Submit decarbonization projects by February

09.01.2026

Source: E & M powernews

The second funding window for investments or developments in low-carbon production processes has opened. Companies can now submit projects until February 28, 2026.

The second call for funding for innovative projects for low-CO2 production processes has been launched by the Federal Funding Agency for Industry and Climate Protection (BIK). It was published in the Federal Gazette on January 6, 2026. Funding is available for investment projects for the decarbonization of industry as well as research and development.

The call from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) applies to Module 1 of the BIK and continues to apply exclusively to sub-modules 1 and 3. The basis for the funding is the EU Commission's General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). The second call for funding for the 2nd module of the BIK has also been launched at the same time. All information on the associated funding of CCU/S technology projects can be found at the responsible project management organization Jülich.

Submit outlines by February 28, 2026

The second funding competition for the AGVO sub-modules has begun with this call. Companies now have just under two months to submit the outlines for their projects. After the deadline on February 28, 2026, all submitted outlines will be reviewed by the Competence Center for Climate Protection in Energy-Intensive Industries (KEI) and evaluated based on the selection criteria.

The maximum funding amount is 30 million euros per company for investment projects (sub-module 1) and 35 million euros per company for research and development projects (sub-module 3). The funding is aimed at industrial companies based in Germany that are planning or operating plants with industrial processes and want to save at least 40 percent of their CO2 emissions in production through investments.

The target groups are companies in energy-intensive basic industries such as steel, chemicals, glass, ceramics, paper, cement and lime producers. However, the funding is expressly not limited to these sectors.

Sketch workshop on January 27, 2026

The Competence Center is offering a workshop to assist with the preparation and submission of BIK project outlines in the 2nd funding call. The digital information event will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

At the event, companies will receive an overview of sub-modules 1 and 3 of module 1 of the BIK funding. KEI experts will provide information on the specific timetable, the content and explain the individual phases using case studies.

According to the BMWE, the modular BIK funding scheme supports pilot projects for a sustainable, innovative and resource-conserving industry, which is becoming increasingly important on international markets. "Testing the marketability of these pioneering technologies at an early stage and their broad application in industry not only contributes to achieving climate targets, but also strengthens the competitiveness of German companies," writes the ministry.

Information and registration for the workshop are available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen