Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass

This grant aims to support the development and demonstration (at least TRL 6) of efficient biotechnology-based processes for converting residual biomass into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients, and/or enzymes. The focus is on diversifying and valorising biomass feedstocks to increase the added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications, enable robust and scalable biotech processes, and expand the portfolio of sustainable bio-based products. The initiative contributes to multiple EU strategies, including the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, Life Sciences Strategy, and the updated Bioeconomy Strategy.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Other
Start date	23 Apr 2026
End date	22 Sep 2026
Max funding	Innovation Actions: up to 20,000,000 EUR per grant for flagship projects (IAFlag); 7,000,000 EUR per grant for standard Innovation Actions (IA);, Research and Innovation Actions: 3,250,000 EUR per grant;, Coordination and Support Actions: 1,200,000 EUR per grant.
Budget	Total indicative budget for the topic: 170,760,699 EUR (shared across applicable actions in 2026).

Grant application conditions

Admissibility	Proposal page limit and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Use Part B of the Application Form found in the Submission System.
Eligible Countries	Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes; some non-EU/Associated Countries may also participate if specific provisions are made.
Legal Forms Eligible	Companies, NGOs, research organizations, universities, government organizations and other legal entities established in eligible countries under Horizon Europe rules.
Technology Scope	Proposals must demonstrate efficient biotechnology-based processes as the key enabling technology for converting residual biomass streams.
Feedstock Scope	Forestry and agricultural residues or side streams, including those from livestock (e.g., manure, animal byproducts); Residues from aquatic biomass including fisheries, algae, and aquaculture; Urban and industrial bio-based waste including post-consumer or post-industrial cellulose, urban biowaste, sewage sludge, and other industrial side-streams; Mixed streams from the above sources.
TRL Level	Demonstration must be at least at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6; validation of conversion to end-products at TRL 5 and above required.
Integration and Optimisation	Proposals should integrate optimised pretreatment/fractionation and (energy)-efficient separation and/or purification across the value chain; Optimisation of selected cells, enzymes, microorganisms and/or microbiomes is in scope. Valorisation of by-products and side streams via cascading approach is within scope.
Consortium Requirements	Multi-actor approach is required, ensuring involvement of feedstock producers/managers; Optimisation of logistic models, minimising distances and costs; Integration with biomass providers and promotion of win-win business models.
Resource Efficiency and Circularity	Projects must address resource efficiency and circularity; In circular models, no reinjection of pathogens or contaminants is allowed to protect human and environmental health.
Risk Assessment	Perform risk assessment on impacts of biotechnology use on human safety, biodiversity, and environmental safety; Identify and propose adequate mitigation and regulatory measures.
Complementarity	Projects should ensure complementarity with ongoing and past EU-funded R&I projects addressing similar challenges.
Evaluation Criteria	As described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and in the call-specific documentation.
Other Legal and Financial Rules	Legal and financial set-up is as described in Annex G and call-specific instructions; other referenced EU regulations and rules apply.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements