Introduction: Budget: 77.500.000 EUR
The fifth Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), outlining the scope and details of it’s operational and horizontal activities for the year 2012, with a focus on research activities prioritised for the fifth Call for proposals, together with supportive actions required. The challenge facing fuel cells and hydrogen technologies is of great complexity, requiring substantial investments and a high level of scientific, technological and industrial expertise. At the same time, their potential contribution to Union policies - in particular energy, climate change, environment, transport and industrial competitiveness – is very important.
To implement these priorities and bring clean energy technologies to the market, a key element of the SET Plan's implementation strategy is to combine resources with the private sector, allowing industry to take the lead in identifying technology gaps that need to be addressed. The cooperation is structured through public-private partnerships, the European Industrial Initiatives. Among the first such initiatives, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) was established by a Council Regulation of 30 May 20083 as a long-term public–private-partnership under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Union.
Strategic Objectives:
In carrying out a programme of RTD activities in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells, the following constitute the main objectives of the FCH JU:
- Aim at placing Europe at the forefront of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies worldwide and enabling the market breakthrough of fuel cell
and hydrogen technologies, thereby allowing commercial market forces to drive the substantial potential public benefits;
- Support RTD in the Member States and countries associated with the Seventh Framework Programme in a coordinated manner in order to
avoid market failure, focus on developing market applications and facilitate additional industrial efforts towards a rapid development of
fuel cell and hydrogen technologies;
-Support the implementation of the RTD priorities of the Multi-Annual Implementation Plan of the FCH JU, notably by awarding grants
following competitive calls for proposals;
- Undertake supporting actions where appropriate through calls to tender;
- Aim to encourage increased public and private RTD investment in fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in the Member States and
Associated countries;
- Ensure the coordination and efficient management of funds. Management will be guided by the principles of transparency and openness,
competitiveness and excellence, inclusiveness and close cooperation among stakeholders in order to achieve the best possible
benefit for Europe.
RTD activities will respect the fundamental and ethical principles applicable to the Seventh Framework Programme.
Who can participate?
The following shall be eligible for FCH JU funding:
(a) legal entities established in a Member State or an Associated country;
(b) international organisations, which have legal personality under international public law, as well as any specialised agencies
set up by such organisations;
(c) legal entities from third countries, provided that the Governing Board considers their participation to be of particular benefit to the
project.
The EU Member States are:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
The Associated Countries are:
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey
Budget:
Indicative budget is EUR 77.5 million from the FCH JU 2012 budget. The final budget awarded to this call, following the evaluation of projects, may vary by up to 10% of the total value of the call. All budgetary figures given in this call are indicative. The repartition of the sub-budgets awarded within this call, following the evaluation of proposals, may vary by up to 10% of the total value of the call.
Deadline: 24 May 2012 at 17.00 hours (Brussels local time)
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