The CLEANHYPRO project, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, represents a new wave of innovation for Europe’s hydrogen value chain.
Its mission aligns with major EU policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal (European Commission, 2019), the EU Hydrogen Strategy (European Commission, 2020), and the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (CHJU). which all emphasise the need for accelerated development, validation and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The project offers open access to nine pilot lines and expert services across hydrogen production, storage, testing, materials analysis and certification, serving as an open innovation test bed to encourage industrial adoption. It follows the model promoted by the European Commission’s open innovation test bed framework for advanced materials (EC, 2023) to facilitate industrial uptake through shared pilot infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration.
This access is offered through two waves of open calls inviting innovative SMEs and start-ups from EU member Ssates to validate and scale up hydrogen solutions using advanced infrastructure.
Organised in two distinct waves, the CLEANHYPRO open calls are designed to select at least 16 high potential projects (‘democases’), each running for up to six months. By actively encouraging applications from a broad spectrum of innovators spanning the entire hydrogen value chain, the programme ensures diverse perspectives and maximum impact.
The open calls are intended to go beyond accessing state-of-the-art technical resources, to benefit participants in having close collaboration and co-creation opportunities with CLEANHYPRO experts, enhancing their project’s visibility within Europe’s dynamic hydrogen community.
In this article we present the seven key methodological pillars for the CLEANHYPRO’s open calls providing a foundation for rapid hydrogen innovation to reinforce Europe´s leadership in clean hydrogen (FCHJU, 2019).
CLEANHYPRO’S seven key methodological pillars
The open calls use a seven pillar methodology that ensures effective open innovation through a clear governance framework covering technical, organisational, legal and communication aspects. Research indicates that structured processes and transparent access are crucial for impactful open innovation (Chesbrough, 2003). Multi-pillar models facilitate coordinated and transparent exchanges among stakeholders (Talebi & Rezania, 2020).
Ongoing monitoring, ethical compliance and proactive dissemination is central to this design helping to accelerate technology readiness and promote ecosystem learning (IEA, 2020).
These pillars align CLEANHYPRO’s open calls with international best practices to maximise Europe’s hydrogen innovation impact.
Pillar 1 – Open and competitive access framework
CLEANHYPRO’s approach is founded on open innovation. By holding competitive open calls, the project offers free access to both technical and non-technical services. This process promotes transparency, inclusivity, and equal opportunities for all applicants.
Pillar 2 – Integrated evaluation and selection process
The evaluation follows a stepwise, objective process, beginning with an eligibility check to confirm proposals meet CLEANHYPRO’s goals. An expert panel assess proposals on three criteria: Excellence, evaluating innovation and project feasibility; Impact, considering industrial relevance, business potential, and contributions to clean hydrogen; and Implementation and capacity, reviewing the clarity of the work plan, identification of challenges and solutions and the competence of applicants.
Each is scored from 1 to 10, with at least 7 needed per criterion. Borderline cases may be discussed in consensus meetings, and applicants can request reviews for procedural errors. This process upholds transparency, impartiality, and quality.
Pillar 3 – Holistic integration of technical and non-technical services
The open calls’ methodology ensures each selected democase can receive customised support from both technical and non-technical areas, as described in the open innovation test bed service catalogue. Technical services include manufacturing and testing various electrolyser types including AEL, PEM, AEM, and SOEC, as well as feasibility studies, and LCA/LCC analyses. Non-technical services cover commercialisation guidance, connections to prospective investors, financing advice, and certification support.
This integrated approach aligns technology advances with effective business and regulatory strategies for smoother market adoption.
Pillar 4 – Collaborative co-development via democases
Each democase benefits from a dedicated service delivery manager (SDM), who oversees technical coordination and delivery across pilot lines. If needed, a business mentor will be allocated offering expertise in market analysis, funding strategies, and exploitation planning. The service delivery manager and selected company will jointly develop a customised service delivery plan (SDP) with the chosen democase, detailing the work plan, milestones, deliverables, resource allocation, roles, and access to pilot facilities.
This structured, joint approach guarantees shared ownership, clear accountability and tailored support for each innovation journey.
Pillar 5 – Robust performance monitoring and iterative feedback
CLEANHYPRO ensures the quality and effectiveness of each democase through a structured monitoring framework. Progress is monitored through technical assessments by the service delivery managers to verify that project objectives are being met. In addition, a final report detailing the achievements, challenges, and outcomes is submitted by each democase.
User satisfaction surveys collect participant feedback to assess open innovation test beds’ efficiency, accessibility and sustainability. Insights and lessons learned are used to refine the services provided, update the service catalogue, and inform the design of future open calls’ waves. This commitment to ongoing evaluation and iterative improvement underpins a culture of excellence and responsiveness across the programme.
Pillar 6 – Ethical, legal and data protection compliance
CLEANHYPRO upholds the highest standards of legal, ethical and data protection practice across all open call procedures. All activities comply fully with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Horizon Europe requirements. The project’s partner, F6S, operates the application platform as the designated data controller, ensuring full compliance with EU data protection laws. Confidentiality and intellectual property management are governed by a formal Democase Agreement (DCA), safeguarding fair and transparent collaboration.
This comprehensive approach ensures a foundation of trust, data integrity, and legal certainty for all participants engaged in the open call programme.
Pillar 7 – Transparent communication and dissemination
CLEANHYPRO is committed to promoting transparent communication and wide-reaching dissemination activities. All key information regarding application procedures, frequently asked questions and call outcomes is made readily accessible via the F6S platform and the CLEANHYPRO website, guaranteeing equal access for all stakeholders and preventing privileged communication.
The methodology calls for actively sharing non-confidential project results, like four-page business case summaries, to inform the wider hydrogen innovation community. This increases project visibility and helps advance knowledge in the European clean hydrogen sector.
Operational impact of the seven pillars framework
CLEANHYPRO’s seven pillars framework encourages open access testing and collaboration within advanced research infrastructures. This approach accelerates hydrogen technology readiness, supporting EU priorities set in the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (European Commission, 2017) like improved electrolysis for competitive production.
The framework also supports the rapid scaling and industry resilience capabilities established in the RePowerEU Plan (2022) by going beyond technology provision to giving guidance on business, financial and sustainability. Mirroring guidance from the European Investment Advisory Report, this helps to ensure market adoption and long-term viability, strengthening Europe’s leadership in clean hydrogen (InvestEU, 2023).
Structured around the seven pillars, the open calls aim to broaden opportunities for innovators seeking to validate, scale or commercialise their clean hydrogen technologies. By granting access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance, CLEANHYPRO is building the foundation for a robust and interconnected hydrogen ecosystem that will support Europe’s green energy transition.
The first wave of open calls closed on 18 December 2025 and the second is coming later in 2026.
Find more information at the project website and on LinkedIn.
References
Chesbrough, H. W., 2003. Open innovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology. Harvard Business Press.
European Commission, 2017. Strategic Energy Technology Plan.
European Commission, 2019. The European Green Deal (COM/2019/640).
European Commission, 2020. A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe (COM/2020/301).
European Commission, 2022. REPowerEU.
European Commission, 2023. Open Innovation Test Beds for Advanced Materials.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU), 2019. Hydrogen Roadmap Europe: A sustainable pathway for the European Energy Transition.
International Energy Agency, 2020. Energy technology perspectives 2020.
InvestEU, 2023. European Investment Advisory Hub Activity Report.
Talebi, A. & Rezania, D., 2020. Governance of projects in public procurement of innovation from a multi-level perspective. Journal of public procurement, 20(2), 187-206.
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