CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2: Value-Chain Extension & Enhance

CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 (Horizon Europe grant 101092295) is a cascade funding opportunity to integrate single new partners into existing CIRCULOOS pilots and demonstrators to resolve technical or supply bottlenecks and scale circular manufacturing value chains in sectors such as wood, leather and plastics. The call is strictly for single legal entities capable of immediate industrial implementation, including manufacturing MSMEs, mid-caps, circular economy enablers and technology providers, and offers Track A (OC2 Enhance) and Track B (Pilot Extensions). The total envelope is €600,000 with a fixed lump sum of €60,000 per selected entity for projects of about six months. Applications must be submitted via the F6S portal by 10 June 2026 and proposals are evaluated against Excellence, Impact and Implementation by an expert panel.

What it funds

Cascade funding to integrate single new partners into existing CIRCULOOS pilots and previously funded Demonstrators to remove technical or supply bottlenecks, introduce circular R-strategies, and adopt CIRCULOOS digital tools to increase sustainability and scale.

Tracks:Track A: OC2 Enhance adds partners to 15 funded Demonstrators. Track B: Pilot Extensions strengthens core Wood, Leather and Plastic pilots.

Who can apply

Single entities only:Manufacturing MSMEs, Mid-Caps, and Technology Providers or System Integrators capable of immediate industrial implementation and joining established ecosystems.

Key administrative facts

1. 1Opening date: 08 April 2026
2. 2Deadline: 10 June 2026 18:00 Brussels time
3. 3Expected participation duration: 6 months
4. 4Total funding available: €600,000

Applications are submitted via the F6S portal; proposals pass an eligibility check and are evaluated by two external experts and one internal expert. Contact support at circuloos-support@f6s.com. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Apply and find full call documents at the official application page CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 on F6S and project information at CIRCULOOS open calls.

Key facts

Call title:CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2: Value-Chain Extension & Enhance. Opening date: 08 April 2026. Submission deadline: 10 June 2026, 18:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: single-stage. Expected duration of participation: 6 months. Total funding available for this call: €600,000. Project acronym: CIRCULOOS. Grant agreement number: 101092295. Programme / Topic: HORIZON-CL4 - ICT Innovation for Manufacturing Sustainability in SMEs (I4MS2) (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA).

Application portal:Applications must be submitted entirely online through the F6S platform. See application page CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 on F6S ¹.

Purpose and scope

Objective:Open Call 3.2 is dedicated to enhancing existing CIRCULOOS Pilots and the Demonstrators funded under Open Call 2 by integrating new "missing link" partners into those established ecosystems. The call aims to unlock scale-up, resolve technical or supply bottlenecks, introduce new R-strategies (for example refurbishing, remanufacturing, repurposing), and support adoption of CIRCULOOS digital tools to increase sustainability impact across supply chains.

Tracks:Two tracks are offered: Track A: OC2 Enhance — intended to add new partners to the 15 Demonstrators previously funded under Open Call 2; Track B: Pilot Extensions — intended to strengthen the core sector pilots (Wood, Leather, and Plastic) by extending activities and capabilities to address bottlenecks and scale opportunities.

Who can apply and what is eligible

Target applicants:The call is strictly dedicated to single legal entities capable of immediate industrial implementation. Eligible applicant types explicitly mentioned are Manufacturing MSMEs, Mid-Caps, and Technology Providers or System Integrators. The call is not open to multi-partner consortia; it is focused on single entities that will integrate into existing CIRCULOOS ecosystems.

1. 1Eligible applicant types (explicit): Manufacturing MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), Mid-Cap companies, Technology Providers, System Integrators.
2. 2Consortium requirement: Single entity submissions only. Applicants will be integrated into already funded demonstrators or pilots; multi-entity proposals are not the intended submission format for this call.
3. 3Project duration and nature: Short-term implementation projects expected to run for approximately 6 months and deliver immediate industrial implementation or integration within existing pilots/demonstrators.

Thematic and sector focus

Primary sectors and themes targeted by the call:manufacturing sustainability and circular economy interventions in supply chains, with an emphasis on Wood, Leather, and Plastic pilots. The broader CIRCULOOS ecosystem and Expression of Interest outreach have included manufacturing sectors such as metal, construction, furniture, leather, plastics and other supply chain actors that adopt circular R-strategies and digital tools for trustworthy data-sharing and orchestration. Digital/ICT solutions enabling circular supply chain orchestration and optimisation are a core technology theme.

Funding type and financial details

Primary funding mechanism:cascade funding through grants to single entities (cascade funding model under the CIRCULOOS Horizon Europe project). The call's total funding envelope is €600,000. The call documentation does not specify per-beneficiary individual award amounts in the provided content; applicants should consult the application page and guidelines for maximum per-award amounts and unit budgets. Participation is expected to be fully funded from the call envelope, but specific co-funding requirements are not stated in the scraped content.

Co-funding:No explicit co-funding requirement is stated in the scraped content. Applicants must check the downloadable call guidelines and F6S application instructions for definitive statements on whether cost-sharing is required or allowed.

Application and evaluation process

Submission route:Online only via the F6S platform. Deadline is a single-stage submission. After initial eligibility checks, eligible proposals will be evaluated by a panel consisting of two external experts and one internal expert.

Applicants should prepare submissions to address Excellence, Impact and Implementation clearly and to meet the minimum per-criterion thresholds (3/5) and overall minimum score (10/15).

Stages in the application process:This is a single-stage call (one submission and one evaluation phase). Applications are first checked for eligibility, then evaluated by the expert panel according to the scoring rules described above.

Geographic and legal eligibility

The scraped content does not list a definitive country-by-country eligibility table. The CIRCULOOS project is funded under Horizon Europe and the call is administered from EU channels. The FAQ and call context reference attracting supply chain actors across EU manufacturing sectors and indicate EU-focused activity. Applicants must consult the official call documentation on the F6S application page or the CIRCULOOS open calls web pages for the precise list of eligible countries (EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries are typically included for Horizon actions, but the specific eligibility for this cascade call must be checked).

Mentioned or relevant countries/regions:No individual countries are explicitly listed in the scraped text; the regional context is the European Union / Horizon Europe programme. Applicants should treat the call as EU/Horizon Europe focused and verify exact eligible countries in the official call documents.

Project maturity and expected outcomes

Expected project stage:immediate industrial implementation, demonstration and short-term scaling activities. Projects should be mature enough to implement within approximately 6 months and to integrate into existing demonstrator ecosystems or pilots. Activities include addressing technical or supply bottlenecks, adding missing link capabilities, introducing new R-strategies, and integrating CIRCULOOS digital tools to enhance sustainability impacts.

Who the call is for (detailed eligibility and fit criteria)

1. 1Manufacturing MSMEs seeking to deploy circular strategies or provide capabilities missing from current demonstrators and pilots.
2. 2Mid-Cap manufacturing companies that can provide immediate industrial implementation and scale capacity.
3. 3Technology providers and system integrators offering digital tools, platforms, or technical solutions aligned with CIRCULOOS digital toolset and supply chain orchestration.
4. 4Single legal entities only; proposals must be prepared and submitted by an individual organisation that will be directly contracted under cascade funding.

Practical application guidance and templates

Application format and templates:The scraped content indicates applications are submitted via F6S and that guidance materials are available (call guidelines and downloadable documents are referenced on the CIRCULOOS open calls page). The specific application form layout and budget templates are not included in the scraped text. Applicants should register on F6S, access the CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 listing, and download the call guidelines and templates provided there. The call web pages also reference FAQs and past Open Call guidelines which can clarify eligible costs, reporting requirements and administrative templates.

Questions, support and additional resources

1. 1Application link and primary submission channel: f6s.com ¹
2. 2Project open calls page and downloadable materials: circuloos.eu
3. 3Contact / support email for this call: circuloos-support@f6s.com

Scoring, selection and other procedural notes

Selection panel composition and scoring:Each eligible proposal is assessed by two external experts and one internal expert. Scoring is performed on three standard dimensions (Excellence, Impact, Implementation), each scored 0 to 5. Proposals must achieve at least 3/5 in each dimension and at least 10/15 overall to be considered fundable.

Success rates:The scraped content does not provide historical success rates or the expected number of awards for this Open Call. Given the total envelope of €600,000 and the single-entity focus, applicants should expect a limited number of awards. Exact award counts and typical grant sizes are not specified in the available text and must be confirmed in the call guidelines.

Common applicant questions highlighted in call materials

1. 1What is the goal of Open Call 3.2? To add missing link partners to existing demonstrators and to extend core pilots (Wood, Leather, Plastic) to unlock scale, reduce bottlenecks and enhance sustainability impact.
2. 2Can I submit multiple applications? The scraped content does not explicitly state whether an organisation may submit multiple single-entity applications; applicants should check the official call rules on F6S or in the call guidelines for any restriction on multiple submissions.
3. 3Which countries are eligible to participate? The scraped content does not list explicit eligible countries. The call is part of a Horizon Europe project and is EU-focused; applicants must consult the call documentation on F6S for the definitive list of eligible countries.
4. 4Am I required to use specific CIRCULOOS software or tools? The call encourages adoption of CIRCULOOS digital tools to improve sustainability impact, but the scraped content does not mandate exclusive use of specific software. Applicants should consult the call guidelines for details on technical integration requirements.
5. 5What qualifies as a "Missing Link" for Track A? The term refers to partners that provide capabilities absent in existing demonstrators that are necessary to achieve implementation, scale or to resolve technical/supply bottlenecks. Exact definitions and examples may be provided in the call documentation and FAQs.
6. 6Are there informational sessions where I can learn more? The CIRCULOOS open calls pages reference webinars for earlier open calls and FAQs; applicants should check the open calls web page for recordings and announcements of informational sessions.

Recommended next steps for applicants

1) Review the full call guidelines and downloadable templates on the F6S application page and the CIRCULOOS open calls web page. 2) Confirm country eligibility, allowable costs, and co-funding provisions in the official call documents. 3) Prepare a single-entity application focused on rapid industrial implementation and clear integration into an existing demonstrator or pilot (Track A or Track B). 4) Address the three evaluation criteria (Excellence, Impact, Implementation) and ensure each section meets the minimum threshold criteria. 5) Submit via F6S before the deadline (10 June 2026, 18:00 Brussels time).

Final summary

CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 is a targeted cascade funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe-funded CIRCULOOS project. It seeks single legal entities — manufacturing MSMEs, mid-caps, and technology providers or system integrators — that can immediately implement solutions and plug critical capability gaps in existing demonstrators and sector pilots (particularly wood, leather and plastics). The call provides short-term (approx. 6 months) funding from a total envelope of €600,000. Applications are single-stage and must be submitted online via F6S. Evaluation is by a three-expert panel against Excellence, Impact and Implementation, with strict minimum scoring thresholds (3/5 per criterion and 10/15 overall). Specific details on country eligibility, co-funding, award size per beneficiary and the application template must be retrieved from the F6S application page and the CIRCULOOS open calls documentation prior to submission. Applicants should prepare concise implementation-ready proposals that explicitly show how their activity fills a missing link, resolves bottlenecks or enables scaling within the existing CIRCULOOS demonstrator and pilot ecosystems.

Footnotes

1. 1Primary application and submission portal: f6s.com. Additional call materials and FAQs are available at circuloos.eu.

This cascade funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe project CIRCULOOS (grant agreement 101092295) targets single entities to enhance existing pilots and demonstrators by integrating missing link partners. The call focuses on scaling circular manufacturing value chains in sectors like wood, leather, and plastics through immediate industrial implementation.

Overview and Objectives

The primary goal is to strengthen established CIRCULOOS ecosystems by adding new partners that resolve technical or supply bottlenecks, introduce R-strategies (e.g., repair, reuse, recycle, refurbish, repurpose), and adopt CIRCULOOS digital tools for improved sustainability. Activities include unlocking scale, optimizing material flows, and validating impacts via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The project develops agile circular supply chains using platforms like RAMP for data sharing, Digital Twins, AI, and blockchain for trust.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Strictly for single entities (no consortia) capable of immediate industrial implementation. Eligible applicants are Manufacturing MSMEs, Mid-Caps, Circular Economy Enablers (upcyclers, waste collectors, repairers), and Technology Providers/System Integrators (offering automation, AI, robotics, sorting solutions). Applicants must join via one of two tracks and align with European manufacturing sectors.

Tracks

• Track A: OC2 Enhance - Add new partners to one of the 15 previously funded Open Call 2 Demonstrators to resolve implementation gaps and extend product lifecycles.
• Track B: Pilot Extensions - Strengthen core Wood, Leather, or Plastic pilots by introducing new R-strategies, increasing recovered material volumes, or addressing bottlenecks.

Funding Details

Total Budget:€600,000 available.

Funding per Entity:Fixed lump sum of €60,000 per selected entity.

Funding Rate:60% of eligible costs for profit-making entities (40% co-funding required); 100% for non-profit or academic organizations.

Duration:6 months.

Expected number of awards not specified, but prior calls funded up to 6-16 entities per call.

Timeline

1. 1Opening Date: 8 April 2026.
2. 2Deadline: 10 June 2026, 18:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission).
3. 3Evaluation: Initial eligibility check followed by expert panel scoring on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation (min. 3/5 per criterion, 10/15 overall).

Application Process

Submit entirely online via the F6S platform. Proposals evaluated by two external and one internal expert. Focus on integration into existing chains, use of CIRCULOOS tools (e.g., RAMP platform, GRETA LCA tool, supply chain orchestrator), measurable sustainability improvements, and data sharing.

Key Resources:Application Link: Apply Now; Project Website: CIRCULOOS Open Calls; Support: circuloos-support@f6s.com.

Requirements and Expectations

• Demonstrate role as missing link in selected track.
• Integrate and adopt CIRCULOOS digital tools for material tracking, process optimization, and LCA.
• Resolve bottlenecks, introduce new R-strategies, or develop supporting tools (digital, robotic).
• Provide quantifiable sustainability impacts (e.g., reduced waste, emissions via LCA).
• Participate in data exchange within secure platform.
• Single application per entity across calls; max €60,000 total from one open call.

Background on CIRCULOOS Project

CIRCULOOS (Circular and Dynamic Manufacturing Supply Chain Orchestration and Optimisation) is funded under HORIZON-CL4. It builds a Circular Manufacturing ecosystem for SMEs with tools for agile supply chains, environmental assessment, secure data sharing, and funding new circular teams (total open calls budget €3.6M). Pilots focus on wood, leather, plastics; prior calls formed demonstrators via RAMP matchmaking.

Official portal:EU Funding & Tenders Portal.¹

Footnotes

1. 1Data synthesized from EU Funding & Tenders Portal, F6S application page, and CIRCULOOS project website.