Call for proposals
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking - H2020-JTI-FCH-2017-1

(2017/C 15/04)

Objective and description

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) is a unique public private partnership supporting research, technological development, and demonstration (RTD) activities in fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. FCH 2 JU was set up, within the Horizon 2020 Framework programme, as a Joint Undertaking by Council Regulation N° 559/2014.  Its aim is to accelerate the market introduction of these technologies, realising their potential as an instrument in achieving a carbon-lean energy system.  

Fuel Cell and Hydrogen (FCH) technologies hold great promise for energy and transport applications from the perspective of meeting Europe’s energy, environmental and economic challenges. The European Union is committed to transforming its transport and energy systems as part of a future low carbon economy.

The 2017 call for proposals is available with a funding of 116 million ?, with total of 24 topics, including 7 for transport, 12 for energy and 5 for cross-cutting. The financial support will be divided between projects from different areas of research and innovation for each of the transport and energy pillars, as well as cross-cutting activities.

These topics are the following:

·         FCH-01-1-2017: Development of fuel cell system technologies for achieving competitive solutions for aeronautical applications (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-2-2017: Towards next generation of PEMFC: Non-PGM catalysts (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-3-2017: Improvement of compressed storage systems in the perspective of high volume automotive application (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-4-2017: Demonstration of FC material handling and industrial vehicles (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-5-2017: Large scale demonstration in preparation for a wider roll-out of fuel cell bus fleets (FCB) including new cities – Phase two  (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-6-2017: Large scale demonstration of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) road vehicles operated in fleet(s) (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-01-7-2017: Validation of Fuel Cell Trucks for the Collect of Urban Wastes (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-1-2017: Game changer Water Electrolysers (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-10-2017: Transportable FC gensets for temporary power supply in urban applications (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-11-2017: Validation and demonstration of commercial-scale fuel cell core systems within a power range of 10-100kW for selected markets/applications (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-12-2017: Demonstration of fuel cell-based energy storage solutions for isolated micro-grid or off-grid remote areas (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-2-2017: Game changer High Temperature Steam Electrolysers (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-3-2017: Reversible Solid Oxide Electrolyser (rSOC) for resilient energy systems (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-4-2017: Highly flexible electrolysers balancing the energy output inside the fence of a wind park (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-5-2017: Demonstration of large electrolysers for bulk renewable hydrogen production (IA Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-6-2017: Liquid organic hydrogen carrier (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-7-2017: Development of flexible large fuel cell power plants for grid support (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-8-2017: Step-change in manufacturing of Fuel Cell Stack Components (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-02-9-2017: Development of next-generation SOFC stack for small stationary applications (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-04-1-2017: Limiting the impact of contaminants originating from the hydrogen supply chain (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-04-2-2017: Harmonisation of hydrogen gas trailers (CSA Coordination and support action)

·         FCH-04-3-2017: European Higher Training Network in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (CSA Coordination and support action)

·         FCH-04-4-2017: PNR for a safe use of liquid hydrogen (RIA Research and Innovation action)

·         FCH-04-5-2017: Definition of Accelerated Stress Testing (AST) protocols deduced from understanding of degradation mechanisms of aged stack components in Fuel Cell systems (RIA Research and Innovation action)

Eligible applicants

For both “RIA Research and Innovation actions” as well as “IA Innovation actions” the eligible partners are: At least three legal entities established in a different Member State or associated country. All three legal entities shall be independent of each other.

For “CSA Coordination and support actions”, the eligible partner could be at least one legal entity established in an EU Member State or associated country.

The following exceptions apply (see 'chapter 3.3. Call management rules' from the FCH2 JU 2017 Work Plan and specific topic description): 
- For some, well-identified topics it is therefore duly justified to require as an additional condition for participation that at least one constituent entity of the Industry Grouping or Research Grouping is among the participants in the consortium; 
- For all Innovation Activities, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the FCH 2 JU requested contribution.

Budget

The indicative budget for the current call for proposals is 116 million EUR.

Funding rates:

RIA Research and Innovation actions: 100%

IA Innovation actions: 70% (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of 100% applies)

CSA Coordination and support actions: 100%

Deadline for proposals’ submission

The deadline for both topics is 20 April 2017, 17:00 (Brussels local time).

Applicants must submit their proposal electronically, following the link on the submission service.

Further information

On 2 February 2017, FCH JU is organising an Info Day featuring a brokerage event related to the Call for proposals. For more information about the event: http://www.fch.europa.eu/event/fch-ju-info-daybrokerage-%E2%80%93-call-2017

Please find attached the call documents.

More information about the call: http://www.fch.europa.eu/page/call-2017 and http://tinyurl.com/gs9pfrv

Kind regards,

Rosemary

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GREEK TRANSLATION OF THE CALLS IS PROVIDED AT REQUEST OF ANY INTERESTED MEMBER (based on the decision of 22.12.2016 of the EOC Administrative Council).