Supporting the clean energy transition of European industry and businesses

LIFE-2026 funds projects to support the clean energy transition and decarbonisation of European industry by enabling market roll-out of net-zero energy technologies and fostering energy cooperation among companies in geographical proximity. The single-stage call under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme opens 21 April 2026 and closes 16 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time with an indicative topic budget of €7,000,000 and a suggested EU contribution of up to €2,000,000 per project. Eligible consortia must include at least three independent beneficiaries from three different eligible countries and may address only one of two scopes: Scope A (industry–technology provider collaboration for TRL 8–9 solutions) or Scope B (energy cooperation in clusters, parks or ports with endorsed investment plans). Funding is provided as budget-based LIFE grants (Other Action Grants) with a 95% funding rate for OAGs and applicants must demonstrate measurable energy, greenhouse gas and investment impacts and provide required co-financing.

What it funds

Scope in brief

Grants support projects that accelerate the clean energy transition in European industry by: (A) building structured collaborations between industrial sectors and technology providers to co-design and scale net-zero energy technology solutions ready for market; or (B) developing energy cooperation in industrial areas, clusters and ports (energy sharing, waste heat reuse, storage, electrification, investment plans and business models). Projects should deliver quantified energy, GHG and investment impacts for the project end and 5 years after.

Who can apply:Consortia of eligible legal entities (industry, technology providers/manufacturers, regional/local authorities, port authorities, industry associations, energy agencies, ESCOs, investors, research organisations, NGOs and similar). Proposals must be submitted by at least 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries) from 3 different eligible countries.

1. 1Project types: Coordination & Support / Project Grants targeting market roll-out, business models and cluster cooperation (no large-scale technology demonstrations).
2. 2Eligible technologies: market-ready or market-deployed energy solutions (TRL 8–9) — e.g. waste heat recovery, heat pumps, electrification, local renewables, storage, energy-efficient motors and system design tools.
3. 3Key expectations: quantified indicators (energy savings, renewable generation, tCO2-eq reduction, investments mobilised) at project end and 5 years after.

Typical activities supported include co-design and standardisation of sector-specific technical solutions, development and validation of business models, capacity building, investment planning and mobilisation, establishment of governance for cooperation initiatives, and targeted policy/regulatory work where required. Equipment costs are generally limited and must be justified.

Apply through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission session for LIFE Clean Energy Transition EU Funding & Tenders Portal ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Call documentation, timelines, admissibility and full eligibility details are in the Call document and Annexes on the Funding & Tenders Portal (see Topic LIFE-2026).

This is a call for proposals under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme (LIFE-2026-CET). Topic identifier: LIFE-2026. Open for single-stage submission from 21 April 2026 with a deadline of 16 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. The action type: LIFE Project Grants (LIFE-PJG) implemented as LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based (LIFE-AG). Funding rate: up to 95% for Other Action Grants in the LIFE CET stream. The Commission considers proposals requesting up to €2 million appropriate for this topic, but higher or lower amounts may be requested.

What the topic funds and objectives

Objective:support competitiveness, clean energy transition and decarbonisation of industry by bridging gap between demand and supply of net-zero energy technologies and by fostering collaborative approaches among proximate companies. Proposals must address one of two scopes only: Scope A: collaboration between industrial sectors and technology providers to optimise and roll-out market-ready net-zero technologies (TRL 8-9). Scope B: energy cooperation among industries in geographical proximity (industrial clusters, parks, ports) to enable energy sharing, waste heat reuse, storage, energy services and jointly developed investment plans. Demonstration of installations is not the focus for Scope A; equipment costs largely ineligible except marginally if justified.

Expected qualitative and quantitative impacts

Qualitative outcomes that proposals should demonstrate (depending on scope):implementation support for Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive; viable business models for technology deployment or energy cooperation; industrial actors integrating sustainable energy solutions; deployment of energy infrastructure, services and exchanges; sustainable energy solutions adapted to industrial processes; acceleration of projects at regional/local level. Applicants must quantify results at project end and for 5 years after using provided indicators where relevant.

• Primary energy savings triggered by the project (GWh/year)
• Final energy savings triggered by the project (GWh/year)
• Renewable energy generation triggered by the project (GWh/year)
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2-eq/year)
• Investments in sustainable energy triggered by the project (cumulative, million EUR)

Additional topic-specific quantitative indicators include, as relevant:number of standardised technological solutions co-designed; number of new installations or commitments for net-zero technologies; number of investment plans within industrial clusters endorsed by stakeholders; number of companies implementing energy cooperation approaches; numbers of actors with improved skills; numbers of stakeholders mobilised. Proposals should choose indicators relevant to the scope and activities proposed.

Eligibility and consortium requirements

Mandatory consortium rule for this topic:proposals must be submitted by at least 3 independent applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated) established in 3 different eligible countries participating in the LIFE Programme. Proposals must select and clearly specify the scope addressed (A or B) in the introduction.

Eligible applicant types:Multiple applicant types are allowed and commonly successful: SMEs (including technology providers), large industry groups, universities and research institutes, industry associations and representative organisations (European and national), regional and local public authorities, ports and port authorities, industrial cluster managers, energy agencies, ESCOs, nonprofit organisations and NGOs, professional and standardisation bodies, investors and financial intermediaries, public-private partnerships and other eligible entities as described in the call documentation.

Funding type:Budget-based EU action grant under LIFE (Other Action Grants - OAG) implemented as LIFE Project Grants (LIFE-PJG), LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based (LIFE-AG). Funding rate for OAGs is 95%.

Consortium requirement:Consortium required: at least 3 independent beneficiaries from 3 different eligible (LIFE) countries. Single-country proposals are not eligible for this topic.

Beneficiary scope (Geographic eligibility):Eligible applicants must be established in LIFE-eligible countries. The call and LIFE Programme cover EU Member States and countries associated to LIFE; check the call document section 6 for the precise list of eligible countries.

Target sectors:Industry and business sectors, with emphasis on energy-intensive industries and industrial subsectors that share common processes and energy needs, industrial clusters, industrial parks, maritime and inland ports, utilities, energy services, technology manufacturers and providers for net-zero technologies (local renewables, waste heat recovery, heat electrification and heat pumps, energy-efficient motor systems, storage, digital and energy-management solutions).

Mentioned countries and regions

The call text refers to the EU and LIFE eligible countries broadly. Specific references include EU-27 as a regional baseline (industry energy use statistics), and references to EU ports strategy adopted 4 March 2026. For exact eligible countries and any associated countries, applicants must consult the call document section 6 and the Funding & Tenders Portal eligibility list.

Project stage and expected maturity

Project maturity expected:deployment, market roll-out and replication stages; Scope A requires commercially available or near-market technologies (Technology Readiness Level TRL 8-9). Scope B focuses on planning, cooperation, business model validation, investment planning and mobilising finance for implementation of energy cooperation mechanisms; demonstration of large-scale installations is not the main focus for Scope A. Projects are expected to include capacity building, co-design of standardised solutions, development of business models and investment plans, endorsements and stakeholder mobilisation.

Indicative funding scale and budget overview

Overall indicative budget for topic LIFE-2026 across the LIFE-2026-CET call is part of a multi-topic budget envelope. The Commission considers that projects requesting an EU contribution of up to €2 million would allow the specific objectives of this topic to be addressed appropriately. Topic-level indicative contribution in the CET workplan for INDUSTRY is included in the LIFE Clean Energy Transition call budget overview; the CET programme total across topics is several million euros.

Application process and templates

Application must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission system. This call uses the LIFE-PJG model and LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based (LIFE-AG) Model Grant Agreement. Submission is single-stage. Applicants must use the standard LIFE application form templates (Part A online, Part B PDF narrative) available in the Submission System and upload all mandatory annexes. Templates include the standard application form (LIFE SAP and OAG) and detailed budget tables (LIFE Detailed Budget Table). Specific annex templates are provided for participant information, complementary funding plan (if applicable), detailed budget, implementation overview for SIP/SNAP where relevant, and other LIFE-specific templates. The Portal Online Manual provides step-by-step guidance.

Application type:Open call — single-stage competitive call for proposals on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Apply via the Portal submission entry point corresponding to LIFE Project Grants / LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based.

Required application documents and templates:Mandatory documents: Call document (detailed topic fiche and conditions), Application form Part A (online), Application form Part B (technical description, PDF uploaded), Participant information template, Detailed Budget Table (LIFE), Declaration forms (eg co-financing declaration where required), any letters of support or complementary funding declarations as specified in the call. Annex templates are published in the Submission System and Reference Documents on the Portal. The standard LIFE model grant agreements (LIFE MGA) and annotated versions explain contractual obligations and eligible cost rules.

Application mechanics and evaluation

Submission modality:single-stage only. The application includes online Part A fields and an uploaded PDF Part B (structured technical proposal and mandatory annexes). Proposal page limits and layout follow the call document and Application Form Part B instructions (e.g., font, margin, page limit). Evaluation follows the published LIFE evaluation and award criteria in the call document (sections on admissibility, eligibility, award criteria, scoring and thresholds). Financial and operational capacity checks apply per call guidance. Indicative evaluation timeline and Grant Agreement signature follow the call timetable published on the Portal.

Nature of support and co-funding

Nature of support:Financial support in the form of EU grant funding (budget-based), covering eligible costs and contributions as set out in Annex 2 and Article 6 of the Model Grant Agreement. The grant finances project activity costs and may include personnel, subcontracting, purchases, other direct costs and a flat-rate for indirect costs where applicable. Co-funding requirement: The LIFE project grant normally requires co-financing (non-EU resources to cover the remaining eligible costs). The precise co-financing expected or required is set out in the call and in the application budget; applicants must present the complementary funding plan and indicate other financing sources if required by the topic or call. For LIFE OAGs, the grant contribution rate is set (95% for OAGs); beneficiaries must provide the remaining eligible cost share from own or other sources.

Co-funding requirement:Yes. Applicants must show complementary funding sources where required and provide the non-EU share of eligible costs. Some LIFE sub-topics require or strongly encourage links with national/regional complementary funds and engagement with public/private investors; proposals should present a complementary funding plan where applicable.

Application stages, selection and success rates

Application stages:single-stage submission leading to evaluation and possible invitation to grant preparation. Number of stages to obtain funding: 1 (single-stage), followed by administrative and legal checks and grant agreement preparation as applicable.

Application stages:One (single-stage): submit full proposal (Part A online + Part B PDF and annexes) by the deadline; proposals pass admissibility and eligibility checks, are evaluated against award criteria, ranked, and successful proposals invited to grant agreement preparation.

Success rates:Success rates vary by call and topic and depend on available budget and quality of submissions. For LIFE CET topics success rates have historically been modest; applicants should assume competitive selection and prepare robust, high-quality proposals aligning closely with topic objectives and award criteria. Exact historical success rates are not provided in the call text and should be checked in LIFE programme result databases and previous call statistics.

Evaluation criteria and assessment focus

Award criteria are described in the call document and typically cover:relevance to call and LIFE objectives; quality and credibility of work plan and methodology; expected impact and sustainability; quality and efficiency of the implementation and consortium, including financial and operational capacity; replicability and upscaling potential; mobilisation of investments and contribution to policy implementation; stakeholder engagement and dissemination strategy. Thresholds and weighting are published in the call document. Proposals should present robust baseline analysis, clear causality between activities, outputs and impacts, and quantified results for project end and 5 years after completion.

How to prepare a competitive application — Practical guidance

1. 1Read the LIFE call document and annexes carefully — follow the admissibility, eligibility and page limit rules.
2. 2Choose one scope only (A or B) and state it clearly in the proposal introduction.
3. 3Assemble at least 3 independent beneficiaries from 3 different eligible countries as mandatory.
4. 4Provide a solid baseline analysis and realistic assumptions with measurable indicators for project end and 5 years after.
5. 5Explain the market need and the added value vs existing initiatives and LIFE-funded projects (e.g. EXQUISHEAT, HP4INDUSTRY).
6. 6Demonstrate access to public and private finance, engagement with investors and linkages to financing coalitions or national hubs.
7. 7Describe governance and stakeholder mobilisation, ensuring involvement of relevant European-level representative organisations if applicable.
8. 8Use the provided application templates for Part B and the detailed LIFE budget table; ensure financial feasibility and justification of costs.
9. 9Prepare letters of commitment, endorsements and, where relevant, complementary funding declarations.
10. 10Plan clear dissemination, replication and exploitation actions and an After-LIFE sustainability plan.

Mandatory annexes and templates:use templates published in the Submission System: Application form templates (LIFE SAP and OAG), Detailed budget table (LIFE), Participant information (LIFE), Cofinancing declaration (where relevant), Maps, Description of sites (if applicable), Table of investments (LIFE OAG CSA PDA) and the LIFE Model Grant Agreement and Annotated Model Grant Agreement. The Portal Online Manual and LIFE-specific guidance documents are critical references.

Templates and structure of the application (how forms look):Part A is filled online in the Portal (administrative forms, participants, budget overview and declarations). Part B is a narrative PDF uploaded in the Submission System using the LIFE standard template with sections: project summary, relevance, impact, implementation (work plan, work packages, timetable), resources (consortium, management, budget), risks, ethics and security, and annexes. The Detailed Budget Table is an Excel template with staff effort, personnel costs by category, subcontracting, purchases, other direct costs and summary tables. The Participant Information annex provides organisation descriptions, key staff, previous projects and affiliated entities. Additional annexes include Complementary Funding Plan and Complementary Funding Declaration for SIP/SNAP where relevant. Applicants must respect page limits, font and margin rules as stated in the call.

Application tips specific to LIFE-2026-CET-INDUSTRY

1. 1If addressing Scope A, ensure technologies are TRL 8–9 (commercially available or successfully implemented in real operating conditions). Focus on co-design, standardisation and roll-out strategy rather than demonstration costs.
2. 2If addressing Scope B, focus on mapping industrial energy flows, designing commercially viable energy cooperation business models, delivering investment plans and securing stakeholder endorsements (TSOs/DSOs, port authorities, investors, ESCOs).
3. 3Include quantified pipelines of investments and explain how investment plans will be endorsed and funded; provide Memoranda of Understanding or letters of intent where possible.
4. 4Demonstrate replicability strategy and cross-border relevance where appropriate.
5. 5Engage European sector organisations to ensure EU-wide consultation and accelerated market acceptance for co-designed solutions.

The grant is managed through the Funding & Tenders Portal. Use the Online Manual, LIFE call document and Model Grant Agreement (LIFE MGA) to prepare the application and understand post-award obligations. For procedural and technical submission support consult the Portal helpdesk and National Contact Points. ¹

Summary — What this opportunity is about

This LIFE Clean Energy Transition call topic funds collaborative projects that accelerate the industrial clean energy transition by enabling market roll-out of net-zero technologies and by fostering energy cooperation among proximate industrial actors and ports. It supports market-facing activities such as co-design and standardisation of technologies, development and validation of business models, investment planning, capacity building, stakeholder mobilisation, and replication strategies. Applicants must form consortia of at least three independent beneficiaries from three different eligible countries, use the official LIFE templates and Portal submission system, and deliver quantifiable energy and investment impacts for project end and five years after. The grant finances eligible project costs at the LIFE funding rate (OAG 95%), with the Commission indicating €2 million as an appropriate contribution level for this topic but allowing different amounts. The call places strong emphasis on measurable impacts, replicability, links with finance and investors, and alignment with EU energy legislation and strategies.

Footnotes

1. 1Submission templates, budget tables, Annex templates, Model Grant Agreements and the Portal Online Manual are available in the Funding & Tenders Portal reference documents section. The LIFE call document and specific topic fiche provide complete eligibility, admissibility, evaluation and contractual rules. Access: EU Funding & Tenders Portal (opportunities portal) — topic LIFE-2026.

Funding Opportunity Overview

This call supports the competitiveness, clean energy transition and decarbonisation of industry by bridging the gap between demand and supply of net-zero energy technologies and fostering collaborative approaches among companies in geographical proximity. The call addresses the urgent need to modernise and decarbonise the industrial sector while enhancing EU competitiveness, energy security and resilience against geopolitical crises.

Call Details

Call Identifier:LIFE-2026

Opening Date:21 April 2026

Deadline:16 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time

Programme:LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE-2026-CET)

Type of Action:LIFE Project Grants (LIFE-PJG), Other Action Grants (OAGs), Coordination and Support Actions (CSA)

Submission Model:Single-stage call

Funding Information

Total Budget Available:€7,000,000

Estimated EU Contribution per Project:Up to €2,000,000 (indicative)

Funding Rate:95% for Other Action Grants (OAGs)

Co-financing:Applicants must provide 5% co-financing from their own resources or other sources

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

Any legal entity based in the European Union or in countries associated with the LIFE Programme can apply. Applicants can be public or private bodies, including SMEs, large enterprises, research institutions, energy agencies, industry associations, technology providers and non-profit organisations.

Consortium Requirements

• Minimum 3 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries required
• Proposals must be submitted by a consortium; single applicants are not eligible
• Each applicant must be a separate legal entity
• Affiliated entities and associated partners may participate but do not count towards the minimum consortium requirement

Eligible Countries

All EU Member States and countries associated with the LIFE Programme are eligible, including Iceland, Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

Project Scope and Objectives

The overall objective is to support the competitiveness, clean energy transition and decarbonisation of industry by bridging the gap between demand and supply of net-zero energy technologies and fostering collaborative approaches among companies operating in geographical proximity. The call addresses the fact that in 2023, the industry sector accounted for 25% of total EU-27 final energy consumption, with energy-intensive companies representing almost 40% of this consumption.

Two Scopes Available

Proposals must address only one of the two scopes below. The scope addressed must be clearly specified in the proposal introduction.

Scope A: Collaboration between Industrial Sectors and Technology Providers for Clean Energy Technology Optimisation and Deployment:This scope aims to establish new collaborations between one or a few industrial sectors or sub-sectors sharing similar processes and energy-related needs with sustainable energy technology manufacturers and providers. Applicants shall focus on a clearly identified clean energy technology or coherent set of technologies contributing to higher energy performance for targeted industrial sector(s) or process(es). Relevant technologies include local renewable energy integration, waste heat recovery, heat electrification solutions including heat pumps, energy efficiency and storage solutions, energy-efficient electric motor systems and renewable energy and energy efficiency related technologies covered by the Net-Zero Industry Act. Only commercially available technologies and recent innovations ready for market deployment (Technology Readiness Level 8-9) are eligible. The goal is to move from custom-built, project-by-project approaches to more streamlined, standardised solutions and design tools. Activities should address development and validation of business models, dissemination via multiple channels and capacity building activities for deployment and installation. Proposals should present a clear strategy to roll out technical solutions including access to public and private finance. Involvement of relevant representative organisations at European level for both end-user industrial sectors and technology providers should be ensured through direct consortium participation. The demonstration of proposed solutions is not in scope and equipment costs are eligible only to a very small extent if justified.

Scope B: Energy Cooperation among Industries in Geographical Proximity, Including Ports, to Foster Clean, Affordable and Sustainable Energy Use:This scope supports cost-effective and energy-efficient transition of industrial processes to renewable and low-carbon energy sources, including process electrification and waste heat recovery, through energy cooperation approaches among companies, particularly energy-intensive industries, in geographical proximity such as local or regional industrial clusters, industrial parks or sites, and maritime and inland ports. Energy cooperation refers to sharing energy-related assets such as renewable and low-carbon energy generation and energy storage, sharing energy services, implementing energy exchanges such as recovery and use of waste heat from industrial and manufacturing processes, and voluntary interfacing of industrial energy prosumers with system operators. Proposals should facilitate establishment of energy cooperation mechanisms within project timeframe, including identifying, investigating and validating economically viable business models based on concrete interaction with participating companies. Proposals should work on removing barriers such as organisational, legal or social barriers. Proposals should deliver investment plans including a pipeline of feasible projects aiming to accelerate electrification of energy demand and energy efficiency improvements in targeted industrial areas or clusters. Investment plans should be endorsed by key relevant stakeholders including businesses, public authorities, port authorities where applicable, industry park managers, investors, TSOs, DSOs and ESCOs. Proposals should demonstrate high degree of replicability and commit to implementing a clear strategy to disseminate results to other industrial and port areas.

Expected Impacts and Indicators

Qualitative Impacts

Proposals should demonstrate contribution to the following outcomes as relevant depending on scope:

• Implementation of EU legislation, particularly Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive addressing the business sector
• Viable business models either for deployment of specific solutions or for industrial energy cooperation ready to be rolled out on the market
• Industrial actors integrating sustainable energy solutions in their processes
• Deployment of energy-related infrastructure, energy services and/or energy exchanges contributing to clean energy transition of businesses
• Sustainable energy technological solutions adapted to meet industrial processes demands
• Acceleration and streamlining of projects to foster clean, affordable and sustainable energy use at regional or local level

Quantitative Indicators

Proposals should quantify results and impacts for the end of project and for 5 years after project end. Depending on scope and relevance, quantitative indicators include:

• Number of standardised technological solutions co-designed to needs of specific industrial sector
• Number of new installations of net-zero energy technologies triggered by project including commitments
• Number of investment plans within industrial clusters endorsed by relevant stakeholders through Memorandum of Understanding
• Number of companies implementing energy cooperation approaches
• Number of key actors along value chains with improved skills or knowledge triggered during action, broken down by relevant categories
• Number of relevant stakeholders approached and mobilised, broken down by relevant categories
• Primary energy savings triggered by project in GWh per year
• Final energy savings triggered by project in GWh per year
• Renewable energy generation triggered by project in GWh per year
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in tCO2-eq per year
• Investments in sustainable energy energy efficiency and renewable energy triggered by project cumulative in million Euro

Application Requirements

Mandatory Documents

• Application Form Part A completed in the Portal Submission System
• Application Form Part B uploaded as PDF including all required sections
• Detailed Budget Table completed
• Participant Information forms for all consortium members
• Co-financing Declaration from all beneficiaries
• Letters of support from key stakeholders demonstrating commitment and involvement
• For Scope A: Evidence of involvement and commitment from relevant representative organisations at European level
• For Scope B: Letters of support from key stakeholders including businesses, public authorities and port authorities where applicable

Application Form Requirements

Part B must include detailed sections on relevance, impact and implementation. Applicants must clearly specify which scope they are addressing in the proposal introduction. Proposals must demonstrate clear understanding of market barriers, needs and constraints of market actors and how the proposed concept will address them concretely. For Scope A, proposals should justify choice of targeted sector(s) or process(es) based on clear quantification of market needs and detailed analysis of barriers and proposed solutions. For Scope B, proposals should clearly explain approach to engage with companies and how it is adapted to specific needs of targeted areas or clusters.

Project Duration and Timeline

Project duration is flexible but should be proportionate to project scope and objectives. The Commission considers that proposals requesting EU contribution of up to €2 million would allow specific objectives to be addressed appropriately. However, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Key Conditions and Restrictions

• Proposals must address only one scope; cross-scope proposals are not permitted
• For Scope A, proposals addressing sectors already covered by ongoing similar initiatives must clarify added value and complementarity. Ongoing collaborations exist between industrial heat pump manufacturers and pulp and paper, food and drink sectors and several chemical sub-sectors
• For Scope A, demonstration of proposed solutions is not in scope; equipment costs are eligible only to very small extent if justified
• For Scope A, technologies must be commercially available or recent innovations ready for market deployment at Technology Readiness Level 8-9
• For Scope B, proposals must demonstrate high degree of replicability and commit to implementing clear strategy to disseminate results to other industrial and port areas
• Proposals are encouraged to connect with financial players and investors for validation of proposed approach
• Proposals should create synergies with national hubs of European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition
• Applicants should develop and implement long-term structural sustainable and energy efficiency measures to enhance EU energy system resilience against future crises

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to call objectives, quality of impact expected, quality of implementation approach and resources allocated. Evaluation will assess how well proposals address market barriers, demonstrate viable business models, show clear pathway to market uptake and demonstrate potential for replication and upscaling. The Commission will prioritise proposals demonstrating innovative approaches and addressing regions where integrated clean energy transition services remain underdeveloped.

Submission Process

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal before the deadline of 16 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Applicants must select the correct type of action and model grant agreement in the submission system. The submission system will not allow changes to these selections after confirmation. Applicants should access existing draft proposals through their My Proposals page in the Portal.

Support and Guidance

Applicants are encouraged to consult the Call document, EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement, EU Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual and LIFE website FAQs. National Contact Points provide support for questions about eligibility and call requirements. The IT Helpdesk assists with technical aspects of submission. Information sessions and recordings may be available on the CINEA website.

Strategic Context

This call supports implementation of key EU policies including the European Green Deal, Fit-for-55 package, REPowerEU Plan, Net-Zero Industry Act, Clean Industrial Deal and Affordable Energy Action Plan. The call also supports the EU Ports Strategy adopted on 4 March 2026, which announced Commission support for partnerships with ports and industrial clusters promoting deployment of renewables, energy sharing, reuse of waste heat and storage solutions. The call addresses urgent need to strengthen EU energy system resilience against geopolitical crises and market volatility while supporting EU competitiveness and industrial decarbonisation.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call documentation and application forms are available at EU Funding and Tenders Portal. The call fiche and detailed guidance documents provide comprehensive information on eligibility, evaluation criteria and application procedures.