The European Commission has launched the Innovation Fund 2024, allocating €4.6 billion to accelerate the green transition. This funding is divided into three streams: the Innovation Fund 2024 Auction, the General Call for Net-Zero Technologies, and the Battery Call for Electric Vehicles. Each initiative offers opportunities for stakeholders in the inland waterway transport sector to innovate, contribute to reducing emissions.

Innovation Fund 2024 Auction: Hydrogen Solutions

The Innovation Fund 2024 Auction, with a dedicated budget of €1.2 billion, focuses on supporting producers of hydrogen classified as Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) within the European Economic Area. This auction is part of the European Hydrogen Bank’s strategy to promote clean hydrogen production, which could have transformative impacts on the inland waterway transport sector by fostering hydrogen-based propulsion systems and infrastructure.

  • Key Details:
    • Publication Date: 3 December 2024
    • Application Deadline: 20 February 2025, 17:00 CET
    • Online Info Day: 10 December 2024 (09:30–13:00 CET)

The Info Day will outline key features of the auction, award criteria, and insights from previous rounds, providing valuable guidance for potential applicants. Stakeholders in the inland navigation sector are encouraged to explore how hydrogen technologies can complement their green objectives.

General Call for Net-Zero Technologies

With a substantial budget of €2.4 billion, the General Call supports projects across a broad spectrum of industries, including cleantech manufacturing, maritime, renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen production. This presents an exceptional opportunity for the inland waterway sector to advance zero-emission vessel technologies and sustainable port infrastructure.

  • Key Details:
    • Publication Date: 3 December 2024
    • Application Deadline: 24 April 2025, 17:00 CET
    • Online Info Session: 17–18 December 2024

This call is designed to drive decarbonisation at scale, encouraging innovative solutions that can reshape the future of European waterways.

Battery Call: Pioneering Electric Mobility

For the first time, a €1 billion call is dedicated to electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing, targeting projects that demonstrate innovative processes, technologies, or products.

Key Details:

    • Application Deadline: 24 April 2025, 17:00 CET
    • Online Info Session: 17–18 December 2024

 

A Significant Opportunity for Inland Waterway Transport

The Innovation Fund 2024 offers an opportunity for the IWT sector to adopt and deploy technologies that can drive decarbonisation and modernisation. Hydrogen, electrification and other net-zero solutions, present pathways to enhance sustainability and further align the sector with the EU’s climate objectives.

For further information and application guidance, visit the Funding & Tenders Portal.