Open calls
Launch of the NACHIP Open Call for SMEs – Funding Innovative Hydrogen Solutions
The North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP) has officially opened its first Open Call for applications, offering targeted financial support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) developing innovative solutions within the hydrogen value chain. The Open Call is active from 1 December 2025 to 3 February 2026 at 23:59 (CET), and applications must be submitted exclusively through the official portal at https://nachip.meta-group.com/ or by clicking below.
Please, read all the details about the call here below and in the official documents at the bottom of this page.
Start your application by clicking to: APPLY HERE.
Open Days – Online Information Sessions for Applicants
Two Open Days were organised in the framework of the NACHIP Open Call to support potential applicants.
The first Open Day took place on 18 December 2025
The second Open Day took place on 15 January 2026
The sessions were intended to support applicants by providing clarifications on the Open Call conditions, scope, and application process.
For any additional questions regarding the Open Call, applicants are kindly invited to contact META Group at nachip@meta-group.com.
The presentation containing information on the Open Call and the pilots is available HERE.
Funding Available
The total budget for the first Open Call is €540,000. Eligible applicants may receive up to €60,000 per SME, or up to €180,000 for a consortium of up to three SMEs, with the condition that no individual SME may receive more than €60,000. Funding is provided as a lump-sum grant, covering 100% of eligible project costs. Monitoring focuses on the completion of agreed activities rather than cost reporting, significantly reducing administrative workload for recipients.
Eligibility
The call is open to SMEs with strong innovation potential in the hydrogen value chain, including:
- hydrogen production, storage and distribution technologies,
- component and system suppliers,
- safety, monitoring and certification solutions,
- digital optimisation and data-based solutions for hydrogen systems,
- engineering and industrial service providers.
Applicants must be registered in one of the eligible EU regions as listed in the Open Call documentation, and proof of legal establishment must be provided with the application.
Thematic Areas and Technical Priorities
Projects must demonstrate relevance to NACHIP’s pilot activities located in Pag (Croatia), Velenje (Slovenia), Torviscosa (Italy), Udine (Italy) and Zagreb (Croatia), and contribute to overcoming real operational challenges in hydrogen deployment.
Proposals may focus on:
- Input: innovative materials or chemicals for pilot integration
- Process: optimisation of hydrogen processes
- Output: application of new hydrogen technologies in mobility, manufacturing and urban settings
The Open Call welcomes solutions in areas such as:
- hydrogen usage and storage in transport,
- composite fibre technology and winding processes,
- catalyst durability and efficiency improvements,
- compactness and design upgrades for DHR systems,
- building renovation strategies enabling hydrogen integration,
- decision-support models and component assessment tools.
Project Duration and Deliverables
Each supported project may run for a maximum of six months.
Applicants are expected to deliver:
- prototype development demonstrating feasibility,
- real-world integration into existing infrastructure,
- demonstrable improvements in hydrogen storage, transport or utilisation.
Each funded entity will be assigned a technical mentor to support alignment with NACHIP partners and facilitate collaboration.
Evaluation Process
Proposals will be assessed by independent experts using the following criteria:
- relevance to NACHIP’s objectives,
- technical and organisational capability,
- market and territorial impact.
Proposals are scored out of 60 points, with a minimum threshold of 35 points required to qualify for funding. In cases of equal scoring, preference will be given to proposals involving a higher proportion of women within the project team.
Contact and Support
Administrative support for applicants is provided by META Group. Queries may be directed to nachip@meta-group.com, and can be submitted until 1 February 2026.
1. Who is eligible for the application to the Open Call?
Legal entities with the status of SME, with headquarter or branch offices in the eligible EU regions. SMEs can apply individually or in small consortia (maximum 3 SMEs).
2. What is the SME status?
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) refers to the official definition provide by the EC. https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes/sme-definition_en
You also checked your status of SMEs to this link https://shorturl.at/bPh5c.
3. What is the maximum duration of your project?
The maximum project duration is 6 months, with no extensions allowed. Projects exceeding this duration will be considered ineligible.
4. How many projects are going to be funded?
The total budget allocated for the 1st open call is €540.000. The best scoring projects passing the threshold will be funded, until the full consumption of the available budget.
5. What is the maximum grant amount per project?
The maximum grant amount is €60,000 per legal entity. In case of consortia, a project can receive up to €180,000 (in case of 3 entities).
6. What is the funding rate?
Project costs are funded 100% by the FSTP.
7. What are the eligible costs?
There are no specific restrictions on cost categories; however, proposed costs must be reasonable, not excessive, and in line with the project’s proposed activities. The grants will be provided on a lump sum basis, therefore applicants will not be required to demonstrate eligibility of costs.
8. How can I submit an application?
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the current webpage (https://nachip.meta-group.com/) within the specified application period, using the provided template.
9. How many open calls are planned under NACHIP, and when are they scheduled?
2 open calls are planned under NACHIP. In addition to the current one, the second open call is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
10. What does “Lump sum scheme” mean?
The Lump Sum scheme is method which simplifies administrative management of the funding. It does not foresee monitoring and accounting of costs through the provision of financial reports. It is based on the monitoring of the achieved results and implementation of activities
11. I cannot access the application page due to technical problems. What should I do?
Applicants experiencing technical issues should contact the following email address for assistance: nachip@meta-group.com.
12. What happens to projects that are not funded due to budget limitations?
Projects not funded due to budget constraints will be included in a reserve list and will be contacted at the opening of the 2nd call to confirm availability to participate and update their application if necessary.
13. What are the obligations of the beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries must comply with contractual obligations related to conflict of interest, confidentiality, ethics, visibility, and record-keeping, among others, and submit technical reports detailing progress and compliance with the action plan.
14. What are the reporting requirements for funded projects?
Beneficiaries must submit mid-project and final technical reports detailing their progress, achievements, and any deviations from the initial action plan. Failure to meet expected results or comply with the action plan may affect the final payment.
For any further questions related to the Open Call, applicants are kindly invited to contact META Group at nachip@meta-group.com.