Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass

The HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-02 grant is a funding opportunity under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, aimed at advancing the production of bio-based drop-in and smart drop-in platform chemicals. The initiative supports projects focusing on sustainable and resource-efficient biomass conversion processes, with a total budget of approximately 20 million euros allocated for this topic. The application process involves a single-stage submission with a deadline set for September 18, 2025.

Eligible applicants for this grant include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other entities capable of conducting research in the bio-based sector. The call encourages multi-actor consortia that involve key stakeholders across the sustainable circular bio-based system, such as business-to-business end-users and feedstock providers. Geographic eligibility extends to EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU countries under specific provisions.

Projects must demonstrate substantial improvements in sustainability, resource efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction, targeting technology readiness levels (TRL) of 6 to 8. There is a strong emphasis on demonstrating cost-effective and robust production processes for bio-based chemical production, alongside integration into market-relevant final products.

The funding is structured as a grant, characterized as a “HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based,” with a typical project size ranging from 5 to 15 million euros. Proposals must address compliance with regulatory frameworks and incorporate safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles, contributing to various EU strategies, such as the Bioeconomy Strategy and Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Applications are evaluated based on technical and impact assessments, with competitive success rates generally ranging from 10 to 39%, depending on their compliance with eligibility and proposal criteria. Co-funding from private partners is typically required, with public bodies possibly receiving higher funding percentages.

Overall, this grant aims to foster innovation in the bio-based chemical sector, encouraging the development of processes that replace fossil-based chemicals and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the European chemical industry.

The EU Funding Opportunity is the HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-02, titled "Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass". It falls under the HORIZON Call Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025). It is a HORIZON JU Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA) 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 budget for this topic is approximately 20,000,000 EUR in 2025, and the indicative number of grants to be awarded is 1.

The expected outcome of successful proposals is to contribute to the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan, the EU Zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Industrial strategy, and the co-implementation of the Transition Pathway for the chemicals industry. Projects should lead to: Full-scale biorefinery and related value chain(s) for the sustainable large-scale production of bio-based drop-in platform chemicals, availability of bio-based products meeting market and technical performance requirements, significantly improved sustainability, strategic autonomy, resilience and competitiveness of the European chemical industry, reduction of fossil feedstock dependence, and increased value for society in terms of employment.

The scope of the proposals should include: Demonstrating cost-effective, robust, sustainable, large-scale production processes for obtaining bio-based drop-in (including smart drop-in) platform chemicals at end TRL 8. Both upstream and downstream process aspects are in scope. Bio-based drop-in platform chemicals should be analogues of fossil-based chemicals that are not substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Targeting resource efficiency, minimization of the E-factor (process waste), as well as process safety aspects. The cascading valorization of secondary biomass and residual streams is also in scope. Demonstrating the further conversion and integration of produced chemical(s) into market-relevant final product(s) (reaching an end TRL 6 or higher).

Specific requirements include: Ensuring adequate involvement of key actors across the sustainable circular bio-based system, including B2B end-users and feedstock providers, as part of the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA). Applying the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework for the assessment of the platform chemicals’ production process and the chosen final products, and contributing to the further application of the SSbD framework. Addressing compliance with regulatory frameworks, considering the targeted platform chemical(s) and related impurities’ type and concentration. Ensuring complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (Cluster 6 and Cluster 4) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.

Topic updates: A new version of the Application Form (Part B) template is available in the Submission System as of April 4, 2025. The submission session is available for multiple topics, including this one, as of April 3, 2025.

General conditions for participation include: Admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other eligible conditions as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are detailed in section 2.2.3 Calls for proposals in 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. Evaluation form templates and the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) will be used with necessary adaptations. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, and the HE MGA serves as the Model Grant Agreement. Call-specific instructions are available in the CBE JU Call for proposals 2025.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

There are 49 partner search announcements available. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

To start the submission process, applicants should click the submission button next to the appropriate action type and MGA type.

Support resources include: Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk, The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment, and Partner Search.

In summary, this EU funding opportunity aims to foster innovation in the bio-based chemical industry by supporting projects that can demonstrate the sustainable and cost-effective production of drop-in platform chemicals from biomass. These projects should not only focus on the technological aspects of production but also consider the entire value chain, regulatory compliance, and environmental and safety aspects. The goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, promote the bioeconomy, and enhance the competitiveness of the European chemical industry while adhering to safe and sustainable design principles. Applicants are expected to collaborate with key stakeholders, including end-users and feedstock providers, and ensure their projects complement existing research efforts in the field.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the context of Horizon Europe and the CBE JU, eligible applicants likely include: SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities in the bio-based sector. The call emphasizes the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), suggesting that consortia should include B2B end-users and feedstock providers.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a "HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]". The call falls under HORIZON-JU-IA (HORIZON JU Innovation Actions).

Consortium Requirement: The call emphasizes the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), indicating that a consortium of multiple applicants is strongly preferred, if not required. The consortium should include key actors from across the sustainable circular bio-based system, including B2B end-users and feedstock providers.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The call is part of the Horizon Europe program. While specific countries are not listed directly in the provided text, eligibility generally extends to EU member states and associated countries. The text mentions that "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," and refers to the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for more information.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is the bioeconomy, specifically focusing on bio-based chemicals. This includes the chemical industry, bio-based industries, and related downstream sectors. The call targets the production of bio-based drop-in and smart drop-in platform chemicals, aiming to replace fossil-based counterparts.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the call is part of the Horizon Europe program, implying eligibility for EU member states and associated countries. The text refers to "non-EU/non-Associated Countries" and "third-countries" in the context of eligibility, suggesting that some international participation may be possible under specific provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Project Stage: The call targets projects that can demonstrate large-scale production processes for bio-based drop-in platform chemicals at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8. It also requires demonstration of further conversion and integration of the produced chemicals into market-relevant final products, reaching TRL 6 or higher.

Funding Amount: The budget overview provides indicative funding amounts for various topics within the CBE JU Call for proposals 2025. For HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-02, the budget is around EUR 20,000,000. Other topics have budgets ranging from around EUR 1,000,000 to EUR 20,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

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 support projects focused on the sustainable production and market uptake of bio-based drop-in and smart drop-in platform chemicals. The call, HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IAFlag-02, has a budget of approximately EUR 20 million and seeks to fund projects that can demonstrate cost-effective, robust, and large-scale production processes at TRL 8, as well as further conversion into market-relevant products at TRL 6 or higher.

The call is open to a range of applicants, including SMEs, large enterprises, universities, and research institutes, ideally forming a consortium with B2B end-users and feedstock providers. Eligible countries include EU member states and associated countries, with potential for participation from non-EU/non-associated countries under specific conditions.

Projects should contribute to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Zero Pollution Action Plan, and Industrial Strategy, while also addressing regulatory compliance and incorporating the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of September 18, 2025. The funding is provided as a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].