The European Commission has selected 77 European net-zero technology projects to receive €3.4 billion in funding under the Innovation Fund. The call supports projects across five areas, including large-, medium-, and small-scale decarbonisation, clean-tech manufacturing and pilot projects. The projects are spread across 23 countries in the European Economic Area. The selected projects include 12 large-scale projects seeking around €1.58 billion, 17 medium-scale projects seeking around €458 million, and 20 small-scale projects seeking around €124 million. Additionally, 12 clean-tech manufacturing projects have been selected with funding requests of almost €895 million, while 16 pilot projects have requested around €394 million.
Furthermore, the selected projects also include a small modular nuclear reactor project and a direct air carbon capture and storage project. It also includes 6 critical raw materials projects that support the objectives of the Net-Zero Industry Act and the RESourceEU Action Plan. The promoters of the selected projects have been invited to start preparing grant agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. The final results are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2027.
Earlier, in February 2026, the European Commission approved nearly €650 million in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility to support 14 cross-border energy infrastructure projects. The allocation aligns with the European Grids Package, which highlights improved interconnectivity as a means to enhance energy security, integrate renewable energy, and lower energy costs for consumers and industry.