Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass

This is an Innovation Action under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (Horizon Europe) to develop and demonstrate biotechnology-based processes converting residual biomass into bio-based chemicals, materials, ingredients or enzymes. The topic HORIZON-JU has an indicative budget of €14 million (approximately two projects) and requires projects to reach at least TRL 6 by completion. Eligible applicants are consortia of organisations from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries and must follow a multi-actor approach including feedstock providers and industrial partners. Proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET and will be evaluated under standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action criteria.

Call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-01 (Innovation Action)

What it funds

Development and scale-up (minimum TRL 6) of biotechnology-led processes that convert residual biomass streams into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients or enzymes. Projects should integrate tailored pretreatment/fractionation, energy-efficient separation/purification, logistics and circularity measures and validate products to meet market requirements.

Who can apply:Consortia of organisations eligible under Horizon Europe (industry, SMEs, research organisations, waste managers, biomass producers and other relevant stakeholders) using the multi-actor approach to ensure feedstock supply and integration with providers ¹.

1. 1Must demonstrate biotechnology as the key enabling technology (TRL 6 or above for processes).
2. 2Cover residual feedstocks such as agricultural and forestry residues, aquatic residues, urban/industrial biowaste, sewage sludge and mixed streams.
3. 3Include logistics optimisation, risk assessment for biosafety and environmental impacts, and alignment with existing EU projects and regulatory considerations.

Apply via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must respect Horizon Europe admissibility, eligibility and evaluation rules; see the CBE JU Annual Work Programme for call-specific conditions ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and topic details available at CBE JU reference documents and on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page Portal topic.

Opportunity snapshot

Call identifier:HORIZON-JU. Programme: Horizon Europe (CBE JU). Type of action: Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA). Opening date: 23 April 2026. Deadline: 22 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission). Submission route: Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (Submission System).

Overall and topic budget:Total indicative budget across the CBE JU 2026 call: €170,760,699. Indicative contribution for this topic (Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass): around €14,000,000. Indicative grant sizes shown across related topics in the call range from around €1,200,000 to €20,000,000 depending on topic and action type.

Expected outcomes and scope

Expected outcomes:projects selected under this topic should contribute to EU strategies and initiatives including the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, the EU Life Sciences Strategy, the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Chemical Industry Action Plan and the upcoming EU Biotechnology and Circular Economy Acts. Projects are expected to deliver increased added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications; a wider portfolio of sustainable bio-based products via industrial biotechnology; and robust, scalable and efficient biotech process(es) applicable to residual biomass.

Scope and technical requirements:Proposals must focus on demonstrating at least TRL 6 biotechnology-based processes to convert residual biomass streams into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients and/or enzymes, with biotechnology as the key enabling technology. Integration of supporting non-biotech unit operations is allowed. Optimization of cells, enzymes, microorganisms or microbiomes is in scope. Feedstock in scope includes forestry and agricultural residues and processing side streams (including livestock-based residues such as manure and animal byproducts), residues from aquatic biomass (fisheries, micro/macro algae, aquaculture), urban and industrial bio-based waste and side-streams (food industry waste, post-consumer/post-industrial cellulose, urban biowaste, sewage sludge, wood and pulp and paper industry streams), and mixed streams composed of the above.

Project technical expectations:integrate optimised pretreatment and fractionation tailored to selected residual biomass; optimise energy-efficient separation and purification steps across the value chain; valorise by-products and side streams through cascading approaches; validate (at TRL 5 and above) conversion or use of biorefinery products into end-products meeting market requirements for selected application sectors; address resource efficiency and circularity while ensuring circular models do not reintroduce pathogens or contaminants into loops; perform risk assessments for human safety, biodiversity and environmental safety and propose mitigation measures; assess policy and regulatory adequacy and provide recommendations to overcome bottlenecks; ensure complementarities with past and ongoing relevant R&I projects (Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe, BBI JU/CBE JU).

Application-specific requirements:Proposals must follow the multi-actor approach (MAA) and ensure sufficient involvement of feedstock producers/managers to secure residual feedstock supply. Logistics optimisation (sourcing, storage, transport) must be demonstrated, minimising distances and costs and ensuring integration with biomass providers with win-win business models. Proposals must perform and report a risk assessment related to biotechnology use and provide regulatory/policy recommendations. Applicants must document complementarities with relevant previous and ongoing projects. The specific requirements for Innovation Actions (and additional topic-specific rules) are described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Horizon Europe General Annexes.

Structured extraction: eligibility, funding and application logistics

Below are the structured answers derived from the topic text and call documentation available on the Funding & Tenders Portal and CBE JU pages.

Eligible Applicant Types:Eligible applicants include research organisations and universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, industry and industrial partners (including biorefineries and agro-industrial companies), public entities, non-profit organisations, technology providers, waste management operators, feedstock producers and managers (farmers, foresters, fisheries and aquaculture operators), and consortia combining these types. Individual applicants alone are not the typical target for HORIZON-JU Innovation Actions; participation should reflect the multi-actor approach with operational actors in the value chain.

Funding Type:Primary financial mechanism: Grant (Horizon Europe grant managed through the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking). The grant will follow the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement and CBE JU-specific conditions (budget-based HORIZON-AG).

Consortium Requirement:Consortium required in practice: Innovation Actions under the CBE JU typically expect multi-partner consortia that cover the full value chain (technology developers, feedstock providers, industrial partners, end-users, risk/regulatory expertise). The topic explicitly requires multi-actor involvement (MAA) including feedstock producers/managers, so a consortium is the expected arrangement rather than single applicants.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Geographic eligibility follows Horizon Europe rules: participants from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries are eligible. Additional third countries may participate under the rules in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme; some non-associated third countries may have national arrangements enabling participation or funding. Applicants must consult Annex B of the General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for country-specific funding eligibility ¹.

Target Sector:Primary sectors targeted: biotechnology/industrial biotechnology, bioeconomy, bio-based products and materials, agriculture/forestry/aquaculture residues management, waste management and circular economy, chemicals and materials, food/feed ingredients and nutraceuticals, cosmetics/home and personal care ingredients, biostimulants/fertilisers, process engineering, separation/purification, and logistics. Cross-cutting sectors include policy/regulatory assessment, environmental safety and sustainability assessment.

Mentioned Countries:The topic text does not list specific countries; it refers to EU-level strategies and Horizon Europe eligibility. Geographic scope should be interpreted as EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries as per Annex B of the Work Programme.

Project Stage (Expected maturity):Expected project maturity: demonstration/scale-up and validation stages. The topic requires demonstration at least at TRL 6 for biotechnology-based conversion processes and validation of conversion/use of biorefinery products at TRL 5 and above for end-product conversion/use. Overall emphasis is on moving from research/prototype to demonstration and market-facing validation.

Funding Amount (topic-level and related ranges):Indicative contribution for this topic: around €14,000,000. The CBE JU 2026 call shows indicative grant sizes for topics in the same call ranging from approximately €1,200,000 up to €20,000,000 depending on topic and action type; applicants should consult the Budget Overview and the specific topic entry for final indications.

Application Type and Submission:Submission method: Open single-stage call. Applicants must submit proposals electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Use the application form available in the Submission System (Part A and Part B). For IA-Flagship actions a business plan annex is required; for this IA topic use the standard IA application form in the system.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive financial support in the form of grants (monetary funding) to reimburse eligible costs under the Horizon Europe rules. Projects will also access non-monetary services indirectly through project networks, IPR support, and the CBE JU community resources and guidance but the formal instrument is a financial grant.

Application Stages:This is a single-stage submission call. Evaluation follows the standard Horizon Europe evaluation process (single-stage remote evaluation and possible clarification interviews/requests depending on the call evaluation rules). The public documentation references Annex F for the evaluation and indicative timelines.

Success Rates:No topic-specific success rate is published. Success rates vary by call and competition intensity; applicants should assume a competitive selection and ensure high quality against award criteria. Historical success rates for Horizon calls vary widely across topics and years; the CBE JU does not publish a topic-level guaranteed success rate in the call text.

Co-funding Requirement:Co-funding specifics are governed by the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement and the CBE JU rules. Innovation Actions normally provide a grant contribution to eligible costs; applicants must budget eligible costs in project proposals and beneficiaries must finance the non-covered share of costs themselves or through other sources. Exact funding rates and eligible cost rules are described in the Horizon Europe General Annexes and the MGA. Applicants must consult Annex G and the Model Grant Agreement for precise co-funding and reimbursement rates and rules.

Evaluation, legal and administrative conditions

Admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity checks, and evaluation criteria follow the Horizon Europe General Annexes (Annex A–G, D and F referenced in the topic). Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D. The standard evaluation and award process is described in Annex F and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual. Applicants must ensure legal entity validation and LEAR appointment, and may be subject to financial capacity assessments per the Rules for Legal Entity Validation and Financial Capacity Assessment.

1. 1Admissibility: compliance with page limits and layout as in Part B of the Application Form and Annex E of the General Annexes.
2. 2Eligibility: countries listed in Annex B of the Work Programme; check national arrangements for non-associated third countries.
3. 3Operational/financial capacity: documented per Annex C of the General Annexes.
4. 4Evaluation: standard award criteria for Horizon Europe Innovation Actions (excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of implementation) and topic-specific requirements.
5. 5Legal & financial set-up: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG) model grant agreement; see Annex G.

Application templates and documents

Applicants must use the application form available in the Submission System. The system contains Part A (administrative forms) and Part B (technical proposal) with page limits and layout constraints described in the online form and Annex E of the Horizon Europe General Annexes. Evaluation form templates (standard HE RIA/IA evaluation form) will be used by evaluators with necessary adaptations. The Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA) and call-specific instructions (CBE JU Call for proposals 2026 and CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026) provide contractual templates and clauses.

Additional required or recommended documents (available via call pages and Submission System): CBE JU Annual Work Programme and Budget 2026; CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA); HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – General Introduction and General Annexes; HE Programme Guide; Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual; Rules for Legal Entity Validation; EU Financial Regulation and related legal texts. For IA-Flagship proposals, a business plan annex is required. Applicants are encouraged to document complementarities with past and ongoing projects (Horizon 2020/HE, BBI JU, CBE JU).

Checklist and practical advice for applicants

1. 1Assemble a consortium covering biotechnology developers, feedstock suppliers (farmers, foresters, fishery/aquaculture operators or waste managers), industrial partners for scale-up, downstream converters or end-product manufacturers, and regulatory/safety expertise.
2. 2Demonstrate TRL 6 or above for the core biotechnology conversion process and TRL 5+ for validated downstream uses where required.
3. 3Document feedstock sources, logistics model (sourcing, storage, transport), and multi-actor engagement under the MAA.
4. 4Include pretreatment/fractionation, separation/purification process designs with energy efficiency considerations and plan for cascading valorisation of side streams.
5. 5Provide a thorough risk assessment for human, biodiversity and environmental safety and propose mitigation and regulatory measures.
6. 6Map complementarities with past/ongoing projects and justify added value of the proposed work.
7. 7Use the Submission System application form and follow page limits and layout rules; attach any required annexes and legal entity documentation.
8. 8Consult National Contact Points, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and the CBE JU call helpdesk for procedural questions and partner search support.

Applicants are strongly advised to read the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, the Horizon Europe General Annexes, and the Funding & Tenders Portal guidance carefully before finalising proposals. Use partner search tools on the Portal and CBE JU website to ensure the required multi-actor composition.

Where to submit and get help:Submission and all administrative forms are managed via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. For call-specific questions contact info[at]cbe.europa.eu and consult National Contact Points, the Online Manual, and the IT Helpdesk. Partner search can be done via the Portal and CBE JU channels.

Summary: What is this opportunity about and how to approach it?

This CBE JU Horizon Europe Innovation Action topic funds demonstration and scale-up of biotechnology-driven routes to valorise residual biomass streams into higher-value bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients and enzymes. The call targets projects that show robust, scalable biotech processes (TRL 6+) integrated with optimised pretreatment, fractionation and (energy-)efficient separation/purification, and that validate downstream uses meeting market requirements. Proposals must adopt a multi-actor approach engaging feedstock producers/managers and optimise logistics and business models while addressing safety, environmental and regulatory risks. Funding is provided as Horizon Europe grants under the CBE JU; applicants must submit a single-stage proposal via the Funding & Tenders Portal and follow Horizon Europe eligibility, evaluation and grant rules. Successful proposals will strengthen the EU bioeconomy by increasing added value from residual biomass, expanding the portfolio of sustainable bio-based products and enabling scalable industrial biotech solutions.

Footnotes

1. 1Consult Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for lists of eligible countries and details on participation and funding arrangements for non-associated third countries. See cbe.europa.eu for the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and related reference documents.

Opportunity Overview

This is an Innovation Action (IA) call under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) 2026 programme, part of the broader Horizon Europe framework. The opportunity focuses on developing and demonstrating biotechnology-based processes to convert residual biomass streams into valuable bio-based products. The call opened on 23 April 2026 and remains open until 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. ¹

Funding Details

Total Budget Allocation:€14 million for this specific topic, with approximately 2 projects expected to be selected. ²

Funding Rates:60 percent for companies and other for-profit entities; 100 percent for non-profit organisations, research institutions, and public bodies. ²

Grant Type:HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG), following standard Horizon Europe rules and procedures.

Scope and Technical Requirements

Proposals must demonstrate efficient biotechnology-based processes capable of converting residual biomass streams into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients, and/or enzymes. The biotechnology component must be the key enabling technology, though integration of supporting unit operations using other technologies is permitted. Optimisation of cells, enzymes, microorganisms, and microbiomes is within scope. ³

Technology Readiness Level (TRL):Projects must achieve at least TRL 6 by completion, with end-product validation at TRL 5 and above. This represents demonstration and pilot-scale operations moving toward commercial deployment. ²

Eligible Feedstock Categories

The call encompasses a broad range of residual biomass sources to support feedstock diversification and European strategic autonomy in bio-based operations:

• Forestry and agricultural residues and side streams from processing of forestry and agricultural biomass, including livestock-based residues such as manure and animal byproducts
• Residues from aquatic biomass including fisheries, micro and macro algae production, and aquaculture
• Urban and industrial bio-based waste and side-streams including food industry waste, post-consumer and post-industrial cellulose, urban biowaste, sewage sludge, and residues from wood, pulp, and paper industries
• Mixed streams combining the above categories

Key Technical Deliverables

• Optimised biomass pretreatment and fractionation processes tailored to selected residual biomass, with emphasis on robustness and energy efficiency
• Energy-efficient separation and purification process steps across the value chain
• Demonstration of cascading approaches for valorisation of by-products and side streams
• Validated end-products meeting market requirements for selected application sectors
• Resource efficiency and circular economy solutions ensuring no pathogens or contaminants are reintroduced into production loops

Eligibility and Participation Requirements

Eligible Participants:Organisations from EU Member States and Associated Countries are automatically eligible. Non-EU and non-Associated Countries may participate under specific conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and may receive funding only in exceptional circumstances. Eligible entity types include research organisations, universities, public bodies, SMEs, large companies, and non-profit organisations. ⁴

Multi-Actor Approach (MAA):Proposals must ensure sufficient involvement of feedstock producers and managers for residual feedstock supply. This requirement promotes collaboration across the value chain and ensures practical implementation of logistics and supply models. ³

Consortium Composition:While specific consortium size requirements are not detailed in this topic description, Horizon Europe Innovation Actions typically require consortia with complementary expertise spanning research, technology development, industrial implementation, and market deployment capabilities.

Mandatory Project Requirements

• Optimisation of logistic models including sourcing, storage, and transport of residual feedstock, with focus on minimising distances and costs
• Development of win-win business models ensuring seamless integration with biomass providers
• Comprehensive risk assessment addressing impacts on human safety, biodiversity, and environmental safety from biotechnology use, with identification of mitigation measures
• Assessment of policy and regulatory adequacy for managing identified risks, with recommendations to overcome bottlenecks
• Demonstration of complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects, including those funded under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe Cluster 6, and previous BBI JU or CBE JU initiatives
• Integration of cross-cutting requirements including digital technologies, social sciences and humanities perspectives, and multi-disciplinary approaches

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Successful projects are expected to contribute to implementation of multiple EU strategic initiatives including the EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, EU Life Sciences Strategy, updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Clean Industrial Deal, European Chemical Industry Action Plan, and the upcoming EU Biotechnology and Circular Economy Acts. ³

• Increased added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications
• Wider portfolio of sustainable bio-based products via industrial biotechnology
• Robust, scalable, and efficient biotechnology processes applicable to residual biomass
• Strengthened European resilience and strategic autonomy in bio-based operations
• Advancement of circular economy principles in industrial biotech

Application Process and Timeline

Submission Deadline:22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (single-stage submission model). ¹

Application System:Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal electronic submission system. Applicants must select the HORIZON JU Innovation Actions type and HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model upon submission. ⁵

Pre-Submission Support:A networking event was held in Brussels on 21 April 2026 to support proposal preparation. The NCP_WIDERA.NET project offers a pre-check proposal service for eligible applicants. ¹

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals are evaluated according to standard Horizon Europe criteria for Innovation Actions, as detailed in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation typically assesses excellence, implementation feasibility, and impact potential. Award decisions follow the procedures outlined in Annex F of the General Annexes and the Online Manual. ⁴

Key Contextual Information

This call is part of the CBE JU 2026 Annual Work Programme, which allocates €170.7 million across 13 thematic topics. The CBE JU is a public-private partnership under Horizon Europe dedicated to accelerating development and deployment of circular, bio-based, and economically viable solutions. The partnership operates under Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 and implements the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for 2022-2030. ⁶

The CBE JU funds three types of actions:Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) for establishing new knowledge and exploring feasibility; Innovation Actions (IAs) for scaling up from prototype to market validation; and Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) for structuring stakeholder communities and disseminating results. This topic represents an Innovation Action focused on demonstration and deployment of mature biotechnology solutions. ⁷

Reference Documents and Support Resources

Applicants should consult the following authoritative sources for complete information:

• CBE JU Annual Work Programme and Budget 2026 - contains complete topic descriptions, specific conditions, and detailed requirements
• CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) - outlines strategic priorities and research and innovation actions
• Horizon Europe Programme Guide - provides detailed guidance on structure, budget, and political priorities
• Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes - contains admissibility conditions, eligibility criteria, evaluation procedures, and legal framework
• EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA) - explains terms and conditions of grant agreements
• Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual - guides applicants through submission and management procedures

For technical questions and guidance, applicants should contact National Contact Points (NCPs) in their respective countries, the Enterprise Europe Network for SME-specific advice, or the CBE JU directly at info@cbe.europa.eu. The European IPR Helpdesk provides intellectual property guidance, and the CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardisation matters. ⁴

Footnotes

1. 1Call opening and deadline information confirmed in AIMPLAS announcement and CBE JU official communications dated 23 April 2026.
2. 2Funding allocation and rates specified in CBE JU 2026 Infoday presentation and APRE documentation for HORIZON-JU.
3. 3Scope, technical requirements, and expected outcomes detailed in the official topic description provided in the opportunity metadata and CBE JU 2026 work programme.
4. 4Eligibility, evaluation procedures, and support resources follow standard Horizon Europe rules as outlined in the Work Programme General Annexes and Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
5. 5Submission procedures and system requirements specified in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal interface and Horizon Europe Online Manual.
6. 6CBE JU context and 2026 call budget information from official CBE JU announcements and ZABALA news report on CBE JU 2026 funding allocation.
7. 7Types of actions and CBE JU mission described in EAIC and CBE JU official documentation on funding mechanisms and strategic objectives.