Dear Friends,

I hope to see you all well and already active in many new initiatives. And we are already at the end of February, personally without realizing that two months have already passed.

The new year 2026 has begun at full speed, with a wealth of activities and a year that promises many surprises, while also requiring an extraordinary effort for the support of everything related to the renewal of the hydrogen sector in Europe, which will take place on different levels, platforms, programs, and development policies.

Following this, the landscape and horizons of hydrogen positioning in Europe could also change. Following a broad, almost complete policy framework for the hydrogen sector and the beginning of coordinating instruments between the European Union and its member countries, we are now working on issues of competitiveness and market development tools.

Precisely in this area, a complex phase of discussions will soon begin to define the next Joint Undertakings for the next framework program. At Hydrogen Europe Research, we are absolutely on the ball, supporting the definition of future research and innovation policies.

Research has been, and will remain, even more in the future, the key to maintaining European competitiveness. We should include even the most fundamental research within a program that guarantees a secure budget and priorities agreed upon with European research stakeholders, expanding the scope and intensity of support beyond what is currently available. With a growing global market, securing a role requires coordination, expanding synergies, and increasing the level of excellence involved.

I come back to the many initiatives that will gain visibility throughout 2026. To name a few, where we are directly involved or even promoters, there will be the return of Hydrogen Week in October, complemented by events such as Hydrogen Valley Week in May and the Research and Innovation Days toward the end of the year, between November and early December. The European PHD Hydrogen Conference, hosted by NTNU, SINTEF, and Hydrogeni, is a highly anticipated edition, which will once again see a gathering of doctoral students from our member organisations spread across Europe. We are reaching a record in terms of planned presences, thanks to a well-coordinated job by the different players involved.

I would like to say a few more words about the Hydrogen Week, which will return to its traditional format at the Brussels Expo, with the exhibition, the High-Level Policy Conference, the Innovation Forum, the B2Bs, the project pavilion, the joint booth between the European Commission, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Hydrogen Europe, and Hydrogen Europe Research, and a pavilion for our members. Hurry and book yours if you are interested, as several have already been booked! We are looking ahead for repeating and surpassing the success of the previous editions.

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership 2026 call was recently launched. It was truly captivating to attend the info day on January 21 and see so many of you there! We have dedicated a year's worth of effort, along with the Technical Committee leaders and our Secretariat, to preparing the priorities and topics so that they become strategic directions for European research. May the best man win!

And while other events as HyVolution in Paris passed by, we are preparing the next activities that will involve us with Mission Innovation and the Clean Hydrogen Mission, in new strategic alliances and new synergies, with the continuation of the Women in Green Hydrogen campaign, which Julie Mougin, Head of Research at CEA - Liten and member of our Board of Directors at Hydrogen Europe Research, is celebrated in an interview.

And after all this roundup, which has left me breathless, I wish you all a wonderful 2026, full of initiatives and full of satisfaction!

HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Women in Hydrogen Campaign

In early June 2025, we proudly launched our “Women in Hydrogen” campaign to highlight the voices, experiences, and leadership of women driving innovation in the hydrogen sector. Every month, we are sharing the stories of extraordinary women from our membership who are shaping the future of hydrogen.  

We were pleased to start the year with the first campaign post of 2026, spotlighting Dr Julie Mougin, Deputy Director for Hydrogen Technologies at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in Grenoble, France!

Julie is an electrochemist with a PhD in materials science. Her work mainly focuses on the development of electrolysis and fuel cell technologies, from materials to systems. She is the author or co-author of more than 65 publications in reviewed scientific journals (115 in total), five book chapters, and seven patents, and she has been active in the hydrogen field for more than 20 years.

Her leadership roles span Europe and beyond. She is a Board Member of Hydrogen Europe Research, Technical Committee Leader for Hydrogen Production at the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Chair of the H2-Val Working Group at the OECD-NEA, and French delegate to the IEA Hydrogen Technical Committee Programme.

Twenty years ago, Julie joined CEA after working in industry on steel development for the automotive and energy markets. From the start, she focused on high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis. Looking back today, she sees how much has been achieved, not only for this technology, but across the whole hydrogen landscape. From laboratory-scale research to large-scale deployment, hydrogen has become a key pillar of European and national decarbonisation strategies.

From her experience, the development of hydrogen technologies is not linear. Each phase brings challenges, but also progress. This journey has been made possible thanks to the strong involvement of the entire ecosystem, from research to industry, and the continued strategic and financial support of the European Commission, in particular through the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

In November 2025, Julie was recognised with the “Woman in Hydrogen Innovation” award by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. On that occasion, she underlined how important it is to see many women contributing at different levels to develop and deploy hydrogen technologies everywhere worldwide.  She wishes to continue supporting and contributing to the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies, helping them move out of the laboratories and into real-world applications.

Read her full interview here!

Starting in 2026, our "Women in Hydrogen" campaign took an important new step forward. We joined forces with Women in Green Hydrogen, turning this initiative into a shared campaign. This collaboration will broaden the scope of the campaign and allow us to highlight an even wider range of profiles, experiences, and career paths across the hydrogen value chain. By bringing our communities together, we aim to strengthen visibility and exchange, and to better reflect the diversity of roles and expertise shaping the future of hydrogen.

In February, WIGH featured Khaoula Adeli, a Green Hydrogen Researcher with a PhD in Energy Engineering from the University Hassan II and seven scientific publications to her name. Khaoula works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and green hydrogen systems, trying to make hydrogen reliable and cost-effective.

Khaoula develops AI models that forecast solar and wind generation and adjust electrolyzer operations in real time. This can transform intermittent renewables into stable, industrial-grade hydrogen production. She also builds digital twins of hydrogen value chains to test scenarios, reduce costs, and de-risk projects before deployment. Check out her full interview here!

Join the HER Members Pavilion at the European Hydrogen Week 2026!

Once more, Hydrogen Europe Research members are invited to join us in our Members Pavilion.

There are still a few spots left in our Pavilion! If you are a Hydrogen Europe Research member and you want to reserve your booth (or you have questions), please contact Simona at s.vitali@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

Partner with us for the European PhD Hydrogen Conference 2026!

The deadline to apply to participate in EPHyC 2026 just closed, and we are happy to share that 158 abstracts were received! 

In 2026, the conference will be organised by PhD researchers from HYDROGENi, SINTEF, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). We look forward to meeting all those who applied in Trondheim next June!

If you are an industry or a hydrogen association, partner with us for two leading hydrogen research conferences in Trondheim: the European PhD Hydrogen Conference and the H2science conference!

From 1 to 4 June 2026, these events will join forces to bring together established and emerging experts who work every day to accelerate the transition to a clean hydrogen economy. To make this possible, we aim to collaborate closely with industry and hydrogen organisations that care about scientific progress and development.

Sponsorship opportunities are open, and this is your moment to make an impact! As a sponsor, you will gain strong visibility across both events. You will be in direct contact with researchers, industry leaders, and decision-makers from across the hydrogen value chain, and you will connect with many talented PhD candidates who are exploring new career opportunities.

Discover here more information about sponsorship opportunities and our sponsorship prospectus! If you decide to join us as a sponsor, thank you in advance for helping make EPHyC and H2science a reality. Your support will keep these events open and accessible for our community!

European Hydrogen Skills Stakeholders Conference

The European Hydrogen Skills Stakeholder Conference, organised by the European Hydrogen Skills Alliance under the Green Skills for Hydrogen project, will take place on 19 March in Rue de Trèves 74, Brussels, from 8:30 to 18:00.

During the event, participants will explore practical solutions to close Europe’s hydrogen skills gap and connect with policymakers, industry leaders, and training providers working to scale hydrogen training across Europe.

The agenda includes a high-level panel on upskilling and reskilling, the presentation of the European Hydrogen Skills Strategy and VET Curriculum, sister projects presentations, and a networking cocktail to close the day.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. The full agenda and the link to register (by March 8) can be found here.

As partners of the Green Skills for Hydrogen Consortium, we are excited to meet you there and explore the skills and training essential for building Europe’s hydrogen workforce!

CLEAN HYDROGEN PARTNERSHIP UPDATES

On Wednesday, 21 January, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership organised its annual Info Day to present the Call topics as well as practical, concise guidance on proposal preparation and how to strengthen impact, supporting consortium building and successful submissions.

Further information regarding the Call can be found here.

The presentations of the Info Day can be found here.

Should you wish to become an Evaluator of the project proposals received, the Clean Hydrogen Partnership is looking for an experienced professional with expertise ranging from basic research to large-scale industrial demonstrations, and covering both technical and management aspects. The deadline to apply to the first step of the selection procedure is 1 March. More information can be found here.

Internally, activities surrounding the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2027 are in full throttle with the identification of annual priorities. Should you be interested in participating in the elaboration of the next AWP, do not hesitate to get in touch with our Innovation Manager – Louis Mazurkiewicz, l.mazurkiewicz@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu

The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has published a Call for experts to join the European Hydrogen Sustainability and Circularity Panel. The selected experts will assist the Clean Hydrogen Partnership with advice at the programme level and will provide invaluable guidance to its projects, contributing to the development of sustainable hydrogen technologies based on circular economy principles. More information can be found here. The deadline to apply is 13 March.

MEMBERS' NEWS

Join the European hydrogen research and innovation community!

Hydrogen Europe Research brings together leading scientists and research organisations driving the hydrogen transition across Europe. Becoming a member gives you the chance to connect with peers, access exclusive resources, and contribute to shaping the future of hydrogen technologies.

As a member, you can take part in the activities of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, contributing to the development of strategic priorities and supporting the implementation of research and innovation programmes. In collaboration with the public and private members of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (the European Commission and Hydrogen Europe), Hydrogen Europe Research’s members participate in the identification of annual and multi-annual research and innovation priorities and the elaboration of research topics included in the yearly Annual Work Plans.

In addition, members can actively participate in our working groups, collaborating with other researchers to advance the hydrogen sector through focused initiatives and projects:

• Policy Working Group: it engages with European policy developments to ensure that the scientific community's voice is heard in shaping the hydrogen economy.
• Skills Working Group: it addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in the hydrogen industry by identifying training needs and promoting educational initiatives.
• Low TRL Research Working Group: it focuses on early-stage research to explore and develop innovative hydrogen technologies, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. Discover our members' insights in our latest Research Position Paper!
• R&T Infrastructures Working Group: it supports the integration of hydrogen technologies into various sectors by fostering collaboration among research institutions, industries, and governments.

If you are not yet a member and would like to learn more about joining us, please reach out to us at secretariat@hydrogeneuroperesearch.eu!

Discover our membership criteria here!

Welcome to our new members

Polytechnic University of Bari

Activities span fuel cells, hydrogen combustion systems, and onboard management for transport applications, with complementary studies on the socio-economic and regulatory aspects of the hydrogen transition.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

It carries out advanced research on hydrogen through activities such as modelling and analysis of multi-energy systems where hydrogen is used as an energy vector, design optimisation and investment planning, development of energy management systems, life cycle assessment of hydrogen technologies, stakeholder engagement, and support to complex multi-criteria decision-making processes.

EVENTS ATTENDED BY HYDROGEN EUROPE RESEARCH

Info Day of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, 21 January 2026, Brussels, Belgium

Luigi Crema, President of Hydrogen Europe Research, opened the Info Day of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership on 21 January 2026.

During his speech, he stated that the launch of the 2026 Clean Hydrogen Partnership call signals Europe’s continued commitment to research and innovation as drivers of the hydrogen transition. By supporting breakthroughs across the full hydrogen value chain - from production and storage to end uses, safety, sustainability and Hydrogen Valleys - the call will strengthen Europe’s knowledge base, boost competitiveness and reinforce European value chains.

EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC) 2026, 11-13 March 2026, Seville, Spain 

The European Hydrogen Energy Conference (EHEC), Europe's benchmark forum on hydrogen technologies, is back!

Taking place in Seville, 11-13 March 2026, and organised by the Asociación Española del Hidrógeno (AeH2), EHEC provides a prestigious platform for researchers, technologists, and innovators to showcase their work to a global audience.

With 250+ scientific and technical sessions and strong international participation, the conference is designed to foster cross-border dialogue and accelerate the hydrogen transition.

Do not miss the chance to be part of one of Europe’s leading hydrogen events!

Discover more here!

Hydrogen Days 2026, 11-13 March 2026, Prague, Czech Republic 

The 16th edition of the international conference Hydrogen Days 2026 will take place in Prague on 11-13 March 2026!

Over the years, Hydrogen Days has become a recognised platform for bringing together experts from research, industry, and policy, creating a space for dialogue on the latest developments and the future of the hydrogen sector. This year’s motto, “Hydrogen at the Crossroads: Courage to Continue”, reflects the challenges and opportunities shaping the path forward for hydrogen technologies in Europe.

Participants can look forward to:

• the latest research results and innovation
• insights into the evolving hydrogen value chain – from materials research to market deployment
• updates on legislative and regulatory frameworks
• discussions on financing and lessons learned from real-world project implementation

Hydrogen Days 2026 offers a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, foster new partnerships, and co-create the future of the hydrogen economy.

Discover more about the conference here!

10th International Conference on Fundamentals and Developments of Fuel Cells and Electrolysers, 5-7 May 2026, Montpellier, France 

Do not miss the 10th International Conference on Fundamentals and Developments of Fuel Cells and Electrolysers, taking place from 5 to 7 May 2026 in Montpellier, France!

FDFC 2026 will focus on fuel cells and electrolysers across all technologies, from aqueous and polymer electrolyte systems to ceramic-based solutions, including hydrogen storage. The programme will cover functional materials and components, a deep understanding of structure and performance, device and system integration, stack and system operation, field testing, and recycling strategies.

The conference will bring together scientists, engineers and developers from academia and industry to share recent results and discuss key scientific and technological challenges.

Registration is open, and early registration and accommodation booking are recommended! Do it here.

10^th International Hydrogen Technologies Congress (IHTEC-2026), 10–13 May 2026, Istanbul, Turkey

We are thrilled to share that the 10^th International Hydrogen Technologies Congress (IHTEC-2026) is taking place on 10–13 May 2026, at Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey!

Organized by Istinye University and the Hydrogen Technologies Association, IHTEC-2026 is a premier international forum uniting leading researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to advance the hydrogen economy. The congress will showcase the latest breakthroughs in hydrogen production, storage, distribution, utilization, safety, and policy, offering a platform for vibrant discussions and groundbreaking collaborations.

Over four days, you will have the opportunity to attend high-impact keynote lectures, cutting-edge technical sessions, and interactive panels, while connecting with peers from across the globe. Beyond the academic and industrial exchange, immerse yourself in the rich history, cultural heritage, and dynamic energy of Istanbul - a city where continents meet and innovation thrives.

Mark your calendar for IHTEC-2026 and be part of shaping the future of hydrogen technologies! Discover more here.

European Fuel Cell Forum (EFCF) 2026, 30 June – 3 July 2026, Lucerne, Switzerland

EFCF – European Electrolyser & Fuel Cell Forum – was founded in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1994 to promote hydrogen-based and innovative energy technologies, pool existing knowledge and network key players. Today, the EFCF’s range of topics has expanded to include membrane reactors in general as well as ammonia, CO₂, synthesis gas and other energy sources beyond hydrogen.

As a globally recognised platform, the EFCF organises annual technical and scientific conferences with exhibitions, tutorials, workshops and a wide range of accompanying events.

The 17th EUROPEAN SOFC & SOE FORUM 2026 addresses issues of science, engineering, materials, systems, applications, and markets for all types of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) & Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOE), summarised as Solid Oxide Electrochemical Reactors. The use of alternative fuels and mitigating CO2 emissions through reduction and reuse are also addressed.

Exhibitors and suppliers from all over the world are invited to participate in this internationally acclaimed trade event. Whether you are looking for special insights, valuable business contacts or exclusive networking opportunities, EFCF 2026 is your platform for networking, collaboration and business.

This high-level international fuel cell & electrolyser event offers over 3 days from 30 June – 3 July 2026 in the famous and picturesque KKL Lucerne (Switzerland) a presentation of the state-of-the-art technology and is chaired by Dr. Subhasish Mukerjee, Chief Scientific Officer at Ceres Power and Prof. Stephen Skinner, Professor of Materials Chemistry at Imperial College London.

Find out more and register here.

HYPOTHESIS XXI, 23-27 August 2026, Warsaw, Poland

We are pleased to announce that the 21^st International Symposium on Hydrogen Power – Theoretical and Engineering Solutions (HYPOTHESIS XXI), will take place on 23-27 August 2026 in Warsaw, Poland.

The event will be co-hosted by the National Centre for Nuclear Research, Institute of Power Engineering – National Research Institute, and Warsaw University of Technology. HYPOTHESIS is a well-established international forum bringing together researchers, engineers, industry experts, and policy-makers to discuss recent advances in hydrogen technologies and their role in the global energy transition.

At HYPOTHESIS XXI, you will meet your peers, industrial partners and key players in hydrogen.

Discover more here!

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