NACHIP - Second Open Call

NACHIP Second Open Call is a cascade funding opportunity under the Interregional Innovation Investments instrument that supports SMEs developing hydrogen-related solutions for testing, validation and demonstration in real operational pilot environments in the North Adriatic ecosystem. The call indicates a total envelope of €560,000 with grants of up to €60,000 per SME (up to €180,000 for consortia of up to three SMEs), funded as 100 percent lump sums for projects of up to six months. Eligible applicants are SMEs legally established in the regions listed in the call across multiple EU Member States, proposals must be submitted in English via the NACHIP website, and the submission deadline is 9 November 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Applications will be evaluated by independent experts and applicants should consult the NACHIP open calls page and Technical Annex for detailed eligibility, templates and evaluation criteria.

Who can apply

Eligibility summary

SMEs established in specified regions across EU Member States (detailed region list on the call page). Applications accepted from single SMEs or consortia of up to 3 SMEs. Projects must address hydrogen-related solutions at TRL greater than 7 and be deployable and validated in NACHIP pilot sites.

What the funding supports:Testing, validation and demonstration of hydrogen technologies linked to NACHIP pilots in three intervention areas: Input (materials/chemicals), Process (process optimisation) and Output (applications in mobility, urban and manufacturing). Eligible activities include prototype development, integration into existing infrastructure, trials, material acquisition/testing, market analysis and small/medium-scale demonstrations ¹.

1. 1Open call deadline: 09 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
2. 2Applicants submit in English via the NACHIP website or portal
3. 3Evaluation by three external experts; Q&A deadline 9 October 2026 (questions to nachip@meta-group.com)

Funding scale and target:NACHIP cascade funding targets SMEs for market uptake and TRL advancement. The NACHIP programme previously indicated grants of up to €60,000 per SME within the wider acceleration scheme and an overall NACHIP grant portfolio managed under the I3 instrument; consult the call documents for exact lot-level amounts and available slots ¹.

Contact and more information:submit proposals and find technical annex and evaluation criteria on the NACHIP open calls page; contact nachip@meta-group.com for support.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call and technical annex available from the NACHIP open calls page on the project website NACHIP Open Calls.

Key facts and administrative data

Basic call information

Call title:NACHIP - Second Open Call. Programme / funding instrument: Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 2a I3-2023-INV2a. Project acronym: NACHIP (North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform). Grant agreement / Project ID: 101161397. Opening date: 10 September 2026. Submission deadline (single-stage): 09 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Submission language: English. Submission channel: applications must be submitted via the NACHIP website (nachip.eu). Evaluation: proposals reviewed by three experts; detailed evaluation criteria and process are published on the NACHIP open calls page NACHIP open calls ¹.

Total budget and grant scale:The portal record shows a total funding available field of €560,00 (this appears to be an administrative entry on the portal). Separately, NACHIP project documentation describes the overall NACHIP grant portfolio: the project received €7.6 million in grant funding and the cascade financing model intends to support up to 18 SMEs with individual grants of up to €60,000 each as part of the acceleration programme. Applicants should refer to the Technical Annex and the NACHIP open calls page for the precise budget allocation for this second open call and for confirmed per-award amounts ¹.

Who can apply and how

Eligible applicant types

Primary eligible applicants:Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The call permits applications by a single SME or by consortia of SMEs (consortia size limited to up to 3 SME members). Other applicant types (startups within SME definition, research organisations, universities, large companies, or NGOs) are not listed as eligible beneficiaries for FSTP under this call unless they qualify as an SME under EU definition; the call text explicitly restricts FSTP recipients to SMEs established in specified regions (see geographic eligibility).

Consortium requirement:Application modes allowed: single SME applicant or consortium of SMEs up to 3 members. No mandatory multi-country consortium is required; individual SMEs may apply alone.

Geographic eligibility (Beneficiary scope)

Only SMEs established in the listed sub-regions of EU Member States are eligible. The call enumerates regional eligibility by NUTS or regional names across multiple countries (detailed list below). Applicants must be established (legal seat / operational establishment) within one of the eligible regions to apply.

1. 1Slovenia: Vzhodna Slovenija; Zahodna Slovenija
2. 2Croatia: Jadranska Hrvatska; Panonska Hrvatska; Sjeverna Hrvatska
3. 3Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia; Lazio; Umbria; Veneto; Sardegna; Sicilia; Calabria; Basilicata; Puglia; Campania; Molise
4. 4Portugal: Norte; Centro; Oeste e Vale do Tejo; Alentejo; Acores; Madeira
5. 5Spain: Andalucia; Extremadura; Castilla-la Mancha
6. 6Belgium: Wallon (Walon)
7. 7France: Guyane; Mayotte; Réunion; Guadeloupe; Martinique
8. 8Greece: Kriti; Peloponnisos; Dytiki Ellada; Ionia Nisia; Sterea Ellada; Thessalia; Ipeiros; Dytiki Makedonia; Kentriki Makedonia; Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki; Voreio Aigaio
9. 9Bulgaria: Yuzhen tsentralen; Yugoiztochen; Severoiztochen; Severen tsentralen; Severozapaden
10. 10Romania: Sud-Vest Oltenia; Sud-Muntenia; Sud-Est; Centru; Vest; Nord-Vest; Nord-Est
11. 11Hungary: Dél-Dunántúl; Dél-Alföld; Észak-Alföld; Észak-Magyarország; Pest; Budapest; Közép-Dunántúl; Nyugat-Dunántúl
12. 12Slovakia: Východné Slovensko; Stredné Slovensko; Západné Slovensko
13. 13Poland: Podkarpackie; Małopolskie; Śląskie; Opolskie; Lubelskie; Mazowieckie; Podlaskie; Warmińsko-mazurskie; Kujawsko-pomorskie; Pomorskie; Zachodniopomorskie; Lubuskie; Łódzkie
14. 14Czechia: Moravskoslezsko; Střední Morava; Severovýchod; Severozápad
15. 15Lithuania: Vidurio ir vakarų Lietuvos regionas
16. 16Latvia: Latvia

Target sectors, technology and project focus

This open call targets hydrogen technologies linked to NACHIP pilot value chains:manufacturing, urban areas, and mobility. The FSTP will fund testing, validation and demonstration activities for hydrogen-related solutions suitable for integration into NACHIP pilots and real-world applications. Eligible technology areas are grouped into three intervention domains: Input, Process and Output.

1. 1Input: innovative chemicals and materials for pilot testing (e.g., catalysts, storage materials, carrier fluids, composite materials for cylinders).
2. 2Process: solutions to optimise hydrogen-related processes used in NACHIP pilots (e.g., gasification control systems, LOHC handling, storage management, safety and monitoring technologies).
3. 3Output: applications and end-use technologies complementing value chains in mobility, urban energy systems, and manufacturing (e.g., hydrogen refuelling subsystem components, integrated sector-coupling solutions for buildings, transport payloads).

Typical project activities (non-exhaustive):prototype development and feasibility demonstrations; integration into existing infrastructure to scale for operational use; innovation in storage, transport and utilization of hydrogen; trial and testing activities; market analysis; acquisition and testing of materials; on-site demonstration within NACHIP pilot environments at small or medium scale; exploitation for cross-sector replication and cross-fertilisation.

Pilots and value chains supported by NACHIP (context for applicants)

Project maturity, expected stage and TRL

Target TRL:projects should be at TRL greater than 7 (TRL>7) and focused on validation, demonstration and deployment in real-life settings. The FSTP is designed to advance TRL toward market readiness (TRL 8-9) through pilot integration and on-site testing.

Funding modality and nature of support

Funding type:Financial Support to Third Parties (cascade funding) in the form of grants to SMEs. Nature of support: monetary grants to beneficiaries to finance testing, validation and demonstration activities, acquisition and testing of materials, and related exploitation activities; the call may be accompanied by non-monetary support via the NACHIP acceleration programme (mentoring, integration into pilot value chains), but the primary instrument is grant funding.

Co-funding requirement

The published call text does not explicitly state an applicant co-funding obligation for the FSTP awards. NACHIP overall is co-financed under the I3 instrument and other co-financing arrangements exist at project level, but specific co-funding or own contribution requirements for sub-grants must be checked in the Technical Annex and the open call guidance on the NACHIP web page ¹.

Application process and evaluation

Application type:Open call (competitive). Submission route: through the NACHIP website. Deadline: 09 November 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: single-stage (applicants submit full proposals in one step). Questions: questions to nachip@meta-group.com can be submitted until 9 October 2026. Evaluation: each proposal will be assessed by three experts; detailed evaluation criteria and scoring are available on the open calls page and the Technical Annex ¹.

Application stages and timeline:Stages: single-stage submission followed by expert evaluation and selection. Expected number of procedural steps: (1) application submission, (2) eligibility check, (3) independent expert evaluation by three evaluators, (4) selection and award. Applicants should consult the NACHIP open calls page for precise timelines for evaluation, contracting and start of funded activities ¹.

Selection odds and contracting

Success rates:the call documents do not publish selection rates or exact number of awards for this second open call. NACHIP overall indicates intention to support up to 18 SMEs across the acceleration programme (first and second open calls combined), with grants up to €60,000, but decision counts and success probability for this specific call are not provided. Applicants should assume competitive selection and consult the open call page for the number of expected awards when published ¹.

Templates and application content structure

The portal record refers applicants to the NACHIP website and the Technical Annex for application templates and the evaluation criteria. The evaluation is carried out by three experts and the criteria are described on the open calls page. Typical application components to prepare (based on cascade funding best practice and the call description):

1. 1Administrative data: SME registration details, legal entity form, proof of establishment in an eligible region.
2. 2Project summary: title, short abstract, targeted pilot site, TRL level, intervention area (Input / Process / Output).
3. 3Technical description: problem statement, technical solution, novelty and technical readiness, integration plan with NACHIP pilot(s), detailed tasks and milestones.
4. 4Workplan and timeline: deliverables, testing/demonstration schedule and interfaces with pilot operations.
5. 5Budget and justification: detailed cost breakdown (personnel, materials, testing, travel, equipment acquisition if allowed), requested grant amount and other funding sources if applicable.
6. 6Impact and exploitation: market analysis, commercialisation plan, replication and cross-sector exploitation, expected KPIs and contribution to NACHIP indicators.
7. 7Risk management and regulatory compliance: safety measures, standards alignment, permitting needs for pilot integration.
8. 8Consortium information (if applicable): role of each SME partner, consortium agreement / letter of intent, distribution of tasks and budget.

Applicants must use the templates and forms provided by NACHIP on its open calls page. The call requires submission in English and will require documentation proving SME status and regional establishment. Evaluation criteria and scoring weights are published on the NACHIP open calls page ¹.

Additional important notes for applicants

1) Projects must be coherent with EU priorities defined in the I3 call and contribute to NACHIP objectives: testing, validation and demonstration of hydrogen solutions in pilot sites. 2) Target TRL >7 and focus on real-world validation, safety, standardisation, regulatory compliance and scaling. 3) Eligible activities include trial/testing, market analysis, acquisition and testing of materials, pilot integration and demonstrations at small/medium scale, and exploitation across sectors. 4) All applications must be submitted in English. 5) Contact for questions and assistance: nachip@meta-group.com (questions accepted until 9 October 2026). 6) Applicants should carefully review the Technical Annex on the NACHIP open calls page for permitted cost items, maximum grant per project in this specific open call, contractual obligations and reporting requirements ¹.

Mentioned countries and regions

The call explicitly mentions the following countries/regions (eligible regions are listed above): Slovenia, Croatia, Italy (including Friuli Venezia Giulia and many regions), Portugal, Spain, Belgium (Walloon), France (overseas regions), Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia. For the exact eligible sub-regions consult the list provided in the call text above and the NACHIP open calls page.

Summary and recommendation

What is this opportunity about and how to approach it:NACHIP Second Open Call is a cascade funding opportunity (Financial Support to Third Parties) implemented by the NACHIP project under the I3 instrument. It targets SMEs established in defined regions across multiple EU Member States and funds testing, validation and demonstration activities for hydrogen technologies at TRL>7 that can be integrated into the NACHIP pilot sites across the North Adriatic Hydrogen Ecosystem. The call supports interventions across three areas: Input (materials/chemistry), Process (process optimisation), and Output (applications in mobility, urban and manufacturing sectors). Applicants must submit a single-stage application in English via the NACHIP website before 09 November 2026, and proposals will be evaluated by three experts. For accurate information on per-award funding, eligible cost categories, evaluation criteria and templates applicants must consult the Technical Annex and open calls page on the NACHIP website prior to submission; contact nachip@meta-group.com for clarifications (questions accepted until 9 October 2026). This opportunity is best suited to SMEs with mature hydrogen technologies ready for real-world demonstration and integration with one of the five NACHIP pilots and to SMEs seeking rapid, low-administrative-burden access to grant support and acceleration services to advance to market readiness.

Footnotes

1. 1NACHIP open calls and Technical Annex available at the NACHIP website: nachip.eu. The call page and Technical Annex contain application templates, eligibility confirmation, detailed budget rules and the evaluation criteria referenced in this summary.

NACHIP Second Open Call is a cascade funding opportunity under the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument for SMEs developing hydrogen related solutions that can be tested, validated and demonstrated in real operational environments linked to the NACHIP pilot ecosystem.[1][3] The call is designed to support market ready innovation for the North Adriatic hydrogen value chain, especially solutions that can be integrated into the project pilots in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and related eligible regions.[1][3]

What the funding is about

The call finances sub projects that contribute to NACHIP objectives and align with EU priorities under the I3 programme, with a strong focus on testing, validation and demonstration of hydrogen technologies and their integration into real world applications.[1] The project covers five pilot contexts: green hydrogen from wave energy in Pag, hydrogen use in urban areas in Velenje, Dynamic Hydrogen Releasers in Torviscosa, cost efficient hydrogen transport cylinders in Udine, and a gasification plant for waste materials in Zagreb.[1]

The funded activities are organised around three intervention areas:input, meaning innovative chemicals or materials for pilot testing; process, meaning solutions that optimise hydrogen related processes in the pilots; and output, meaning applications of new technologies that complement the NACHIP value chains in mobility, urban and manufacturing sectors.[1]

Funding amount and main financial conditions

The funding is delivered as a lump sum, which reduces administrative burden because assessment focuses on the completion of agreed activities rather than on detailed cost claims.[1] The official call page also indicates that the mechanism is intended to speed up access to funding and support a competitive, transparent selection process.[1]

Who can apply

The call is open only to SMEs established in the eligible regions listed by the call, and applicants may apply either individually or in consortia of up to 3 SMEs.[1] The call is targeted at companies with hydrogen related innovation capacity that can contribute to pilot deployment, demonstration and exploitation in the NACHIP ecosystem.[1][3]

Eligible activities and thematic scope

Eligible sub projects must be coherent with EU priorities defined by the I3 call and contribute to NACHIP objectives, especially hydrogen technology development, pilot integration and deployment in real environments.[1] The call explicitly highlights prototype development, integration into existing infrastructure and innovation in hydrogen energy storage, transport and utilisation as central areas of interest.[1]

• Trial and testing activities.[1]
• Market analysis linked to the proposed solution.[1]
• Acquisition and testing of materials.[1]
• Integration of SME solutions into the pilots and demonstration in real or operational environments at small or medium scale.[1]
• Exploitation activities in new application sectors and cross fertilisation.[1]

The call also emphasises support for market adoption of hydrogen related products and services, advancement of technology readiness, commercial deployment, removal of technical bottlenecks, safety and standardisation improvements, and interoperability across sectors.[1] Applicants should therefore position their proposal as a practical step toward pilot deployment and market uptake rather than as basic research.[1]

Application and evaluation process

Applications must be completed in English and submitted using the call templates and instructions provided by NACHIP.[1] The official portal indicates that additional details on the evaluation criteria are published on the NACHIP open calls page.[1]

Practical implications for applicants

1. 1Only SMEs in the eligible regions should apply, and the legal establishment location must be clearly evidenced in the application.[1]
2. 2Projects should be tightly aligned to one of the NACHIP pilot environments or to a clearly relevant hydrogen value chain use case.[1]
3. 3Because the funding is 100 percent lump sum, applicants should build a realistic work plan with concrete deliverables and milestones for a maximum 6 month implementation period.[1][3]
4. 4Consortia can improve fit where complementary capabilities are needed, but no consortium may include more than 3 SMEs.[1]
5. 5Applicants should check the Technical annex before submission because the list of funded activities is non exhaustive and the annex provides the most specific guidance on scope.[1]

Overall, this opportunity is best suited to SMEs already beyond early research, with hydrogen related technologies that are ready for pilot level testing, demonstration or integration and that can generate measurable value for the North Adriatic hydrogen ecosystem.[1][3]