The Clean Energy Transition Partnership is a competitive funding call that aims to get as many Scottish companies as possible working on new clean energy solutions.

It provides funding to innovative companies that are developing ways to speed up Scotland's transition to clean energy use, which will help Scotland move toward net zero carbon emissions.

By participating in the programme, you'll also get opportunities to:

• access expertise, knowledge, and facilities
• share costs and risks
• develop new products and processes
• work with your supply chain and customers
• work with other developers
• access international markets

There is a 2-stage application process that includes a proposal stage, followed by a national-level application. 

Proposal stage

First, you'll need to submit a pre-proposal, in which you'll select a module or topic for your application to focus on.

There are 9 modules that describe specific topics and/or challenges that applicants can address. The module topics are:

• multi-vector interactions between the integrated energy system and industrial frameworks
• energy system flexibility: renewables production, storage and system integration
• advanced renewable energy (RE) technologies for power production
• carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
• hydrogen and renewable fuels
• heating and cooling technologies
• integrated regional energy systems
• integrated industrial energy systems
• clean energy integration in the built environment 

If your pre-proposal is accepted, you'll be invited to submit a full proposal.

Applications will be ranked during this stage and evaluated by a group of international experts. Only the highest-ranking projects will receive funding. 

If your full proposal is accepted, you can proceed to the national stage of the application.

National stage

At the national stage, you'll submit an application to Scottish Enterprise.

Scottish Enterprise will accept applications for all 9 modules. However, your project will also need to show that it supports the Scottish Government's energy strategies and will contribute to economic development in Scotland.

Full details are available on the Scottish Enterprise website.

Background

The European Clean Energy Transition Partnership is an international collaboration between 30 countries and 55 funding organisations. Scottish Enterprise is one of the funding organisations. Scottish Enterprise is leading and delivering the programme on behalf of the Scottish Government and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Yes, if your business is registered, operates and carries out research and development activities in the areas covered by Scottish Enterprise or South of Scotland Enterprise, or if it intends to establish a presence here to carry out research and development.

The eligible areas include Aberdeen City and shire, the east of Scotland, Tayside, the west of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Borders. 

Subsidiaries of overseas companies are eligible if they meet these conditions.

Projects must be a collaboration, with at least 3 partners in 3 different countries. At least 2 of the countries must be members of the EU or an associated country. An associated country is a country that is not a member of the EU but has made a formal agreement with the European Commission to join the Horizon Europe Programme.

Universities and other research organisations that operate in Scotland are eligible if:

• there are at least 2 companies collaborating in their project, and one is a company that is eligible for and requesting Scottish Enterprise funding
• the work carried out by the research organisation is directly relevant to at least one of the participating Scottish companies

The research organisation's budget should be no greater than the combined budgets of the Scottish companies involved in the collaborative project that are seeking funding from Scottish Enterprise.

The amount of funding you receive will be calculated as a percentage of the eligible costs for each Scottish applicant in your project.

The grant will cover up to 40% of the costs for a large company and up to 50% of the costs for a small or medium-sized company (SME). 

The amount awarded to universities and other research organisations will depend on the activity they carry out with their partner companies.

You'll need to be able to cover any remaining costs through other sources.

Businesses, universities and research organisations based in the areas covered by Scottish Enterprise or South of Scotland Enterprise. These areas include Aberdeen City and shire, the east of Scotland, Tayside, the west of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Borders.

Timeline for applications:

• programme launch – 11 June 2025
• deadline to submit pre-proposals – 9 October 2025
• deadline to submit full proposals – 12 March 2026

It may take between 6 and 10 months from the date of the programme launch to rank and select successful applications.

Visit the Scottish Enterprise website for more information and to find out how to apply.