About the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) programme
The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) is an international funding programme supporting research, development and innovation that helps accelerate the transition to net zero energy systems.
It brings together public funding organisations from across Europe and beyond to support collaborative projects in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage and energy system integration.
Find out more about The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP).
Invest Northern Ireland’s Role in the CETP
Invest Northern Ireland is the regional funding agency for CETP in Northern Ireland.
If you are a business or research organisation based in Northern Ireland, the first step is to apply through the CETP process. Projects must be approved by CETP before you can apply to Invest NI for funding support.
Once a project is approved through CETP, our role begins. We assess your eligibility criteria and requirements and manage grant support through our Grant for R&D scheme.
We provide grant funding through our Grant for R&D scheme to eligible Invest NI clients and research organisations based in Northern Ireland participating in approved CETP projects.
How can my business benefit from the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP)?
Projects approved through CETP will be assessed against Invest NI eligibility criteria. Up to €3 million may be available to support organisations based in Northern Ireland across two calls.
Invest NI is participating in the following call modules:
Renewable Energy Sources (RES)
Energy system flexibility in a high renewable energy sources scenario
Hydrogen and renewable fuel
Hydrogen and renewable fuel technologies
Who can apply for the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP)?
Companies must be legal entities operating in Northern Ireland and be an Invest NI client.
Applications must go through CETP first. Projects are assessed at pre‑proposal and full proposal stage, and only successful projects can then apply to Invest NI for funding.
For project specific queries or questions on Invest NI support, contact greeneconomydevelopment@investni.com
For general eligibility and application guidance, please refer to CETP resources before submitting an application.
Find out more about becoming an Invest Northern Ireland client company.
Who is eligible for the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) programme?
Eligibility for the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) programme is set out in the Joint Call 2026 guidance.
Support through Invest NI’s Grant for R&D scheme is available to Invest NI clients only.
Eligible projects must:
- Be a project consortium that must consist of at least three beneficiary partners, including one coordinator, from at least three different countries participating in the chosen call module.
- Projects must focus on developing new or improved products, processes or services aligned with clean energy and net zero objectives within the two chosen modules.
- R&D activity must mainly take place in Northern Ireland and demonstrate clear economic benefit to the Northern Ireland economy.
- Projects will have to meet eligibility, pre-proposal and full proposal status from CETP.
- The CETP have set out the following eligibility requirements, please refer to the CETP guidance and eligibility requirements here before making an application.
- All beneficiary partners must comply with applicable national and regional requirements and guidelines – See link to Invest Northern Irelands eligibility criteria here.
- To avail of Invest NI support under the Grant for R&D scheme, R&D activity must mainly take place in Northern Ireland and demonstrate clear economic benefit to the Northern Ireland economy.
How to apply?
There are requirements for each individual call module, which can be found in the call documents:
• Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (Pg 44)
• Hydrogen and renewable fuel (Pg 59)
For project specific queries or questions on Invest NI support, contact greeneconomydevelopment@investni.com before and do so by Friday 28th August.
Important Dates
If you are considering applying for the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) programme, below are some important dates to consider.
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Call launch | Tuesday 26 May 2026 |
| Opening for CETP pre‑proposals | Monday 8 June 2026 |
| Deadline for CETP pre-proposals | Thursday 8 October 2026 |
| Opening for CETP full proposals | Friday 8 January 2027 |
| Deadline for CETP full proposals | Thursday 11 March 2027 |
| Latest permitted project start date | Wednesday 15 December 2027 – December 2030 (3 year maximum project duration) |
You may be interested in
- Develop products and services
Grant for R&D
R&D support can help develop your idea into a successful product, process or service ready for commercialisation.