Deadline Date: February 19, 2026
The European Union through the Innovation Fund, this auction call for proposals invites eligible entities to apply for EU action grants supporting renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO) hydrogen production under the regulatory framework of the EU Financial Regulation, the Innovation Fund Regulation, and the EU Emissions Trading System Directive.
The objective of this call is to support the production of RFNBO hydrogen in Europe from new and additional installed capacity, in line with the Renewable Energy Directive and its Delegated Acts. The initiative contributes to achieving the 2030 renewable hydrogen targets and supports broader EU priorities under the REPowerEU Plan, the Green Deal Industrial Plan, and the European Hydrogen Bank, while strengthening security of supply and enhancing Europe’s industrial leadership and competitiveness in the hydrogen sector. The call focuses on a fixed premium auction mechanism designed to incentivize the installation of new RFNBO hydrogen production capacity. Eligible activities include the installation of additional hydrogen production facilities where the start of works has not yet taken place at the time of grant application, as well as the verified and certified production of RFNBO hydrogen from these installations for a period of up to ten years.
The total budget available under this call amounts to EUR 1.3 billion, INNOVFUND-2025-AUC-H2-RFNBOGENERAL: EUR 600 000 000. making it one of the largest EU funding opportunities dedicated to scaling up renewable hydrogen production. The funding is intended to accelerate market deployment, reduce investment risk, and support the long-term development of a competitive hydrogen economy in Europe.
Eligible applicants must be legal entities, either public or private, and may be established in any country worldwide. All beneficiaries and affiliated entities are required to register in the EU Participant Register prior to proposal submission and undergo validation by the Central Validation Service, including the submission of documentation demonstrating legal status and origin. Through this Innovation Fund auction, the European Union aims to significantly boost renewable hydrogen production capacity, support climate neutrality objectives, and reinforce Europe’s strategic position in the global clean hydrogen market.
For more information, visit European Commission.
