This German funding guideline supports the identification and later potential funding of highly innovative research, development and innovation projects in fusion technologies and the related upstream and downstream value chains. It forms part of Germany’s preparation for participation in the planned Important Project of Common European Interest on Innovative Nuclear Technologies and is intended to connect Germany’s existing fusion innovation ecosystem with a future integrated European fusion ecosystem. The overarching objective is to accelerate the technological development needed for an industrially usable fusion power plant, while building and strengthening the industrial capabilities, strategic value chains and technological sovereignty required for fusion in Germany and Europe.

The call focuses on high-risk, pre-competitive projects that go significantly beyond the international state of the art and that can contribute to an integrated European initiative. Relevant activities may include research and development as well as, where appropriate, the first industrial deployment of new or substantially improved products, processes or services. Projects may address fusion-relevant contributions across reactor concepts, fuels and radioisotopes, and materials, components and services. Indicative topics include integrated and scalable fusion reactor designs, tritium breeding and fuel-cycle technologies, inertial-confinement and laser-fusion systems, high-temperature superconducting conductors and magnets, cryogenic and vacuum technologies, Tokamak and Stellarator components, plasma-heating systems, divertors and plasma-facing components, radiation-resistant materials, innovative manufacturing and assembly processes, digital tools such as simulation codes and digital twins, artificial intelligence for control systems, and advanced testing, measurement and qualification systems.

A central objective is to move important fusion technologies from low or medium technology readiness levels toward higher levels of maturity and to close development and qualification gaps along the fusion value chain. The programme also aims to encourage companies, especially SMEs, to become involved at an early stage, strengthen cooperation between industry, universities and research organisations, and establish resilient European value chains for strategically relevant fusion technologies. Proposed projects are expected to generate positive spill-over effects beyond the direct beneficiaries, for example through knowledge dissemination, standardisation, norms, improved industrial capabilities and benefits for other sectors.

Applicants must be commercial enterprises. At the time a grant is paid, the beneficiary must have an establishment or branch in Germany. The first procedural stage is a national expression-of-interest process based on a project outline. Selected potential direct participants may then enter a European matchmaking and project-integration stage, followed by the European State-aid notification process and a formal national grant application. Funding is provided as project funding on a co-financing basis, with the permissible aid amount for direct participants determined by the verified funding gap in relation to eligible costs. The guideline does not specify a fixed total call budget or a maximum grant amount per project.

Projects must provide clear European added value, be capable of integration into the planned European IPCEI, support cross-border cooperation, and contribute to objectives such as climate neutrality, industrial competitiveness, strategic autonomy, energy security and the reduction of strategic dependencies. The national project-outline deadline is 15 October 2026, and the guideline remains valid until 31 December 2032.

Opening: 24.08.2026
Deadline(s): 15.10.2026