Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes
Support industry transition to sustainable bio-based products by identifying barriers, solutions, and fostering multi-sector cooperation.
This call funds projects that help industries switch to sustainable bio-based products and processes. It focuses on identifying barriers and solutions across at least three industrial sectors. Projects should engage stakeholders and develop roadmaps for bio-based transitions.
Likely relevant for
- Industrial sustainability managers
- Bio-based product developers
- Market analysts in bioeconomy
- Policy makers in green transition
- SMEs and startups in bio-based sectors
Project signals
What it funds
- Consultation among non-bio-based and partially bio-based industries to identify barriers to bio-based adoption
- Analysis of consultation outcomes and validation with end users
- Identification of case studies and success stories for bio-based adoption
- Creation of a multi-stakeholder forum for dialogue and cooperation
- Development and publication of sectoral and cross-sectoral roadmaps for bio-based transition
Expected outcomes
- Identification of technical, market, and regulatory barriers and solutions for bio-based transition
- Bridging the gap between bio-based sectors and broader industry
- Roadmaps facilitating the switch to bio-based products and processes
- Enhanced cooperation among bio-based industries, investors, policymakers, and demand-side actors
Who can apply / participate
- Industry associations
- Research organizations
- Consultancies
- SMEs and startups
- Policy organizations
- Single-stage submission
- Must ensure complementarity with past and ongoing projects
- Refer to CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 section 2.2.3.1 for specific conditions
- Eligible countries as per Horizon Europe Annex B
- Check specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated countries
- Follow general admissibility, eligibility, and exclusion criteria in Horizon Europe General Annexes
- Refer to CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 for specific eligibility
- Exact consortium size and composition requirements
- Specific funding rates and co-financing rules
Must check before shortlisting
- Eligibility criteria in CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 section 2.2.3.1
- Complementarity with past and ongoing R&I projects
- Specific consortium and funding rules
Money
One expected grant with a maximum EU contribution of €1,200,000 for 2026.
- Maximum EU contribution — 1200000EURSingle grant expected for this CSA action in 2026
Application notes
- Single-stage submission model.
- Proposal page limits and layout as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex A and E
- Eligibility and admissibility conditions as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex B
- Financial and operational capacity requirements as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex C
- Evaluation criteria and process as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex D and F
- Legal and financial set-up as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex G
- Specific conditions detailed in CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 section 2.2.3
- Prepare proposal following the application form in the Submission System
- Ensure compliance with all general and specific eligibility criteria
- Submit proposal before the deadline 22 September 2026
- Use the online manual and guidance documents for support
- Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects including Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe and BBI JU/CBE JU projects
- Check specific consortium and eligibility conditions in CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026
- Consult National Contact Points and support services for guidance
Derived from official EU Funding portal source · updated 22 Jun 2026, 16:29 UTC. Use this as a shortlisting aid; the official call text remains authoritative.
Official source text
Fine print from the EU source record. Expand when you need the original wording.
Topic description
Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Chemical Industry Action Plan and the upcoming Circular Economy Act. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Identification of technical, market and regulatory barriers and possible solutions for industry to ‘switch to bio-based’. Contribution to filling the gap between bio-based sectors and the broader industrial landscape. Scope: While the share of bio-based products and processes in traditionally non-bio-based markets has been growing substantially in recent years, many non-bio-based, partially bio-based and more traditional bio-based industries (such as food industry) still perceive market and regulatory situations as uncertain and may therefore be reluctant to invest in new bio-based value chains. These uncertainties may relate to cost competition versus fossil-based counterparts, first-mover hesitation, lack of investment attractiveness, regulatory issues, uncertainties in feedstock quality and availability, lack of knowledge, shortage of relevant skills, etc.. Notwithstanding these challenges, industries recognise the opportunity of ‘switching to bio-based’ to improve their sustainability profile and meet consumers’ expectations. Proposals under this topic should: Perform a consultation among non-bio-based and partially bio-based industries to identify barriers preventing them to adopt/diversify bio-based feedstock and processes in their operations. Include at least 3 industrial sectors that are critical for the green transition. Make sure to include a representative sample of industries with different size (including SMEs and startups) and position in the value chain and covering regions with different specialisations. Analyse the outcomes from the consultation to identify barriers to bio-based transition and propose possible solutions. Validate the results with end users/consumers to include their perspectives. Identify case studies and success stories showcasing best practises leading to adoption of bio-based solutions and assess their replication potential in the non-bio-based and partially bio-based sectors in scope. Create a forum bringing together bio-based industries, feedstock providers, non-bio-based and partially bio-based industries, investors, policymakers, demand-side actors (e.g., large retailers, end-users, public procurers, etc.) as well as existing or upcoming stakeholders’ groups under the CBE JU, to facilitate the dialogue among the stakeholders and identify possible pathways for cooperation. Develop and publish sectoral and cross-sectoral roadmaps towards the ‘switch to bio-based’ for the (at least 3) targeted non-bio-based or partially bio-based industrial sectors, also identifying de-risking opportunities. In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 [1] , proposals under this topic should: : Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, BBI JU/CBE JU projects as well as COST actions. [1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents
Conditions and documents
General conditions
1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
2. Eligible countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligibility Conditions
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in section 2.2.3 Calls for proposals in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates
Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System.
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Support information
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management. Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
Raw budget overview
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