The CBE JU 2025 call for project proposals is closed. The CBE JU Programme Office is currently evaluating the call and will announce the selection results to applicants in January 2026.
- Call identifier: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
- Call launch: 3 April 2025
- Call deadline: 18 September 2025 17:00 CET
- Call budget: €172 million
CBE JU calls follow the rules and procedures of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme. Find more information about Horizon Europe’s funding opportunities.
Call topics
Innovation actions – flagship (IA-flagship)
- Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation - €20 million
- Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass - €20 million
- Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties - €20 million
- Retrofitting of (bio)refineries industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products - €20 million
Innovation actions (IA)
- Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems - €14 million
- Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based solutions to replace hazardous conventional chemicals for textiles production - €14 million
- Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources - €14 million
- Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes - €14 million
- SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications - €14 million
Research and innovation actions (RIA)
- Valorisation of untapped forest biomass - €7 million
- Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health - €7 million
- Alternative biomanufacturing routes for natural and synthetic rubber - €7 million
Coordination and support actions (CSA)
- Develop and deploy new curricula and knowledge exchange practices relevant to bio-based systems - €1 million
Check the Annual Work Programme 2025 for the complete topic text, conditions and requirements.
The topics for submission are published on the EU’s Funding & tender opportunities portal.
The Horizon Online Manual provides more information about the different application steps. Please also check the How to apply section on the CBE JU website.
Timeline
These are the main steps to select the projects funded by this call for proposals:
3 April 2025
CBE JU Info Day
The info day took place in Brussels and online, part of it is dedicated to networking meetings.
3 April 2025
Call publication & opening
Applicants can submit their proposal in the EU’s Funding & tender opportunities portal.
18 September 2025
Call closing
The deadline for submitting proposals is at 17:00 CET.
January 2026
Evaluation results
Applicants receive the evaluation results.
Mid-May 2026
Grant agreements signature
After a few months of preparation, CBE JU signs grant agreements with the successful applicants.
Types of action funded by CBE JU
CBE JU funds three types of actions:
- Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) establish new knowledge or explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution. These may include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing, demonstration, and validation on a small-scale prototype, in a laboratory or simulated environment.
- Innovation Actions (IAs) scale up activities from prototype to product validation and market replication. Flagships, an important and specific type of IAs, in particular deploy a first-of-its-kind innovation on the European market.
- Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs), among other, structure stakeholder communities, support technological visions and outreach, as well as disseminate and exploit research results.
FAQ for applicants
Read the updated FAQ for applicants for the 2025 call for proposals.
Guidelines & FAQ on IKAA
Consult the CBE JU guidelines on in-kind contribution on additional activities (IKAA) and FAQ on IKAA.