Official call identifier: IH-MIE
Objective of the call
The IH-MIE Open Call 2026 aims to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen-based mobility solutions across Europe, reduce regional innovation gaps and strengthen the role of SMEs in the green transition.
The call will support up to 30 SME-led innovation projects that address deployment barriers across the hydrogen mobility value chain. Selected SMEs will receive financial support together with mentoring, training, technical assistance and investment-readiness support.
Projects should validate, integrate and scale hydrogen mobility technologies over a 12-month implementation period, starting at Technology Readiness Level 6 and progressing towards the pre-commercial stage.
Scope of activities
The call follows a bottom-up and technology-neutral approach. Projects must address at least one of the following six hydrogen mobility challenges:
Challenge 1 – Fuel cell cost and durability
Projects should contribute to more robust, efficient and economically viable fuel-cell systems. Activities may include component innovation, system optimisation, digital monitoring, improved manufacturing, reduced maintenance requirements and lifecycle performance improvements.
Challenge 2 – Refuelling infrastructure
Projects may improve hydrogen refuelling system design, safety, efficiency, interoperability and operational reliability. Solutions that reduce energy consumption, downtime, complexity or regulatory barriers are encouraged.
Challenge 3 – Supply chain and logistics
Projects should address hydrogen transport, handling, storage and coordination across the supply chain. Relevant activities may include logistics models, digital tools, safety systems and solutions that reduce costs, emissions and operational risks.
Challenge 4 – Integration with other mobility solutions
Projects should support the technical, operational or digital integration of hydrogen technologies with vehicle platforms, fleets, charging infrastructure and energy systems. Relevant solutions include hybrid architectures, range extenders, interoperability and multimodal mobility applications.
Challenge 5 – On-board hydrogen storage
Projects may address hydrogen storage materials, tank design, system integration, monitoring and end-of-life strategies. Solutions should improve energy density, safety, manufacturability, cost-effectiveness or environmental performance under real operating conditions.
Challenge 6 – Hydrogen distribution
Projects should improve the connection between hydrogen production and mobility applications. Activities may include infrastructure, system interfaces, operational models and digital controls that improve efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance and compatibility with refuelling systems.
Projects are not required to work directly with the existing IH-MIE pioneer use cases but may build on them, complement them or create additional innovation pathways and cross-regional synergies.
Eligible applicants
The call is exclusively open to SMEs meeting the definition established in European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
Applicants must be established in:
• An EU Member State; or
• A European Economic Area country.
Applications may be submitted by:
• One individual SME; or
• A team of up to three SMEs.
For team applications, the SME submitting the proposal will act as the Project Leader and main contact point.
Each SME may submit only one proposal. Where an SME submits multiple proposals, only its latest submission will be considered eligible.
Universities, research and technology organisations, public administrations and large enterprises may participate as associated partners. However, associated partners are not eligible to receive financial support under the call.
SMEs from Less Developed Regions are prioritised. A proposal receives the corresponding evaluation points where:
• A single applicant is established in a Less Developed Region; or
• At least 50% of the SMEs participating in a team are established in Less Developed Regions.
Eligible costs
The requested lump sum must be based on a reasonable estimate of the resources needed to implement the project.
Eligible budget categories are:
• Personnel costs directly related to project implementation
• Subcontracting costs, limited to a maximum of 30% of the total project budget
• Travel and subsistence costs necessary for project implementation
• Equipment costs calculated on a depreciation basis for the period of project use
• Other goods, works and services, including consumables and external services
• Indirect costs calculated as a flat rate of 7% of eligible direct costs
Applicants are encouraged to reserve sufficient travel funding to participate in European Hydrogen Week or a similar event expected during the fourth quarter of 2027 in Central Europe.
The same activities may not receive funding from another EU programme or funding source.
Funding conditions
Type of support: Financial Support to Third Parties through lump-sum sub-grants
Funding rate: Up to 100% of the approved lump-sum amount. No co-financing is required.
Maximum grant per beneficiary:
• Single-SME project: up to EUR 60,000
• SME team: up to EUR 60,000 per participating SME
• Maximum team size: three SMEs
• Maximum total grant for a team project: EUR 180,000
Total call budget: EUR 1,800,000
At least EUR 800,000 of the total call budget must be allocated to SMEs established in Less Developed Regions.
Payment conditions:
• Pre-financing: 40% of the approved lump sum, paid within 45 days after the Sub-Grant Agreement has been signed by both parties
• Interim payment: 25%, paid within 45 days after approval of the interim report and successful interim review
• Final payment: 35%, paid within 45 days after approval of the final report and final review
Payments are linked to the achievement and verification of agreed milestones and deliverables rather than the reporting of actual expenditure.
Project duration: 12 months, from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) (if applicable): Projects must start at TRL 6 at the time of application and demonstrate a credible pathway towards the pre-commercial stage, potentially reaching up to TRL 9 by the end of the project.
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, ranging from basic research (TRL 1) to fully developed and market-ready systems (TRL 9).
Deadline for submission
25 September 2026