EU Clean Industrial Deal Calls 2026: €275M Funding to boost Europe’s industrial competitiveness
The EU Clean Industrial Deal marks a major step in aligning climate ambition with industrial competitiveness. With a €275 million budget for 2026, the new Horizon Europe calls support energy-intensive industries and clean technologies that can accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral economy, offering significant opportunities for organisations driving Europe’s clean transition.
What is the EU Clean Industrial Deal?
The EU Clean Industrial Deal is a strategic initiative designed to make decarbonisation a driver of competitiveness and industrial growth in Europe.
At its core, the initiative focuses on strengthening Europe’s industrial base while accelerating the transition to climate neutrality.
Key elements of the Clean Industrial Deal
- Reduction of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
- Advancing EU decarbonisation efforts
- Financing the clean transition
- Promoting circularity and access to materials
- Strengthening Europe’s role by acting on a global scale
- Supporting skills development and quality jobs
Core focus areas
The initiative prioritises two critical sectors:
- Energy-intensive industries: supporting the decarbonisation of steel, metals, and chemicals
- Clean tech sector: scaling technologies that drive the green transition
The new EU calls under the Clean Industrial Deal are part of a funding opportunity with a total 2026 budget of €275 million. The deadline for both calls is 15 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time.
Horizon Europe Calls Supporting the EU Clean Industrial Deal
Two major Innovation Actions (single-stage) calls under Horizon Europe are central to delivering the Clean Industrial Deal.
1. Decarbonisation of Energy-Intensive Industries
This call focuses on accelerating industrial decarbonisation through breakthrough innovation.
Expected impact
- Decarbonise industries using innovative technologies
- Deploy first-of-a-kind solutions at industrial scale
- Bring clean products to market with strong business cases
Scope
Projects should address:
- Carbon cycle management (CCU/CCUS), including CO₂ capture and improved energy efficiency
- Clean energy integration in production processes
- Circularity and resource efficiency across materials, energy, and water use.
2. Clean Technologies for Climate Action
This call targets the development and scaling of clean technologies essential for climate neutrality.
Expected impact
- Scale up clean technologies to improve circularity and reduce energy costs
- Bring solutions close to market and ready for deployment in energy, transport, and industry
- Strengthen EU leadership in net-zero technologies
Scope
Key technology areas include:
- Integrated net-zero emissions energy systems
- Zero-emission power technologies
- Energy storage, renewable fuels, CCU, advanced biofuels and synthetic fuels
For further information, check also the carousel we shared.
Why These Calls Matter?
These calls represent a major opportunity to shape Europe’s clean industrial future, supporting both technological innovation and industrial transformation at scale.
By targeting energy-intensive sectors and clean technologies, the EU is positioning itself to lead globally in the transition to a competitive, climate-neutral economy.
How Innovayt Supports Your Application
At Innovayt, we support organisations throughout the entire proposal lifecycle:
- Call and programme identification
- Consortium building
- Proposal strategy and writing
- Full proposal submission support
Ready to Apply?
If you are planning to apply to the EU Clean Industrial Deal calls, now is the time to act.
Ready to move forward? Get in touch for a no-obligation conversation.