Emerging Energy Technologies Fund - Hydrogen Innovation Scheme: form and guidance

How to apply - application and assessment process

Interested projects are invited to submit an expression of interest form which includes the key eligibility criteria. The form should be emailed to the EETF mailbox: EETF@gov.scot

Once we have received the completed expression of interest form, we aim to respond to you within 2 weeks and advise you on our decision to progress to the application stage. Applicants which meet the applicable eligibility criteria, outlined in the expression of interest form, will be emailed a copy of the application form. 

Expression of interest forms that fail to meet the eligibility criteria will not be assessed further. It is therefore essential to ensure that your project meets the criteria before submitting your application.

Each application must include the following:

• completed application form (to be provided by EETF team). All questions must be answered in full
• completed technical project plan
• completed project finance plan with cost breakdown. This should include a financial year forecast tied to milestones and delivery dates
• confirmation of additional project funding (if applicable)
• completed risk register that corresponds with Scottish Government risk management principles – PESTLES (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental and Security
• develop a delivery chain map that identifies and captures (usually in visual form) the names of all downstream partners. This should identify all partners and their role within the project and how much SG grant funding is allocated, ideally down to the end beneficiary. The delivery chain maps will be assessed as part of the application process, so we would strongly encourage these to be as finalised
• detail of delivery team including identified Project Manager and CV’s of key personnel
• proposed monitoring and evaluation approach – i.e. how outcomes/benefits will be captured and recorded
• any additional information available that supports the project proposal

Stream 1 application process: feasibility and demonstration

Applications to Stream 1 (feasibility studies and technical demonstration) can be submitted at any time during the application window and will be assessed after the deadline has passed, sooner if capacity allows.

Applications to Stream 2 were assessed following the final deadline of 30 September 2022. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications as early as possible.

Timeline for support

In order to support the process of fair and open competition the key process dates for 2022/23 are set out below and are applicable to all applicants.

• Scottish Government officials will monitor enquiries to EETF@gov.scot and publish relevant responses, during the funding window
• upon receipt of application forms, interested projects will receive a response on the outcome of their application
• stream 2 test and demonstration facilities - final application forms must be completed and submitted to EETF@gov.scot no later than 17:00 on 30 September 2022. No exception to submission dates can be negotiated
• stream 1 feasibility and demonstration - final application forms must be completed and submitted to EETF@gov.scot no later than 17:00 on 31 October 2022. No exception to submission dates can be negotiated
• please note, applications for stream 1, feasibility and demonstration, will be processed as they arrive, in batch lots
• applications for strand 2, test and demonstration facilities, will be processed once the application window has closed in September

There is likely to be further calls for applications to this scheme in future financial years, subject to the results of the 2022/23 funding window. There is no guarantee of multi-year funding. Should future funding calls take place, the 2023/24 application window is expected to open in February 2023.

Assessment process

All applications will be sifted to confirm receipt of mandatory documents and to ensure applications meet all the required eligibility criteria. Eligible applications will then progress to an assessment, undertaken by the Hydrogen Innovation Assessment Panel, who will evaluate all applications received against the assessment criteria. Independent technical and financial experts may be appointed to support the evaluation process as appropriate.

Successful applicants: grant offer letter

If the results of the due diligence process are satisfactory, a grant offer letter will be issued. The value of grant funding will be agreed through the signing of these documents. These should be signed and returned to us quickly. The applicant will need to ensure compliance with conditions contained in the Grant Offer Letter. 

We reserve the right to adapt the terms of the Grant Offer Letter for its needs in respect of the relevant project.

In the event an applicant refuses to agree to the terms of the Grant Offer Letter or unduly delays the process of signing and returning these documents, Scottish Government reserves the right to withdraw the grant offer letter. The application will then be rejected/disqualified from the process. Scottish Government will not be responsible for, nor will we make any commitment in respect of, costs that you may incur prior to the signature of any Grant Offer Letter.