Overview
Eligible applicants consist solely of SMEs that are established in designated regions across 16 EU member states, including Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, and Latvia. SMEs can either apply individually or form consortia of up to three members to submit proposals.
The nature of support offered is in the form of non-repayable grants intended to facilitate commercialization and market development of hydrogen innovations. The evaluation involves a single-stage process where applications are reviewed based on three main criteria: relevance to NACHIP objectives, quality of the proposed project including technical and financial feasibility, and potential impact on market potential, social benefits, and effects on less developed regions.
Applications must score above a minimum threshold of 35 points to be considered, with a maximum possible score of 60 points. The evaluation will be carried out by a panel of three independent experts assessing proposals simultaneously.
For more information during the application process, potential applicants can reach out to the NACHIP project team at the provided contact email until February 1, 2026. The opportunity aims to enhance innovation and investment in the clean hydrogen sector, fostering regional economic development and contributing to Europe's decarbonization strategies.
Detail
The opening date for submissions is December 1, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is February 3, 2026, at 00:00 (Brussels time). The call follows a single-stage submission model.
The total funding available is 540,000.00 €. The project acronym is NACHIP, and the full name of the EU-funded project is the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform. The grant agreement number is 101161397. The topic is I3-2023-INV2a - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a.
Applications can be submitted through the NACHIP website: https://www.nachip.eu.
Only SMEs established in the following regions are eligible:
Slovenia: Vzhodna Slovenija; Zahodna Slovenija
Croatia: Jadranska Hrvatska; Panonska Hrvatska; Sjeverna Hratska
Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio; Umbria; Veneto; Sardegna; Sicilia; Calabria; Basilicata; Puglia; Campania; Molise
Portugal: Norte; Centro; Oeste e Vale do Tejo; Alentej; Acores; Madeira
Spain: Andalucia; Extremadura; Castilla-la Mancha
Belgium: Walon
France: Guyane; Mayotte; Réunion; Guadalupe Martinique
Greece: Kriti; Peloponnisos; Dytiki Ellada; Ionia Nisia; Sterea Ellada; Thessalia; Ipeiros; Dytiki Makedonia; Kentriki Mkedonia; Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki; Voreio Aigaio
Bulgaria: Yuzhen tsentralen; Yugoiztochen; Severoiztochen; Severen tsentralen; Severozapaden
Romania: Sud-Vest Oltenia; Sud-Muntenia; Sud-Est; Centru; Vest; Nord-Vest; Nord-Est
Hungary: Dél-Dunantul; Dél-Alfold; Eszak-Aldold; Eszak-Magyarorszag; Pest; Budapest; Kozep-Dunantul; Nyugat-Dunantul
Slovakia: Vychodne Slovensko; Stredné Slovensko; Zapadné Slovensko
Poland: Podkarpackie; Malopolskie; Slaskie; Opolskie; Lubelskie; Mazowiecki regionalny; Podlaskie; Warminsko-mazurskie; Kujawsko-pomorskie; Pomorskie; Zachodniopomorskie; Lubuskie; Lodzkie
Czechia: Moravskoslezsko; Stredni Morava; Severovychod; Severozapad
Lithuania: Vudurio ir vakaru Lietuvos regionas
Latvia: Latvia
Applications can be submitted by SMEs individually or in consortia of up to 3 members. All applications must be filled and submitted in English.
The evaluation is conducted by 3 experts. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
Relevance (max 20 points):
Coherence of the proposed project with the NACHIP objectives and NACHIP partners’ business objectives including progress beyond the state of the art
Consistency with the value chains of the industrial partners
Complementarity with other innovation actions and I3 projects
Quality (max 20 points):
Technical-financial feasibility of the action plan
Soundness and credibility of the marketing plan
Credibility (technical/operational capacity and experience) of the applicant
Potential Impact (max 20 points):
Market potential
Social, territorial, and environmental impact
Impact on “Less Developed Regions"
Applications below the threshold of 35 points will be rejected.
For more information or assistance with the application process, participants can contact the NACHIP project directly at nachip@meta-group.com. Questions can be submitted to the email address until February 1, 2026.
In summary, the NACHIP First Open Call provides funding for SMEs located in specific regions of Europe to support projects related to clean hydrogen investments. The application process involves submitting a proposal through the NACHIP website, and the proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, quality, and potential impact. The call aims to foster interregional innovation and contribute to the objectives of the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform. SMEs should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and address the evaluation criteria in their proposals to maximize their chances of receiving funding.
Find a Consultant to Support You
Breakdown
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding, as indicated by the phrase "GrantCascade funding".
Consortium Requirement: A consortium is not strictly required. Applications can be submitted by SMEs individually or in consortia of up to 3 members.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to SMEs established in specific regions within the following countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, and Latvia. The specific regions are listed below:
Slovenia: Vzhodna Slovenija; Zahodna Slovenija
Croatia: Jadranska Hrvatska; Panonska Hrvatska; Sjeverna Hratska
Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio; Umbria; Veneto; Sardegna; Sicilia; Calabria; Basilicata; Puglia; Campania; Molise
Portugal: Norte; Centro; Oeste e Vale do Tejo; Alentej; Acores; Madeira
Spain: Andalucia; Extremadura; Castilla-la Mancha
Belgium: Walon
France: Guyane; Mayotte; Réunion; Guadalupe Martinique
Greece: Kriti; Peloponnisos; Dytiki Ellada; Ionia Nisia; Sterea Ellada; Thessalia; Ipeiros; Dytiki Makedonia; Kentriki Mkedonia; Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki; Voreio Aigaio
Bulgaria: Yuzhen tsentralen; Yugoiztochen; Severoiztochen; Severen tsentralen; Severozapaden
Romania: Sud-Vest Oltenia; Sud-Muntenia; Sud-Est; Centru; Vest; Nord-Vest; Nord-Est
Hungary: Dél-Dunantul; Dél-Alfold; Eszak-Aldold; Eszak-Magyarorszag; Pest; Budapest; Kozep-Dunantul; Nyugat-Dunantul
Slovakia: Vychodne Slovensko; Stredné Slovensko; Zapadné Slovensko
Poland: Podkarpackie; Malopolskie; Slaskie; Opolskie; Lubelskie; Mazowiecki regionalny; Podlaskie; Warminsko-mazurskie; Kujawsko-pomorskie; Pomorskie; Zachodniopomorskie; Lubuskie; Lodzkie
Czechia: Moravskoslezsko; Stredni Morava; Severovychod; Severozapad
Lithuania: Vudurio ir vakaru Lietuvos regionas
Latvia: Latvia
Target Sector: The opportunity is related to the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP), indicating a target sector of clean hydrogen and related investments. The topic is "I3-2023-INV2a - Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a".
Mentioned Countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
Project Stage: The project stage is not explicitly mentioned, but the focus on interregional innovation investments suggests projects that are likely in the development, validation, or demonstration stages, aiming to scale up or commercialize clean hydrogen technologies.
Funding Amount: The total funding available is €540,000. The funding amount available for each project is not specified, but it will be a portion of this total amount.
Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant (cascade funding).
Application Stages: There is a single stage in the application process.
Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.
Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned.
Summary:
This opportunity is the NACHIP First Open Call, offering cascade funding to SMEs located in specific regions across several European countries. The call aims to support interregional innovation investments in the clean hydrogen sector. The total funding available is €540,000. SMEs can apply individually or in consortia of up to three members. The application deadline is February 3, 2026. The evaluation criteria include relevance, quality, and potential impact, with a minimum threshold of 35 points required for approval. The call is part of the North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP) project and seeks to promote the development and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies in less developed regions. Interested SMEs can submit their proposals through the NACHIP website and can direct questions to the provided email address until February 1, 2026. The NACHIP project is funded by the EU and aims to foster innovation and investment in the clean hydrogen sector across the participating regions.
Short Summary
Impact Support the development and commercialization of advanced clean hydrogen technologies and solutions in designated regions across Europe. | Impact | Support the development and commercialization of advanced clean hydrogen technologies and solutions in designated regions across Europe. |
Applicant Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in hydrogen innovations and commercialization strategies. | Applicant | Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in hydrogen innovations and commercialization strategies. |
Developments Projects focused on clean hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and industrial applications. | Developments | Projects focused on clean hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and industrial applications. |
Applicant Type Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) established in specific regions across multiple EU member states. | Applicant Type | Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) established in specific regions across multiple EU member states. |
Consortium Applications can be submitted by SMEs individually or in consortia of up to 3 members. | Consortium | Applications can be submitted by SMEs individually or in consortia of up to 3 members. |
Funding Amount €540,000 total budget available for distribution among successful applicants. | Funding Amount | €540,000 total budget available for distribution among successful applicants. |
Countries Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, targeting specific regions within these countries. | Countries | Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, targeting specific regions within these countries. |
Industry Clean hydrogen and hydrogen-based technologies. | Industry | Clean hydrogen and hydrogen-based technologies. |
Update Log
No updates recorded yet.
Discover with AI
Let our intelligent agent help you find the perfect funding opportunities tailored to your needs.
EU Grant Database
Explore European funding opportunities in our comprehensive, up-to-date collection.
Stay Informed
Get notified when grants change, deadlines approach, or new opportunities match your interests.
Track Your Favorites
Follow grants you're interested in and keep them organized in one place. Get updates on changes and deadlines.
Europe-Africa Research and Innovation call on Sustainable Energy - 2026
The LEAP-SE initiative, titled "Europe-Africa Research and Innovation call on Sustainable Energy - 2026," is an open opportunity under Horizon Europe's framework, specifically identified as...
CETPartnership Joint Call 2025
The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership) Joint Call 2025 is a significant European funding initiative designed to accelerate the clean energy transition through collaborative research...
Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) Open Call (Multi-cut-off)
The EIT Urban Mobility Business Plan 2023-2025 is initiating the Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) Open Call, seeking proposals that align with its objectives. This call operates under a multi-cut-off...
FIERCE 1st Open Call for the Financial Support Program
The FIERCE 1st Open Call for the Financial Support Program is an EU funding initiative aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including self-employed individuals, micro, small,...
Open Call for Financial Support to Third Parties as a mechanism to showcase the feasibility, replicability and scalability of innovation solutions through Public Authorities in the Mediterranean
The Path4Med Open Call is a funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, aimed at supporting public authorities in the Mediterranean region to implement innovative solutions addressing water...
PhotonQBoost Open Call for Solutions, Missions, Trainings and Services
The PhotonQBoost Open Call for Solutions, Missions, Trainings, and Services is a grant opportunity within the Horizon Europe initiative aimed at supporting European small and medium-sized enterprises...
Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Call 2025
The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Call 2025 is a significant European initiative designed to support transnational research and innovation projects that aim to accelerate the transition towards...
BlueActionBANOS 1st Open Call for Transition Agendas
The BlueActionBANOS 1st Open Call for Transition Agendas is a funding opportunity inviting applications from individual entities or consortia of up to three entities based in the Baltic and North Sea...
TUS Open Call #2
The TUS Open Call #2, part of the DigiWind project, offers partial stipend scholarships for individuals pursuing a Master of Science by Research in either Electrical Power Systems or Wind Energy...
BlueActionBANOS Open Call for Community-Led Actions
The BlueActionBANOS Open Call for Community-Led Actions is a funding initiative under the EU's HORIZON-MISS-2024-OCEAN-02-01 topic aimed at supporting community-driven projects that contribute to the...
Scaling up the SEACURE solutions across Associated Regions'.
The SEACURE Open Call for Associated Regions seeks to finance activities aimed at preventing and addressing nutrient pollution, particularly in the Mediterranean basin and similar regions beyond it....
G INP-UGA GreenChips-EDU Scholarship
The G INP-UGA GreenChips-EDU Scholarship is a funding initiative by Grenoble INP-UGA aimed at Master's students focusing on sustainable semiconductor technologies, electronics, and microelectronics....