Innovation Fund Expert Group

On 27 June 2024, the Innovation Fund Expert Group met in a hybrid format in Brussels and online. The purpose of this meeting was to present the Innovation Fund’s (IF) latest developments. The following topics were addressed: 

• Results of the first renewable hydrogen auction and preparations for the upcoming one; 

• Results of the stakeholder consultation on the upcoming IF 2024 call for proposals; 

• General updates on the Fund.  

The Directorate General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) also presented the efforts made toward simplifying the call text and the GHG Methodology. 

Please find more information on the Expert Group below: 

• Agenda 

• Presentation 

On 6 October 2023, the Innovation Fund Expert Group gathered in a hybrid format. The objective of the meeting was to present the Innovation Fund’s latest developments: the results of the latest large-scale call, the terms and conditions for the renewable hydrogen auction, the upcoming calls for grants and auctions, and the new parts of the greenhouse gas emission methodology, on maritime transport and aviation.

• Agenda
• Presentation

On 29 March 2023 the renewed Innovation Fund Expert Group gathered virtually for the first time. The main objective of the meeting was to present and discuss the necessary changes to the Innovation Fund Delegated Regulation following the revision of the ETS Directive and new competitive bidding mechanism.

• Agenda
• Presentation

On 12 July 2022 the Innovation Fund Expert Group gathered virtually to discuss the following topics:

• REPowerEU Plan and consequences for the Innovation Fund
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• Results of the stakeholder consultations on the 3^rd call for large-scale projects: manufacturing workshops and survey
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• Proposed structure and coverage of the 3^rd call for large-scale projects
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• 2^nd call for large-scale projects: process, results and next steps; and closure
  • Presentation by CINEA

On 28 April 2022 the Innovation Fund Expert Group gathered virtually to discuss the state of play on the first calls, the currently open small-scale call and the proposals received in the second call for large-scale projects. The meeting also hosted a session on the implementation of the Innovation Fund Project Development Assistance and the NER 300 financial advisory support by the European Investment Bank. Furthermore, DG CLIMA informed the expert group about the ongoing service contract on the introduction of a Competitive Bidding Mechanism under the Innovation Fund to develop Contracts for Difference, Carbon Contracts for Difference or other comparable schemes. The meeting ended with a brief overview of the RePowerEU strategy and the role of the Innovation Fund. 

• State of play on the Innovation Fund implementation and the currently open small-scale call
  • Presentation by CINEA
• Analysis of the applications received for the 2nd call for large-scale projects
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• Implementation of first PDA services and NER300 Financial Advisory
  • Presentation by the European Investment Bank
• Presentation of CCfD study
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• Closure, incl. information on REPowerEU

On 6 July 2021 the Innovation Fund Expert Group gathered virtually to discuss the state of play on the first calls and the planning of the second calls for large-scale and small-scale projects. The meeting has also hosted a session on the additional advisory services offered by the European Investment Bank and a session on new financing opportunities to support investments in clean technologies.

• State of play on first calls and planning for second calls for large-scale and small-scale projects
  • Presentation by DG CLIMA
• Additional EIB advisory Services supported by NER300 funds
  • Presentation by the European Investment Bank
• New financing opportunities to support investments in clean technologies
  • Presentation “Successful blending of NER300 unspent funds with EIB financial instruments” by DG CLIMA
  • Presentation “Relevance of Thematic Impact Finance for Innovation Fund eligible projects” by the European Investment Bank
  • Presentation “Partnership by the Commission and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst” by Breakthrough Energy

On 17 December 2020, we have organised the 7th Innovation Fund Expert Group meeting to present the statistics on the applications for the large scale projects call and the results of the questionnaire on the application process. The members have also discussed the creation of a network of National Contact Points and the planning of the second calls for proposals.

• Agenda
• Presentation

On 21 October 2020, the Innovation Fund Expert Group has discussed and provided its feedback on the preparation of the call for small-scale projects.

• Agenda and presentation

On 5 June 2020, the Innovation Fund Expert Group had a live-streamed virtual meeting.

The following background documents informed the discussions:

• Background paper on the award criteria for the first call of the Innovation Fund
• Annex A on greenhouse gas emission avoidance methodology
• Annex B on relevant cost methodology

These build on the discussion papers developed for the technical workshops in February and March and subsequent feedback received.

• Agenda
• Presentation by DG CLIMA and INEA
• Questionnaire on upcoming small-scale call
• Web-streamed session
  • 00:00:00 - Introduction
  • 00:33:19 - First stage award criteria
  • 00:53:21 - Deep dive on GHG emissions
  • 01:55:33 - Primer on application
  • 03:24:48 - Second stage award criteria
  • 04:20:03 - Deep dive on relevant costs
  • 05:26:36 - Small Scale projects
  • 05:37:38 - Call for evaluators
  • 05:42:28 - Conclusions and next steps

On 18 December 2019 the Innovation Fund Expert Group (IFEG) met to start the final preparation for the first call.

• Agenda
• Call for Evaluators
• Next Meetings
• Web-streamed session
  • 00:00:00 - Innovation Fund Tour 2019 and Basics
  • 00:38:48 - Project selection
  • 02:01:18 - Governance: INEA and EIB
  • 02:42:03 - How to calculate GHG emissions avoidance (JRC, ICF)
  • 03:44:56 - How to calculate relevant costs and State aid considerations
  • 04:33:33 – How to co-finance projects?

On 28 March 2019, the Innovation Fund Expert Group met to start the discussions on the preparation for the first call.

• Agenda
• Web-streamed session
  • 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Innovation Fund
  • 00:22:05 - Synergies and complementarities of the Innovation Fund with national funding programmes for R&I and other European funding mechanisms
    • 00:24:49 - HORIZON Europe
    • 00:39:20 - European Innovation Council
    • 00:51:56 - Thematic Investment Platform
    • 01:10:22 - SET Plan and Energy R&I Priorities
    • 01:29:43 - Programme d'Investissements d’Avenir (PIA)
    • 01:45:57 - Tour de table
  • 03:03:43 - Next steps, outreach and stakeholder engagement

On 4 December 2018, the Innovation Fund Expert Group met to discuss the draft Delegated Regulation on the operation of the Innovation Fund.

• Agenda
• Presentations

On 8 June 2018, the Innovation Fund Expert Group met for the first time to discuss its role, the lessons learned from the NER 300 programme and the rules for financing, application, project selection and governance of the Innovation Fund.

• Agenda
• Presentations