Horizon Europe 2026/2027 best topics for "electrolysis"

Writer

Celeste Chidiac, PhD

Keywords

Microfluidic Devices, Intelligent Microfluidics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning

Opening

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

Deadline

Mar/Ap/Sep/Dec 2026, Feb/Mar/Sep/Oct 2027

Keywords

Intelligent Microfluidics

Deep Learning

Microfluidic Devices

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

clean energy

renewable hydrogen

electrochemical processes

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Horizon Europe 2026-2027
Calls Ordered by "electrolysis" relevance

We have categorized the most relevant topics from the Horizon Europe 2026‑2027 work programmes according to the impact that “electrolysis for renewable hydrogen and electrochemical processes” 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.

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

Discover more!

Calls ordered by “electrolysis for renewable hydrogen and electrochemical processes” relevance

[92%] HORIZON‑CID‑2026‑01‑02 – R&I IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN INDUSTRIAL DEAL: CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Type of Action: IA.
Call: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal 2026
Budget (M€): 150.00.
Expected EU contribution per project (M€): 15.00 to 25.00.
# projects: 8.
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 15 Sep 2026.

Scientific scope
Funds large-scale, near-market demonstrations that accelerate the roll‑out of clean industrial technologies across value chains. Supports scale-up, first-of-a-kind deployments, manufacturing capacities, and integration into industrial sites. The strategy emphasizes replicability and rapid emissions reduction, with strong exploitation and investment logic. Complements Net‑Zero priorities and leverages synergies with other EU instruments.

Why is this relevant for electrolysis
Electrolysis is a core clean technology for green hydrogen and power‑to‑X in hard-to-abate sectors. This topic can fund industrial pilots for high-throughput electrolyser manufacturing, BoP integration, and site-level deployment (e.g., refining, chemicals, steel) with bankable business cases. It also fits advanced stacks (PEM, AEM, SOEC), balance‑of‑plant, digital O&M, and lifetime/cost improvements critical to LCOH reduction.

[90%] HORIZON‑CID‑2027‑01‑02 – R&I IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN INDUSTRIAL DEAL: CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Type of Action: IA.
Call: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal 2027
Budget (M€): 140.00, # projects: 8.
budget per project (€): €17,500,000.
Opening: 12 Jan 2027 – Deadline: 15 Sep 2027.

Scientific scope
Continuation/expansion of the 2026 Clean Tech action: industrial‑scale demonstrations and manufacturing capacities for climate-neutral technologies with strong market take-up plans, investment leverage, and replicability.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Ideal for high‑TRL electrolysis manufacturing lines (e.g., gigafactory scale, low‑Ir PEM, durable AEM), process integration (H₂ for heat/feedstock), and digital twins for performance/Degradation mitigation- directly addressing cost, durability, and scale barriers to green hydrogen deployment.

[88%] HORIZON‑MISS‑2027‑04‑CIT‑02 – HYDROGEN CITIES

Type of Action: CSA.
Call: Missions 2027 – Climate‑neutral and Smart Cities
Budget (M€): 5.00; # projects: 1.
Opening: 09 Feb 2027 – Deadline: 07 Oct 2027.

Scientific scope
Supports a comprehensive, city‑scale approach to hydrogen ecosystems – planning, coordination, and enabling conditions for future demonstrations and investments (infrastructure, safety, skills, governance, replication).

Why relevant for electrolysis
Electrolyser projects benefit from city-level roadmaps, offtake aggregation (mobility, heat, industry), permitting and safety frameworks, and coordinated infrastructure (storage, refueling). This topic helps de-risk deployments and structure multi-stakeholder portfolios where municipal demand anchors green hydrogen production.

[82%] HORIZON‑CID‑2026‑01‑01 – R&I IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN INDUSTRIAL DEAL: DECARBONISATION OF ENERGY‑INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES

Type of Action: IA.
Call: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal 2026
Budget (M€): 125.00; # projects: 8.
budget per project (€): €15,625,000.
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 15 Sep 2026.

Scientific scope
Demonstrates deep decarbonization pathways in energy-intensive industries via fuel switch, electrification, clean hydrogen, CCUS, process innovations, and system integration with robust investment/exploitation logic.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Funds plant-level hydrogen substitution for heat/feedstocks and hybrid solutions (H₂ + electrified processes). Strong fit for coupling large electrolysers with industrial operations, including flexibility, waste‑heat recovery for SOEC, and OPEX‑cutting digital control.

[82%] HORIZON‑CID‑2027‑01‑01 – R&I IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN INDUSTRIAL DEAL: DECARBONISATION OF ENERGY‑INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES

Type of Action: IA.
Call: R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal 2027
Budget (M€): 125.00; # projects: 8.
budget per project (€): €15,625,000.
Opening: 12 Jan 2027 – Deadline: 15 Sep 2027.

Scientific scope
As above, focused on high-impact decarbonization demos in EIIs with strong potential for replication and rapid industrial uptake.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Backs large-scale hydrogen integration (direct reduction, ammonia, refineries), addressing integration, CAPEX/OPEX, and operational flexibility – key to bankable electrolysis in EIIs.

[80%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2027‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑22 – INNOVATIVE ADVANCED MATERIALS AND NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES – REDUCING DEPENDENCIES ON CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC RAW MATERIALS

Type of Action: IA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2027
Budget (M€): 36.00; # projects: 6.
budget per project (€): €6,000,000.
Opening: 22 Sep 2026 – Deadline: 02 Feb 2027.

Scientific scope
Targets substitution or substantially reduced use of critical/strategic raw materials through safe‑and‑sustainable‑by‑design innovative materials and processes, achieving TRL5→7 with strong business cases.

Why relevant for electrolysis
PEM electrolysers depend on scarce Ir/Ru/Pt; AEM/SOEC have critical components. This topic supports new catalysts, coatings, membranes, and stack materials that cut CRM content and cost, improving durability and EU supply resilience.

[78%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑01 – ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FOR KEY PRODUCTS (MADE IN EUROPE PARTNERSHIP)

Type of Action: IA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2026
Budget (M€): 37.50; # projects: 6.
budget per project (€): €6,250,000.
Opening: 06 Jan 2026 – Deadline: 21 Apr 2026.

Scientific scope
Supports advanced manufacturing solutions for strategic products in Europe, including scaling production lines, automation, and quality‑by‑design approaches aligned with industrial partnerships.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Direct fit for mass‑manufacturable electrolyser stacks/modules and BoP (power electronics, compressors, separators), in‑line QC/NDT, yield improvement, and factory digitalization to lower €/kW and ramp volumes.

[76%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2027‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑02 – ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FOR KEY PRODUCTS (MADE IN EUROPE PARTNERSHIP)

Type of Action: IA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2027
Budget (M€): 36.00; # projects: 6.
budget per project (€): €6,000,000.
Opening: 22 Sep 2026 – Deadline: 02 Feb 2027.

Scientific scope
As above, with emphasis on robust industrialization, automation, metrology, and supply‑chain readiness.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Enables factory-scale improvements for PEM/AEM/SOEC, including stack assembly automation, membrane/electrode coating, micro-patterning of flow-fields, and quality analytics.

[75%] 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: 04 Aug 2026 – Deadline: 01 Dec 2026.

Scientific scope
Joint PCP by public buyers to de-risk renewable fuel technologies across the value chain. Focus on procurement-driven R&I to address performance, cost, and integration barriers.

Why relevant for electrolysis
“Renewable fuels” covers RFNBOs – including H₂. This purchasing‑power instrument can fund pre-commercial development/testing of electrolyser systems, H₂ logistics and integration, creating market pull for innovative solutions.

[74%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2027‑02‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑32 – EFFICIENT ENERGY INPUT FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES

Type of Action: IA (two‑stage call).
Call: INDUSTRY‑two‑stage 2027
Opening: 22 Sep 2026; 1st stage: 02 Feb 2027; 2nd stage: 02 Sep 2027.
Budget (M€): 60.00; # projects: 8.
budget per project (€): €7,500,000.

Scientific scope
Targets integration of renewable energy (heat/electricity) and advanced energy management in process industries, with strong industry‑partnership anchoring.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Large electrolysers need low-cost renewable power and smart control. This topic supports site-level energy integration, hybridization (e.g., SOEC + waste heat), and supervisory control to cut LCOH via higher capacity factor and grid-friendly operation.

[72%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑31 – EFFICIENT CAPTURE / PURIFICATION / UTILISATION OF CO₂ FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS (PROCESSES4PLANET PARTNERSHIP)

Type of Action: RIA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2026 (HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01).
Budget (M€): 51.00; # projects: 9.
budget per project (€): €5,666,667.
Opening: 06 Jan 2026 – Deadline: 21 Apr 2026.

Scientific scope
Advances in integrated CO₂ capture/purification and utilization routes to competitive products, improving efficiency, quality, and techno-economic viability in process industries.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Electrochemical CO₂ conversion (e‑fuels/chemicals) is electrolyser‑adjacent. Topic can fund electrocatalyst/membrane development, electrolyser‑reactor coupling, and process intensification that leverage green H₂ for carbon utilization.

[70%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2027‑02‑D3‑09 – CO‑FUNDING STRATEGIC ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (SET) PLAN RENEWABLE FUEL VALUE CHAINS AT EU, NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL LEVEL

Type of Action: COFUND.
Budget (M€): 30.00; # projects: 1.
Opening: 03 Dec 2026 – Deadline: 31 Mar 2027.

Scientific scope
Co‑funds aligned programmes on renewable fuel value chains under the SET‑Plan, strengthening multi‑level governance and investment leverage.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Mobilizes national/regional funds with EU support – ideal to finance coordinated pipelines of hydrogen (electrolysis) pilots, offtake schemes, and enabling infrastructure.

[68%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑23 – ACCELERATING THE DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHEMICALS AND INNOVATIVE ADVANCED MATERIALS THROUGH DIGITALISATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (IAM PARTNERSHIP)

Type of Action: IA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2026
Budget (M€): 51.00; # projects: 4.
budget per project (€): €12,750,000.
Opening: 06 Jan 2026 – Deadline: 21 Apr 2026.

Scientific scope
Accelerates materials/chemicals development via AI-driven workflows and digital twins – from design to validation – under the IAM partnership.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Applies directly to electrocatalysts, ionomers, membranes, and anti-degradation coatings; enables high-throughput discovery/optimization and physics-informed scale-up of components that govern efficiency and lifetime.

[66%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2026‑03‑D3‑22 – NOVEL SOLUTIONS FOR OFF-GRID STORAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES

Type of Action: RIA
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 31 Mar 2026.
Budget (M€): 12.00; # projects: 3.
budget per project (€): €4,000,000.

Scientific scope
Develops innovative off‑grid storage/energy systems for critical infrastructures, improving resilience and operability with high shares of renewables.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Supports remote/behind-the-meter renewable‑to‑hydrogen schemes (electrolyser + storage + control), islanded operation, and black‑start capabilities – key for mining sites, ports, and industrial estates.

[60%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2026‑03‑D3‑19 – GRID‑FORMING CAPABILITIES FOR MORE RESILIENT AND RES‑BASED ELECTRICITY GRIDS

Type of Action: IA.
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 31 Mar 2026.
Budget (M€): 20.00; # projects: 2.

Scientific scope
Demonstrates grid-forming technologies and control schemes, enhancing stability with high penetration of inverter-based resources.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Large electrolysers are power‑electronics-intensive loads. Grid-forming advances help connect MW-scale plants, mitigate disturbances, and enable demand-side services (primary reserve, synthetic inertia) that monetize flexibility.

[58%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2026‑03‑D3‑21 – HYBRID AI‑CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR A NEXT‑GENERATION GRID‑SCALE ENERGY STORAGE AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION

Type of Action: IA.
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 31 Mar 2026.
Budget (M€): 14.00; # projects: 2.

Scientific scope
Develops/validates hybrid AI control for grid-scale storage and energy system integration, enhancing predictability and system services.

Why relevant for electrolysis
AI control can optimize electrolyser dispatch with renewables and markets, reduce cycling degradation, and coordinate H₂ production with storage and loads for best LCOH.

[56%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑14 – IMPROVING AVAILABILITY OF SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS THROUGH RECYCLING

Type of Action: IA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2026 (HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01).
Budget (M€): 28.00; # projects: 4.
Opening: 06 Jan 2026 – Deadline: 21 Apr 2026.

Scientific scope
Boosts secondary raw materials availability via innovative recycling routes and system integration.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Supports recovery of platinum‑group metals, Ni, Co, and other strategic materials from spent stacks/electrodes – reducing CRM risks and enabling circular business models for electrolysis manufacturers.

[55%] HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01‑MATERIALS‑PRODUCTION‑12 – TECHNOLOGIES FOR INNOVATIVE EXTRACTION OF CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS

Type of Action: RIA.
Call: INDUSTRY 2026 (HORIZON‑CL4‑2026‑01).
Budget (M€): 19.00; # projects: 3.
budget per project (€): €6,333,333.
Opening: 06 Jan 2026 – Deadline: 21 Apr 2026.

Scientific scope
Develops innovative extraction technologies for CRMs, improving environmental performance and security of supply.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Addresses supply‑chain bottlenecks (e.g., Ir, Pt, Ni) needed for catalysts and cell components, stabilizing costs and enabling European manufacturing scale‑up.

[52%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2026‑05‑D5‑11 – SCALABILITY OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS FOR WATERBORNE TRANSPORT (ZEWT & CLEAN HYDROGEN JU)

Type of Action: RIA.
Opening: 18 Dec 2025 – Deadline: 14 Apr 2026.
Budget (M€): 16.00; # projects: 2.
Scope note: The topic text explicitly mentions operation with hydrogen and its derivatives and will be transferred to the Clean Hydrogen JU WP.

Scientific scope
Scale SOFC stacks/modules with improved performance, reliability, and durability; develop testing/diagnostic protocols and control, assess operation with H₂/ammonia/methanol, and advance manufacturing processes.

Why relevant for electrolysis
SOFC/SOEC platforms share materials and manufacturing. Advances in SOFC stack durability, control, and manufacturing can translate to reversible SOEC/E‑fuels systems and enable maritime hydrogen ecosystems.

[50%] HORIZON‑CL5‑2027‑02‑D3‑31 – ADVANCEMENTS IN DIRECT AIR CAPTURE

Type of Action: IA.
Opening: 03 Dec 2026 – Deadline: 31 Mar 2027.
Budget (M€): 17.00; Estimated # projects: 2.

Scientific scope
Funds large-scale operational validation of DAC concepts to capture CO₂ efficiently and cost-effectively.

Why relevant for electrolysis
Electrochemical DAC and e-fuel pathways couple naturally with green hydrogen. Projects can integrate H₂ production and DAC to deliver synthetic fuels/chemicals with verifiable carbon balances.

What microfluidics can bring to electrolysis

High‑throughput screening of electrocatalysts (PEM/AEM/SOEC) in micro‑cells with precise control of mass transport and local pH.
Bubble dynamics control and two-phase flow management to reduce ohmic losses and improve gas removal from porous electrodes.
Rapid durability and accelerated‑stress testing (AST) under well-defined gradients of temperature, humidity, and current density.
Micro-patterned flow‑fields and channel architectures to optimize pressure drop, water management, and reactant utilization.
In‑situ diagnostic sensors (pressure, impedance, optical) embedded in micro‑reactors for real-time degradation mapping.
Membrane and ionomer screening (conductivity, crossover, swelling) using chip-based diffusion/permeation rigs.
Lab‑on‑chip electrosynthesis for CO₂RR/N₂RR product quantification and selectivity maps at low reagent volumes.
Scale‑down replicas of full cells/stacks for fast design‑of‑experiments (DoE) and ML-ready datasets.
Thermal management studies (micro‑calorimetry) to quantify heat generation and SOEC thermal transients.
Micro‑structured electrodes (e.g., templated foams, nano‑channels) to raise ECSA and sustain higher current densities.