This call supports SMEs that develop innovations contributing to resilient and diversified clean energy supply chains. Funded projects should lead to tangible results within a short implementation period and contribute to the following areas: photovoltaics, offshore wind and energy grids.
Examples of eligible innovations include:
• New or improved products/services enabling substitution of critical materials
• New suppliers and diversified supply chains validated through pilot testing
• Process innovations improving manufacturing efficiency, quality, and resilience
• Digital solutions enabling supply chain monitoring, optimisation, traceability, and performance
• Technologies reducing environmental impacts in production and sourcing
OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, IN PARTICULAR FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
Eligible projects include:
• Development of offshore wind technologies and components, including generators, blades, floating platforms and related systems, with improved sustainability, circularity and reduced use of critical raw materials.
• Electrical, transmission and power system solutions for offshore wind, including cables, substations and offshore grid technologies, that reduce dependency on critical raw materials or contribute to the green and digital transition.
• Innovations in materials, design, manufacturing or processes for offshore wind technologies that reduce dependency on critical or strategic raw materials through substitution, material efficiency, reuse or recycling.
• Integrated offshore wind solutions enabling deployment, operation and maintenance of offshore wind installations, particularly in deep-water and floating offshore wind applications.
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Eligible projects include:
• Development of new high-efficiency PV cells, modules, and materials (e.g. replacement of aluminium with composite materials; reduction of tin and lead in interconnections; substitution of glass).
• Advancements in PV power plant architectures and hybrid electricity/heat technologies.
• Improvement of PV module recyclability and innovation in power electronics for PV systems.
• Cross-sectoral synergies with other industries (e.g. microelectronics), where EU manufacturing capacities and processes can be leveraged for the PV sector.
ENERGY NETWORKS
Eligible projects include:
• Development of SF6-free equipment, advanced power cables made from recycled materials, and tools for optimizing energy infrastructure.
• Deployment of systems to model, monitor, and forecast the health of cables, increasing lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
• Smart grid solutions such as dynamic line rating and predictive maintenance.
CROSS-SECTORAL INNOVATIONS, APPLICABLE TO EACH ABOVEMENTIONED SECTOR
Eligible projects include:
• Advanced digital solutions like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, blockchain, and digital twins to optimize energy and environmental performance including biodiversity considerations.
• Development of technologies that can improve business processes, such as energy management systems, predictive analytics, and tools for assessing environmental impacts.
To ensure clarity for applicants, this call is implemented through two distinct support strands reflecting different innovation pathways and implementation logics.
Applicants should select the most suitable strand when applying.
Strand A – Challenge-driven projects
Strand A supports SMEs responding to specific “challenges” defined by relevant energy or industrial leaders (challenge owners). These challenges are linked to product innovation and supply chain diversification and are implemented through a two-step process:
• Step 1 (Feasibility / Proof-of-concept): rapid development and validation of the proposed approach. In Stage 1, several SMEs apply to a specific challenge (A, B, C, etc.). Three SMEs are
selected for each challenge and each receives a €10k grant with at least 20% of private co-funding to carry out a product demonstration (TRL 6–7) over about 3 weeks.
• Step 2 (Demonstration / Scale-up): further development and implementation of the solution to reach demonstrator’s readiness. Based on a final pitch and results, From the three SME which
passed stage 1, only one is selected for stage 2 and receives a €50k grant with ≥40% private co-funding to further develop its solution over 12 weeks, leading to product innovation and
scaling up (TRL 8–9).
Strand B – Open calls
Strand B supports SMEs applying through a single-stage open call mechanism. It includes an open call (bottom-up) for product innovation and supply chain diversification. The call is set up as a cascade funding grant where around 12-72 SMEs are selected. During a 2-month application process, SMEs can request grant
amounts—up to €10k, €30k, and €60k—corresponding to increasing levels of project maturity during a development phase of up to 6 months. Each funding level requires minimum SME co-funding (from about 50% to 70% inversely proportionalized as the grant size increases), ensuring strong private commitment.
These funding options can be combined sequentially (e.g. prototype → demonstration → deployment),
leading ultimately to a POC (Proof of Concept) or deployment phase, with a total mobilised budget per POC from 33 000 euros to 120 000 euros.
Strand B uses a one-stage selection process and applies co-funding requirements depending on the requested grant amount.
To be considered eligible, applicants must comply with the EU definition of SMEs (EU recommendation 2003/361) and
demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to implement the project.
The proposed activities must fall under the value chain of:
• Photovoltaics (PV)
• Offshore wind
• Energy grids
Consortia
• Each SME in a consortium may be eligible for a maximum of EUR 60,000 funding.
• When applying as a consortium, candidates are jointly responsible for ensuring the proper use of funds. Consortium members may be considered jointly liable with respect to obligations under the funding agreement.
