Launch of the new RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry”: Achieving climate-neutral industrial production with NEFI
- News
With the current RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry”, the Climate and Energy Fund – endowed with resources from the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) – is providing 60 million euros to support Austrian companies in the development and implementation of climate-neutral solutions and cutting-edge technologies.
The aim is to launch flagship projects that demonstrate how climate-neutral production can succeed at industrial sites and how key technologies can be prepared for a net-zero future. This opens up opportunities for industry to actively contribute to climate protection while at the same time expanding its role in global value chains. The innovation network NEFI – New Energy for Industry is an established partner for industry in initiating such flagship projects.
Thomas Kienberger, Head of the NEFI Innovation Lab and Chair of Energy Network Technology at Montanuniversität Leoben: “With the launch of the NEFI Innovation Lab last year, we were able to initiate the first project ideas in the core areas of electrification and energy efficiency, flexibilisation, CO₂-neutral gases and hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, circular economy as well as industrial symbiosis. With the start of the current funding programme under the RTI initiative ‘Transformation of Industry’, we are taking the next step – developing and implementing larger flagship projects and technologies together with industry.”
Bernhard Gahleitner, NEFI Network Coordinator at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: “With NEFI, companies have for years had the opportunity not only to benefit from our expertise and networks, but also to work jointly with other industrial partners on pioneering projects. With the current funding call of the RTI initiative, we can continue this successful collaboration within the innovation network and take demonstrations to a new level on the path towards a climate-neutral industry.”
Innovation Network NEFI as Service Partner for Submissions
The innovation network NEFI – New Energy for Industry supports companies as a service partner in the application process and, with its broad partner network of industry, technology providers and research institutions, stands for practice-oriented collaboration. Together with NEFI, companies can develop project ideas, submit them as a consortium and successfully position their innovation projects.
Key elements of the RTI initiative “Transformation of Industry 2025”
- Support for research and demonstration projects to bring innovations to market more quickly
- Promotion of qualification networks that build knowledge and skills for industry
- Investment in high-quality R&D infrastructure for application-oriented research
The call is aimed at companies in the manufacturing sector, energy suppliers, technology providers and suppliers along the entire value chain, as well as research institutions and universities. Thematically, the funding covers, among other areas, electrification & energy efficiency, renewable energies, energy storage, hydrogen as well as CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage.
Submissions are open continuously from now until April 29th, 2026, 12:00 pm.
The project applications for the respective call topics must be submitted via the submission portals of the FFG or KPC.
For more information on NEFI and the innovation hubs, visit: Innovation Hubs - NEFI.
Details on the current funding call can be found at: https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/foerderung/fti-initiative-fuer-die-transformation-der-industrie-2025/ or the corresponding information page.
For the guide "FTI-Initiative for the Transformation of Industry" (PDF-File in German).
About NEFI – New Energy for Industry
NEFI – New Energy for Industry is a comprehensive innovation network dedicated to transforming the industrial energy system through key technologies “Made in Austria.”
The initiative is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund with resources from the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), as well as by the industry-strong federal states of Upper Austria and Styria.