Public datasets of technologies along the hydrogen value chain for life cycle (sustainability) assessment

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Code: 39454 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-05-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Given the importance of further enabling a robust and transparent assessment of FCH products to support the penetration of those in compliance with sustainability standards, this topic promotes the timely development of high-quality datasets for key FCH-relevant products and technologies across the hydrogen value chain. As regards scope, the project is expected to focus on the development of at least 20 high-quality, open-access and freely accessible datasets (LCIs) for several key FCH-relevant products and technologies. Besides, projects should also illustrate LCIs usefulness through their application in life cycle (sustainability) assessment studies.

Fuel-flexible gas turbine combustion technology for clean and efficient ammonia firing

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Code: 39451 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Standard gas turbine combustion technologies developed and optimised for ultra-low NO_x emissions of lean premixed natural gas mixtures are not able to burn ammonia or ammonia-hydrogen blends within existing normative emission limits. Therefore, a paradigm shift is required to develop novel fuel-flexible combustion technologies that enable clean and efficient ammonia operation of gas turbines, as well as backup fuels as fallback solution.

In this context, the development of novel combustion systems for clean and efficient utilisation of NH3-based fuels in gas turbines should investigate, understand and solve challenges related to:

1. poor flame stability due to low ammonia reactivity;
2. significant NOx and N2O emissions due to oxidation of fuel-bound nitrogen;
3. lethal levels of toxic compounds in the exhaust gas, as unburnt NH3 (ammonia slip) and HCN .

Demonstration of rSOC operation for local grid-connected hydrogen production and utilisation

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Code: 39448 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic builds on the significant advancements made by previous European projects in the field of reversible solid oxide cells systems (rSOC). The REFLEX project has developed an innovative renewable energy storage solution called “Smart Energy Hub”, which is based on rSOC technology. The SWITCH project focused on the development of a rSOC able to guarantee highly pure hydrogen production in compliance with main industrial and automotive standards.

The European project REACTT focused on developing and demonstrating advanced diagnostic and control tools for rSOC, highlighting the importance of monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and control tools for SOE and rSOC stacks and systems with the aim of enhancing the system reliability and extend stack lifetime. Within the SO-FREE project, they developed a solid oxide FC-based system for combined heat and power generation.

More recently, the 24_7 ZEN project has contributed to understanding Solid Oxide Cells by developing and demonstrating a cutting-edge reversible solid oxide cell (rSOC) power-balancing plant at a 33/100 kW scale, designed to be compatible with both gas and electricity grids.

Next generation of reversible proton conducting ceramic cells and stacks for efficient energy applications at ≥1 kW scale

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Code: 39446 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic focuses on the development of advanced protonic or co-ionic ceramic electrochemical cells and stacks for reversible application to improve performance and durability. This should take into consideration strategies for reducing and/or recycling critical and strategic raw materials at cell/stack level. All geometries (e.g. tubular or planar) and cell architectures are in the scope of the topic. The applications of hydrogen separation, and/or hydrogen pumping or related (either side of the PCC in reducing gas atmospheres) are not in the scope.

Multi-fuel SOFC powertrain for maritime transport

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Code: 39443 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The proposal should be based on further developing the results of previous projects that have laid a foundation in SOFC development for stationary applications and correctly consider the challenges met from a holistic perspective. Projects such as Helenus ^,Fuelsome and ShipFC are currently active, and proposals should consider the publicly available results and the problems faced by those projects and activate possible interactions and collaborations to produce technological advancements and novel solutions.

Second Lump Sum Micro-Grants for Members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice

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Code: 39439 | Identifier Code: SoilTribes | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 09/02/2026 | End submission calls: 09/03/2026

The SoilTribes project aims to increase soil literacy and promote its preservation through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. It addresses soil degradation by promoting innovative communication campaigns, creative activities, and citizen engagement in sustainable practices. The project provides financial support for collaborative initiatives involving science, art, and society, aiming to transform behaviors regarding soil protection and restoration.

SoilTribes is rooted in the European Union mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and aligns with its goals to restore soil health, engage communities, and increase soil literacy

Flexible and standardised hydrogen storage system

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Code: 39436 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to develop a flexible and standardised hydrogen storage interface that supports the integration of multiple storage technologies and is easily deployable across mobility sectors, with possible spillovers on stationary applications.

The interface should provide a limited set of basic sizes for the storage units (joinable to reach an adequate capacity for each specific application); this set should be as small as possible to simplify hydrogen storage manufacturing, and as large as necessary to cover relevant mobility applications.

Proposals should build on the outcomes of StasHH (Standard-Sized Heavy-Duty Hydrogen) and extend the concept toward hydrogen storage.

Projects should include at least compressed hydrogen and may include other storage forms such as liquid hydrogen, cryo-compression, metal hydrides, ammonia followed by cracking systems, or methanol followed by reforming technologies, LOHC, or any other.

Components Development and Experimental Testing for an Onboard Liquid Hydrogen Supply and Conditioning System in High-Power Fuel Cell Aviation Applications

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Code: 39433 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of the topic is to design, develop and demonstrate on the ground the reliable and safe operation of key components (up to TRL 5) and integrated sub-systems combining them (up to TRL 4).

This includes, but is not limited, to cryogenic valves, insulation, piping, sensors, metering systems and interfaces between the tank and the fuel cell systems.

The system level requirements, the preliminary system architecture and the operational envelope will be defined in coordination with the project funded under Clean Aviation JU.

In return, the project that will be selected from this topic will provide feedback on component feasibility, performance, development status and deliver pre-tested components for final system integration and testing. A number of defined collaborative meetings will be held to ensure alignment between the system-level design and the component development efforts

Integration of control & monitoring tools and strategies for improved Fuel Cell System durability & reliability

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Code: 39430 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is on the development, integration and validation of robust online monitoring and control algorithms for FCS, targeting prediction and mitigation of degradation, faults and failures throughout the system lifetime.

Focus shall be on Balance of Plant (BoP) components rather than fuel cell stack. Activities should combine experimental testing, digital modelling and may use AI-based techniques to develop and validate predictive tools for health management.

Proposals should clearly explain how they go beyond the achievements of previous projects (namely Ruby [1] and Giantleap [2]), identifying specific technical or methodological advances.

Cost-efficient small scale hydrogen liquefaction

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Code: 39426 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The hydrogen liquefaction process is generally composed of the following main technological sub-systems: pre-cooling (incl. heat exchangers with cooling fluid & compressors), cooling (incl. compression), coldbox (including heat exchangers and ortho-para conversion), expansion and boil-off gas management.

New thermal insulation concepts for bulk liquid hydrogen shipping

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Code: 39423 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to develop validated containment concepts intended for bulk shipping of LH2. The concepts developed should also be suitable for a later scale-up.

Demonstrating in-line inspection (ILI) to monitor cracks assuring compatibility for operation with hydrogen in new and re-purposed offshore natural gas pipelines

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Code: 39420 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to demonstrate In-Line Inspection (ILI) tools to qualify existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen service and to operate in future offshore hydrogen pipelines (new or re-purposed) by validating that the tool is suitable for detecting crack-like defects, especially in stress concentration areas.

Affordable, Safe and Sustainable aboveground medium to large GH2 storage

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Code: 39417 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-02-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic targets the development and validation of low-cost advanced hydrogen-compatible materials and tank architectures for aboveground compressed hydrogen storage, with modular or containerised units sized 5 – 20 tonnes.

Proposed solutions should demonstrate improved material resilience against hydrogen-induced degradation, ≥30% increase in fatigue life (from <5,000 cycles to ≥6,500 cycles at 700 bar), and enhanced performance across varying environmental conditions (temperature range: –40 °C to +60 °C).

Materials may include high-strength steels, fibre/nanoparticle-reinforced composites, metal-matrix composites, and multi-layer coatings with low hydrogen permeability.

Scalable and high efficiency materials and reactors for direct solar hydrogen production

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Code: 39414 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-06 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic seeks innovations in solar thermos-chemical cycles (TCC) and solar Photoelectrochemical/Photocatalytic (PEC/PC), with a strong emphasis on system-level integration (subcomponents: materials, devices, reactors, control systems, etc. into a fully functional, operable system), targeting demonstration at TRL 5, and aligning with EU climate neutrality and energy resilience goals.

Proposals should focus on the direct conversion of solar energy into hydrogen, eliminating reliance on intermediate photovoltaic-to-electricity pathways.

Sustainable hydrogen production from renewable gases and biogenic waste sources through innovative modular reactor design, process intensification and integration

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Code: 39411 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-05 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

The main objective of this topic is to develop novel technologies for high-efficiency hydrogen production from renewable gases and/or biogenic waste sources, ensuring sustainability, cost reduction and process scalability, including thermochemical or biological pathways, or a combination of both.

Thermocatalytic, electrochemical, dark fermentation and membrane technologies can be combined to reduce process steps and increase hydrogen yield and efficiency. A target TRL5 is adequate considering the starting TRL of these technologies but also the required improvements and the high degree of integration among process units needed to reach the specific technology KPIs.

Biobased processes, e.g. dark fermentation and anaerobic digestion, should target the direct production of bio-H₂ in the bioreactor, while minimising the organic by-product formation and providing a convincing solution to valorise solid co-products such as digestate.

In addition, process intensification and reactor technology, hybridising separation, purification and compression technologies, including heat valorisation concepts, can lead to strong enhancement in energy efficiency and downstream processing costs.

Innovative business models advancing renewable electrolysis integration in industry

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Code: 39408 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Proposals should center efforts on business model innovation as the primary focus for renewable electrolysis integration in industry (including but not limited to Power-to-X applications), while validating their feasibility in at least one real industrial case.

Improved components and tools to increase the safety of electrolysers

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Code: 39401 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The focus of this topic is on advancing and validating novel components and control solutions aimed at improving the operational safety of low-temperature electrolyser systems. This topic is open to a broad range of low-temperature electrolysis technologies, including conventional configurations such as Alkaline Electrolysers (AEL), Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers (PEMEL), and Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysers (AEMEL), as well as emerging designs such as membrane-less electrolysers and decoupled electrolyser systems.

Cost-efficient and reliable designs towards gigawatt-scale electrolytic hydrogen production plants

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Code: 39398 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic aims to drive innovation in integrated hydrogen production plants by reimagining plant design, architecture, and deployment models.

The focus should be on developing novel concepts for highly efficient, cost-competitive, and reliable electrolytic hydrogen production plants at very large scales (≥400 MW), leveraging commercially available electrolyser stacks, advanced system engineering, and innovative BoP and plant components (e.g., purification, compression, thermal integration, power electronics).

As relevant, the design specifications and components innovation roadmaps (e.g to optimise performances and durability when operating dynamically or improve end of life recycling), is also encouraged.

Development and validation of innovative approaches, catalysts, electrolytes and components for electrolysis technologies based on low-quality water

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Code: 39395 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-01-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Proposals should aim to realise a breakthrough water electrolysis technology that can produce hydrogen from low-quality water, i.e. beyond tap water and from various sources (excluding saline and seawater) operating at low energy consumption levels.

The project should demonstrate a stable electrolyser cell unit incorporating innovative solutions at the material, component, cell architecture level, and alternative half-cell reactions to overcome the challenges in the electrolysis of low-quality water.

In line with EU sustainability and CRM strategies and the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA KPIs for the selected water electrolysis technology, the prototype cell should also minimise the use of PFAS and/or CRM. The target is to validate the innovative technology at TRL 4, assessing its potential for circularity, sustainability, and economic viability.

Joint demonstration of solutions to build soil resilience to extreme weather events and support food security

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Code: 39391 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-06-CLIMA-SOIL | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

Developing and scaling practical solutions to enhance soils’ resilience to extreme weather events is crucial for climate change adaptation. As extreme weather events like droughts, heavy rainfall and flooding, heatwaves and other temperature anomalies (e.g. unseasonal frosts) become more frequent, widespread and severe, they pose significant threats to soil health, agricultural productivity, and food security at large.

This is due to, inter alia, soil erosion, nutrient leaching, increased salinisation, loss of soil organic carbon, reduction or loss of microbial activity, waterlogging and oxygen depletion, depending on the type of extreme weather event considered. Strengthening soils’ resilience at farm and landscape levels, considering also the context, e.g., in terms of governance (rules and institutions), is vital to cope with these challenges.

Creating a framework that suits different pedoclimatic conditions and regions should help ensure that the best approaches are put in place to maintain food security and promote sustainable farming practices, and that overall landscape resilience to these events is enhanced.