Horizon Europe 2026/2027 best topics for "fuel cells"

Writer

Celeste Chidiac, PhD

Keywords

Microfluidic Devices, Intelligent Microfluidics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning

Opening

Dec 2025, Aug/Sep/Dec 2026, Feb/Mar 2027

Deadline

Apr/Oct/Dec 2026,

Feb/Mar/Ap/Jun/Sep/Oct 2027

Keywords

Intelligent Microfluidics

Deep Learning

Microfluidic Devices

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

clean energy

PEMFC/SOFC

mobility & stationary power

Your microfluidic SME partner for Horizon Europe!

Horizon Europe 2026-2027
Calls ordered by "fuel cells" relevance

We have categorized the most relevant topics from the Horizon Europe 2026-2027 work programmes according to the impact that “Fuel cells (PEMFC/SOFC) for mobility & stationary power” can have on the calls and related topics. We are sharing our analysis in case it can help you with project funding efforts. And, of course, if our microfluidics expertise can be of use to you as a partner, we would be delighted to discuss it further.

fuel-cells-PEMFC
PEMFC working principle. (Image taken from Qasem, N. A.A. et al. International journal of energy research. 2024 [1])

The relevance is indicated at the beginning of the topic in square brackets.

Discover more!

Calls ordered by “Fuel cells (PEMFC/SOFC) for mobility & stationary power” relevance

[98%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-11 – SCALABILITY OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS FOR WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (ZEWT & CLEAN HYDROGEN JU)

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 05‑2026 (WP2026‑2027)
  • Budget (topic, M€): 16.00
  • Expected EU contribution per project (M€): ~8.00
  • Estimated # projects funded: 2
  • Opening date: 18 Dec 2025 • Deadline: 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. R&I to make SOFC systems maritime‑ready: larger stacks/modules, improved reliability and durability, validation/testing in marine environments, multi‑fuel operation (H₂ and derivatives), scalable manufacturing, safety, and diagnostics towards ≥100 kW building blocks scalable to ~1 MW, aligned with ZEWT KPIs; topic to be transferred to the Clean Hydrogen JU WP.

Why this finances fuel‑cell research. It directly funds core SOFC stack, BoP, controls, testing methods, and manufacturing routes specific to harsh maritime duty cycles, ideal for stacking TRL growth on fuel‑cell materials, architecture, thermal management, and system safety. It couples CHJU and ZEWT roadmaps to accelerate fuel‑cell performance, lifetime, and CAPEX reduction.

[92%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-14 – PORTS OF THE FUTURE (ZEWT PARTNERSHIP)

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 05‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 21.00
  • Expected/project (M€): ~10.50
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. Large‑scale demonstrations of next‑gen port operations and infrastructures for zero‑emission shipping, including bunkering/handling of alternative fuels and port‑vessel energy systems integration.

Why it fits fuel cells. Enables deployment‑scale demonstrators for hydrogen & ammonia logistics, bunkering and safety, critical enablers for FC ships and aux power. Strong space for FC‑compatible port energy hubs, safety cases and permitting frameworks.

[90%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-13 – SAFETY OF RENEWABLE LOW & ZERO‑CARBON WATERBORNE FUELS IN PORT AREAS (ZEWT)

  • Type of action: CSA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 05‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 2.00
  • # projects: 1
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. Risk assessment, regulatory frameworks, and guidelines for safe bunkering/handling/storage of low‑ and zero‑carbon fuels in ports.

Why it fits fuel cells. Establishes safety regimes and harmonized guidance that de-risk hydrogen-based port operations, a prerequisite for FC ship trials and later market uptake.

[89%] HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-02 – HYDROGEN CITIES

  • Type of action: CSA
  • Call: Supporting the implementation of the Climate‑Neutral & Smart Cities Mission (2027‑04, single stage)
  • Budget (M€): 5.00
  • # projects: 1
  • Opening / Deadline: 09 Feb 2027 • 07 Oct 2027.

Scope. Twinning Hydrogen Valleys with cities to deploy hydrogen applications for hard-to-abate sectors (industry, heavy‑duty, maritime/aviation interfaces), creating communities of practice and CHJU synergies; heating is out of scope.

Why it fits fuel cells. Funds city‑scale ecosystems where mobility, port/airport services, and industrial sites can adopt FCs, building bankable pipelines (permits, CAPEX/OPEX models, multi‑actor governance) that accelerate FC deployments.

[88%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-11-D3-04 – DE‑RISKING RENEWABLE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES THROUGH TRANSNATIONAL PRE‑COMMERCIAL PROCUREMENT OF RENEWABLE FUEL INDUSTRIAL VALUE CHAINS

  • Type of action: PCP
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 11‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 40.00
  • # projects: 1
  • Opening / Deadline: 04 Aug 2026 • 01 Dec 2026.

Scope. Pan‑EU procurement to de‑risk essential renewable fuel value chains (incl. hydrogen‑based) toward commercial fuel production beyond 2030 – improving access to finance, competitiveness, and market uptake.

Why it fits fuel cells. Addresses upstream bottlenecks (supply chains, industrial manufacturing) for renewable hydrogen and derivatives that feed FC mobility and stationary applications; powerful lever to mature FC‑compatible fuels and logistics at scale.

[85%] HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-09 – CO‑FUNDING SET‑PLAN RENEWABLE FUEL VALUE CHAINS AT EU/NATIONAL/REGIONAL/LOCAL LEVEL

  • Type of action: COFUND
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 02‑2027
  • Budget (M€): 30.00
  • # projects: 1
  • Opening / Deadline: 03 Dec 2026 • 31 Mar 2027.

Scope. Programme‑level co‑fund to coordinate and scale renewable‑fuel value chains via SET‑Plan, aiming at deployment/industrialization.

Why it fits fuel cells. Helps Member States/regions co‑finance hydrogen corridors and FC use‑cases (ports, logistics, industry), linking FC demand creation with upstream investments.

[84%] HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-01 – INNOVATIVE MICROGRIDS AND ENERGY COMMUNITIES IN CITIES

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cities Mission (2027‑04)
  • Budget (M€): 20.00
  • Expected / project (M€): ~7.00
  • # projects: 3
  • Opening / Deadline: 09 Feb 2027 • 07 Oct 2027.

Scope. City‑scale demonstrations of resilient microgrids and energy communities integrating diverse DERs.

Why it fits fuel cells. Creates real‑world arenas for FC‑based micro‑cogeneration, islanding backup and sector coupling (H₂‑to‑power) integrated with storage and EV fleets.

[82%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-22 – NOVEL SOLUTIONS FOR OFF‑GRID STORAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 12.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~4.00
  • # projects: 3
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. Innovative storage for critical sites operating off‑grid/weak‑grid.

Why it fits fuel cells. Targets H₂‑to‑power microgrids where FCs provide long‑duration, resilient backup as part of hybrid storage architectures at hospitals, data centers, etc.

[80%] HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-19 – ONBOARD RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS & ENERGY‑SAVING MEASURES TO REDUCE SHIP FUEL CONSUMPTION ≥55% (ZEWT)

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2027
  • Budget (M€): 8.00
  • # projects: 1
  • Opening / Deadline: 15 Dec 2026 • 14 Apr 2027.

Scope. Integrates onboard renewable energy and efficiency measures toward drastic fuel cuts in real operations.

Why it fits fuel cells. Demonstration space for FC‑based auxiliary propulsion/hotel loads with hybrid energy management delivering measurable fuel savings.

[78%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-06-TWO-STAGE-D5-10 – DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES & INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS FOR ENERGY SAVING ONBOARD LONG‑DISTANCE SHIPS (ZEWT)

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 06‑2026 (two‑stage)
  • Budget (M€): 15.00
  • Expected / project (M€): ~5.00
  • # projects: 3
  • Opening / Deadlines: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026 (Stage 1), 08 Oct 2026 (Stage 2).

Scope. Breakthrough energy-saving tech and concepts for long-distance ships.

Why it fits fuel cells. Opens the door to FC‑hybrid architectures (SOFC/PEMFC + batteries), waste‑heat integration and control strategies to cut fuel use and emissions.

[70%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-21 – HYBRID AI‑CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR NEXT‑GEN GRID‑SCALE ENERGY STORAGE & SYSTEM INTEGRATION

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 14.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~7.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. AI‑based control for grid‑scale storage and integration.

Why it fits fuel cells. Enables advanced EMS/dispatch for FC‑hybrid plants (dynamic load tracking, degradation‑aware operation), improving life and LCOE of FC systems.

[65%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-19 – GRID‑FORMING CAPABILITIES FOR MORE RESILIENT, RES‑BASED ELECTRICITY GRIDS

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 20.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~10.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. System‑level innovations for RES‑dominated grids with grid‑forming assets.

Why it fits fuel cells. Though not FC‑specific, results and testbeds can include FC‑hybrid converters and black‑start services, improving integration prospects of FC power.

[62%] HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-25 – LARGE‑SCALE OPERATIONAL VALIDATION & UPSCALING OF (GENERATIVE) AI TOOLS FOR A NEXT‑GEN DIGITAL ENERGY SYSTEM

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 02‑2027
  • Budget (M€): 20.00
  • Expected/ project (M€): ~10.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 03 Dec 2026 • 31 Mar 2027.

Scope. Operational pilots to validate AI tools across energy value chain.

Why it fits fuel cells. Provides funding logic for AI‑enabled O&M, forecasting and digital twins of FC plants and H₂ hubs to cut downtime and optimize dispatch.

[60%] HORIZON-CL5-2027-03-D5-17 – INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR MITIGATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (ZEWT)

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2027
  • Budget (M€): 14.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~7.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 15 Dec 2026 • 14 Apr 2027.

Scope. Solutions to reduce waterborne environmental impacts.

Why it fits fuel cells. Creates a pathway to validate FC retrofit/auxiliary concepts and emissions benefits as part of wider environmental packages onboard.

[58%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-05-D5-12 – SHIPYARDS OF THE FUTURE (ZEWT)

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 05‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 21.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~10.50
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. Digitalized, modular and greener shipyard processes and integration.

Why it fits fuel cells. Supports industrial readiness to integrate FC modules, ventilation/safety systems, and H₂ piping within newbuild/retrofit workflows.

[55%] HORIZON-CL4-2027-02-MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION-32 – EFFICIENT ENERGY INPUT FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES & ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES (P4P & IAM4EU)

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: INDUSTRY‑two‑stage (2027‑02)
  • Budget (M€): 60.00
  • Expected/project (M€): 7.00-9.00
  • # projects: 8
  • Opening / Deadlines: 22 Sep 2026 • 02 Feb 2027 (Stage 1), 02 Sep 2027 (Stage 2).

Scope. Energy‑efficiency & renewable integration in process industries.

Why it fits fuel cells. Supports FC‑compatible manufacturing and test lines (e.g., high‑temperature processes for SOFC cells/stacks) and smart energy management in FC component production.

[54%] HORIZON-CL4-2027-01-MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION-47 – PILOT ACCESS SCHEMES TO TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURES FOR EUROPEAN STARTUPS, SCALEUPS & INNOVATIVE SMES

  • Type of action: CSA
  • Call: INDUSTRY 2027‑01 (single stage)
  • Budget (M€): 5.00
  • Expected /project (M€): 1.50-2.50
  • # projects: 2

Scope. EU‑wide pilot access to technology infrastructures.

Why it fits fuel cells. Lowers barriers for FC startups to access pilot lines, test benches, and metrology, accelerating stack/component validation and scale‑up.

[50%] HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-02 – ACCESS TO RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES TO ENABLE R&I ADDRESSING EU PRIORITIES & EMERGING CHALLENGES

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Research Infrastructures 2027 (HORIZON‑INFRA‑2027‑01)
  • Budget (M€): 35.00
  • Expected / project (M€): ~6.00
  • # projects: 5
  • Opening / Deadline: 09 Mar 2027 • 15 Jun 2027.

Scope. Transnational/virtual access to world‑class RIs and services.

Why it fits fuel cells. Funds transnational access to FC‑relevant labs (electrochemistry, materials, H₂ safety), de‑risking early research and benchmarking under FAIR data practices.

[48%] HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-01 – TESTING & OPTIMISING MODELS OF CO‑CREATION OF ADVANCED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGIES

  • Type of action: RIA
  • Call: Research Infrastructures 2027 (HORIZON‑INFRA‑2027‑01)
  • Budget (M€): 30.00
  • Expected /project (M€): 10.00-15.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 09 Mar 2027 • 15 Jun 2027.

Scope. Co‑creation with industry for next‑generation RI technologies.

Why it fits fuel cells. Opportunity to develop advanced FC test & metrology platforms (e.g., high‑temp operando characterization, safety rigs) via RI‑industry co‑creation.

[45%] HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-23 – AI‑DRIVEN FORECASTING ALGORITHMS FOR GRID & CONSUMER‑FRIENDLY ENERGY SHARING – SOCIETAL READINESS PILOT

  • Type of action: IA
  • Call: Cluster 5 Call 03‑2026
  • Budget (M€): 12.00
  • Expected /project (M€): ~6.00
  • # projects: 2
  • Opening / Deadline: 18 Dec 2025 • 14 Apr 2026.

Scope. AI forecasting to enable energy sharing and consumer‑centric flexibility.

Why it fits fuel cells. Supports digital layers for neighborhood microgrids where FCs provide firm power within peer-to-peer energy models.

Notes on additional, cross‑cutting support to hydrogen/fuel cells in CL5

The CL5 WP also foresees blending operations under InvestEU’s Green Transition product, explicitly highlighting renewable hydrogen demonstration and end-use applications, complementing grants with loans/quasi-equity; this can strengthen business cases of FC deployments emerging from the above topics.

What microfluidics can bring to fuel cells

  • Catalyst‑layer discovery at scale: High‑throughput microreactors to screen inks (ionomer content, solvent systems), accelerating PEMFC/PAFC/SOFC electrode optimization.
  • Water and gas management: Microchannel architectures to study two‑phase flow, droplet dynamics and GDL hydrophobicity; de‑risk flooding/dry‑out maps and operating windows.
  • Membrane diagnostics: In‑situ micro‑sensors for humidity, crossover, and local current density to correlate degradation with local conditions.
  • Reformer & pre-condenser microsystems (SOFC): Micro‑reformers for methanol/ ethanol/ammonia cracking studies with controlled residence times and thermal profiles.
  • Thermal management: Micro‑heat exchangers and embedded temperature sensing to design stack/BoP thermal control loops with minimal parasitics.
  • Contaminant tolerance: Microfluidic dosing platforms to quantify FC performance impact of NH₃, H₂S, CO, particulates – building robust poisoning mitigation strategies.
  • Durability protocols: Rapid stress‑test cycling in microcells to emulate load transients and start-stop; connect to AI-based prognostics for lifetime models.
  • Manufacturing scale‑up: Inline micro‑rheology and micromixing QA to stabilize ink and coating processes (slot‑die/spray) before scale‑up to pilot lines.

[1] Qasem, N. A., & Abdulrahman, G. A. (2024). A recent comprehensive review of fuel cells: history, types, and applications. International Journal of Energy Research2024(1), 7271748.

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