International Hydrogen projects – module 2

An initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

This page only contains information about module 2 of the funding guideline. For information about module 1, please follow this link.

Please note for submissions in module 2:

  • Only projects accompanying projects in module 1 are funded. These must be submitted simultaneously in both modules. Projects in module 2 will only be invited to submit an application if the project to be supported was selected in module 1. Due to the neutrality requirement, we cannot assist in the search for suitable partners from module 1.
  • Target countries are partner countries outside the European Union and EFTA countries. Focus regions for module 2 are Africa, Oceania, North and South America. Other countries after consultation with the responsible project management agency.
  • Within the framework of this funding measure, universities will not be granted a project allowance of 20 percent.
  • Outlines should not exceed 12 pages excluding attachments and must be submitted via easy-Online using the template.
  • Deadlines for submission of outlines are 31 October 2021, 31 December 2021, and 28 February 2022.

 

Within the framework of the funding guideline, BMBF, together with the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), would like to promote international cooperation in the field of green hydrogen and the derivatives produced from it, as well as storage, transport and integrated application technologies. Partners are to be countries outside the European Union and EFTA states.

The goal is to effectively support the urgently needed market ramp-up of green hydrogen and its derivatives, to accelerate the establishment of an international market for these products, and thus contribute to achieving climate protection goals and strengthening the economy. The establishment of trade relations with potential exporters of green hydrogen and its derivatives will be favored by the support program.

The four main objectives are:

  1. Timely and targeted development of a global market for Green Hydrogen and the resulting price reduction through scaling and innovation.
  2. Promotion of the use and application of hydrogen technologies by companies with a branch or permanent establishment in Germany within the meaning of Art. 49 GBER along the hydrogen value chain
  3. Preparation of an import infrastructure to Germany
  4. Capacity building along the entire value chain in the context of both academic and vocational training. This strengthens potentials and builds bridges for sustainable cooperations.

 

Funding is provided in two modules:

In Module 1 – funded by BMWi – sustainable production possibilities for green hydrogen and its derivatives in particular are to be systematically developed in cooperation with partner countries outside the European Union and EFTA states. At the same time, projects for storage, transport and integrated application of green hydrogen and its derivatives are to be funded abroad.

In Module 2 – funded by BMBF – accompanying research projects as well as preparatory or accompanying scientific analyses and studies will also be supported. Aspects that serve the training of young scientists and professionals can also be part of projects.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Who is eligible for funding?

Funding is available for international accompanying projects in fundamental research and industrial research, scientific studies and training measures under Article 25 (2) of the GBER as well as innovations by SMEs under Article 28 of the GBER.

What is funded?

Accompanying projects along the entire hydrogen value chain from production, storage and transport to use, including overarching, systemic issues, are funded. These include: 

  • Accompanying projects that investigate material research and process development. The purpose of funding is to accelerate processes and thus benefit the market ramp-up.
  • Projects focusing on accompanying analyses/system studies for the production and integration of green hydrogen into the energy system (e. g. simulations/models, techno-economic analyses, potential analyses, pathway assessments, feasibility studies). The purpose of the funding is the preparatory analysis of underlying systemic conditions.
  • Projects that take into account aspects of capacity building through academic and vocational training. The purpose is to support the development of local capacities and know-how.
  • Accompanying research projects focusing on the generation of green hydrogen and the development of innovative production technologies, including systems combined with technologies designed to provide water as one of the basic recource required, e. g. by means of seawater desalination plants using renewable energy sources or direct seawater electrolysis. Other efficient forms of water splitting, e.g. with decoupled hydrogen and oxygen generation or disruptive processes, can also be the focus of projects. The purpose is to support corresponding application-oriented basic research on technologies for the production of renewable hydrogen.
  • Accompanying research projects for the production of green hydrogen derivatives based on green hydrogen. These include the conversion of hydrogen into chemical feedstock and synthetic fuels (e. g. ammonia, e-kerosene, e-diesel, methanol and other alcohols). The development of so-called "onsite container solutions" (facilities that produce the desired derivative on site at the end user’s premises in combined process steps) is also possible. In this case, the purpose of the funding is to support the accompanying application-oriented basic research for the provision of hydrogen derivatives for specific end users.
  • Accompanying research projects for the storage and transport of green hydrogen. This includes materials research in the field of hydrogen tanks and hydrogen pipelines, for example, in addition to research on carrier substances for all forms of transport (e. g. liquid hydrogen, LOHC, ammonia). The purpose of the funding is the accompanying application-oriented basic research for the intermediate storage and transport of green hydrogen.
  • Accompanying research projects for the integrated use of green hydrogen in sectors that cannot be easily decarbonised. These include fuel cell vehicles in the automotive field and heavy-duty operations, for example, e-fuels in agriculture, the decarbonisation of steel and chemical companies, and the use of e-kerosene in the aviation sector. The purpose of the funding is to support the accompanying application-oriented basic research for the integrated use of green oxygen to foster the decarbonisation of processes in these sectors.

 

How is funding provided?

The calculation of the grants available for higher education institutions, research and science institutions and similar establishments will be based on the eligible project-related expenditure (in the case of the Helmholtz centres and Fraunhofer, the eligible project-related costs), which may be funded by as much as 100 percent in individual cases. This is only valid for the case that these activities are not allocated in the category of economic activities in the respective institution.

The calculation of grants available for commercial undertakings and for projects implemented by research institutions that fall into the category of economic activities will be based on the eligible project-related costs.

Taking legislation on state aid into account, a proportional share of these costs can be financed. In line with BMBF policy, applicants are expected to provide an appropriate financial contribution towards the eligible costs incurred.

Eligible expenditure/costs are governed by the BMBF’s regulations governing applications for expenditure-based grants (AZA) and/or cost-based grants

Project Management Jülich: the year 2023 in numbers
1.629
Employees
30.770
Ongoing projects
3392,05
millions in funding disbursed
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