JEWEL Open Call 2026: An Opportunity to Boost Net-Zero Technologies and Accelerate Industrial Decarbonisation in Europe

Europe’s transition towards a more sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem continues to gain momentum, and one funding initiative attracting particular attention in 2026 is the JEWEL Open Call, designed to accelerate the deployment of Net-Zero Technologies (NZT) and strengthen collaboration among European SMEs.

The call represents an important opportunity for innovative companies, technology startups, R&D centres and industrial stakeholders working on decarbonisation solutions, energy transition and advanced manufacturing technologies.

What is the JEWEL Open Call aiming to achieve?

The main objective of the initiative is to accelerate the industrial deployment of Net-Zero Technologies while strengthening European competitiveness and fostering transnational cooperation.

Its key priorities include:

Accelerating the adoption of Net-Zero technologies in manufacturing processes.
Supporting the development of European NZT solutions.
Encouraging collaboration between SMEs from different regions and countries.
Reinforcing Europe’s industrial and technological autonomy.
Contributing to industrial decarbonisation goals.

In a context shaped by energy transition, regulatory pressure and the need to reinforce European value chains, initiatives such as JEWEL are becoming strategic instruments for industrial transformation.

JEWEL at a Glance: A European Initiative for Industrial Innovation

Although the currently open call corresponds to the first Demonstration Projects Open Call (OC#1) and therefore has no historical funding results yet, the programme already outlines an ambitious roadmap to accelerate Net-Zero innovation across European industry.

The current call includes:

€540,000 total budget
Up to €54,000 funding per project
Funding intensity of up to 90% of eligible costs
Around 10 projects expected to be funded
Maximum project duration of 9 months
Minimum consortium requirement of two SMEs from different European regions

In addition, JEWEL plans to launch three calls throughout the programme, mobilising approximately €1.98 million to support demonstration projects and technology scale-up initiatives linked to industrial transition.

This approach follows the increasingly adopted European cascade funding model, designed to accelerate market uptake and facilitate SME access to specialised innovation funding.

Eligible Technologies: Focus on Clean Energy and Industrial Innovation

The call places particular emphasis on technologies linked to energy transition and emissions reduction.

Battery and Energy Storage Technologies

Advanced battery solutions.
Thermal energy storage technologies.
Energy management and optimisation systems.

Hydrogen Technologies

Electrolysers.
Fuel cells.
Solutions supporting renewable hydrogen value chains.

Electricity Grid Technologies

Smart grid systems.
Flexible and high-capacity infrastructures.
Energy integration technologies for industrial applications.

Renewable Energy Solutions for Industrial Decarbonisation

Solar technologies.
Wind energy solutions.
Low-emission systems designed for manufacturing environments.

Priority Industrial Ecosystems

The JEWEL Open Call focuses on industrial ecosystems with strong transformation potential and significant climate impact.

Automotive, Mobility and Transport

Electrification, energy storage and evolving supply chains position this sector among the main potential beneficiaries.

Aerospace and Defence

The integration of clean technologies and advanced energy systems opens new pathways for industrial innovation.

Energy-Intensive Industries

Industries with traditionally high energy consumption can accelerate efficiency improvements and emissions reduction through Net-Zero technologies.

A Strategic Opportunity for Innovative Companies

Companies developing solutions related to energy storage, hydrogen technologies, industrial electrification, renewable energy or decarbonisation technologies may find JEWEL particularly valuable for technology validation, partnership building and expansion into European innovation ecosystems.

Application deadline:

1 June 2026 – 17:00 (Brussels time)

Further information and application access: