Call for Proposal for Hydrogen Technology

Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, are launching a joint call for proposal for research and innovation project proposals in the field of "Cutting-edge hydrogen technologies." This initiative stems from a bilateral agreement and aims to foster collaboration between Danish and Indian researchers to develop new technologies and solutions for a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Scope of Work of Call

The call focuses on projects that contribute to the development of cutting-edge hydrogen technologies and green fuels for transport and industry. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Green Hydrogen Production, Storage, and Utilization: Research on renewable-based hydrogen production methods, efficient storage solutions, and diverse applications.

• Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Technologies: Innovations to improve efficiency, increase production capacity, and explore cheaper, more readily available materials.

• Manufacturing and Standardization: Development of components for electrolyzers and fuel cells, standardization of production processes, and automation in manufacturing.

• Hydrogen Storage: Research on underground storage facilities, compressed tank storage, and materials-based storage solutions.

• Decarbonization of Industries: Projects focusing on the use of hydrogen to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries such as refineries, steel, and ammonia production.

• Alternative Hydrogen Production: Exploration of hydrogen production systems and technologies beyond electrolysis.

• Power-to-X Integration: Research on integrating Power-to-X systems into the energy system, including sector coupling.

• Hydrogen Economy Analysis: Forecasting studies on hydrogen demand and supply, policy interventions, and techno-economic analyses of the hydrogen value chain.

Eligibility for the grant

• India: Scientists, engineers, and technologists working in universities, academic institutions, R&D institutions, and laboratories with adequate infrastructure are eligible. PIs should have relevant experience in prototype commercialization, development, or practical experience in the chosen field.

• Denmark: Any legal entity (enterprises, research institutions, public institutions) directly involved in the project activities is eligible.

Mandatory: Projects must include at least one industry partner from both Denmark and India.

Budget and Duration of funding opportunity

• Total Funding:

  • IFD: 20 million DKK

  • DST: 200 million INR

• Number of Projects: 3-7 joint projects.

• Project Duration: Up to 3 years.

• Co-financing: Significant co-financing from other sources is encouraged.

Key Dates

• Call Announcement: August 28th, 2024

• Proposal Submission Deadline: November 1st, 2024 (12.00 Danish Time, 17.30 Indian Time)

• Consensus Decision: November-December 2024

Application Process

• Applicants from both countries will jointly develop a single project plan/description.

• The proposal must be submitted to both IFD and DST through their respective online submission systems.

• Each proposal must have a named Principal Investigator (PI) from both India and Denmark. A Co-PI is recommended on the Indian side.

Selection Process

The evaluation process consists of two phases:

1. National Procedures and Evaluation: DST and IFD will independently assess, and rank proposals based on their national criteria.

2. Bilateral Consensus Decision: DST and IFD will jointly select projects for funding based on the national rankings.

Contact Information

• DST, India:

  • Dr. Ranjith Krishna Pai, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Programme Officer

    • Email: ranjith.krishnapai@gov.in

    • Phone: 011-26590475

  • Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Scientist 'F'

    • Email: rajivarc@nic.in

    • Website: http://www.dst.gov.in/ and www.onlinedst.gov.in

• Innovation Fund Denmark:

  • Klaus Bruun Gunnestrup, International Investment Officer

    • Email: klaus.bruun.gunnestrup@innofond.dk or internationale@innofond.dk

    • Phone: +45 61905046

Reporting Requirements

• India: Progress reports, including expenditure details, are required every six months.

• Denmark: Reporting requirements are outlined in the International Guidelines published by IFD.

Additional Information of the grant

• Focus on Commercialization: Projects should aim to develop technologies with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 or above, with a clear path towards commercialization. Basic research proposals leading solely to publications will not be supported.

• Added Value: Applications must demonstrate the added value of the collaboration for both India and Denmark.

• Mobility: The project budget should include provisions for balanced mobility of researchers between the two countries.

• Industry Partner Involvement: Industry partners are expected to be actively involved in the project's technical aspects and contribute to the commercialization plan.

Note: PIs or groups with ongoing Indo-Danish projects in "Green Fuels including Green Hydrogen" under the DST program are not eligible to apply.

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.