Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL6:Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living" aims to promote the development and deployment of innovative bio-based products and services that enhance sustainability and contribute to societal benefits. The total funding allocated for this initiative is €8 million, with two expected grants each amounting to €4 million. The submission deadline for proposals is September 17, 2026, and the funding will be provided in a lump sum format, streamlining project administration.

Eligible applicants include a diverse range of actors such as SMEs, higher education institutions, research organizations, large enterprises, public bodies, and civil society organizations like NGOs and consumer organizations. The call encourages a multi-actor approach, where consortia are preferred, combining various stakeholders to maximize impact and enhance market deployment. It targets projects in the bioeconomy and circular economy sectors, focusing on biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and innovative socio-economic models.

The expected project maturity aligns with development and early commercialization stages, emphasizing the importance of creating user-friendly bio-based solutions, assessing public perception of bio-based innovations, and fostering cooperation with industry and authorities. The application process is a single-stage submission involving a complete proposal with evaluation criteria centered on excellence, implementation, and impact.

This call aligns with the EU's strategic priorities for promoting sustainable living and addressing environmental challenges, encouraging projects that bridge scientific research with practical innovation. The overall environment is highly competitive, and potential applicants are advised to consider their unique advantages and collaborative capacities to enhance their proposals’ chances of success.

This is a summary of multiple Horizon Europe calls for proposals under Cluster 6, specifically focusing on biodiversity, circular bio-based innovation, and zero pollution initiatives. The calls are for single-stage actions with a planned opening date of April 17, 2026, and a deadline of September 17, 2026. The funding instruments include Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

General conditions for all calls include:

1. Admissibility Conditions:Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible 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.

5. Evaluation and award:

a. Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

b. Submission and evaluation processes described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

c. 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 are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application forms are available in the Submission System, with standard forms for HE RIA and IA actions. Evaluation form templates will be adapted as necessary, using standard evaluation forms for HE RIA and IA.

Additional guidance and documents include:

HE Programme Guide

Model Grant Agreements (MGA), including the Lump Sum MGA

Call-specific instructions and a detailed budget table (HE LS)

Guidance:"Lump sums what do I need to know?"

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

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

The following specific calls are detailed:

1. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01:Biodiversity

Budget:€13,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €6,500,000

2. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02:Biodiversity

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €5,000,000

3. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03:Biodiversity

Budget:€18,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €9,000,000

4. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04:Biodiversity

Budget:€13,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €6,500,000

5. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-05:Biodiversity

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €5,000,000

6. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-06:Biodiversity

Budget:€12,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €6,000,000

7. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€11,000,000

Type:HORIZON-IA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:€5,000,000 to €6,000,000

8. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€11,000,000

Type:HORIZON-IA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:€5,000,000 to €6,000,000

9. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-03:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €5,000,000

10. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-04:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-IA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €5,000,000

11. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-05:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€6,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €3,000,000

12. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-06:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€3,000,000

Type:HORIZON-CSA

Indicative number of grants:1

Contribution per grant:around €3,000,000

13. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€12,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:3

Contribution per grant:around €4,000,000

14. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-08:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€8,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €4,000,000

15. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-09:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€12,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €6,000,000

16. HORIZON-CL6:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€8,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €4,000,000

17. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-11:Circular Bio-based Innovation

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €5,000,000

18. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01:Zero Pollution

Budget:€10,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:1

Contribution per grant:around €10,000,000

19. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02:Zero Pollution

Budget:€11,000,000

Type:HORIZON-IA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:€5,000,000 to €6,000,000

20. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03:Zero Pollution

Budget:€12,000,000

Type:HORIZON-RIA

Indicative number of grants:2

Contribution per grant:around €6,000,000

The Bio-based innovation in society:supporting the sustainable way of living call HORIZON-CL6 specifically aims to advance socio-economic transformation through bio-based sectors and bioeconomy, improve public understanding of bio-based innovation, and enhance living conditions via sustainable products and services. Projects should develop innovative bio-based products and services, assess new socio-economic models, increase public perception and acceptance, and foster cooperation with industry and authorities. The multi-actor approach is encouraged, involving SMEs, newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6, NGOs, and consumer organizations. Synergies with other CIRCBIO projects are also encouraged. The call emphasizes the integration of the gender dimension, consideration of social categories, and the contribution of SSH disciplines. International cooperation is encouraged.

In summary, this Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call provides funding opportunities for research and innovation projects focused on biodiversity, circular bio-based innovation, and zero pollution. The calls aim to support the EU's policy goals related to building a sustainable future, boosting biotechnology and biomanufacturing, and achieving a fair green transition. The funding is available for a variety of actions, including research and innovation, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions. The calls encourage a multi-actor approach, international cooperation, and the integration of social sciences and humanities disciplines. The funding mechanism is based on lump sum contributions.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types include SMEs, NGOs, consumer organisations, and other civil society stakeholders. The program encourages the involvement of newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6. The multi-actor approach is encouraged, suggesting a broad range of potential applicants.

Funding Type:The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically through HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA). Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement:While not explicitly stated as mandatory, the "multi-actor approach is encouraged," and proposals should involve SMEs, NGOs, and consumer organizations, suggesting a consortium is preferred or highly recommended.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU and non-EU/non-Associated Countries. Specific provisions may apply to non-EU/non-Associated Countries, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector:The program targets the bio-based sectors and bioeconomy, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, life sciences, circular economy, food, natural resources, agriculture, environment, and zero pollution. It also addresses socio-economic models, environmental justice, gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion.

Mentioned Countries:The opportunity mentions EU countries and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project ranges from research and innovation actions (RIA) to innovation actions (IA) and coordination and support actions (CSA), indicating support for projects in the research, development, demonstration, and potentially early commercialization stages.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from €3,000,000 to €18,000,000 in total budget per topic. The indicative number of grants and their individual contributions vary, with some topics offering around €3,000,000, €4,000,000, €5,000,000, €6,000,000, €6,500,000, €9,000,000, or €10,000,000 per grant, while others specify a range of €5,000,000 to €6,000,000 per grant.

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

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants to support their projects.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates can be estimated based on the indicative number of grants and the total budget allocated to each topic, but the exact success rate is not explicitly provided.

Co-funding Requirement:The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned, but applicants should review the specific conditions and guidelines for each topic in the Work Programme.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call focuses on "Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living." It aims to foster socio-economic transformation through bio-based sectors and the bioeconomy, promoting innovative products and services that support sustainable living. The call encourages projects that develop user-friendly bio-based solutions, assess new socio-economic models, increase public understanding and acceptance of bio-based innovation, and establish cooperation between industry and authorities. It targets a wide range of applicants, including SMEs, NGOs, and other civil society stakeholders, and encourages international cooperation and the integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying amounts depending on the specific topic, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call is relevant to EU policies related to biotechnology, biomanufacturing, life sciences, the bioeconomy, and the green transition, and it encourages synergies with other initiatives such as the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and the New European Bauhaus.