€170.7 million call for project proposals launched

The call is aligned with CBE JU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and contributes to the European Commission’s Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy. It also reflects the growing importance of biotechnology, biomanufacturing and circular value chains in strengthening Europe’s industrial resilience, reducing fossil dependency and enhancing competitiveness.

13 funding topics supporting CBE JU priorities

The 2026 call continues to advance Europe’s bioeconomy from research to industrial deployment, boosting investment and job creation at regional and local levels. It builds on the achievements of CBE JU’s expanding project portfolio while further accelerating innovation, scale-up and market uptake. 

Applicants will contribute to these priorities through 13 topics covering the full innovation chain, in line with CBE JU’s strategic objectives to:

• Accelerate the innovation process and development of bio-based innovative solutions.

• Accelerate market deployment of existing mature and innovative bio-based solutions.

• Ensure a high level of environmental performance of bio-based industrial systems.

The topics also support wider EU policy objectives, including the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass, by promoting resource efficiency, sustainable industrial production and the creation of new bio-based value chains.

Innovation actions – flagship (IA-flagship)

• Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech – €20 million 

• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products – €20 million 

• SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care – €20 million 

• Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy – €20 million 

Innovation actions (IA)

• Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass – €14 million 

• Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability – €14 million 

• Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues – €14 million 

• High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets – €14 million 

• Films and coatings for circular packaging – €14 million 

Research and innovation actions (RIA)

• Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries – €6.5 million 

• SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources – €6.5 million 

• Breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres – €6.5 million 

Coordination and support actions (CSA)

• Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes – €1.2 million 

Together, these investments will accelerate sustainable biomanufacturing, strengthen feedstock diversification, support collaboration with primary producers and contribute to regional economic growth. The call aims to bring bio-based innovation from lab to industrial scale, reinforcing Europe’s transition towards a competitive and sustainable bioeconomy.

Types of projects funded

CBE JU funds three types of actions:

• Innovation Actions support the scale-up of solutions from prototype to market, including flagship projects deploying first-of-their-kind industrial facilities. 

• Research and Innovation Actions generate new knowledge and validate innovative technologies. 

• Coordination and Support Actions strengthen collaboration, outreach and knowledge exchange across the bioeconomy.

How to apply

The call follows the rules and procedures of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding programme. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants are encouraged to consult the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 for full topic descriptions, requirements and conditions.

A new interactive Q&A webpage is available to support applicants with their questions. Applicants are encouraged to check the webpage regularly. Specific enquiries can be addressed to info[at]cbe.europa.eu. 

Support for applicants

To support applicants, CBE JU organised the online Info Day 2026 on 12 March, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from 48 countries. During the webinar, experts from CBE JU, the European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) presented the call topics, explained submission and evaluation procedures, and shared practical tips for preparing strong proposals. 

The recording of the Info Day and all presentations are available here for those who could not attend.

Additionally, to boost the participation of applicants from widening countries, applicants from eligible countries can also benefit from a proposal pre-check service offered by the NCP_WIDERA.NET project, providing expert feedback to improve proposal quality before submission.

Connecting partners

A dedicated CBE JU Networking Event took place on 21 April 2026 in Brussels, offering a full day of matchmaking and targeted training sessions. The event brought together applicants, CBE JU staff, representatives from the European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium, as well as other experts, to facilitate the building of consortia and to improve the quality of proposals under preparation. 

Presentations from the training sessions delivered during the Networking Event are now available and can be downloaded from the CBE JU website, providing further practical guidance for applicants preparing their proposals.

Stakeholders can continue to connect via the CBE JU networking platform, which allows users to pitch project ideas, search for partners, offer services and schedule meetings. The platform provides a practical way to build consortia and engage with the wider bioeconomy community.

What happens after submission

Following the call deadline on 22 September 2026, submitted proposals will be evaluated by independent experts. Results are expected in early 2027, after which successful projects will enter the grant agreement preparation phase.

Where to find more information

For more information, applicants are invited to consult the call page and related documents, explore the available resources, and join the networking platform to connect with potential partners.