Call for Proposals Open for the Innovation Fund Small-Scale Projects with 100 Million Euros

At IMPULSO, we are pleased to inform you that the European Commission is allocating a budget of 100 million euros for the INNOVATION FUND FOR SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS.

These grants finance small-scale projects (with a budget between €2.5 and €7.5 M) that demonstrate highly innovative technologies, processes, or products in clean energy and industry, which are sufficiently mature and have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The emphasis is on truly innovative projects that are ready for commercial implementation, for example, delivering facilities to a client in a new market segment.

Below, we summarize the main characteristics of these grants:

BENEFICIARIES

Private or public entities, or international organizations, either individually or as part of a Consortium.

PROJECT TYPES

The call finances the following actions:

• Innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes in the sectors listed in Annex I of the ETS Directive, including carbon capture and utilization (CCU) and substitute products.
• Construction and operation of projects aimed at the environmentally safe geological capture and storage of CO₂ (CCS).
• Innovative renewable energy and energy storage technologies.

The call will favorably consider the following actions: products that substitute others with high carbon content, innovations in net carbon removal, and direct air capture.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Only projects with an investment (CAPEX) between EUR 2.5 M and EUR 7.5 M are financed.
• Only actions implemented in the territory of one (or more) of the EU Member States, Norway, or Iceland.
• Only costs incurred after the submission of the grant application are financed.
• Project duration:

• • The project must reach financial close as soon as possible and no later than four years (48 months) after the signing of the grant.
  • The project should enter into operation within a reasonable time after financial close (2-3 years).
  • The monitoring and reporting period once the project has entered into operation will be 3 years.

• Competitive bidding.
• Applicants must demonstrate the necessary know-how and professional qualifications to successfully implement the Project, including sufficient experience with relevant projects.
• Project evaluation will be carried out according to:

• • Potential to avoid greenhouse gas emissions. 0-5 points;
  • Degree of innovation. 0-5 points;
  • Project maturity. 0-5 points;
  • Scalability. 0-5 points;
  • Cost efficiency (requested grant/greenhouse gas reduction). 0-5 points.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Construction cost (design, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and testing of the project).
• Site infrastructure (if not included in the construction cost);
• Development costs;
• Intangible assets (third-party licenses or patents).

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF SUPPORT

Non-repayable grant of up to 60% of eligible costs (CAPEX)

The grant will be paid through fixed payments (lump sums) established in the Agreement with the Commission and do not depend on the costs actually incurred but on the proper implementation of the action, the achievement of results, and the completion of work packages. However, only up to 40% of the granted aid can be obtained before financial close. The remaining 60% is disbursed upon submission of progress reports and depends on achieving the planned greenhouse gas emission reduction results.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The deadline for submitting applications will end on 2021-03-10 at 5:00 PM.

04/12/2020