Apply for Innovation Fund
One of the world's largest funding programmes supporting the commercial deployment of innovative net-zero technologies and industrial decarbonisation and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects.
The Innovation Fund (IF), managed by CINEA, is a €4 billion programme financed through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the world’s largest carbon pricing mechanism.
In 2025, Nordic Innovators assisted numerous clients in preparing competitive proposals, resulting in €842.6 million in funding requested and projects with the potential to avoid 42.63 megatons of CO₂e.
We help companies turn ambitious low-carbon projects into competitive Innovation Fund applications. From funding fit assessments and proposal development to financial modelling and Grant Agreement Preparation, our experts support you throughout the funding process.
Eligible Sectors and Project Lifecycle
The EU Innovation Fund supports innovative low-carbon projects across five key sectors:
1. Energy Intensive Industries (EII)
2. Carbon capture, transport and storage
3. Renewable energy and storage
4. Mobility (Maritime, aviation and road)
5. Buildings.
Eligible projects typically progress through three phases:
1. Up to Financial Close: Complete engineering, permitting, commercial, and financial setup2. Construction: Project execution phase
3. Operation: Minimum of 5 years for medium/large-scale projects, 3 years for small/pilot projects.
More Details on Innovation Fund
Financial assistance
Projects can request up to 60% of the Relevant Costs (discounted CAPEX + OPEX – Revenue) for the whole project duration. There is not a minimum grant that can be requested for large- and medium-scale projects, with smaller projects having a ceiling of 40 million euros.
Eligibility criteria
At least one company based on any country in the world, aiming to deploy a project in EU member states or EEA countries (Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein). Beneficiaries must demonstrate their financial and operational capacity before signing the Grant Agreement with CINEA.
Projects of All Sizes
There are five different types of projects, depending on the topic and the total CAPEX:
1. Manufacturing: more than € 2.5M
2. Pilots: more than € 2.5M
3. Small-scale: up to € 20M
4. Medium-scale: from € 20 to 100M
5. Large-scale: more than € 100M
Is Your Project a Fit? Selection Criteria:
1. Degree of innovation
2. Demonstate high GHG emission avoidance
3. High technical maturity
4. Scalability - robust business plan
5. Cost efficiency
Secured €75 Million Grant from IF
The Biozin case is one of our largest Innovation Fund successes. We acted as their trusted advisor throughout their successful grant application process.
Get the Overview of Innovation Fund
The 1-pager gives you a clear and concise overview of the programme's purpose, funding, project types and eligibility.