Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health" is part of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) for 2025. It focuses on developing innovative agricultural solutions to mitigate the detrimental impact of microplastics on soil and water while improving soil health. Eligible applicants include a mix of consortia comprising universities, research institutes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and public-private partnerships involved in bio-based innovation. The grant operates as a non-repayable financial support mechanism, specifically through a single-stage open call with an application deadline set for September 18, 2025. The total funding amount allocated for this specific topic is €7 million, part of a larger budget of approximately €172 million available across 13 topics in the annual work programme. Successful proposals are expected to carry out research and development activities aligned with the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and official missions aimed at soil restoration and reducing pollution. Projects are required to operate within Research and Innovation Action (RIA) parameters, focusing on technological readiness levels (TRL) 3-5, indicating that they should encompass laboratory research to prototype validation. The emphasis is on the creation of safe, sustainable, scalable biodegradable delivery systems for fertilizers that prevent microplastic release into the environment. The outcome should lead to enhancements in soil health through improved agricultural practices, innovative biodegradable formulations, and the establishment of new value chains linking farmers and bio-based industries. Proposals are expected to include lab-scale and small-scale field trials to validate these delivery systems, ensuring agronomic efficiency and environmental safety. Additionally, the application of the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework is encouraged, mandating that the sustainability of these systems and their breakdown products be assessed thoroughly. Although specific co-funding requirements are not detailed, it is generally accepted that they may be applicable, especially for industry stakeholders. The overall aim of the funding call is to foster cooperative projects involving farmers to co-create solutions that enhance resource efficiency and support EU sustainability targets. The project aligns with broader environmental goals, particularly in tackling the issue of microplastics resulting from traditional fertilizer delivery systems. By promoting bio-based alternatives, the initiative seeks to innovate agricultural technology while contributing positively to ecological health and safety. For prospective applicants, guidance on application procedures and requirements is available through various Horizon Europe resources, including online manuals and partner search tools to facilitate consortium formation. The initiative looks to attract collaborative proposals that engage multiple stakeholders across the EU and associated countries.

The HORIZON-JU call, titled "Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health," is part of the HORIZON Call Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025). It is a HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-RIA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline model. The opening date was April 3, 2025, and the deadline for submission is September 18, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of successful proposals is to contribute to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the updated EU Industrial strategy. Projects should also significantly contribute to the R&I Missions ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ by reducing soil pollution and enhancing restoration, and to the Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" by preventing and eliminating pollution, including microplastics. Furthermore, there is an expected contribution to the delegated act introducing biodegradability criteria for polymers (such as coating agents) in the context of the EU fertilising products regulation.

Project results are expected to lead to:

Scalable, safe, and sustainable bio-based biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products, with potential application to other agricultural inputs like pesticides and seeds, replacing conventional delivery systems.

Enhanced understanding of the biodegradation process and control factors of biodegradable delivery systems, and their impact on plant development, soil health (including soil microbiome), and water.

Creation of new value chains incorporating biodegradable delivery systems at regional/local levels, fostering synergies between farmers and bio-based industries.

The scope of this call addresses the issue of microplastics in soil, which alter soil properties. Polymer-coated fertilisers (PCF), used to improve fertiliser properties or for slow/controlled release (SRF/CRF), contribute to this problem. Non-biodegradable plastics accumulate, are assimilated by animals, and can enter the human food chain. Polymer-coated fertilisers are identified as a high priority for microplastic release risk. Bio-based biodegradable polymers offer an alternative, but more research is needed to develop and validate these systems while preventing microplastics release.

Proposals should:

Develop circular and sustainable production processes for novel bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products, assessing their adaptability to other agricultural inputs.

Validate the delivery systems through lab-scale and/or small-scale field trials, ensuring agronomic efficiency, safety, scalability, and sustainability, with properties similar to or improved compared to conventional systems.

Assess the long-term effects and biodegradability of delivery systems in natural soil conditions, using standard tests and protocols, and monitor biodegradability in fresh, estuarine, or marine water.

Include a task to apply the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework, considering the delivery systems and their decomposition products, and develop recommendations to advance the application of the SSbD framework.

Engage with farmers to co-create and test the delivery systems, analysing their effects on plant development, soil health, and water, and ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects.

General conditions for participation include:

Specific conditions are detailed in section 2.2.3 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2025.

Application and evaluation forms and the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) are available in the Submission System, along with the CBE JU Call for proposals 2025 and the HE Programme Guide.

The budget overview indicates a total budget of €172,137,258.88 for the year 2025, with specific budget allocations for various action types. The call HORIZON-JU has an indicative budget of around €3,500,000 and aims to fund approximately 2 projects.

There are 69 partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

To start the submission process, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service via the provided link and select the appropriate type of action and MGA.

The call aims to foster research and innovation in bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to mitigate microplastic pollution and promote soil health, aligning with EU's bioeconomy and industrial strategies. It encourages collaborative projects that involve farmers and contribute to a sustainable and circular economy.

In simpler terms, this EU funding opportunity is all about finding better, eco-friendly ways to deliver fertilisers to crops. Current methods often use plastic coatings that break down into harmful microplastics in the soil. This call wants researchers and companies to develop new delivery systems made from bio-based, biodegradable materials that are safe for the environment and can replace traditional plastic coatings. The projects should not only create these new materials but also test them in real-world conditions, involve farmers in the process, and ensure they are sustainable and scalable for widespread use. The ultimate goal is to reduce microplastic pollution in our soils and oceans, while still ensuring efficient crop fertilisation and supporting the EU's broader environmental and economic goals.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). It aims to fund research and innovation actions focused on developing bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilizing products to reduce microplastics pollution and promote soil health. The call is open to a wide range of applicants, including universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, ideally forming a consortium that includes farmers and bio-based industries. The projects should contribute to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the EU Industrial Strategy, and the R&I Missions ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ and "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030".

The projects should focus on developing circular and sustainable production processes for novel bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilizing products, validating these systems through lab and field trials, and assessing their long-term effects on soil and water. A key aspect is the application of the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework. The call encourages engagement with farmers to co-create and test the delivery systems.

The funding is provided as a grant, with different budget levels depending on the type of action (RIA, IA, or CSA). The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 18, 2025. Applicants are advised to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Online Manual, and the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ for detailed guidance on the application process and requirements. Partner search tools are available to help applicants form consortia.