Flexible and standardised hydrogen storage system

The funding opportunity being presented is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (Clean Hydrogen JU). The call, designated HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03, aims to develop flexible and standardized hydrogen storage systems to facilitate the deployment of hydrogen across various sectors. It utilizes a lump sum grant mechanism, with a maximum financial contribution of EUR 5.00 million per project.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, industry partners, component manufacturers, system integrators, end-users, and specifically members of Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. The application requires the formation of a consortium with at least three independent legal entities from different countries, including at least one from an EU Member State.

The project focuses on the clean hydrogen sector, particularly in hydrogen storage technologies for heavy-duty transport (trucks, trains, buses, ships) and stationary applications. Projects should progress from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to TRL 7, demonstrating prototypes and real-world applications. The call emphasizes the importance of standardizing hydrogen storage systems to create interoperability and reduce barriers for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), particularly SMEs.

Applications are submitted through a single-stage process, with a submission window opening on February 10, 2026, and closing on April 15, 2026. Co-funding is expected from consortium partners, highlighting the need for stakeholder commitment and investment beyond the Clean Hydrogen JU contribution.

The initiative aims to standardize storage solutions to enable easier integration and operation across various mobility platforms. Expected project outcomes include the availability of modular storage solutions, interoperability through standard interfaces, reduced development costs, improved safety and efficiency, and contributions to European and international standardization efforts.

Proposals need to demonstrate the potential for technological scalability, integration of multiple storage technologies, alignment with the Clean Hydrogen JU's objectives, and a focus on safety and performance. The strategic aim is to advance the adoption of hydrogen technologies while enhancing the EU’s competitive position in the global hydrogen market.

This is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU). The call, HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03, seeks to develop flexible and standardized hydrogen storage systems to accelerate hydrogen deployment across various sectors. It is classified as a HORIZON JU Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA) and utilizes the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] funding mechanism. The call employs a single-stage submission process with a planned opening date of 10 February 2026 and a deadline of 15 April 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million.

The primary goal is to create modular and interoperable hydrogen storage solutions that lower the entry barrier for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This involves standardizing storage systems, connections, and control systems to foster the growth of advanced hydrogen storage technologies. The standardization aims to establish a unified framework that simplifies and accelerates the implementation of innovative storage systems and materials across diverse applications.

Expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call include:

Availability of modular hydrogen storage solutions based on a limited set of standardized block sizes, suitable for use across a wide spectrum of heavy-duty applications, such as trucks, trains, buses, off-road vehicles, ships, and stationary generators. The solution should allow extending the storage capability across the full range of applications.
Interoperability between different OEM components through standardised physical interfaces and communication protocols.
Lowered development and innovation costs for OEMs developing their first hydrogen prototypes.
Standardised refuelling procedures that can be automatically adapted by hydrogen refuelling stations based on the actual composition and capacity of the storage system.
Increased safety and efficiency in deployment by simplifying installation, validation, and regulatory approval of hydrogen systems.
European and international standardisation activities, including CEN/CENELEC, ISO or SAE, and alignment with ongoing regulatory frameworks.
Harmonisation of technical standards as well as certification and approval for hydrogen storage across the EU.
Improve public trust and acceptance of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and vessels.

The projects are expected to contribute to the following objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the Clean Hydrogen JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA):

Supporting and accelerating the wide roll out of Fuel Cell Heavy Duty Vehicles (FC HDVs).
Improvements in design and monitoring procedures of FC systems.
Prototyping activities, development of control, diagnostic and prognostic procedure, interfaces between sub-systems and integration.
Storage tank CAPEX targets: 500 €/kg (CH2), 320 €/kg (LH2); these numbers refer to mass production.
Gravimetric capacity: 7% (CH2), 12% (LH2).
Volumetric capacity: 45 gH2/litre (LH2).
Conformability: 55% (LH2).

For technologies where the SRIA does not provide specific KPIs, project proposals should define their own based on the state of the art. Additionally, projects should address supplementary KPIs such as demonstrating modular storage units that are interoperable across at least three different OEM systems or platforms, and quantifying the energy consumption for defueling and hydrogen preconditioning, including its impact on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

The scope of the projects should focus on developing a flexible and standardized hydrogen storage interface that supports the integration of multiple storage technologies and is easily deployable across mobility sectors, with potential spillover effects on stationary applications. The interface should offer a limited set of basic sizes for storage units that can be joined to achieve adequate capacity for specific applications. Proposals should build upon the outcomes of the StasHH (Standard-Sized Heavy-Duty Hydrogen) project and extend its concepts to hydrogen storage.

Projects must include at least compressed hydrogen storage and may also include other storage forms such as liquid hydrogen, cryo-compression, metal hydrides, ammonia followed by cracking systems, or methanol followed by reforming technologies, Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), or any other suitable method.

The developed storage technologies must achieve safety levels equal to or exceeding the current state of the art. The call covers pre-normative research into any engineering solution for hydrogen storage, including compressed, liquefied, cryo-compressed, metal hydrides, and hydrogen carriers like ammonia, methanol, and LOHC.

While there is no requirement for the stored hydrogen to be used in a fuel cell in a demonstration, any use of hydrogen, including combustion, is acceptable, provided the storage system outputs hydrogen at conditions suitable for fuel cell usage (purity, temperature, pressure, etc.). Fuel cell compatibility should be prioritized, and any combustion-related activities must demonstrate alignment with SRIA objectives and justification for their relevance in the targeted use case.

Proposals should address the following key areas:

Development of standardized containers/modules for hydrogen storage for at least gaseous and one other storage technology, using standardized interfaces.
Design of universal mechanical and digital interfaces enabling plug-and-play integration, compatible across different storage technologies.
Demonstration of compressed hydrogen storage and another technology on at least two Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 prototypes, such as heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, trains, buses, off-road vehicles, or ships). These prototypes do not need to operate on fuel cells, but if chemically bound hydrogen storage is used, the system should be able to produce fuel cell-grade hydrogen. Each prototype should store at least 25 kg of hydrogen.
Proposed storage solutions should have a modular and/or scalable structure that can be flexibly configured to accommodate spatial, structural, and operational constraints specific to the selected application (e.g., rail, maritime, off-road, and heavy-duty road transport).
At least one demonstration should be run with two different hydrogen storage technologies, replaceable without significant modification of the host prototype, to validate the flexibility of both technologies to operate with the same interface.
Validation of system safety and performance under real-world operational conditions, with thorough assessment of explosion prevention and mitigation strategies applicable to all possible storage configurations.
Quantification of the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the solution compared to the state of the art and a life-cycle analysis of the solution, including the hydrogen production step.
Testing campaigns at the system level, lasting at least six months, including at least one operational demonstrator above 50 kg usable H₂ capacity.
Submission of the standard to a relevant standard institute (ISO, IEC, or similar), including those beyond the EU.

The design should be compatible with application-specific requirements such as durability, exposure to harsh environments, vibrations, accelerations, refuelling/bunkering safety, and fire safety. Modifications of standard storage units for specific applications are acceptable if they entail low costs and effort and do not compromise compatibility and reusability.

Proposals should elaborate on the potential technological scalability and applicability in domains beyond those demonstrated, such as stationary systems or different means of transportation (road, rail, marine, aviation, etc.). Applicants are encouraged to consider maritime applications and create synergies with initiatives like the Waterborne Technology Platform and ZEWT partnership projects. Synergies with other partnerships, such as EU-Rail JU (rail) or 2ZERO Partnership (road), should also be explored.

Involvement of a representative set of stakeholders, including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, system integrators, end-users, standardisation bodies, formal notified bodies, and regulators, is encouraged. Consortia should include manufacturers of relevant hydrogen storage systems, system integrators, and end-users, and may also include fuel-cell system OEMs and mobility OEMs.

Proposals are expected to demonstrate the contribution to EU competitiveness and industrial leadership, including the origin of equipment and components, as well as infrastructure purchased and built during the project. These aspects will be evaluated and monitored during project implementation.

Proposals should consider the circularity and recyclability of storage units and support a clear pathway toward certification and future commercialization.

While the SRIA consistently mentions FC HDVs, HDVs based on hydrogen combustion engines are not excluded from this topic.

Proposals should provide a preliminary draft on hydrogen safety planning and management at the project level.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 5 and achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project, as defined in General Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme.

Eligibility criteria include that at least one partner in the consortium must be a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research.

The application form page limit for all Innovation Actions is 70 pages, as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may have specific provisions for funding their participants, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Purchases of equipment, infrastructure, or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs, except for hydrogen storage systems, which may exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Subcontracting is subject to the additional obligation that subcontracted work may only be performed in target countries, which include all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries.

An additional information obligation has been introduced for topics including standardisation activities: ‘Beneficiaries must, up to 4 years after the end of the action, inform the granting authority if the results could reasonably be expected to contribute to European or international standards’.

This funding opportunity aims to standardize hydrogen storage systems to facilitate easier integration and deployment of hydrogen technologies, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles and other mobility sectors. It seeks to overcome the current lack of standardized solutions, which hinders OEMs, especially SMEs, from adopting hydrogen technologies. By developing modular, interoperable, and safe hydrogen storage solutions, this initiative aims to accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, improve public trust in hydrogen technologies, and enhance the EU's competitiveness in the global hydrogen market. The call encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users, to ensure the developed solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with industry needs and regulatory frameworks.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), particularly SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), Tier 1 suppliers, system integrators, end-users, manufacturers of relevant hydrogen storage systems, fuel-cell system OEMs, mobility OEMs, standardisation bodies, formal notified bodies and regulators. The call is specifically targeted towards consortia with a representative set of these stakeholders.

Funding Type: The funding type for this opportunity is a grant, specifically an Innovation Action (IA) under the Horizon Europe program, utilizing a lump sum grant approach.

Consortium Requirement: This opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Involvement of a representative set of stakeholders is encouraged, and consortia should include manufacturers of relevant hydrogen storage systems, system integrators, and end users. Fuel-cell system OEMs and mobility OEMs may also be included if appropriate. At least one partner in the consortium must be a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The target countries for subcontracting are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated 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: This program targets the hydrogen sector, specifically focusing on hydrogen storage technologies, mobility, and stationary applications. It also touches upon standardization, safety, and regulatory aspects within the hydrogen industry. The targeted sectors include heavy-duty applications such as trucks, trains, buses, off-road vehicles, ships, and stationary generators.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions Member States of the European Union and Associated Countries as target countries for subcontracting. It also refers to European and international standardisation activities, implying a broader scope beyond just EU member states.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project for this opportunity is between Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and TRL 7. Activities are expected to start at TRL 5 and achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project.

Funding Amount: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million. Proposals requesting contributions above this amount will not be evaluated.

Application Type: The application type for this opportunity is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the action must be declared as depreciation costs. However, for the following equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks): hydrogen storage system, costs may exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

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, under the Horizon Europe program and managed by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU), aims to foster the development and deployment of flexible, interoperable, and standardized hydrogen storage systems. The goal is to reduce barriers for OEMs, particularly SMEs, in integrating hydrogen storage solutions into various mobility sectors (heavy-duty vehicles, maritime, rail) and stationary applications. Projects should focus on creating modular storage solutions with standardized interfaces, improving safety and efficiency, and contributing to European and international standardization efforts. Consortia must include a diverse set of stakeholders, including manufacturers, system integrators, end-users, and standardization bodies. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a maximum contribution of EUR 5.00 million per project. The projects are expected to advance technologies from TRL 5 to TRL 7, demonstrating prototypes and validating system performance under real-world conditions. This initiative seeks to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen technologies, enhance EU competitiveness, and improve public acceptance of hydrogen-fueled vehicles and vessels.