National Innovation Program Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Phase II (NIP) – Market Activation Measures – Focus on Sustainable Mobility
Funding of innovative products in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology for the market introduction of sustainable mobility. Investment grants for fuel cell vehicles, infrastructure, and electrolysis plants. Submission of project outlines via easy-Online according to thematic funding calls.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of investments in fuel cell vehicles (road, rail, water, air) and associated refueling and maintenance infrastructure, autonomous power supply solutions based on fuel cells, combined heat and power plants for mobility applications, open local hydrogen infrastructure, electrolysis plants for hydrogen production for the mobility sector using renewable electricity, as well as environmental studies on hydrogen applications in the mobility sector.
Eligible expenses
- Additional investment costs for fuel cell vehicles
- Investments in refueling and maintenance infrastructure
- Investments in autonomous fuel cell power supply
- Investments in CHP systems for mobility applications
- Development of open local hydrogen infrastructure
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Innovative technology must demonstrate verifiable environmental benefits compared to conventional technology
- Product must be technically market-ready but not yet competitive in the market
- Operational facility or branch office in Germany at the time of disbursement
- No initiation or application for insolvency proceedings
- No company in difficulty within the meaning of the European Commission guidelines
Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Application form (easy-Online)
- Technical description of the project
- Cost and financing plan
- Proof of business premises in Germany
- Proof of environmental benefits
Evaluation criteria
- Achievement of defined environmental objectives
- Degree of innovation of the technology
- Technical market readiness
- Economic viability of additional investment costs
- Contribution to the decarbonization of transport
Description
The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure funds innovative projects nationwide in the field of hydrogen and fuel cell technology to promote the market introduction of sustainable mobility. Funding is provided for investments in fuel cell vehicles (road, rail, water, air) as well as related refueling and maintenance infrastructure, autonomous power supply solutions based on fuel cells, and combined heat and power systems for mobility applications. Also in focus are open local hydrogen infrastructures, electrolysis plants for the production of hydrogen from renewable electricity, and environmental studies on hydrogen applications in the mobility sector. Grants cover up to 60% of the additional investment costs, depending on defined environmental objectives and the degree of technological innovation. Applications are submitted in a single-stage process via the electronic portal easy-Online.
Small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, industrial companies, as well as public institutions, may apply provided the technology demonstrates a verifiable environmental benefit compared to conventional systems, is technically market-ready but not yet competitive, and has an operational site in Germany. Companies in insolvency or in difficulty as defined by EU guidelines are excluded. Eligible expenses include additional investment costs for vehicles, refueling stations, electrolyzers, and environmental studies. In the approval process, environmental impact, level of innovation, technical maturity, economic viability, and contribution to transport decarbonization are taken into account. Further details and deadlines can be found in the topic-specific funding calls on the easy-Online portal.