Why the EU supports energy research and innovation
The transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 gives energy a central role, as energy is today responsible for more than 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions.
To reach climate neutrality, we need to decarbonise at least six times faster than anything realised globally so far. We must drastically increase the share of renewable energy sources and clean energy carriers, and improve energy efficiency.
Importantly, the energy transition must be just and inclusive or it will not happen at all. Citizens need not only clean, but also affordable, secure and safe energy. Today our dependence on imported fossil fuels is hampering this just transition.
REPowerEU will enable us to speed up this transition and move towards renewable energy sources and green hydrogen. This will make Europe more resilient and independent while providing sustainable, secure and affordable energy for all.
Research and innovation are critical for delivering the solutions and system transformations. We must increase the efficiency of the whole renewable energy value chain and integrate sustainability and circularity throughout it.
In parallel, we must develop and demonstrate novel and disruptive renewable energy technologies and energy storage solutions. Carbon capture and storage will be needed to tackle remaining emissions.
Clean hydrogen can play a key role for long-term energy storage and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise with existing solutions, such as heavy-duty and long distance transport, and carbon-intensive industry. REPowerEU foresees the implementation of a Hydrogen Accelerator with new and ambitious objectives for renewable hydrogen that go well beyond the targets of the Green Deal Hydrogen Strategy.
Read about the EU's energy research and innovation strategy
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Calls for proposal on energy related themes in Horizon Europe and information on the work programme.
LIFE
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA)
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is the successor organisation of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
NER 300 programme
Funding for innovative low-carbon technology research with focus on environmentally safe Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and innovative renewable energy technologies
COSME
EU Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) aims to make it easier for SMEs to access finance in all phases of their lifecycle
European structural and investment funds (ESIF)
Energy research related calls may be found in these funds
EIC Horizon Prize on artificial photosynthesis
Prize awarding €5 million to the best solution demonstrating the use of sunlight to produce a sustainable fuel ready for use in housing, transport or industry
SOFT Innovation Prize
Prize rewarding outstanding researchers or industries who find new solutions to the huge challenges of fusion energy.
Prize for renewable energy islands
Prize rewarding achievements in local renewable energy production for electricity, heating, cooling and transport on islands.
Collaboration and jobs
Find project partners
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal
Public-private partnerships
Collaborate in energy research and innovation public-private partnerships
International cooperation
International cooperation between the EU and global stakeholders in energy
Jobs (EURAXESS)
Researcher jobs in related fields
Projects and results
Research project database (CORDIS)
The Commission's primary portal for results of EU-funded research projects.
Project success stories
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects
Horizon Magazine
Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.
Horizon 2020 dashboard
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more
Horizon Results Platform
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.
Projects for policy - batteries
Batteries policy recommendations based on evidence provided by EU research and innovation projects.
Results packs on energy
Thematic collections of innovative EU-funded research results in the energy field
Scientific publications, tools and databases
Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS)
SET-Plan implementation progress reports giving data by priority area, country and energy source
Scientific publications
Scientific energy research publications published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Energy research tools and databases
The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) compiles databases and develops software and modelling tools.
EU publications portal
Online library of EU energy research publications
EU Open Data Portal
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
OpenAIRE
You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE
Latest
EIC Horizon Prize on Artificial Photosynthesis: prototype of an artificial photosynthetic fuel production system wins €5 million
On 5 December 2022, the Commission revealed the winner of the EIC Horizon Prize 'Fuel from the Sun: Artificial Photosynthesis'. Artificial photosynthesis combines sunlight, water and carbon from the air to capture and store solar energy in an efficient and transportable medium.
The Clean Energy Technology Observatory goes online
The Observatory keeps track of EU clean energy R&I needed to deliver on the Green Deal and to keep our energy system competitive in the long run.
Research and innovation to support the digitalisation of the energy system
Research and innovation are key to develop, implement and upscale digital solutions for clean energy.
Horizon Europe info days dedicated to Cluster 5
The European Commission announces today that new info days for Horizon Europe Cluster 5, Climate, Energy & Mobility, will be held as a hybrid event on 15-16 December 2022