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
Calls for proposal on energy related themes in Horizon Europe and information on the work programme.
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is the successor organisation of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
Funding for innovative low-carbon technology research with focus on environmentally safe Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and innovative renewable energy technologies
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
Energy research related calls may be found in these funds
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
Prize rewarding outstanding researchers or industries who find new solutions to the huge challenges of fusion energy.
Prize rewarding achievements in local renewable energy production for electricity, heating, cooling and transport on islands.
Projects and results
The Commission's primary portal for results of EU-funded research projects.
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects
Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.
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
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.
Batteries policy recommendations based on evidence provided by EU research and innovation projects.
Thematic collections of innovative EU-funded research results in the energy field
Success stories
Commercial greenhouses in Europe are testing new energy and water efficiency technologies in support of the green transition.
- Project locations
- Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Tunisia
Europe has a common goal of clean energy and numerous paths towards it. One of the routes leads through playgrounds in Berlin.
- Project locations
- Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Türkiye
Collaboration and jobs
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal
Collaborate in energy research and innovation public-private partnerships
International cooperation between the EU and global stakeholders in energy
Researcher jobs in related fields
Scientific publications, tools and databases
SET-Plan implementation progress reports giving data by priority area, country and energy source
Scientific energy research publications published by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
The Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) compiles databases and develops software and modelling tools.
Online library of EU energy research publications
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE
2024 marks 40 years since the launch of the EU’s first funding programme dedicated to science, research and innovation. This booklet presents a symbolic 40 stories to illustrate the breadth of R&I made possible through EU R&I funding and some of the results achieved over the last 40 years. It covers...
Latest
Independent expert report on ‘Addressing European Research and Innovation Challenges for System Transitions in Energy and Mobility’ published today.
Research and innovation news alert: These awards give recognition to outstanding proposals that foster collaboration between researchers and industry. The European Union funds the SOFT Innovation Prize through the Euratom Research and Training Programme.
Clean energy transitions make value chains crucial for energy security. This study highlights the role of R&I in this process.
Research and innovation news alert: Commission Staff Working Document “Towards a roadmap for accelerating the deployment of Hydrogen valleys across Europe: challenges and opportunities”
