Multi-fuel SOFC powertrain for maritime transport

The EU funding opportunity titled "HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04" focuses on the development of multi-fuel Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) powertrains for maritime transport to support the decarbonization of the shipping industry and align with EU goals for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It targets research and innovation in the hydrogen and clean energy sector, specifically encouraging the use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and methane for maritime applications.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, enterprises (both SMEs and large companies), fuel cell manufacturers, shipbuilders, maritime operators, classification societies, and regulatory bodies. A consortium comprising at least three independent legal entities from different EU member states or associated countries is mandatory to ensure comprehensive insights and facilitate market adoption.

Funding is structured as direct grants, specifically lump sum contributions, with a maximum contribution of €8 million per project. This allows for simpler budget management as it is a predetermined amount rather than based on incurred expenses. Proposals must demonstrate co-funding from stakeholders, highlighting the need for private investment and commitment to project viability.

Projects should commence at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and strive to reach TRL 6 by project completion, focusing on the real-world validation of developed SOFC systems in maritime conditions. Proposals must include performance testing for at least 1,000 hours and address key challenges such as corrosion resistance, energy efficiency, and system safety in maritime environments.

The call opens on February 9, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 14, 2026. It employs a single-stage submission process where fully developed proposals are submitted directly without preliminary expressions of interest.

This opportunity emphasizes the strategic alignment with the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy and the Net-Zero Industrial Act. Successful projects are expected to strengthen Europe's position in the global low and zero-emission maritime technology market and contribute significantly to the establishment of regulations and standards for the use of alternative fuels in maritime applications.

This EU funding opportunity, under the Horizon Europe program and the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU), aims to foster research and innovation in multi-fuel Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology for maritime transport applications. The call, HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04, falls under the HORIZON-JU-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) category. The goal is to develop and demonstrate robust SOFC systems that can utilize multiple fuels, including hydrogen, ammonia, and other decarbonized or green fuels, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance energy efficiency in the maritime sector. The indicative budget for this topic is EUR 8.00 million. The call adopts a single-stage submission process, with the submission system planned to open on 10 February 2026 and a deadline of 15 April 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of successful projects include:

Further development of SOFC technologies capable of converting carbon-neutral fuels directly and efficiently to power, reducing operational costs for maritime operators.
Strengthening the competitiveness and market share of the European industry in the emerging global market for low and zero-emission maritime power conversion technologies.
Accelerating the implementation of zero-emission maritime propulsion systems in Europe by enabling the use of available fuels in an early phase of the green energy transition.
Establishing regulations, codes, and standards for the use of alternative fuels in maritime applications.
Developing and demonstrating solutions for the use of climate-neutral, sustainable alternative fuels applicable to ships with energy demand (20 solutions by 2030).
Developing and demonstrating solutions to reduce the fuel consumption of waterborne transport by at least 55% before 2030, compared to 2008, including through the use of non-fuel-based propulsion (such as wind).

The projects are expected to contribute to the Clean Hydrogen JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) objectives and KPIs, specifically targeting:

FC power rating: 10 MW (as a sum of smaller building blocks).
Maritime FCS lifetime: 80,000 hours.
CAPEX: 2000 EUR/kW.
Efficiency (based on Lower Heating Value of H2): 60% electrical, 95% with heat recovery.
Availability: 99%.
Warm startup time: 2 minutes.

The scope of the projects should include:

Building upon the results of previous projects in SOFC development for stationary applications, addressing challenges from a holistic perspective, and considering publicly available results and problems faced by projects like Helenus, Fuelsome, and ShipFC.
Addressing remaining technological challenges beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, focusing on the development, design, and demonstration of a robust SOFC system in a real environment.
Focusing on innovations in components, system engineering, and integration techniques to enhance the durability and efficiency of SOFCs, as well as their installation and operation onboard waterborne vessels.
Developing a SOFC-based building block for future higher power and long-lasting SOFC modules, eventually leading to multi-MW SOFC systems for maritime applications in multi-fuel operational mode.
Tackling the regulatory landscape by supporting policymakers through the development of standards and guidelines for integrating SOFCs into maritime vessels.

Specific activities to be addressed in the proposals include:

Designing and manufacturing a minimum 100 kW SOFC system specifically designed to operate with multiple fuels and under ambient aggressive conditions typical of a ship machinery space, including vibrations, shock, tilting, marine aerosol, and temperature/humidity variations.
Designing the system as a building block for a MW-scale power system for propulsion, hotel load, or both, aiming for a comparable installation footprint to a 1 MW PEMFC system.
Improving the durability and efficiency of SOFC systems in maritime conditions, addressing challenges like corrosion, vibration, aggressive environmental conditions, and saltwater mist exposure.
Improving the design of control systems to follow the load in maritime applications and for increased start/stop cycles.
Modeling the SOFC system with attention to energy efficiency, dynamic load, heat balance, and emissions for various alternative fuels.
Validating the SOFC system under simulated maritime conditions, including mechanical vibrations, tilting, salt mist exposure, and temperature/humidity variations, to ensure safe and reliable onboard operation.
Testing the SOFC system performance with each proposed fuel for at least 1000 hours, in a fuel cell/battery hybrid arrangement, following a load profile representative of a real maritime application.
Developing, quantifying, and validating degradation mitigation strategies for the >100 kW system.
Conducting a feasibility study of a scalable, MW-scale SOFC system for maritime use, including the design of Balance of Plant (BoP) components related to heat management/balance and fuel processing, and aiming to maximize lifetime, reliability, and availability while simplifying maintenance and repair.
Carrying out techno-economic and sustainability assessments using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to document the environmental and economic viability of selected fuels and their compatibility with SOFCs, considering the circularity of materials and end-of-life aspects.
Defining specifications and setting out the process to achieve classification requirements, including reliability and operational safety in marine environments, and developing specific training and skill development models.

The consortium should include stakeholders from across the value chain, such as FC manufacturers or integrators, shipbuilders and/or designers, maritime operators, research institutions, classification societies, and regulatory bodies. Multi-fuel mode can be included but is not exclusively aimed at green hydrogen derived fuels containing carbon (such as e.g. methanol or methane). At least one fuel should be fully decarbonised, such as hydrogen or ammonia. Applicants are expected to demonstrate synergies with relevant projects and initiatives, including the Zero Emission Waterborne Partnership and projects like Helenus, Fuelsome, and ShipFC. Proposals should also demonstrate contributions to EU competitiveness, industrial leadership, the EU Maritime Industrial Strategy, and the Net-Zero Industrial Act. Collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) is encouraged for activities developing test protocols and procedures. Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution. Subcontracting is limited to target countries, including EU Member States and Associated Countries. There is an additional information obligation for topics including standardisation activities regarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

This funding opportunity aims to accelerate the development and deployment of multi-fuel SOFC technology in maritime transport, contributing to the decarbonization of the sector and the achievement of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. It seeks to bridge the gap between stationary SOFC applications and the harsh operational demands of maritime environments, fostering innovation in fuel cell components, system integration, and regulatory frameworks. By supporting projects that develop and demonstrate robust, efficient, and multi-fuel capable SOFC systems, the EU aims to strengthen its industrial leadership in the global market for low and zero-emission maritime power conversion technologies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include FC manufacturers or integrators, shipbuilders and/or designers, maritime operators, research institutions, classification societies and regulatory bodies, start-ups and SMEs. The consortium should include stakeholders from across the value chain.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The consortium should include stakeholders from across the value chain.

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: The target sector is maritime transport, specifically focusing on decarbonisation through the development and demonstration of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems and alternative fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. It also targets the regulatory landscape for alternative fuels in maritime applications.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The project is expected to start at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project.

Funding Amount: The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 8.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. The total budget allocated to calls in 2026 is EUR 105,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage open call.

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

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants is mentioned for each topic.

Co-funding Requirement: The text mentions that 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.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04, aims to foster research and innovation in multi-fuel Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) powertrain technologies for maritime transport. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency in the maritime sector by developing robust, durable, and efficient SOFC systems that can operate on alternative fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. The call encourages collaboration across the value chain, from fuel cell manufacturers to shipbuilders and regulatory bodies, to ensure the development of commercially viable and safe solutions. Projects should focus on advancing SOFC technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6, addressing challenges related to maritime environments, and contributing to the establishment of relevant regulations and standards. The EU provides a maximum contribution of EUR 8.00 million per project, and applications are submitted through a single-stage process. The call also promotes synergies with existing projects and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of EU competitiveness and industrial leadership in the maritime sector.