Green hydrogen is to become the key source of clean energy both in Germany and in Canada. Both countries have defined this objective in their decarbonization strategies. 

A joint funding call published by the Federal Research Ministry and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is intended to provide new impetus for joint research projects between the two countries to make optimal use of the opportunities offered by the energy transition and to encourage climate action.

Germany and Canada already share a long history of successful research cooperation. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of German-Canadian partnership in science, technology and innovation.

 

Funding objective: Partnerships in science and industry

This funding call is aimed at German higher education institutions, non-university research institutions and companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In order to be eligible for funding, envisaged projects need to involve at least three Canadian partners: an NRC research centre, a university and an eligible Canadian business partner (2+3).

 

Thematic priorities of the funding

The Federal Research Ministry aims to provide funding for collaborative research projects which involve international cooperation with partners from Canada and address one or more of the following topics:

1. Applied research to generate a basic understanding of hydrogen production including electrochemistry, photocatalysis and storage technologies and media
2. Identification, development and advanced characterization of new and novel materials and components including catalysts, electrodes and membranes for the optimization of equipment as well as hydrogen production and transport
3. Advanced methods for producing, characterizing and analyzing or classifying materials or components using high-throughput methods such as advanced modelling, AI-supported methods and Materials Acceleration Platforms
4. Application of advanced modelling at system level as well as production and process design, particularly with regard to increasing the cost-effectiveness of hydrogen technology. This includes the use of technological/commercial and life cycle assessments of hydrogen production pathways in the context of the Canadian or Germany energy systems.
5. Equipment development, prototyping and system validation for the production, use, transport and storage of hydrogen as well as hydrogen transport infrastructures and logistics including the architecture of hydrogen station networks
6. Solutions for integrating hydrogen value chains into national energy systems

The funding call is an application-oriented initiative aimed at encouraging projects that are close to market and promote state-of-the-art research.

Moreover, the research projects are expected to contribute towards the objectives defined in the national hydrogen strategies of Germany and Canada and to focus their research on the following areas:

• Reducing production costs to make green hydrogen competitive
• Efficient infrastructures for hydrogen production, transport and storage
• Using technologies that produce hydrogen based on renewable sources of energy

 

Amount and duration of possible funding

Funding will be awarded as non-repayable project grants. The maximum amount of funding per German collaborative project is 750,000 euros for a project period of up to 36 months.

The deadline for application is 21 May 2022.

Interested researchers can submit project outlines in digital form by 21 March 2022 at the latest using the “easy-Online” tool for compiling project outlines (first phase of the procedure).

 

Matchmaking event on 3 November

The NRC and the Federal Research Ministry will host a virtual matchmaking event to bring together German and Canadian project partners. The event will take place on 3 November and will provide the participants with important information on drafting and submitting joint project outlines.

Further information is available under “Online seminar” in the navigation pane on the right.

 

Applicants from Germany are required to send their project outlines to:

Dr Barbara Hellebrandt

Phone: +49 228 - 38 21-1433

Fax: +49 228 - 38 21-1444

Email: Barbara.Hellebrandt@dlr.de

 

Applicants from the partner country Canada must address their funding application to the NRC.

Further information on the project funding rules and contact persons is available here.