Next generation of reversible proton conducting ceramic cells and stacks for efficient energy applications at ≥1 kW scale

Closed

Code: 39446 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

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.

Multi-fuel SOFC powertrain for maritime transport

Closed

Code: 39443 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The proposal should be based on further developing the results of previous projects that have laid a foundation in SOFC development for stationary applications and correctly consider the challenges met from a holistic perspective. Projects such as Helenus ^,Fuelsome and ShipFC are currently active, and proposals should consider the publicly available results and the problems faced by those projects and activate possible interactions and collaborations to produce technological advancements and novel solutions.

Second Lump Sum Micro-Grants for Members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice

Closed

Code: 39439 | Identifier Code: SoilTribes | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 09/02/2026 | End submission calls: 09/03/2026

The SoilTribes project aims to increase soil literacy and promote its preservation through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. It addresses soil degradation by promoting innovative communication campaigns, creative activities, and citizen engagement in sustainable practices. The project provides financial support for collaborative initiatives involving science, art, and society, aiming to transform behaviors regarding soil protection and restoration.

SoilTribes is rooted in the European Union mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and aligns with its goals to restore soil health, engage communities, and increase soil literacy

Flexible and standardised hydrogen storage system

Closed

Code: 39436 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to develop a flexible and standardised hydrogen storage interface that supports the integration of multiple storage technologies and is easily deployable across mobility sectors, with possible spillovers on stationary applications.

The interface should provide a limited set of basic sizes for the storage units (joinable to reach an adequate capacity for each specific application); this set should be as small as possible to simplify hydrogen storage manufacturing, and as large as necessary to cover relevant mobility applications.

Proposals should build on the outcomes of StasHH (Standard-Sized Heavy-Duty Hydrogen) and extend the concept toward hydrogen storage.

Projects should include at least compressed hydrogen and may include other storage forms such as liquid hydrogen, cryo-compression, metal hydrides, ammonia followed by cracking systems, or methanol followed by reforming technologies, LOHC, or any other.

Components Development and Experimental Testing for an Onboard Liquid Hydrogen Supply and Conditioning System in High-Power Fuel Cell Aviation Applications

Closed

Code: 39433 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of the topic is to design, develop and demonstrate on the ground the reliable and safe operation of key components (up to TRL 5) and integrated sub-systems combining them (up to TRL 4).

This includes, but is not limited, to cryogenic valves, insulation, piping, sensors, metering systems and interfaces between the tank and the fuel cell systems.

The system level requirements, the preliminary system architecture and the operational envelope will be defined in coordination with the project funded under Clean Aviation JU.

In return, the project that will be selected from this topic will provide feedback on component feasibility, performance, development status and deliver pre-tested components for final system integration and testing. A number of defined collaborative meetings will be held to ensure alignment between the system-level design and the component development efforts

Integration of control & monitoring tools and strategies for improved Fuel Cell System durability & reliability

Closed

Code: 39430 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is on the development, integration and validation of robust online monitoring and control algorithms for FCS, targeting prediction and mitigation of degradation, faults and failures throughout the system lifetime.

Focus shall be on Balance of Plant (BoP) components rather than fuel cell stack. Activities should combine experimental testing, digital modelling and may use AI-based techniques to develop and validate predictive tools for health management.

Proposals should clearly explain how they go beyond the achievements of previous projects (namely Ruby [1] and Giantleap [2]), identifying specific technical or methodological advances.

Cost-efficient small scale hydrogen liquefaction

Closed

Code: 39426 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The hydrogen liquefaction process is generally composed of the following main technological sub-systems: pre-cooling (incl. heat exchangers with cooling fluid & compressors), cooling (incl. compression), coldbox (including heat exchangers and ortho-para conversion), expansion and boil-off gas management.

New thermal insulation concepts for bulk liquid hydrogen shipping

Closed

Code: 39423 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to develop validated containment concepts intended for bulk shipping of LH2. The concepts developed should also be suitable for a later scale-up.

Demonstrating in-line inspection (ILI) to monitor cracks assuring compatibility for operation with hydrogen in new and re-purposed offshore natural gas pipelines

Closed

Code: 39420 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to demonstrate In-Line Inspection (ILI) tools to qualify existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen service and to operate in future offshore hydrogen pipelines (new or re-purposed) by validating that the tool is suitable for detecting crack-like defects, especially in stress concentration areas.

Affordable, Safe and Sustainable aboveground medium to large GH2 storage

Closed

Code: 39417 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic targets the development and validation of low-cost advanced hydrogen-compatible materials and tank architectures for aboveground compressed hydrogen storage, with modular or containerised units sized 5 – 20 tonnes.

Proposed solutions should demonstrate improved material resilience against hydrogen-induced degradation, ≥30% increase in fatigue life (from <5,000 cycles to ≥6,500 cycles at 700 bar), and enhanced performance across varying environmental conditions (temperature range: –40 °C to +60 °C).

Materials may include high-strength steels, fibre/nanoparticle-reinforced composites, metal-matrix composites, and multi-layer coatings with low hydrogen permeability.

Scalable and high efficiency materials and reactors for direct solar hydrogen production

Closed

Code: 39414 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-06 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic seeks innovations in solar thermos-chemical cycles (TCC) and solar Photoelectrochemical/Photocatalytic (PEC/PC), with a strong emphasis on system-level integration (subcomponents: materials, devices, reactors, control systems, etc. into a fully functional, operable system), targeting demonstration at TRL 5, and aligning with EU climate neutrality and energy resilience goals.

Proposals should focus on the direct conversion of solar energy into hydrogen, eliminating reliance on intermediate photovoltaic-to-electricity pathways.

Sustainable hydrogen production from renewable gases and biogenic waste sources through innovative modular reactor design, process intensification and integration

Closed

Code: 39411 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-05 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

The main objective of this topic is to develop novel technologies for high-efficiency hydrogen production from renewable gases and/or biogenic waste sources, ensuring sustainability, cost reduction and process scalability, including thermochemical or biological pathways, or a combination of both.

Thermocatalytic, electrochemical, dark fermentation and membrane technologies can be combined to reduce process steps and increase hydrogen yield and efficiency. A target TRL5 is adequate considering the starting TRL of these technologies but also the required improvements and the high degree of integration among process units needed to reach the specific technology KPIs.

Biobased processes, e.g. dark fermentation and anaerobic digestion, should target the direct production of bio-H₂ in the bioreactor, while minimising the organic by-product formation and providing a convincing solution to valorise solid co-products such as digestate.

In addition, process intensification and reactor technology, hybridising separation, purification and compression technologies, including heat valorisation concepts, can lead to strong enhancement in energy efficiency and downstream processing costs.