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Research and innovation

Energy research and innovation

Policy, funding opportunities, jobs, projects, publications, databases, news and events

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.

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

SOFT Innovation Prize

Prize rewarding outstanding researchers or industries who find new solutions to the huge challenges of fusion energy.

Projects and results

Horizon Magazine

Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.

CINEA project portfolio

Dashboard presenting details of all grant agreements managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Data includes EU contribution by country, number of projects and beneficiaries

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.

Collaboration and jobs

Scientific publications, tools and databases

Scientific publications

Scientific energy research publications published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)

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

Presentation8 March 2024
Gender balance in the R&I field to improve the role of women in the energy transition

Key findings: Strong representation of women in the energy industry is essential not just as a matter of gender equality, but as a strategic imperative to harness diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences crucial for innovative and effective solutions for the energy transition.

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Latest

Events

Event banner
  • Conferences and summits

European Hydrogen Week 2023

  • Monday 20 November 2023, 13:00 - Thursday 23 November 2023, 18:00 (CET)
  • Brussels, Belgium
  • External event
Event banner
  • Conferences and summits

17th SET-Plan conference

  • Monday 13 November 2023, 09:00 - Tuesday 14 November 2023, 18:30 (CET)
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • External event