The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) invites applications from state‑recognised universities, non‑university research institutions, and commercial enterprises that have a legal establishment in Germany (including SMEs and larger industry). International partners may join consortium projects, but at least one German partner must be present. Early‑career researchers may apply for dedicated early‑career groups at a German host institution. The programme funds risk‑rich, application‑oriented fundamental research on hydrogen technologies. Eligible activities include research on the four focus areas – (i) electrolysis and hydrogen production, (ii) offshore hydrogen and Power‑to‑X derivatives, (iii) hydrogen transport and storage, and (iv) Power‑to‑X processes – as well as related system integration, material innovation, efficiency improvements and cost‑reduction measures. Funding covers personnel, equipment, consumables, third‑party services, open‑access publication fees, workshops, and costs related to the operation of the newly created research hubs (e.g., hub coordination, networking events, joint infrastructure use). Separate budgets are available for early‑career groups (including staff positions for group leaders, post‑docs and PhD students) and for international cooperation projects (covering travel, joint workshops and joint equipment). The overarching aim is to generate breakthrough technological innovations that significantly improve the performance, cost‑efficiency and durability of hydrogen technologies, thereby strengthening Germany’s industrial competitiveness and international leadership in the emerging global hydrogen economy. The call also seeks to foster structured research collaborations across the value chain, to build sustainable innovation ecosystems, and to qualify the next generation of hydrogen experts. The application procedure follows a two‑stage model. In the first stage, project sketches (max. 12 pages) must be submitted by 2026‑09‑30 via the easy‑Online portal (). Sketches may be submitted continuously, but only those received by the deadline are guaranteed evaluation. Successful sketches are invited to submit full proposals in the second stage, complying with the detailed requirements of the BMFTR’s AZA/AZAP/AZV or AZK guidelines. Key participation conditions Projects in application‑oriented basic research on hydrogen technologies that demonstrate a clear innovation gain and make a significant contribution to one or more of the goals listed in section 1.1 will be funded. Focus topics are: - **Electrolysis – Global hydrogen production** In particular, for hydrogen generation, “made in Germany” technology must increasingly assert itself against international competition. At the same time, new fundamental research questions arise, for example due to grid‑service requirements or new degradation effects in the real operation of large plants. This topic area addresses technology‑neutral fundamental innovations aimed at a substantial reduction of investment or operating costs: directly in components, materials or production processes; indirectly through higher efficiency, longer lifetime and robustness; or in the area of plant concepts, system integration and operating strategies. Technological sovereignty and supply security also require forward‑looking innovations concerning the demand for scarce raw materials, recycling, understanding of degradation, novel approaches to manufacturing processes and next‑generation electrolysis concepts. - **Offshore hydrogen and derivatives** The high potential of producing hydrogen and power‑to‑X products directly at sea using offshore wind still faces major challenges due to harsh marine conditions. Existing partial solutions and concepts must be investigated under conditions as realistic as possible. By innovating individual process steps, a significant increase in overall efficiency and robustness should be achieved—always within the constraints of adapting to fluctuating energy supply and taking into account infrastructure, transport, safety and environmental aspects. - **Transport and storage** Major challenges remain across the entire hydrogen transport chain and the required storage technologies. This includes, for example, research on materials and components for the safe and efficient transport of liquid hydrogen or hydrogen derivatives and carriers. Project ideas may also focus on technologies for large‑scale storage as well as on the optimisation… 4 Special Grant Requirements The partners of a joint project regulate their cooperation in a written cooperation agreement. Before a funding decision on a joint project, a basic agreement on further criteria set by the BMFTR must be demonstrated (see BMFTR form No. 0110). All grant recipients, including research institutions as defined in Article 2 (Number 83) AGVO, must ensure that no indirect (mediated) state aid flows to companies within the consortium. The provisions of number 2.2 of the FuEuI Union framework must be observed. Willingness to participate in the research hubs is a prerequisite for the approval of a grant. Additional special grant requirements for early‑career groups: - The early‑career group applying for funding must be established at a university or a non‑university research institution with its research project. The host university/research institution must provide the group with the work facilities required to carry out the project (including necessary premises, research literature and infrastructure as well as additional support services, e.g., training programmes) as part of the basic equipment and must support the group leader in all project‑related matters. - In the application, it must be shown how the supervision of doctoral candidates is linked to the activities of the early‑career group. Further qualification towards the doctorate should take place in parallel with participation in the research project. - It is expected that the group leader is explicitly permitted to supervise doctoral candidates and that they can contribute to teaching. This must be demonstrated in the application. - Group leader: To submit a project outline, scientists who have the agreement of the host university or research institution are eligible. They must have demonstrated the ability to work independently in research by having earned a doctorate and must be qualified to lead a research team. The date of the most recent doctoral examination should not be more than 5. Type and Scope, Amount of the Grant Grants are awarded as non‑repayable subsidies through project funding. The standard funding period is four years. Longer or shorter project durations are possible with appropriate justification. Early‑career groups are usually funded for five years. After three years, a technical interim evaluation is carried out by the project sponsor based on a milestone report submitted by the funded early‑career group. Depending on the outcome of this interim evaluation, a decision on continued funding is made. In the event of a change in the group’s leadership, the funding period can be extended to a maximum of seven years, depending on the timing of the change and the specific circumstances. The basis for calculating grants to companies in the commercial sector and to research institutions whose activities fall within the economic domain is the eligible project‑related costs. These costs can be partially financed in accordance with the state‑aid regulations (see annex). According to BMFTR guidelines, a reasonable co‑financing contribution to the eligible costs is required. The basis for calculating grants to universities, research and scientific institutions, and comparable bodies that do not operate in the economic domain is the eligible project‑related expenditures (for Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer Society, the eligible project‑related costs), which can be funded individually up to 100 percent, taking the state‑aid rules into account. For non‑economic research projects at universities and university hospitals, in addition to the eligible expenses financed by the BMFTR, a project flat‑rate of 20 percent is granted. Expenditures/costs that, during the funding period, are used to make the planned research process or its results accessible to the public and to engage society in dialogue are also eligible for funding. Science communication is the clear‑to‑understand, dialogue‑oriented communication and dissemination of research. The current submission deadline is 2026-09-30.