NCBR opens two IPCEI calls

National Centre for Research and Development has launched 2 calls in the framework of the European Funds for a Modern Economy Program  – IPCEI and IPCEI for hydrogen. It’s an opportunity for Polish entrepreneurs to implement highly developed R&I projects.

The IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) are crucial from the point of view of the European interest and need approval by the European Commission to receive the funding. This mechanism supports the economic policy initiative and competition policy of the European Union in order to enhance the potential of the European industry facing global competition.

Implementation of IPCEI projects allows the Polish entrepreneurs to gather specialized knowledge and enter the value chain of key technologies. This kind of projects supports the internationalization of the companies, throughout the collaboration with other companies from the EU countries specialised in advanced technologies. Ultimately, IPCEI projects are meant to stimulate the export of the high-tech products.

The call for applications in the IPCEI competition has been launched on March 15 and will last until April 14 this year. The applicants may apply for a total budget of 593 million PLN (125M €), intended for the implementation of projects that fall under – at least one – of the National Smart Specializations and in the thematic scope of "IPCEI EuBatIn - European Battery Innovation".

Each of the projects must include two stages: research, development and innovation activities and the first application in the industry. Projects may include the extension of pilot plant or the development of entirely new devices and equipment in a post-pilot phase (including testing), but should not involve mass production or commercial activity. According to the assumptions of the IPCEI mechanism, projects should be characterized by a high level of innovation, have a positive impact on the environment and contribute to the increase in the competitiveness of European industry.

Only the entities for which the European Commission has issued a positive decision on potential support, may apply for co-financing. The evaluation of submitted applications for co-financing will take up to 60 days. The projects selected in the competition must be completed by the end of 2029.

As in the case of the IPCEI competition, the call for applications for funding the IPCEI hydrogen competition started on March 15 and will last until April 14 this year. Applicants may apply for a total budget of 741 million PLN (157M €)for the implementation of projects in the field of hydrogen technologies and systems. This means that co-financing may be granted to projects concerning e.g. hydrogen production, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, transportation and distribution, and end-user applications, in particular in the mobility sector.

Again, each of the projects must include two stages: research, development and innovation activities and the first application in industry. Entities for which the European Commission has issued a positive decision admitting aid may apply for co-financing. The evaluation of submitted applications for co-financing will take up to 60 days. The projects selected in the competition must be completed by the end of 2029.

The IPCEI Competition is an instrument implementing Priority II - Environment conducive to innovation, and the Hydrogen IPCEI Competition is an instrument implementing Priority III - Greening enterprises of the European Funds for Modern Economy Program (FENG).