Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an increasing regulatory and environmental concern in Denmark and across the European Union due to their persistence, mobility, and potential impacts on human health and the environment.
The upcoming EU restriction on PFHxA, which enters into force in October 2026, together with the proposed broad PFAS restriction under REACH, will affect a wide range of sectors, including consumer products, industrial processes, water and waste management, and food contact materials.
At the same time, PFAS is increasingly found in the environment, including sewage sludge, landfill leachate, and air emissions. This creates a growing need for effective technologies for monitoring, treatment, destruction, and management of PFAS.
Addressing the PFAS challenge requires innovation across the entire value chain – from detection and removal to substitution and the development of new solutions.
This call aims to support Danish SMEs and innovation actors in developing and implementing solutions that both facilitate compliance with upcoming regulations and contribute to reducing existing PFAS pollution.
The call promotes collaboration between companies and knowledge institutions to accelerate the development of innovative solutions with clear implementation and market potential.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding can be used for activities that bring promising solutions closer to implementation and market readiness, including:
- Technology validation and proof of concept
- Testing and demonstration in laboratory, pilot, or relevant operational environments
- Feasibility studies and technical analyses
- Data collection and performance documentation
- Development and testing of prototypes
- Preparation for certification, approvals, or IP protection
- Validation of PFAS-free materials and technologies under realistic conditions
Projects must focus on applied innovation and the development of concrete solutions. The call targets solutions that are not yet market-ready but have the potential to be tested, validated, and demonstrated in relevant environments.
Projects are typically expected to advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2–3 to TRL 4–6 during the project period.
Which projects are eligible?
Projects must address one or more of the following themes:
1. PFAS Removal and Destruction Technologies
- Technologies for the destruction of PFAS in sewage sludge
- Solutions for PFAS treatment in landfill leachate
- Capture and destruction of PFAS in flue gases and air emissions
- Solutions for handling and destruction of PFAS-containing waste, including packaging and consumer product waste
2. PFAS Substitution in Packaging
- Development and testing of PFAS-free alternatives for packaging used for toys and clothing
- Redesign of packaging materials and packaging systems to comply with current and upcoming regulations
- Validation of functionality, safety, and scalability of alternative materials
- Assessment of life-cycle impacts, recyclability, and compatibility with circular systems
Projects must clearly demonstrate
- Contribution to compliance with current and upcoming EU PFAS regulations
- Relevance to Danish and European priorities within water, circular economy, and industrial emissions
- A clear plan for implementation, scaling, or market introduction
- The added value created through collaboration between companies and knowledge institutions
Clean prioritises projects that move beyond problem identification and focus on testing, validation, and demonstration of solutions in realistic or operational environments.
Who can apply?
Projects must include at least:
- One SME
- One knowledge institution
Projects involving a problem owner or end user, such as a municipality, utility company, or larger company, will be viewed favourably.
Projects must fall within one or more of Clean’s focus areas, including water technology, resource efficiency, and circular economy.
What can you apply for?
- Up to DKK 100,000 for the company
- Up to DKK 100,000 for the knowledge partner(s)
- No cash co-financing required – only own working hours
Total de minimis support can amount to up to DKK 230,000 per project and is granted to the applying company.
Practical Information
Funding Rates
Companies
- Standard hourly rate: DKK 406/hour
- Overhead: 40%
- Funding rate: 70%
Universities and Other Knowledge Institutions
- Standard hourly rate: DKK 406/hour
- Overhead: 44%
- Funding rate: 100%
GTS Institutes
- Applicable GTS rate
- Funding rate: 100%
Timeline
- June 2026: Call opens
- September 2026: Application deadline
- September 2026: Evaluation of applications
- October 2026: Notification of approval or rejection
- June 2027: Project completion and final reporting deadline
Funding is paid out on an ongoing basis, and no cash co-financing is required.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Innovation Level (40%)
- Originality and novelty
- Effective use of the knowledge partner’s expertise and competencies
- Technological or methodological innovation
- Potential to increase the solution’s TRL level
Development Potential (30%)
- Potential to strengthen company growth
- Potential for scaling and market adoption
- Export and commercialisation potential
Value Creation (30%)
- Ability to address specific market challenges
- Environmental and climate impacts
- Societal and business value
Approved Knowledge Institutions
The following institutions may participate as knowledge partners:
- Aalborg University (AAU)
- Aarhus School of Marine and Technical Engineering (AAMS)
- Aarhus University (AU)
- CBS – Copenhagen Business School
- Cphbusiness
- DAMRC – Danish Advanced Manufacturing Research Center
- DBI – Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology
- DFM – Danish National Metrology Institute
- DHI
- DTU – Technical University of Denmark
- Business Academy Aarhus (EAAA)
- FORCE Technology
- University of Copenhagen (KU)
- Absalon University College
- Roskilde University (RUC)
- SEGES Innovation
- University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
- Danish Technological Institute (TI)
- UCL University College
- VIA University College
- Zealand Academy of Technologies and Business
The knowledge institutions contribute research-based knowledge, specialist expertise, testing facilities, and documentation that can help companies develop and validate new solutions.
De Minimis Declaration
This offer is co-financed by the Danish Board of Business Development (Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse), and the value of the support has been assessed at DKK 230,000.
Under EU state aid rules, a company may receive up to EUR 300,000 in de minimis aid over a three-year period. The support granted through this call will therefore count towards your company’s de minimis ceiling for 2026–2028.
Selected companies will be required to sign a De Minimis Declaration before receiving support.
