HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026

Home Funding Calls for proposals Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01 Topic Call for proposal Internal navigation General information Topic description Topic updates Conditions and documents Budget overview Partner search announcements Start submission Topic Q&As Get support General information Programme Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026) Type of action HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions Type of MGA HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Open For Submission Deadline model single-stage Opening date 23 April 2026 Deadline date 22 September 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time Topic description Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Chemical Industry Action Plan, the upcoming EU Biotechnology and Circular Economy Acts. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Increased added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications. Availability of a wider portfolio of sustainable bio-based products via industrial biotech. Robust, scalable and efficient biotech process(es) applicable to residual biomass. Scope: Diversifying biomass feedstock resources for bio-based products is key to contribute to resilience and strategic autonomy of bio-based operations. Industrial biotechnologies have showcased that they can play a key role to address residual biomass into valuable bio-based products. However, scaling up from research to demo scale requires addressing systemic and technical challenges. This entails the integration of adequate pretreatment and conversion processes, tailored to the targeted residual biomass and its composition variability, in order to achieve high yield, titre and selectivity. At the same time, it requires that these processes are scalable and sustainable. Moreover, effective logistics are needed to mobilise the residual biomass, requiring cooperation with primary producers, waste management operators and other biomass providers. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (at least TRL 6) efficient biotechnology based processes to convert residual biomass streams into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients[1]and/or enzymes. The topic focuses on processes in which biotechnology is the key enabling technology; the integration of supporting unit operations based on technologies other than biotechnology is in scope. Optimisation of selected cells, enzymes and/or microorganisms, including microbiomes, is also in scope. The feedstock in scope includes: Forestry and agricultural residues and/or side streams from the processing of forestry and agricultural biomass (including livestock-based ones such as manure and animal byproducts), residues from aquatic biomass, including from fisheries, micro/macro algae production and aquaculture, urban and/or industrial bio-based waste and side-streams (including food industry waste and side-streams, cellulose from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, urban biowaste and sewage sludge, and other bio-based waste/side-streams from industrial operations including wood and pulp and paper industry), mixed streams from the above. Integrate optimised biomass pretreatment/fractionation processes tailored to selected residual biomass and optimise (energy)-efficient separation and/or purification process step(s) across the value chain. The valorisation of by-products and side streams across the value chain via the cascading approach is in scope. Validate (at TRL 5 and above) conversion (or use) of biorefinery product(s) into end-products proving to fulfil market requirements for selected applications sectors. Address resource efficiency and circularity. When pursuing circular models, ensure that neither pathogens nor contaminants are injected back in the loop, to avoid negative effects on human health and the environment. 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[2], proposals under this topic should: Under the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure the sufficient involvement of feedstock producers/managers for residual feedstock supply. Optimise logistic models (including sourcing, storage and transport) of residual feedstock, minimising distances and costs. Ensure seamless integration with biomass providers, while promoting win-win business models. Perform a risk assessment on impacts, potentially deriving from the use of biotechnology, on human safety, biodiversity as well as environmental safety and identify adequate mitigation measures. Assess the adequacy of policy and regulatory means to manage these risks and provide recommendations to overcome potential identified bottlenecks. 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] Ingredients in scope include feed/food ingredients, bioactives, ingredients for cosmetics, home and/or personal care, nutraceutical sectors, fertilisers including biostimulants. [2] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents Show more Topic updates 07 September 2026 The guidance part of the ‘Technical description (Part B)’ template incorrectly lists two options for Table 3.1h ‘Purchase costs’ items. The empty part of the template contains the correct option, which is to describe all purchase cost types for participants where those costs exceed 15% of the personnel costs: travel and subsistence, equipment and other goods, works and services. 23 April 2026 The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-CSA-01, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-03, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-03, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-03, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-04, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-02, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-02, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-01, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-02, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-05, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-01, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-04 Show more Topic 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 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 RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Call-specific instructions CBE JU Call for proposals 2026 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 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement Show more Budget overview Topic Budget year : 2026 Stages Opening date Deadline Contributions Indicative number of grants HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-03 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-03 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-03 - HORIZON-JU-RIA HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-04 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-02 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-02 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-01 - HORIZON-JU-RIA HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-02 - HORIZON-JU-RIA HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-CSA-01 - HORIZON-JU-CSA HORIZON JU Coordination and Support Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-05 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-01 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-04 - HORIZON-JU-IA HORIZON JU Innovation Actions 170 760 699,00 € Single-stage 23 April 2026 22 September 2026 around 20 000 000,00 € around 7 000 000,00 € around 3 250 000,00 € around 7 000 000,00 € around 7 000 000,00 € around 20 000 000,00 € around 3 250 000,00 € around 3 250 000,00 € around 1 200 000,00 € around 7 000 000,00 € around 7 000 000,00 € around 20 000 000,00 € around 20 000 000,00 € 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 Items per page: 10 50 100 Showing 1–1 of 1 Partner search announcements 82 Searches of partners to collaborate on this topic View / Edit LEARs, Account Administrators or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into this Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile. Start submission Need help? To access the Electronic Submission Service, please click on the submission-button next to the type of action and the type of model grant agreement that corresponds to your proposal. You will then be asked to confirm your choice, as it cannot be changed in the submission system. Upon confirmation, you will be linked to the correct entry point. To access existing draft proposals for this topic, please login to the Funding & Tenders Portal and select the My Proposals page of the My Area section. Please select the type of your submission: HORIZON JU Innovation Actions [HORIZON-JU-IA], HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Start submission Topic Q&As0 item(s) found General FAQ Get support Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application. Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. 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