Germany has launched its third funding call for international hydrogen projects, offering German companies the opportunity to seek up to €30 million per project for renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels and industrial products developed outside Europe.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) has opened the latest round under Germany’s Funding Guideline for International Hydrogen Projects. Companies must submit initial project proposals by 17 December 2026, with selected projects expected to progress to a full application stage.
Funding agreements are expected to be concluded in the second half of 2027, subject to approval of Germany’s federal budget for 2027.
Germany seeks to expand international hydrogen markets
The funding programme is designed to support the international deployment of German hydrogen technologies while creating new markets and potential supply routes for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.
Under the latest call, projects can receive funding of up to €30 million per project for the 2027–2030 period.
Eligible projects must be located outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland. They are also expected to generate significant value for Germany and Europe through technology deployment, industrial activity, market development or future hydrogen supply chains.
The programme covers not only production projects but also project-related feasibility studies.
German technology providers and project developers, including small and medium-sized companies, are a particular focus of the funding mechanism. The programme is intended to help companies test technologies in international markets and establish commercial relationships in emerging hydrogen economies.
Two-stage application process
The latest funding round uses a two-stage application procedure.
In the first stage, German companies submit project proposals for assessment by BMWE. Projects considered promising and aligned with the programme’s priorities can then be invited to submit a detailed funding application.
Final funding decisions are expected after the second stage, with funding agreements targeted for the second half of 2027. The structure allows projects to undergo an initial assessment before companies commit resources to preparing comprehensive funding applications.
Projects span hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and SAF
Germany’s international hydrogen funding programme has already supported projects in countries including Chile, Namibia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Serbia.
The geographical scope of the programme also extends across regions with significant renewable energy and hydrogen production potential, including Southern Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia, South America and Australia.
For Germany, supporting projects in these markets can also provide opportunities to establish technology partnerships and develop future international supply chains for hydrogen derivatives.
Funding targets technology deployment and value creation
The programme reflects Germany’s broader effort to strengthen its position in the emerging international hydrogen economy.
Rather than focusing exclusively on domestic hydrogen production, the funding mechanism supports German companies participating in projects where renewable energy resources, industrial demand or production conditions may be more favourable outside Europe.
International projects can also provide German equipment manufacturers, engineering companies and project developers with opportunities to demonstrate technologies at commercial scale.
At the same time, developing production projects in potential exporting countries could contribute to future supply chains for hydrogen derivatives such as ammonia, methanol and e-fuels.
Bioenergy Business Analysis
Germany’s latest funding call links technology export, international project development and future hydrogen supply chains within a single funding framework.
The €30 million maximum per project could be particularly relevant for early-stage international projects that require feasibility work, technology integration and project development before reaching larger-scale financing. However, the actual level of support available to individual projects will depend on the funding process and applicable programme conditions.
The geographical requirement also makes the programme relevant to countries seeking to develop renewable hydrogen production using local renewable resources. For German companies, participation can provide a route into emerging markets while potentially helping establish supply chains for hydrogen derivatives used in chemicals, steel, shipping and aviation.
The inclusion of SAF and green methanol alongside hydrogen and ammonia is significant for the wider energy-transition market. It indicates that Germany’s international hydrogen strategy is addressing not only hydrogen itself but also the downstream fuels and industrial products that can be produced from renewable hydrogen.
