The Energy & Climate Research and Development (EKOO) scheme supports collaborative projects in industrial research and experimental development. Each consortium must comprise at least one company. A project lasts for a maximum of two years, and the innovation must be brought to market within ten years of the project’s start. Both schemes operate on a competitive basis: the highest-scoring applications receive funding whilst funds remain available.
EKOO: Circular economy
This scheme supports the development of new or significantly improved circular products, processes and services. This can be achieved through technological research and development, but also through research into consumer behaviour or new revenue models, or a combination of these. The scheme focuses on four themes: the manufacturing industry (such as mechanical engineering, medical equipment and measuring instruments), energy technology (such as wind turbines, electrolysers and heat pumps), construction and infrastructure, and consumer goods such as electronics, furniture and textiles. Projects that primarily focus on recycling or the recovery of raw materials are not eligible.
Total budget: €2.5 million
Maximum per project: €500,000
Deadline: 3 December 2026, 5.00 pm
EKOO: Critical raw materials
This scheme focuses on innovations that safeguard the future availability of strategic and critical raw materials, for example through processing, recovery, reuse or substitution. The innovation must be applicable in the energy transition, the digital transition, defence or high-tech sectors.
Total budget: €1.85 million
Maximum per project: €500,000
Deadline: 3 December 2026, 5.00 pm
Assessing your project idea and more information
RVO offers you the opportunity to have your project idea assessed by them. You can do this until 16 November 2026 at the latest. For these and other details, please refer to the RVO website.
