Apply for 8. Energy Research Programme

In the 8th Energy Research Programme, the application process is a two-stage process and begins with the submission of a project outline. There is no specific deadline. If the outline is evaluated positively, a funding application must then be submitted.

As a rule, the decision for each stage is made within a few months. Once you have received your grant notification, you can start your project.

1. Stage: Submission of the project outline

Under the 8th Energy Research Programme, companies, research institutions and other eligible applicants can submit project outlines throughout the year. The project outline serves as an initial basis for evaluating the innovation project and should include key aspects such as objectives, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the energy transition. The structure of the outline depends on the technology and must comply with the relevant funding guidelines.

After submission, a technical assessment is carried out by the responsible project management agency, which evaluates the outlines in terms of their level of innovation, feasibility and contribution to the programme's objectives. This selection process can usually take 2 to 5 months. If the outline is evaluated positively, applicants will receive an invitation to submit a full application.

2. Stage: Submission of the funding application

Once the outline has been successfully evaluated, a detailed application must be submitted. The full application includes a detailed project description, a financing plan, timetables and information on the economic and scientific exploitation of the results.

Funding applications are reviewed by expert committees from science and industry. Among other things, the degree of innovation, technical and economic feasibility, and contribution to energy and climate policy are evaluated.

The decision on approval is usually made within 3 to 6 months after the application is submitted. The project may only officially begin after the grant notification has been received. However, in certain cases, prior consultation with the project management agency may result in approval for the project to start earlier, provided that this is within the planned project duration. This is done at the applicant's own financial risk, as there is no guarantee that approval will be granted at a later date.