Deadline Date: February 03, 2026
The North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP) has officially launched its first Open Call, offering financial support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) developing innovative solutions within the hydrogen value chain.
The focus areas of the opportunity are Input: innovative materials or chemicals for pilot integration, Process: optimisation of hydrogen processes, Output: application of new hydrogen technologies in mobility, manufacturing and urban settings, hydrogen usage and storage in transport, composite fibre technology and winding processes, catalyst durability and efficiency improvements, compactness and design upgrades for DHR systems, building renovation strategies enabling hydrogen integration, decision-support models and component assessment tools, hydrogen production, storage and distribution technologies, component and system suppliers, safety, monitoring and certification solutions, digital optimisation and data-based solutions for hydrogen systems, engineering and industrial service providers.
The total budget for the first Open Call is €540,000. Eligible SMEs may receive up to €60,000 individually or up to €180,000 for a consortium of up to three SMEs, with the condition that no single SME may receive more than €60,000. Funding is provided as a lump-sum grant covering 100% of eligible project costs, and monitoring emphasizes the completion of agreed activities rather than detailed cost reporting, minimizing administrative workload for recipients.
Each supported project may run for a maximum of six months, providing a short-term but focused opportunity for SMEs to demonstrate their innovative hydrogen solutions. Projects must align with NACHIP’s pilot activities located in Pag (Croatia), Velenje (Slovenia), Torviscosa (Italy), Udine (Italy), and Zagreb (Croatia), addressing real operational challenges in hydrogen deployment.
Eligible applicants are SMEs with strong innovation potential in the hydrogen value chain, including those involved in production, storage, and distribution technologies, component and system supply, safety and monitoring solutions, digital optimisation, and engineering or industrial services. Applicants must be registered in one of the eligible EU regions as outlined in the Open Call documentation and provide proof of legal establishment with their application.
For more information, visit NACHIP.
