Grant

Funding for International Hydrogen Projects within the Framework of the Updated National Hydrogen Strategy - Module 2

Grants for accompanying research and analysis projects (Module 2) to support international hydrogen projects within the framework of the updated National Hydrogen Strategy. Submission within defined funding rounds via easy-Online.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energies Foreign Trade

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Grant criteria

Application level: Complex
Region: Germany (nationwide)
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger companies with a branch in Germany
Funding amount: Up to €30,000,000
Funding rate: 50% - 100%
Project duration: 30 months

Funding objective

The funding aims to support international accompanying projects in basic and industrial research, scientific studies, analyses, and training measures along the entire hydrogen value chain, in order to accelerate the market ramp-up of renewable hydrogen technologies and to establish sustainable import structures.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel costs
  • Costs for instruments and equipment
  • Costs for contract research
  • Consulting costs
  • Other operating costs

Non-eligible expenses

  • Plants for generation based on fossil energy sources
  • CO₂ capture and supply
  • Acquisition of used plants
  • Taxes, levies and duties
  • Export activity costs

Eligible to apply

  • Companies
  • Educational Institutions
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Public Institutions
  • Founders

Funding requirements

  • Headquarters in the European Economic Area or Switzerland and branch/establishment in Germany
  • Submit application before project start and await approval
  • Proof of secured total financing
  • Compliance with state aid regulations of the GBER

Documents required for application

  1. Project outline
  2. Formal grant application (easy-Online)
  3. Financing plan
  4. Proof of project organization
  5. Proof of total financing

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovation potential and degree of novelty
  • Contribution to the market ramp-up of renewable hydrogen technologies
  • Sustainability and climate protection aspects
  • International cooperation and import relevance

Description

Within the framework of the updated National Hydrogen Strategy, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports international accompanying research and analysis projects worldwide to promote hydrogen projects under Module 2. The funding area extends nationwide and is open to companies of all sizes, universities, research institutions, non-profit and public organizations, as well as start-ups, provided that the main headquarters are located in the European Economic Area or Switzerland and a branch office exists in Germany. Funded activities include scientific studies, techno-economic analyses, material and process research, AI-supported optimization approaches, and training and qualification measures along the entire hydrogen value chain. The goal is the accelerated market ramp-up of renewable hydrogen technologies, the development of sustainable import structures, and the transfer of knowledge and technology to partner countries.

The funding amount is up to EUR 30 million per project and company, with a project duration of 30 months. Funding rates range between 50 and 100 percent, depending on company size and task. Applicants must provide evidence of overall financing, environmentally and socially responsible resource use (electricity, water), and compliance with state aid regulations (GBER) prior to project start. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, instruments, contract research, consulting, and other operating costs. Fossil-based plants, CO₂ capture, used machinery, taxes, and export costs are excluded. Submission takes place in defined funding rounds via easy-Online. Evaluation criteria include degree of innovation, contribution to market ramp-up, sustainability aspects, and international cooperation. The funding measure invites interested parties to realize forward-looking concepts for renewable hydrogen.

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