value chain is encouraged to support the transition towards industrial deployment and to ensure alignment with market needs.
For activities developing test protocols and procedures for the performance and durability assessment of (reversible) electrolysers proposals should foresee a collaboration mechanism with JRC[8] (see section 2.2.4.3 “Collaboration with JRC”), in order to support EU-wide harmonisation. Test activities should adopt the already published EU harmonised testing protocols[9] to benchmark performance and quantify progress at programme level.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
Expected EU contribution per project: €3.00 million.
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
- Industry
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Additional eligibility condition: Maximum contribution per topic
For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the Clean Hydrogen JU requested contribution mostly for actions performed at high TRL level, including demonstration in real operational environment and with important involvement from industrial stakeholders and/or end users such as public authorities. Such actions are expected to leverage co-funding as commitment from stakeholders. It is of added value that such leverage is shown through the private investment in these specific topics. Therefore, proposals requesting contributions above the amounts specified per each topic below will not be evaluated
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 17.00 million
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million
Additional eligibility condition: Membership to Hydrogen Europe / Hydrogen Europe Research
For the topics listed below, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to ensure that one partner in the consortium is a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. This concerns topics targeting actions for large-scale demonstrations, flagship projects and strategic research actions, where the industrial and research partners of the Clean Hydrogen JU are considered to play a key role in accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies by being closely linked to the Clean Hydrogen JU constituency, which could further ensure full alignment with the SRIA of the JU. This approach shall also ensure the continuity of the work performed within projects funded through the H2020 and FP7, by building up on their experience and consolidating the EU value-chain. In the Call 2026 this applies to: development and demonstration of flexible and standardised hydrogen storage systems and demonstration and operation of reversible solid oxide cell systems operation for local grid-connected hydrogen production and utilisation. This will also apply to the Hydrogen Valleys (flagship) topics as they are considered of strategic importance for the European Union ambitions to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025 as well as to the more recent European Commission’s inspirational target to have at least 50 Hydrogen Valleys under construction or operational by 2030 across the entire EU. For the Hydrogen Valleys topics a large amount of co-investment/co-funding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected.
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-02
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-01
- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-02
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.