Development and validation of innovative approaches, catalysts, electrolytes and components for electrolysis technologies based on low-quality water

The HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-01 grant opportunity is a funding initiative under the Horizon Europe program managed by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU). It invites proposals for the development and validation of innovative water electrolysis technologies utilizing low-quality water sources for hydrogen production. This initiative specifically targets projects aimed at addressing water scarcity through advanced solutions for wastewater treatment and reuse, thereby enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of water systems.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, research institutes, SMEs, and larger enterprises from EU Member States and Associated Countries. A consortium of at least three independent legal entities from different countries is necessary, with specific requirements ensuring diverse participation across the EU.

The funding type is a lump sum grant, with a maximum contribution of EUR 3.00 million per proposal. The lump sum approach simplifies financial management by providing predetermined funding rather than reimbursement for actual costs. Projects are required to progress from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2, which represents the conceptual stage, to TRL 4, indicating technology validation in a laboratory setting.

Successful proposals will focus on innovative approaches such as developing electrocatalysts, membranes, and other components capable of functioning effectively with low-quality water. Other objectives include understanding and mitigating the impacts of impurities in water, optimizing operational conditions for electrolysis, and conducting lifecycle assessments to evaluate sustainability and economic viability.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, with complete proposals due by April 15, 2026. Evaluation criteria will consider the overall excellence, impact, and implementation quality of the proposals. While co-funding is encouraged, it is not a formal requirement for this research and innovation action.

The overarching goal is to support the EU's clean energy transition by enhancing hydrogen production technologies, aligning with broader strategies related to water reuse and the circular economy. This effort contributes to the European Commission's objectives of developing a robust hydrogen economy, including the establishment of Hydrogen Valleys by 2030. Through this funding opportunity, the JU seeks to position Europe as a leader in clean hydrogen technologies for a sustainable future.

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU), focusing on the development and validation of innovative approaches, catalysts, electrolytes, and components for electrolysis technologies that utilize low-quality water. The call, titled "Development and validation of innovative approaches, catalysts, electrolytes and components for electrolysis technologies based on low-quality water," aims to address water scarcity by promoting the reuse of treated water and improving the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater systems through hydrogen production via water electrolysis.

The call seeks to support projects that can develop breakthrough water electrolysis technologies capable of producing hydrogen from low-quality water sources, excluding saline and seawater, while operating at low energy consumption levels. The projects should demonstrate stable electrolyser cell units with innovative solutions at the material, component, and cell architecture level, and explore alternative half-cell reactions to overcome the challenges associated with low-quality water electrolysis. Minimizing the use of PFAS and/or CRM is also a key objective. The target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for validation is TRL 4, with an assessment of circularity, sustainability, and economic viability.

Key aspects of the proposals should include:

Innovative electrolyte chemistry to overcome limitations of low-quality water electrolysis, addressing pH stabilization, suspended solids, contaminants, material corrosion, and electrocatalyst durability.
In-depth experimental, computational, and theoretical insights into degradation processes caused by water impurities.
Innovative approaches to electrode structures, compositions, membrane/ionomer development, and electrochemical reactor cells.
Determination of the Critical Maximum Concentration (CMC) of water impurities.
Identification of deactivation and degradation mechanisms.
Investigation of the role of low-grade water impurities in degradation processes.
Development and validation of suitable materials and their tolerance thresholds.
Experimental and modeling studies to optimize operating conditions.
Innovative monitoring techniques for recovery, mitigation, and maintenance strategies.
Validation of KPIs at a relevant scale (>2kW) for at least 2000 hours.
Identification of application cases using treated industrial and urban wastewater.
Comparison of low-quality water electrolysis technology against conventional technologies, considering economic, social, environmental, and circularity metrics.
Lifecycle, circularity, and techno-economic feasibility assessment.

Consortia are encouraged to build on findings from previous EIC Pathfinder projects and explore synergies with ongoing JU projects on seawater electrolysis. Collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is encouraged for activities related to test protocol development and harmonization.

The JU estimates a maximum EU contribution of EUR 3.00 million per project. Activities are expected to start at TRL 2 and reach TRL 4 by the project's end.

The call specifies several general conditions related to admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion criteria, evaluation and award processes, and the legal and financial setup of grants. Eligible costs will be reimbursed based on lump sums. There are specific provisions regarding subcontracting, intellectual property rights, and additional information obligations for topics including standardisation activities.

Application form templates and guidance documents are available on the Submission System and Funding & Tenders Portal.

In summary, this funding opportunity seeks to advance water electrolysis technologies by enabling them to efficiently use lower-quality water sources, thereby reducing freshwater demand and promoting a circular economy. It emphasizes innovation in materials, components, and processes to overcome the challenges posed by impurities in low-quality water, while also prioritizing sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and collaboration with relevant research initiatives and the JRC. The goal is to develop and validate technologies that can contribute to a more sustainable and efficient hydrogen production pathway, aligning with EU policies on water reuse and the transition to a clean energy economy.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. Based on the call's focus, this likely encompasses universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations. The call encourages consortia to build upon findings from previous EIC Pathfinder projects, suggesting that entities previously involved in such projects are also eligible.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a lump sum grant, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Consortia are expected to build further on the findings of previous projects and explore synergies with relevant ongoing JU projects.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The target countries for subcontracting are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries. While not explicitly stated, eligibility is likely extended to entities within these countries. 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.

Target Sector: The program targets the hydrogen sector, specifically focusing on hydrogen production through water electrolysis using low-quality water sources. It also targets the water sector, aiming to develop innovative solutions for wastewater treatment and reuse. Relevant sectors include cleantech, energy, environment, and innovation.

Mentioned Countries: The call explicitly mentions Member States of the European Union and Associated Countries as target countries for subcontracting.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 and TRL 4. Activities are expected to start at TRL 2 and achieve TRL 4 by the end of the project.

Funding Amount: The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 3.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by the mention of a single-stage submission process with a planned opening date and a deadline date.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The text mentions that for some topics, actions performed at high TRL level 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. For the Hydrogen Valleys topics a large amount of co-investment/co-funding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected.

Summary: This funding opportunity, part of the Horizon Europe program and managed by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU), aims to foster the development and validation of innovative water electrolysis technologies capable of producing hydrogen from low-quality water sources. The goal is to address water scarcity, promote water reuse, and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater systems. Projects should focus on creating impurity-tolerant electrocatalysts, membranes, and components, while minimizing the use of critical raw materials (CRMs) and PFAS. Consortia are expected to develop a stable electrolyser cell unit, validate the technology at TRL 4, and evaluate its economic and environmental feasibility. Collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is encouraged for harmonizing testing protocols. The funding is provided as a lump sum, with a maximum EU contribution of EUR 3.00 million per project. This initiative seeks to position water electrolysis as a strategic and sustainable pathway for hydrogen production, contributing to the EU's clean energy transition and circular economy goals.