Hydrogen Innovation and Demonstration Grant

Agence de la transition écologique (ADEME)

About this grant

This ADEME call for projects (AAP) under France 2030 funds innovation and demonstration work that develops or improves components and systems for the production, transport and use of hydrogen. It targets industrial, transport and energy-supply applications, with the aim of supporting the ecological and energy transition and structuring the hydrogen sector. Funded projects are carried out by one or more companies to develop an equipment, product or service, or to build a demonstrator that uses hydrogen. Projects must fit at least one of four axes: (1) technological building blocks, meaning innovative components and systems; (2) innovative industrial pilots or first commercial units, and networks or temporary or localised energy supply; (3) design and demonstration of new vehicles; (4) ecodesign and recyclability. The call had two intermediate cut-off dates (29 September 2025 and 6 April 2026) and a final closing date of 25 September 2026 at 15:00. The page states that the call is now closed and that a list of winners will be published later. ADEME may close the call earlier if the allocated budget is used up, and the specifications may be revised at least once a year. A mandatory pre-submission step (pré-dépôt) must be completed at least one month before the full application. The applicant must review the specifications and send the completed Annex 2 to ADEME to arrange a pre-submission meeting. Applications are filed on the Agir platform, which requires an account.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to companies acting alone or in collaboration, with up to five partners in total. Collaboration with research laboratories is possible but not required. The page's audience tags also list collectivités, administrations, associations and research organisations. The page states that the scheme covers all French Régions, and the funder is French, so eligibility is taken to be France-based. Applicants must complete the mandatory pre-submission meeting with ADEME before filing a full application.

Key requirements

• ✓Projects must be carried out by one or more companies and fit at least one of four axes: technological building blocks, industrial pilots or first commercial units, new hydrogen vehicles, or ecodesign and recyclability
• ✓Mandatory pre-submission step: send completed Annex 2 to ADEME at least one month before the full application to arrange a pre-submission meeting
• ✓Applications filed on the Agir platform, which requires an account; final closing date 25 September 2026 at 15:00, though the call is now listed as closed

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Hydrogen and e-fuels funding supports electrolysers, production plants, storage, transport and end uses in industry, shipping and aviation. Support is often tied to low-carbon production standards and offtake from named users. Calls commonly ask for a site, a supply of renewable power and a consortium that covers production through to demand.