The National Science Centre (NCN), in cooperation with the LEAP-SE (Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy) Network, is launching the LEAP-SE Cofund Call 2026 for international research projects in the area of energy transition and renewable energy. Funding may be requested by international consortia comprising partners from at least four European and African countries participating in the call.
LEAP-SE Cofund Call 2026 is open to funding proposals for research projects carried out over a period of 2 or 3 years in one of the following topics:
- Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and integration of RES in sustainable energy scenarios
- End-of-life and second‐life management and environmental impact of RE components
- Smart stand‐alone systems
- Smart grid (different scales) for off grid application
- Processes and appliances for productive uses (agriculture, mobility and industry)
- Innovative solutions for priority domestic uses (clean cooking and cold chain)
- Production and utilization of Green Hydrogen
Research consortia may comprise the following countries participating in the call:
- Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and LGI (African partners without funding organisations),
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom.
At least two project partners must originate from two different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries and at least two partners must originate from two Member States of the African Union.
The call procedure is divided into two stages. In Stage I, joint pre-proposals are submitted with a foreign partner, and top-rated research teams are invited to submit their joint full proposals in Stage II. Submission deadline for joint pre-proposals is 5 February 2026 and the call results will be published by the end of November 2026.
The NCN Council has allocated EUR 750,000 for research projects carried out by Polish research teams participating in the LEAP-SE Cofund Call 2026.
Anyone interested in the call is welcome to take part in a webinar for applicants on 4 November. Register in advance here (mandatory).