Canadian clean energy innovators sometimes have difficulty accessing major international R&D funding programs, especially those led by Europe. The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership) Joint Call 2025 gives Canadian teams—including Alberta-based organizations—a chance to join Europe-led consortia funded under Horizon Europe. In Alberta, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) is contributing up to $3 million to support eligible projects for this call.
This guide explains how the CETPartnership Joint Call 2025 works, who can apply from Canada and Alberta, what types of projects are funded, and the steps to apply.
The CETPartnership Joint Call 2025 is a multilateral research, development, and innovation (RDI) program under Horizon Europe. Its main goal is to support the clean energy transition by funding transnational projects that fit the EU Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan and climate targets.
Note: The program code for the 2025 call is not yet published. Applicants should check the CETPartnership website or ERA for the latest call identifier and details.
Main features of CETPartnership Joint Call 2025:
Canada joins through regional partners like Emissions Reduction Alberta. The federal government does not provide direct Horizon Europe funding.
All CETPartnership applications must be submitted by an international consortium. The key rules are:
Canadian organizations must work with European partners to be eligible.
For Alberta, funding is managed by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA). Typical eligible applicants include:
Final eligibility and cost rules are set by ERA, not Horizon Europe.
The CETPartnership Joint Call 2025 is divided into thematic call modules that focus on clean energy transition priorities. Funded projects often include:
Projects must be research‑driven and show a clear path to emissions reductions and real‑world impact.
European partners get funding from their own national or EU funding agencies under Horizon Europe rules. Each partner is funded separately by their home jurisdiction, even though the project is evaluated as one consortium.
Your Alberta budget must follow ERA cost eligibility rules, not EU rules.
Start by finding European partners who already take part in Horizon Europe programs. Canadian applicants are more likely to succeed if they have strong partners early on.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds. This is useful when checking if CETP fits your R&D plans.
Your proposal must meet:
This includes eligible expenses, funding intensity, and reporting obligations.
The consortium submits one joint application through the CETPartnership/Horizon Europe portal. This includes:
Alberta applicants usually need to submit parallel or follow‑up documentation directly to ERA, depending on ERA’s process and timelines.
Thinking Canada is funded by Horizon Europe directly:
Canadian partners are funded by national or provincial agencies, not by the EU.
Waiting too long to find European partners:
Strong consortia form months in advance. Late partnerships weaken proposals.
Ignoring Alberta cost eligibility rules:
ERA funding rules may differ from EU cost categories.
Over‑scoping Alberta’s role:
If Alberta exceeds effort or budget caps, the entire proposal can be ruled ineligible.
Q: Do CETPartnership projects require international partners?
Yes. Every CETPartnership Joint Call 2025 project must involve partners from multiple participating countries, with at least two from the EU or associated countries.
Q: How much funding can an Alberta company receive?
ERA has committed up to $3 million total for the call. Individual project amounts vary and depend on ERA approval and project scope.
Q: Can SMEs apply to the CETPartnership Joint Call 2025?
Yes. SMEs, large enterprises, universities, and research organizations can all be eligible if they meet consortium and funder rules.
Q: Is CETP funding taxable income in Canada?
Often, government funding is considered taxable income for Canadian businesses. You should confirm with your accountant or tax advisor to be sure.
Q: Can CETP funding be stacked with other grants?
Stacking may be allowed, but limits often apply when combining public funds. ERA reviews stacking on a case‑by‑case basis.
The CETPartnership Joint Call 2025 is one way Canadian clean energy businesses can access large, Europe‑linked R&D funding. Early partner development and a clear understanding of Alberta’s funding rules are key.
GrantHub tracks thousands of active grant programs across Canada, including international partnership calls like CETP. Use it to check which clean energy and R&D programs match your business profile.
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