EU’s Innovation Fund

What was in the 2024 call?

The latest call — IF24 — was launched on 3 December 2024, offering €2.4 billion for net-zero technologies. A dedicated €1 billion call also targeted battery cell manufacturing for electric vehicles, alongside an EU-wide auction for renewable hydrogen. These initiatives are part of the EU’s broader climate strategy under the Green Deal Industrial Plan, REPowerEU, and the Net-Zero Industry Act.

The next call is expected to be published on December 2025.

What kinds of projects are funded and how?

Projects must be highly innovative, scalable, and capable of delivering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The Fund supports technologies across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Low-carbon solutions in energy-intensive industries
• Carbon capture, storage (CCS), and utilisation (CCU)
• Renewable energy generation and energy storage
• Battery production and clean mobility
• Buildings and other sectors recently added under the revised EU ETS Directive

All projects must be mature in terms of technical readiness, planning, and financial structure.

Projects can apply for small- (€2.5-20 million), medium- (€20-100 million) or large (over €100 million) scale and are evaluated according to five key criteria: greenhouse gas avoidance, degree of innovation, maturity, replicability, and cost efficiency.

What does the application process involve?

Proposals are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal during open calls. The application is detailed — often 200–300 pages — and must include a technical description, work plan, timeline, budget, feasibility study, and a GHG emission reduction calculation.

Successful applicants may also benefit from Project Development Assistance and technical advisory support, especially if the project is in an earlier stage.

Key takeaways

• Innovation is the gateway — projects must pass the innovation score threshold before being scored on later criteria.
• GHG avoidance is decisive — strong, verifiable emission reduction potential is critical; it’s weighted heavily in overall scoring due to tying directly to cost efficiency.
• Maturity and credibility — prove that the project can deliver quickly and guarantee co-financing.
• Winning proposals integrate innovation, quantified GHG impact, and commercial readiness — demonstrating both climate impact and feasibility.
• Evaluators look for credibility, evidence, and clarity — incomplete data or weak justification sharply lowers scores.
• Only projects that meet all minimum thresholds are ranked for funding

How 1st Mile adds value

1st Mile is among the few consultancies appointed by the Danish Energy Agency (DEA) to screen and validate Innovation Fund applications. Our team combines technical, financial, and climate-impact expertise to guide clients through every stage — from concept to grant agreement.

Our services include DEA-funded validation and maturity review, GHG and financial modelling using official IF methodologies, Proposal drafting and documentation – Parts A-C, annexes, and compliance checks –, grant negotiation and milestone reporting.

With projects already selected for Innovation Fund funding, we know how to structure strong, evidence-based proposals that stand out in one of the EU’s most competitive climate programmes.

How do we know what works?

At 1st Mile, we’ve helped clients navigate this process and win. If you’re exploring an Innovation Fund opportunity, for this round or the next, we’re here to help.

⏱️ Plan ahead! The Innovation Fund application is highly documentation-intensive. We recommend starting preparations 8-12 months in advance.