RENEW BOOSTER - OC#2 Strand A: Challenge-driven projects
Funding for individual SMEs to develop and demonstrate solutions addressing predefined clean-energy industry challenges in photovoltaics, offshore wind and energy grids.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: Challenge-driven innovation projects in which SMEs respond to specific challenges defined by relevant energy or industrial leaders. Strand A follows a two-stage approach: Stage 1 supports rapid feasibility, proof-of-concept and product demonstration activities at TRL 6–7, while Stage 2 supports the further development, demonstration and scale-up of the selected solution towards TRL 8–9.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Photovoltaics (PV), offshore wind, particularly floating offshore wind, and energy grids.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: SMEs must apply individually. Consortia are not eligible under Strand A.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the EU definition of an SME and be established in an EU-27 Member State or another country participating in the Single Market Programme. Proposed activities must fall within the photovoltaics, offshore wind or energy grids value chains. Projects must comply with the Do No Significant Harm principle and explicitly demonstrate alignment with the objectives of the Critical Raw Materials Act and/or the Net-Zero Industry Act. An SME may submit a maximum of one application under Strand A.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: Applicants must respond to 4 specific challenges defined by relevant energy or industrial challenge owners and linked to product innovation and supply chain diversification. These challenges are: (1) Robotic solutions for offshore foundation painting campaign during operation phase; (2) Scaling Cost-Competitive Production of Suction Anchors for Floating Offshore Wind; (3) Second-life use of industrial batteries; and (4) When GPS fails: Trusted positioning for offshore wind.
PROJECTS DURATION: Stage 1 lasts approximately 3 weeks and Stage 2 lasts 12 weeks. The call also states that funded projects must have an overall duration of between 3 and 6 months from signature of the sub-grant agreement.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: From 20% to +40% depending on which stage is reached..
Budget conditions / limitations: In Stage 1, three SMEs are selected for each challenge and each receives a €10,000 grant with at least 20% private co-funding. Following the final pitch and assessment of Stage 1 results, one of these three SMEs is selected for Stage 2 and receives a €50,000 grant with at least 40% private co-funding. The cumulative maximum FSTP support per SME across all RENEW-BOOSTER calls is €60,000. Private co-funding must come from private financial resources and cannot consist of in-kind contributions or staff costs.
Payments: The €10,000 Stage 1 grant is paid upon signature of the Stage 1 Sub-grant Agreement. The €50,000 Stage 2 grant is paid to the selected SME upon signature of the Stage 2 Sub-grant Agreement.
Links
Closes
30/11/2026
Max funding per project
60.000€