HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-02

SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources

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

Develop scalable, safe, and sustainable bio-based polymers from alternative feedstocks for circular economy applications.

This call seeks projects to create bio-based polymers from alternative sources, not primary biomass. It focuses on safe and sustainable design, scalable processes, and testing polymers in at least two market sectors. Proposals should involve multiple stakeholders and align with EU sustainability policies.

Likely relevant for

  • Polymer chemistry researchers
  • Materials engineers
  • Circular economy innovators
  • Bio-based feedstock providers
  • Sustainability-focused SMEs
  • Industrial biotechnology developers

Project signals

TRL 4-5 polymer developmentFocus on alternative bio-based feedstocksTesting in multiple market sectorsIntegration of end-of-life optionsAlignment with CBE JU SRIA

What it funds

  • Development of efficient, scalable processes (TRL 5) for synthesis/extraction of bio-based polymers from alternative sources
  • Pretreatment and fractionation of targeted feedstock
  • Isolation, purification, and functionalisation of bio-based polymers
  • Testing polymers at TRL 4 in circular-by-design applications across at least two market sectors
  • Assessment of safe and sustainable end-of-life options including recycling, biodegradation, reuse, or remanufacturing
  • Application of the SSbD framework for polymer assessment
  • Multi-actor approach involving feedstock providers, waste operators, end-users, and consumers

Expected outcomes

  • Diversification of sustainable feedstocks for bio-based polymers
  • Scalable processes for safe and sustainable bio-based polymers from alternative feedstocks
  • Expanded portfolio of high-performance bio-based polymers for new market applications
  • Validated technical performance of polymers meeting market requirements
  • Demonstrated safe and sustainable end-of-life options for polymers

Who can apply / participate

  • Research organisations
  • Universities
  • SMEs
  • Large enterprises
  • Industry stakeholders
  • Consortia including multi-actor participants
  • Multi-actor approach required involving feedstock providers, waste management operators, end-users, and consumers if applicable
  • Eligible countries as per Horizon Europe Annex B
  • Check specific eligibility for non-EU/non-associated countries
  • Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is excluded as feedstock
  • Proposals must align with CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
  • Specific consortium size and composition requirements
  • Exact funding rates and co-financing conditions

Must check before shortlisting

  • Eligibility of feedstock (primary biomass excluded)
  • Compliance with SSbD framework requirements
  • Consortium composition including feedstock providers and end-users

Money

Estimated EU contribution per grant is around €3.25 million for this Research and Innovation Action.

  • Maximum EU contribution per grant — 3250000EUR
    Indicative funding for HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-02 action

Application notes

  • Single-stage submission model.
  • Proposal page limits and layout as per Horizon Europe General Annexes and Application Form Part B.
  • Eligibility and admissibility conditions as per Horizon Europe General Annexes.
  • Evaluation criteria and award process detailed in Horizon Europe General Annexes and Online Manual.
  • Legal and financial set-up governed by Horizon Europe General Annexes and Model Grant Agreement.
  • Prepare proposal following CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and Horizon Europe guidelines.
  • Include multi-actor consortium with relevant stakeholders.
  • Apply SSbD framework in project design and assessment.
  • Submit proposal via Funding & Tenders Portal before deadline.
  • Primary biomass feedstock is out of scope.
  • Ensure compliance with SSbD framework requirements.
  • Check eligibility of participants and countries carefully.

Derived from official EU Funding portal source · updated 22 Jun 2026, 16:33 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: Sustainable feedstock diversification for the production of bio-based polymers. Scalable process(es) for obtaining SSbD bio-based polymers from bio-based feedstock alternative to primary biomass. Enlarge the portfolio of performant bio-based polymers, opening up new market applications. Scope: Emerging alternative sources of bio-based polymers are gaining more and more attention as substitutes for primary biomass from agriculture and forestry. Additional R&I effort is needed to study innovative and scalable processes where bio-based polymers from unexplored/alternative resources are the main products. Proposals under this topic should: Develop (at TRL 5) efficient processes for synthesis and/or extraction of bio-based polymer(s) from the alternative sources in scope, targeting high yield and selectivity. Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is out of scope; for other applicable feedstock the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) [1] and its Annex V can be consulted. When relevant, develop adequate pretreatment/fractionation of targeted feedstock. Both new bio-based polymers and already established ones (but currently produced at scale from primary feedstock) are in scope. Integrate further isolation and purification (when relevant) of obtained bio-based polymer(s) according to specific application requirements. Functionalisation of purified bio-based polymers to achieve targeted properties is also in scope. Test (at least at TRL 4) the suitability of obtained bio-based polymers in circular-by-design final applications targeting at least two market sectors. Validate the technical performances of developed bio-based polymers materials/products and proving to fulfil market requirements for selected application sector(s). Test (at least at TRL 4) for suitable, safe and sustainable EoL options (recycling, biodegradation, re-use and/or re-manufacturing). When targeting biodegradable bio-based polymers, test biodegradability according to existing standards and methods. 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 bio-based feedstock providers and waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sector(s) and consumers (if targeting consumer products). Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted bio-based polymers. 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 [2] 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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