The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of India has announced detailed guidelines for Indian participants under the European Union (EU)-India joint call for proposals on waste-to-renewable hydrogen innovation. This initiative, launched under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council working group 2, supports collaborative projects focused on converting biogenic waste into renewable hydrogen through biochemical and thermochemical pathways. The call aims to support research actions up to Technology Readiness Level 5 and invites coordinated proposals from Indian and European institutions.
The total funding allocated includes Rs 900 million from the MNRE for Indian partners and €10 million from the EU side. A maximum of two projects could be funded with up to Rs 450 million per project and €5 million per project available for Indian and European consortia, respectively. The deadline for Indian proposal submissions on the MNRE research & development (R&D) portal is September 5, 2025, while European participants must submit by September 2, 2025.
To qualify, consortia must include a minimum of three Indian and three European entities from different eligible countries. Indian partners must be distinct legal entities, including academic institutions, government labs, recognised industry associations, and eligible companies. Project durations can range between 36 to 48 months and must align across both Indian and European partners.
The MNRE funding will cover up to 100 per cent of approved project costs for public R&D bodies and up to 80 per cent for private sector participants, depending on their classification (startups, small and medium enterprises, or large enterprises) for a period of 36 months.
