HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-04

High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets

Status
open for submission
Programme
Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Action type
HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
Opens
23 Apr 2026
Deadline
22 Sep 2026
Fetched
15 Jul 2026, 07:18 UTC
Plain-language summary

Develop high-performance, circular bio-based thermoset materials for demanding applications with improved recyclability and sustainability.

This call seeks projects to create bio-based thermoset materials that perform well technically and are designed for circularity. Proposals should demonstrate production and conversion of these materials into durable, recyclable end-products. The goal is to support sustainability and circular economy goals in sectors like transport and electronics.

Likely relevant for

  • Materials engineering researchers
  • Polymer and composite manufacturers
  • Sustainability and circular economy innovators
  • Chemical industry R&D teams
  • Industrial product designers

Project signals

Focus on bio-based thermosetsDemonstration of circularity and recyclabilityHigh technical performance targetsCompliance with EU sustainability regulationsIntegration of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework

What it funds

  • Development of innovative bio-based thermoset materials with high technical performance
  • Eco-design of thermosets for circularity and end-of-life solutions excluding landfilling/incineration
  • Demonstration of resource-efficient production at TRL 6 or above
  • Conversion of thermosets into circular end-products compatible with existing manufacturing
  • Testing of end-of-life alternatives at TRL 5 or above
  • Application of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework

Expected outcomes

  • Wider availability of high-performance bio-based thermoset materials
  • Improved circularity and recyclability of thermosets and downstream applications
  • Compliance with EU Circular Economy Action Plan and Chemicals Strategy
  • Market acceptance of circular bio-based thermoset products
  • Complementarity with existing Horizon 2020/Europe and JU projects

Who can apply / participate

  • Industry including SMEs and large enterprises
  • Research organisations and universities
  • Technology centres and innovation hubs
  • End-users and consumer representatives
  • Multi-actor approach involving end-users from early stages is required
  • Consortium should demonstrate complementarity with past and ongoing projects
  • Eligible countries as per Horizon Europe Annex B
  • Check specific eligibility for non-EU/non-associated countries
  • Proposals must meet admissibility conditions including page limits and layout
  • Financial and operational capacity requirements apply
  • Compliance with Horizon Europe rules for participation
  • Exact consortium size and composition requirements
  • Specific eligibility of certain third countries

Must check before shortlisting

  • Eligibility of participant country and type
  • Consortium composition and size requirements
  • Specific budget and funding conditions
  • Alignment with CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026

Money

Expected grant per project is around EUR 7 million for Innovation Actions under this topic in 2026.

  • Minimum grant per project — 7000000EUR
    Indicative funding for Innovation Actions under this topic in 2026

Application notes

  • Single-stage submission model applies for this call.
  • Proposal page limits and layout as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex A and E
  • Eligibility conditions as per Horizon Europe General Annexes Annex B
  • Financial and operational capacity requirements as per Annex C
  • Evaluation criteria and process as per Annex D and F
  • Legal and financial setup as per Annex G
  • Prepare proposal using the application form in the Submission System
  • Ensure compliance with admissibility and eligibility criteria
  • Engage end-users early in project design
  • Apply Safe and Sustainable by Design framework in proposal
  • Demonstrate complementarity with existing projects
  • Landfilling and incineration of thermosets are out of scope
  • TRL requirements: production and conversion at TRL 6+, EoL testing at TRL 5+
  • Check specific conditions in CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026

Derived from official EU Funding portal source · updated 22 Jun 2026, 16:30 UTC. Use this as a shortlisting aid; the official call text remains authoritative.

Related calls

These funding calls are closely related and may be worth considering as part of the same funding landscape.

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 the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemical Industry Action Plan, and the Clean Industrial Deal. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Wider availability of bio-based thermoset materials meeting high technical performance requirements. Improved circularity of thermosets and downstream application(s) against specified market benchmarks taking into account production, use and EoL. Scope: Bio-based thermosets have a proven capability to achieve challenging technical performances for high demanding applications including transport, energy, electronics, among others. However, due to their cross-linking nature, the recycling of thermoset materials (including composites) is more challenging without compromising the technical performances. Thus, eco-designing bio-based thermoset materials to be both circular and high-performing remains a significant challenge in scaling-up towards competitiveness and higher sustainability. Some of the key challenges to address for bio-based thermosets include processability during manufacturing (including aspects of thermal stability), technical performance (e.g., mechanical properties, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, durability) of the end-product along its life cycle, durability, EoL and circularity, including recycling, re-using or upcycling solutions. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (at least at TRL 6) the resource-efficient production of innovative bio-based thermosets, targeting both high performances and circularity. Functionalisation by introducing bio- or non-bio-based additives is also in scope. Demonstrate (at least at TRL 6) the developed bio-based thermosets conversion into circular end-products, proving that technical performance (e.g., mechanical and thermal stability properties, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, durability, etc.) meets market requirements and is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment. Apply eco-design principles, in line with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation , to enable circularity of the thermoset materials, addressing major challenges of EoL for the targeted end-use. Test the selected EoL alternatives (at TRL 5 and above). Landfilling or incineration are out of scope. 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: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), involve end-users, including consumers when applicable, starting from the early stages to assess market acceptance of the targeted end-products and incorporate insights into product development. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted bio-based thermosets and derived products. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design . Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents

Conditions and documents

General conditions

1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

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

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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