LEAP-Sustainable Energy (LEAP-SE 2026)

Scope of the Call and Priority Areas for Collaboration

The range of activities recommended for collaboration under LEAP-SE will focus on seven identified multi-annual roadmaps presented in the Call, and also on the LEAP-RE thematic priorities: - -

• Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources and integration of RES in sustainable energy scenarios;

• End-of-life and second‐life management and environmental impact of RE components;

• Smart stand‐alone systems; Smart grid (different scales) for off-grid application;

• Processes and appliances for productive uses (agriculture, mobility and industry);

• Innovative solutions for priority domestic uses (clean cooking and cold chain);

• Production and utilisation of Green Hydrogen.

The LEAP-SE Joint Call 2026 will fund basic research, applied research, and experimental development projects that are 12-36 months in duration. However, applicants should be aware that each funding agency participating in the Call will apply its own rules and regulations regarding eligibility and criteria (nationality, thematic, nature of project, TRL, rate of subsidy, etc.).

Scope and topics of the Cofund Call

The scope of the Cofund Call is based on the ecosystem analysis highlighting that Sustainable Energy are of vital importance in tackling the global challenge posed by climate change and in providing reliable energy access to millions of people worldwide. The Cofund Call aims at responding to the following expectations:

1. Technological development needs to be deepened at all points along the energy value chain, including conversion technologies and end use devices. Resource assessment is still crucial for some sources while distribution is an important area for research and innovation when dealing with integration of renewables via smart mini grids, either in their off-grid configuration, or when considering their long‐term integration within the national grid. This is one of the most attractive areas of research where leapfrogging can be done by leveraging innovation with the digital revolution that is currently taking place in Africa and allowing integration of sources and additional storage opportunities.

2. Technological development cannot stand alone. A comprehensive methodological approach is needed, able to address the different phases of the energy value chain by consideringsocietal needs, market evaluation, business models for long‐term sustainability, and solution deployment as well as the long-term impact on society. As underlined by the roadmap of the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (HLPD) on Climate Change and Sustainable Energies (CCSE) for R&I in the renewable sector, such an approach isessential for guaranteeing the long‐term social, economic and environmental sustainability of technology.

3. Renewed attention to energy scenarios and policy is vital for understanding the contexts in which technologies and energy solutions will be developed. There is a clear need for supporting further research and capacity building on energy scenario analysis, including modelling approaches and tools that support policy and decision makers to build a long‐term plan at country and regional level.

Objectives

The thematic of the Cofund Call are relying on the thematic priorities identified in the framework of PRE-LEAP-RE and updated because new technological development and societal issues were raised in the last 5 years. This leads to the objectives of the 7 Multiannual Road Maps (MAR) supported by the LEAP-SE Joint Cofund Call 2026 listed below:

# 1: Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources and integration of RES in sustainable energy scenarios;

# 2: End-of-life and second‐life management and environmental impact of RE components;

# 3: Smart stand‐alone systems;

# 4: Smart grid (different scales) for off grid application;

# 5: Processes and appliances for productive uses (agriculture, mobility and industry);

# 6: Innovative solutions for priority domestic uses (clean cooking and cold chain);

# 7: Production and utilization of Green Hydrogen

Please note that F.R.S-FNRS does not fund project under oblectives MAR5 and MAR6.

See call text for more details.