Funding Programmes

Innovation Fund

EN
DA
SV

The Innovation Fund (INFU), managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and funded through the ETS programme, is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. It supports projects that contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, such as carbon capture and storage, innovative low-carbon technologies, generation of renewable energy, and energy storage. The objective is to share the risk with project promoters to help with the demonstration of first-of-a-kind highly innovative projects to decarbonise Europe and support its transition to climate neutrality.

INFU supports both small-scale projects (total CAPEX, i.e., capital expenditure, between €2.5 million and €7.5 million) and large-scale projects (CAPEX above €7.5 million) through grants. In addition, the Fund has a technical assistance component which allows unsuccessful proposals that meet certain conditions to benefit from Project Development Assistance (PDA) support by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Commercial Opportunities

INFU supports, in the form of grants, up to 60% of relevant costs held by projects. In the case of large-scale projects, the relevant costs are the net extra costs (CAPEX and OPEX) linked to the implementation during the 10 years after project’s entry into operation. In the case of small-scale projects, the relevant costs are defined as the project’s capital expenditure (CAPEX).

Application Process

The application process is based on a written proposal, submitted electronically for given deadlines. Projects will be evaluated based on (1) GHG emission avoidance potential, (2) degree of innovation, (3) project maturity, (4) scalability, and (5) cost efficiency.

Requirements

  • The projects need to be sufficiently mature in terms of operational capacity, business model, and financial and legal structure.
  • Technology needs to be implemented on the territory of one (or more) of the EU Member States, Norway, or Iceland. Individual companies or consortia applying can be from outside EU Member States.
  • The projects need to be able to generate the estimated GHG emission savings during 10-year operation period, for large-scale projects, or 3 years, in the case of small-scale projects.
  • The cost-efficiency and scalability of the technology are important evaluation criteria.

 

Do you need help validating your match or preparing your application?

Contact us

 

For more detailed information and latest updates, see the official programme website.

Case stories

Want to discuss your options?