Clean Energy Transition Partnership – Joint Call 2026

The three main goals of the CETP are:

• Joint programming and funding;
• Renewable energy technology development, demonstration and integration (for fuels, carbon capture and storage, power, heating, and cooling) and system change (e.g. energy infrastructures);
• Innovation ecosystem fostering capacity building, faster market diffusion, upscaling, replication and enabling of the clean energy transition.

A joint Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda defines specific thematic challenges – also referred to as ‘Transition Initiatives’ (TRIs) – to be addressed under CETP, primarily through the implementation of joint transnational calls (JTCs) for research and innovation projects.

The Joint Call 2026 includes 40 funding organisations across 30 EU Member States and Associated Countries

Call Modules

The Call consists of 11 Call Modules, addressing a range of energy technology and system challenges and covering both research-oriented approaches (ROA) and innovation-oriented approaches (IOA). The Call Modules are complementary and collectively contribute to the objectives of the clean energy transition. The specific aims, challenges, scope, requirements and guidelines of the Call Modules and expected outcomes of Projects are described in Joint Call Text 2026 (Chapter 7).

Research Ireland is participating in the following subset of call modules only:

• CM2026-01: Call Module 2026-01: Integrated energy system resilience in a changing environment
• CM2026-02: Call Module 2026-02: Energy system flexibility in a high renewable energy sources (RES) scenario: energy generation, storage and system integration,
• CM2026-03A: Call Module 2026-03A: Advanced renewable energy (RE) technologies for power production (ROA)
• CM2026-05: Call Module 2026-05: Hydrogen and renewable fuel
• CM2026-08: Call Module 2026-08: Integrated regional energy systems
• CM2026-10: Call Module 2026-10: Clean energy integration in the built environment

Pre-proposals for all other call modules requesting funding from Research Ireland will be deemed ineligible.

Applicants based in Ireland should refer to the CETP Joint Call 2026 funding commitments to review the call modules supported by other Irish agencies. To apply for funding from SEAI please refer directly to their respective requirements and webpages for further information.

Awarded projects will have a duration of up to 36 months. For applicants based in Ireland, Research Ireland will provide the following funding for projects:

• Up to a maximum of €330,000 direct costs* per project for Irish applicants as Partner on transnational proposals.
• Up to a maximum of €405,000 direct costs* per project for Irish applicants as Coordinator on transnational proposals.

*The maximum total award per project, including overhead contribution, will be €430,000, for a partner and €530,000 for applicants who take on the role of coordinator.

Only an academic partner or coordinator based in an eligible Irish Host Research body may apply for Research Ireland funding.

The Irish-based applicant requesting Research Ireland funding must:

• hold a PhD or equivalent qualification for at least 3 years by the pre-proposal deadline. The official date is defined as the day, month and year that the degree was conferred i.e., the month and year printed on the official PhD certificate.

AND

• be a member of the academic staff of an eligible Research Body (permanent or with an active contract that covers the period of the grant)

OR

• be a contract researcher with a contract that covers the period of the grant, who is recognised by the eligible Research Body as an independent investigator and will have an independent office and research space for which he/she will be fully responsible for at least the duration of the Research Ireland grant

OR

• be an individual who will be recognised by the eligible Research Body upon receipt of the grant as an academic staff or as a contract researcher as defined above. The applicant does not necessarily need to be employed by the Research Body at the time of the application submission.

AND

• be an author on at least three international peer-reviewed articles. Only original research publications, and not review articles or other secondary research literature, are acceptable.

More information on the CET Partnership and the Joint Call 2026, including the call text and general eligibility requirements, are available on the CETPartnership Joint Call 2026 website.

Details specific to applicants based in Ireland requesting funding through Research Ireland can be found below.

The call follows a two-step procedure, with a pre-proposal stage and an invited full-proposal stage.

All requested costs must be comprehensively justified. Please include detailed descriptions and cost itemisation in the proposal.

1. Salary-related costs for research personnel. Please use current Research Ireland Team Member Salary Scales. The Irish partner cannot request their own salary or buy-out.
2. Equipment costs up to a maximum value of €30K
3. Travel costs with consideration for Research Ireland’s Guidance for Sustainable Travel Policy  
4. Direct running costs (materials and consumables)
5. Dissemination and knowledge exchange costs 
6. Subcontracting costs may be considered an eligible budget category however strong justification for subcontracting must be provided and pre-approved directly with Research Ireland in advance of pre-proposal submission.

Unless otherwise stated, all rules regarding listed eligible costs apply as defined within Research Ireland’s grant budget policy. Please refer to this policy closely in the development of the budget request. 

Website: About us | CETPartnership

Joint Call 2026 Website: The CETPartnership Joint Call 2026