Frequently asked questions about Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) for Norwegian applicants

The CETP Joint Call 2025 is available at the CETP webpage, and it is also published at the RCN call for proposals webpage. 

CETP is an international research and innovation program that will finance research and innovation needed for sustainable energy transition. CETP has annual joint calls for applications, and Norwegian actors can participate in applications together with actors from other countries. Applications must have partners from at least three of the countries participating in CETP joint calls.

Go directly to questions about

• Two project types are possible
• Partners in the project
• Budget
• Submission of applications
• Evaluation procedure

Two project types are possible

What is the difference between an innovation project (IPN) and a competence project?

Norwegian sub-projects in a CETP application must either be an Innovation Project (IPN) or a Competence Project. Innovation Project (IPN) is for R&D projects led by the companies themselves.

In a Competence Project, research organisations work together with industry to develop new knowledge and build research competence that society and/or industry need to meet important societal challenges.

Partners in the project

Do we need to include business partners in a competence project?

Yes. When the Norwegian team in a CETP application is organised as a competence project, there must be at least two Norwegian partners from industry or end-user organisations. These must be registered in the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Do we need to submit Letters of Intent (LoI)?

Yes. You must submit signed LoIs from all Norwegian partners from industry and end-user organisations. Experience shows that it can take a long time to get signed LoIs in place. Therefore, start early by preparing project partners for the requirements of LoI. The LoIs must be delivered no later than 14 days after your application is submitted to CETP.

The LoIs must be sent by email to the Research Council's contact person, Aage Stangeland, ast@rcn.no. There is no template for how LoIs should be designed, but they should contain a clear description of the company's role and scope of work in the project, in addition to clear wording that they confirm their participation in the project. Make it short and clear. If LoIs are not submitted in due time, your application will be rejected.

We won't be able to get confirmation letters from business partners in due time.  Can these be submitted later?

No. LoIs must be submitted in due time. If the LoIs are missing, the application will be rejected.

How many business partners do we need to include in IPN and competence projects respectively?

In an Innovation Project, there must be at least one Norwegian business partner, and the Norwegian team must be led by a business partner. In a Competence Project, there must be at least two Norwegian business partners or other user partners.

Can business partners receive funding in Competence Projects?

No, they must cover their own costs.

Can business partners receive funding in Innovation Projects?

Yes, they can. The funding rate is up to 50 per cent. Please see the Norwegian table in Annex B to the call text for details.

What role should business partners have in a Competence Project?

Norwegian business partners must actively participate in the project. They must be responsible for at least 10 percent of the total project costs for the Norwegian team.

What role should business partners have in an Innovation Project?

A Norwegian business partner must be the leader and owner of the Norwegian activities.

Can we include partners from countries not participating in CETP?

Yes. However, partners from countries outside CETP cannot apply for funding. They must cover their own costs.

Budget

How do we document the budget for the Norwegian part of the project?

This should be entered into a separate Excel template and sent by email to the Research Council's contact person, Aage Stangeland, ast@rcn.no.

Here you can find the form: Template Norwegian Budget CETP Joint Call 2025.xlsx

What exchange rate should we use?

Use the official exchange rate between Norwegian kroner and euros at the same data as the deadline for submitting applications. The official rate can be found on Norges Bank's website.

Why do we need to submit the budget to the Research Council? We have to enter the budget in CETP's application portal. Isn't that enough?

The budget entered in CETP's application portal must be provided in euros. We need a budget in Norwegian kroner. When contracts with Norwegian partners in new projects are eventually signed, all amounts will be in Norwegian kroner. For both the Research Council and Norwegian applicants, it will be advantageous to operate with Norwegian kroner from the start.

Submission of applications

Do we need to submit an outline/pre-project and possibly a complete application to the Research Council?

No. The application is submitted in CETP's application portal. More information about this can be found on CETP's website.

Do we need to submit additional information to the Research Council?

Yes. The budget for all Norwegian partners and Letters of Intent (LoI) for Norwegian industry partners and end users must be sent to the contact person at the Research Council, Aage Stangeland, ast@rcn.no.

Evaluation procedure

How is the evaluation of applications carried out?

First, both CETP's administration and all national funding agencies will conduct an eligibility check to assess whether the applications meet formal requirements. Applications that meet formal requirements will then be evaluated by independent external experts. This procedure is carried out for both phase 1 ("pre-proposals") and phase 2 ("full proposals"). Finally, CETP's board decides which applications will receive support based on the ranking resulting from the evaluations.