Energy is at the heart of Europe’s climate goals. The EU funds research and innovation across the whole energy system, from solar and wind to hydrogen, storage and fusion. Here is an overview of the priorities, funding opportunities and upcoming events.
Why energy research matters
The Commission notes that the EU must decarbonise at least six times faster than the world has managed so far. The transition must be just and inclusive, delivering energy that is clean, affordable, secure and safe. Under REPowerEU, the EU also aims to speed up the shift to renewables and renewable hydrogen and to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Research priorities
- making the renewable energy value chain more efficient, sustainable and circular;
- developing new renewable technologies and energy storage;
- clean hydrogen for long-term storage and for sectors that are hard to decarbonise, such as heavy transport and carbon-intensive industry;
- carbon capture and storage for remaining emissions.
Research areas
Where to find funding
- Horizon Europe, Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility): the main source of EU research funding for energy projects, published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
- LIFE Programme: the EU’s funding instrument for environment and climate action, including the clean energy transition.
- CINEA: the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, which manages many of these calls.
- European Partnerships in climate, energy and mobility, bringing together public and private partners.
- Prizes: such as the Prize for Governance Innovations in Energy Communities and the SOFT Innovation Prize for fusion energy.
Latest news: energy communities win EU prize
On 10 November 2026, ten citizen-led energy communities from six countries won the first EU Prize for Governance Innovations in Energy Communities, sharing EUR 1 million. The prize recognised how they take decisions, share benefits and work with local partners.
Upcoming events
- 19 November 2026Horizon Europe info days, Cluster 5, Brussels and online
- 26–27 November 2026Unite!Energy, 3rd annual conference
Recent events included the European Research and Innovation Days (10–11 November 2026) and European Hydrogen Week (26–30 October 2026), both in Brussels. On 4 November 2026 the Commission also presented the next steps of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan to accelerate clean energy innovation and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
Examples of EU-funded projects
- Greener steel: researchers in Spain, Finland, France and Germany are testing hydrogen-powered burners to cut emissions in steel production.
- NPHyCo: a project that assessed whether Europe’s nuclear power plants could also produce hydrogen.
We follow EU energy law and its transposition, and help with consortium agreements, intellectual property and legal translations for EU-funded projects.
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