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.
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.
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. Carbon capture and storage must address remaining emissions.
Research and innovation for sustainable batteries (Factsheet)
Read about the EU's energy research and innovation strategy
Key research areas
Funding opportunities
Horizon 2020 - energy calls
Calls for proposal related to energy themes in Horizon 2020. On this page you can find more information, the work programme and a link to the energy related calls.
Horizon 2020 - access to risk finance
Gain easier access to debt and equity financing such as InnovFin, managed by the European Investment Bank Group and European Investment Fund
Euratom
The Euratom programme provides funding for nuclear fission and fusion research
LIFE+ Climate Action
Co-financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation research, supporting the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy
Connecting Europe Facility - energy
CEF energy funds and finances energy infrastructure projects
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. You can access energy research related ones here
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