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Overview of Hydrogen Funding Programs

Companies planning projects related to the energy carrier hydrogen can find numerous support options at both the federal and European levels. Here we provide an overview of various funding programs and many helpful links.

The mega-topic of hydrogen has picked up even more speed under the impression of rapidly rising energy prices. Companies wishing to venture into future technologies can find numerous support options at both the federal and European levels.

The German government bundles information in its One-Stop-Shop – Hydrogen, offering general information, concrete project examples, and consulting and service offerings. The Hydrogen Coordination Office is also included, allowing interested companies and institutions to contact experienced funding experts via phone or email and find suitable funding options for their projects directly.

The following overview offers a concise review of current funding programs in the field of hydrogen on federal and EU levels (as of August 2025). It does not claim to be complete and deliberately excludes programs at the state level. For information on state-specific funding offers, please contact your German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). All details are provided without guarantees.

More Information:

You can generally research the programs in the Federal Funding Database or the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. You can also find more information here:

Furthermore, the German government promotes the import of green hydrogen and its derivatives via a two-stage auction model – H2Global. The second round of tenders was launched in February 2025 with a budget of around €2.5 billion to subsidize international import projects.

"HyLand – Hydrogen Regions in Germany" is a competition announced in 2019 by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (now Federal Ministry for Transport). It aims to motivate actors in all regions of Germany to initiate (HyStarter), plan (HyExperts), and implement (HyPerformer) concepts related to hydrogen. The second round of the competition (HyLand II) ran from September 2021 to April 2023, and as of now, there is no information on a third phase. Visit www.hy.land for all information.

In Horizon Europe, the EU Commission's funding program for research and innovation, a total of €95.5 billion is available until 2027. Details are available on the EU Commission's website.

The "Important Projects of Common European Interest on hydrogen (IPCEIs on hydrogen)" promote lighthouse projects of pan-European interest along the hydrogen value chain.

Additionally, the European Hydrogen Bank (European Hydrogen Bank) is conducting national auctions under the "Domestic Pillar" for renewable hydrogen production in the EU. A third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank is planned for late 2025 with a budget of up to €1 billion.

The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world's largest funding instruments for innovative climate-friendly technologies. It supports large projects in hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), industry, and energy.

Specific funding programs:

  • "ICT for Electromobility" for efficient e-commercial vehicle applications and infrastructures (funding guideline runs until December 31, 2026):
    digitale-technologien.de
  • Market activation of alternative technologies for environmentally friendly onboard power and mobile shore power supply for sea and inland vessels (BordstromTech directive, runs until December 31, 2026):
    bund.de (only available in German)
Relevant in topic:
Energy and climate policy
Key areas:
  • Hydrogen
  • Financing

Released 14.08.2025

Modified 09.06.2026

Contact

Maizieres, Louise

Louise Maizières

Director Hydrogen and International Energy Partnerships

E-mail
maizieres.louise@dihk.de
Telephone
+49 30 20308 2207
Littmann_test

Lukas Littmann

Director Section Innovation Policy

E-mail
littmann.lukas@dihk.de
Telephone
+49 30 20308 2214