The European Commission has launched a new Horizon Europe funding opportunity for research and innovation in the energy sector. The call, which opened on 4 August 2026, is part of Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility. With a total budget of € 131.5 million, it supports projects in areas including bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, renewable fuels and artificial intelligence. Applications can be submitted until 1 December 2026.
New funding opportunities within Horizon Europe Cluster 5
Horizon Europe Cluster 5 supports research and innovation that contributes to Europe’s climate and energy objectives. It covers developments in climate, energy and mobility, with the aim of accelerating the transition towards a sustainable, secure and competitive European economy.
The latest energy call, HORIZON-CL5-2026-11, focuses specifically on technologies and solutions that can contribute to a cleaner and more efficient energy system. Organisations working on new energy technologies can apply for a grant under one of five topics.
What is the deadline and budget of the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call?
The Horizon Europe Cluster 5 energy call follows a single-stage application procedure. Applicants submit their complete proposal by the deadline.
The main details are:
- Call reference: HORIZON-CL5-2026-11
- Opening date: 4 August 2026
- Application deadline: 1 December 2026 at 17:00 CET
- Total available budget: €131.5 million
- Number of topics: five
- Application procedure: single stage
The European Funding & Tenders Portal provides the official call documentation, including the detailed conditions and requirements for each topic.
What are the five topics in the Horizon Europe energy call?
HORIZON-CL5-2026-11 includes five individual topics. Each has its own scope, objectives, requirements and budget:
- Sustainable solid biofuels: demonstrating regional value chains for supplying and converting fully sustainable solid biofuels into high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP);
- Geothermal energy: developing better methods to assess the potential of deep sedimentary reservoirs and reservoirs in the crystalline basement;
- Solar energy: improving system designs for innovative photovoltaic applications as part of the EUPI-PV Partnership;
- Renewable fuels: reducing technological risks associated with renewable fuels through transnational pre-commercial procurement;
- Artificial intelligence and energy: enabling data sharing for the training and development of AI foundation models for applications in the energy sector.
These topics address different technological challenges within the energy transition. Applicants should therefore determine at an early stage which topic most closely aligns with their technology, project objectives and expected results.
Which organisations can apply?
The call may offer opportunities for universities, research organisations, technology developers, energy companies and innovative SMEs involved in international research and innovation. Relevant activities may relate to areas such as renewable energy production, energy systems, grids, storage and the decarbonisation of buildings and industry.
Collaboration is a key element of many Horizon Europe projects. Applicants therefore need to consider not only the technical quality of their project, but also the composition of the consortium. Partners should bring complementary expertise and have clearly defined roles within the project.
A successful proposal must also demonstrate how the planned activities contribute to the objectives and expected outcomes described in the relevant Horizon Europe topic.
