The Interregional Hydrogen Mobility Initiative for Europe (IH-MIE) has launched its Open Call 2026, designed to fund up to 30 SME-led innovation projects. This initiative aims to advance hydrogen mobility technologies from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 9, addressing key bottlenecks across the value chain. The program is part of IH-MIE's broader mission to accelerate hydrogen adoption and strengthen Europe's clean mobility ecosystem by connecting seven regions around a shared agenda. The Open Call will select solutions that complement and integrate with ongoing pioneer use cases, thereby reinforcing and expanding the existing ecosystem.
Program Focus and Strategic Challenges
The Open Call 2026 utilizes a bottom-up, technology-neutral approach centered on six strategic hydrogen mobility challenges. Projects must address at least one of these challenges and demonstrate a credible progression from TRL 6 to TRL 9.
• Fuel cell cost and durability: Developing more robust, efficient, and economically viable fuel cell systems through component innovation, system optimization, digital monitoring, or simplified manufacturing and maintenance.
• Refuelling infrastructure: Enhancing refuelling system design, safety, efficiency, interoperability, and operational reliability, including solutions to reduce energy consumption, downtime, or regulatory friction.
• Supply chain and logistics: Creating resilient and optimized approaches for transport, handling, storage, and coordination among hydrogen mobility actors, incorporating digital tools and safety systems.
• Integration with other mobility solutions: Facilitating technical, operational, or digital integration with existing vehicle platforms, fleets, charging infrastructure, and energy systems, including hybrid architectures and range extension.
• On-board hydrogen storage: Advancing safer, more compact, and cost-effective storage solutions through new materials, tank designs, monitoring systems, or end-of-life strategies.
• Hydrogen distribution: Improving infrastructure, system interfaces, or digital control solutions to enhance efficiency, safety, and compatibility with refuelling systems.
Funding and Financial Support
A total of €1.8 million is available for the Open Call, with funding provided as lump-sum sub-grants at a 100% funding rate.
• Funding Allocation: At least €800,000 is reserved for SMEs established in Less Developed Regions (LDRs).
• Project Funding: Single-SME projects can receive up to €60,000. Team projects, with a maximum of three SMEs, can receive up to €60,000 per SME, for a total of up to €180,000.
• Payment Schedule: Payments are disbursed in three instalments: 40% as pre-financing within 45 days of sub-grant signature, 25% after a successful interim review in June 2027, and the final 35% balance after the final report is submitted by 15 November 2027.
Project Requirements and Duration
Selected projects will run for a duration of 12 months, from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027. Each project must demonstrate a credible pathway from a starting TRL of 6 to a pre-commercial maturity of TRL 9 by the project's conclusion.
Eligibility Criteria
The call is exclusively for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) as defined by EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
• Geographic Location: Applicants must be established in an EU Member State or an EEA country.
• Applicant Structure: Proposals can be submitted by a single SME or a team of up to three SMEs, with one designated as the Project Leader.
• Submission Limit: Only one proposal per SME is permitted; if multiple are submitted, only the last one will be considered.
• Associated Partners: Universities, RTOs, public administrations, and large enterprises can participate as associated partners but are not eligible for funding. Their involvement does not affect the eligibility assessment, which is based solely on the participating SMEs.
• Regional Priority: Proposals involving SMEs from Less Developed Regions are prioritized during evaluation to promote territorial cohesion.
Application Process and Key Dates
Applications must be submitted in English via the dedicated IH-MIE online submission platform. Applicants are also encouraged to use the IH-MIE B2Match digital hub to find partners and publish project ideas, which may result in an evaluation bonus.
• Open Call Published: 3 July 2026
• Submission Deadline: 25 September 2026, 17:00 CEST
• Notification of Results: 4 November 2026 (provisional ranking)
Proposal Requirements
In addition to the online form, applicants must prepare a separate Summary PDF. The application form is structured into the following sections:
• Project identification
• Team composition
• Budget
• Selected IH-MIE Challenge
• Project summary
• Digital hub status
• Technical content
• Work plan & milestone logic
• Risk management
• Expected economic, environmental and market impact
• Support preferences
• Summary PDF
• Optional supporting information
Evaluation and Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
• Stage 1 - Eligibility and Admissibility Check: Verifies SME status, geographic eligibility, scope alignment, budget compliance, project duration, and submission completeness.
• Stage 2 - External Evaluation: Two independent experts score proposals out of 100 points based on Excellence (40 points), Quality/Implementation (30 points), and Impact (30 points). A bonus of up to 2 points is available for publishing an idea on the B2Match hub. Minimum thresholds are 60/100 overall, 20/40 for Excellence, 15/30 for Quality, and 15/30 for Impact. Specific points are automatically awarded for gender balance, female-led SME status, and LDR impact.
• Stage 3 - Jury Day and Consensus Selection: The top 30 proposals, plus others within a close range, are invited to a jury day. Up to 30 SMEs will be selected for funding, with other eligible proposals placed on a reserve list.
Additional Support Services
Selected SMEs will receive non-financial support alongside project implementation, including:
• Investment assessment: Evaluation of funding needs, maturity, and investment readiness.
• Business and technical coaching: Support on market positioning, go-to-market strategy, investor pitch preparation, and technical guidance from IH-MIE's RTO partners.
• Training activities: Sessions on pre-industrialisation, validation, certification, business skills, and EU regulatory frameworks.
• Investment planning: Support with funding strategy, including an Investor Day and participation in European Hydrogen Week.
• Regulatory alignment guidance: Assistance in navigating hydrogen mobility standards and market-entry barriers.
• Mentorship: Each project is assigned a dedicated mentor to oversee progress and compliance.
The IH-MIE Open Call 2026 presents a well-resourced pathway for SMEs operating at TRL 6 to advance their hydrogen mobility solutions towards market readiness. The program combines lump-sum funding with a comprehensive 12-month support package of technical coaching, training, and investor engagement. Its specific focus on Less Developed Regions makes it a particularly relevant opportunity for SMEs located outside of Europe's traditional innovation centers. For applicants who can align their projects with one of the six strategic challenges and present a credible TRL 6-to-9 development plan, this call offers a significant opportunity to integrate into a seven-region hydrogen ecosystem alongside established pioneer SMEs and research organizations.