NASCHA First Open Call
Summary
The first open call of the NORTH ADRIATIC SMART COMMUNITIES HYDROGEN ACCELERATOR (NASCHA) project, under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) programme, funds SME-led testing, validation and demonstration of innovative hydrogen solutions. Applications must be submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders portal in English by 18 January 2027 at 23:59 UTC. Applicants from Cyprus may apply as an EU member state, subject to the call’s eligibility conditions.
Eligible applicants are SMEs established in the specified regions of Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania and Latvia. The full list of eligible regions is in the NASCHA Open Call. SMEs may apply individually or in consortia of up to three members, provided every member meets the eligibility criteria. Funding is up to €60,000 per SME or €180,000 per consortium; the total call budget is €600,000. Funded sub-projects may last up to 9 months.
Eligible activities include prototyping, system integration, technical optimisation, safety and certification, market analysis, and business-model development. Applications must clearly address relevant technological or operational challenges identified in Annex 1 – Technical Specifications. Information: www.nascha.eu.
How to apply
The call offers eligible SMEs funding to test, validate and demonstrate innovative hydrogen solutions, integrate them into value chains, fill gaps and replicate them in new sectors. Eligible activities include prototyping, system integration, technical optimisation, safety and certification, market analysis and business-model development. Funded sub-projects may last up to 9 months. Funding may be up to EUR 60,000 per SME or EUR 180,000 per consortium; the total budget of the First Open Call is EUR 600,000. The next submission deadline is 18 January 2027 at 23:59 UTC.
- Check that the proposal addresses relevant technological or operational challenges identified in Annex 1 – Technical Specifications.
- Apply as an SME individually or in a consortium of up to three members; all members must meet the eligibility criteria.
- Submit the application through the EU Funding & Tenders portal in English by 18 January 2027 at 23:59 UTC.
- Eligible applicants are SMEs established in the specified regions of Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czechia, Lithuania and Latvia. The full list of eligible regions is in the NASCHA Open Call.
- SMEs may apply individually or in a consortium of up to three members, provided all members meet the eligibility criteria.
- The proposal must clearly address relevant technological or operational challenges identified in Annex 1 – Technical Specifications.
- The text says that applicants from Cyprus may apply as an EU member state, subject to each call's eligibility conditions; however, the specific list of countries whose specified regions are eligible does not include Cyprus.
- How to apply
- Online
This guide is compiled from public information and is unofficial. Check the official page for the current requirements.