The Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 15th, 2008, a Call for Proposals referred to the Implementation Plan of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU). This call be opened for submitting proposals until January 15, 2009.

This Call for Proposals FCH-JU-2008-1 aims in first place to implement a RDT activity programme (research, Technological development and demonstration) in Europe, in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen, which will contribute to the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme.

The FCH Joint Undertaking was created by Regulation (EC) Nº 521/2008, for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative  on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, for the period up to December 31st, 2017.

The FCH Joint Undertaking will contribute to the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme and in particular the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’ themes for ‘Energy’, ‘Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies’, ‘Environment (including Climate Change)’, and ‘Transport (including Aeronautics)’.

FCH Joint Undertaking main activities:

• Aim at placing Europe at the forefront of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies worldwide and at enabling the market breakthrough of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, thereby allowing commercial market forces to drive the substantial potential public benefits.
• Support RTD in the Member States and countries associated with the Seventh Framework Programme in a coordinated manner to overcome the market failure and focus on developing market applications and thereby facilitate additional industrial efforts towards a rapid deployment of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies.
• Support the implementation of the RTD priorities of the JTI on Fuel Cells and Hydrogen, notably by awarding grants following competitive calls for proposals.
• Aim to encourage increased public and private research investment in fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in the Member States and Associated countries.

Budget and Application Deadline

The Indicative budget for the Implementation Plan of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking represents 28.1 M€ million from the FCH JU 2008 budget. The final budget awarded to this call, following the evaluation of projects, may vary by up to 10% of the total value of the call.

Applications may be submitted until January 15th, 2009, through the Preparation and Submission of Proposals (EPSS) online system.

Further information, as well as all the relevant documentation for this Call are available at the CORDIS site.