The objectives and activities in the JP FCH relate to long-term research. These are based on the idea of taking advantage of results that are publicly available and can be shared by the partners, and the drive to generate the maximum impact from these results by aligning future regional, national and European programmes in the field in order to promote further collaboration in structured funded frameworks.

The main points of reference in this context are the frameworks for Research & Development in Europe: Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Especially in this stage of deployment of the first commercially available systems, it is crucial that fundamental research activities are encouraged and guided in order to guarantee the necessary pace of development of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen technologies to keep up with the evolving market. The JP FCH Implementation Plan 2018-2030 serves to present a convincing and concrete action plan as regards the contribution of the EERA research community towards effective and large-scale implementation of FCH technologies by 2030 and beyond.

In the Implementation Plan, the research goals, action plans and priorities for the period 2018-2030 (according to the JP FCH) are broken down according to the seven sub-programmes of JP FCH. Each of these areas of competence has specific needs and priorities that need to be addressed through a systematic and concerted approach. The key items that must define each of these approaches are described in detail for each sub-programme.

This Plan in its current form (version 4.0), complete with key performance indicators (KPIs) for the monitoring of progress and achievements in the research topics proposed, has received the endorsement and significant contributions from Hydrogen Europe Research, the Research Pillar of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.