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, 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
The first Open Day will take place on 18th December, at 14:30, online. The session is intended to support applicants by providing clarification on the Open Call conditions and scope.
Please submit all questions to nachip@meta-group.com. They will be answered during the Open Day.
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.