Innovation Fund Calls 2025 (IF25): Key Opportunities for Decarbonisation Projects

The European Commission is preparing a new cycle of calls within the Innovation Fund for 2025 (IF25), offering major opportunities for companies developing breakthrough low-carbon technologies. These upcoming calls will support sectors ranging from renewable energy and hydrogen to battery manufacturing and industrial heat decarbonisation.

Below is an overview of the main indicative call topics and timelines, based on the current information available (EC is planning to launch these calls in early December 2025):

Net Zero Technologies (NZT) Call 2025

The NZT call remains the EU’s flagship instrument for industrial decarbonisation, covering five major categories:

Renewable energy
Energy storage
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
Energy-intensive industries
Net-zero mobility and buildings

Indicative timeline: December 2025 – April 2026
Funding rate: Up to 60% of relevant costs

Battery Cell Manufacturing Call 2025

This call aims to strengthen Europe’s battery value chain by supporting the production of EV battery cells and key materials such as pCAM, CAM, AAM, electrolytes and separators.

Indicative timeline: December 2025 – April 2026
Funding rate: Up to 60% of relevant costs
Budget: €1 billion

Hydrogen Auction

A competitive auction dedicated to supporting renewable or low-carbon hydrogen production (RFNBO H₂).

Key eligibility and evaluation criteria:

At least 5 MWe of new electrolyser capacity
Operation must begin within 5 years

Funding mechanism: Fixed premium per kg of hydrogen produced over a 10-year period

Indicative timeline: December 2025 – April 2026

Suggested budget allocation:

Topic 1: €400 million for RFNBO and/or low-carbon hydrogen production
Topic 2: €400 million for RFNBO hydrogen
Topic 3: €200 million for hydrogen serving the maritime sector

Industrial Process Heat Pilot Auction 2025

A pilot initiative targeting industrial heat decarbonisation through electrification and renewable heat sources such as heat pumps, solar thermal and geothermal.

Minimum project size: 3 MWth

Evaluation criteria:

Price (€ per tCO₂ avoided)
Project readiness

Funding mechanism: Fixed premium after verified heat production, provided for five years

Indicative timeline: December 2025 – February 2026

Budget: €1 billion (€500M for 100–400°C; €500M for >400°C)

Start Preparing Now

With several major calls expected to open at the end of 2025, organisations aiming to apply should begin preparing their concepts, business models and partnerships early.

Innovayt has extensive experience supporting clients across Europe throughout the full proposal process: from concept development to financial strategy and proposal submission.

If you are considering applying to any of the upcoming Innovation Fund calls and want to maximise your chances of success, our team is ready to support you.

At Innovayt, we help organisations turn strong ideas into fundable, high-impact proposals.

Ready to explore how we can support your participation in the upcoming IF25 Calls?