Competitiveness, energy security and integration aspects of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin value chains

This EU funding opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically addressing the enhancement of European energy security and industrial competitiveness through advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin. It aims to tackle challenges that affect the security of supply and competitiveness of these technologies across their value chains. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and public-private partnerships, primarily from EU member states and associated countries. The funding type is a grant, specifically a Horizon Lump Sum Grant, designed to provide lump sum financial support without requiring co-funding.

The application process is a single-stage open call, with a submission deadline of February 17, 2026. Projects should address energy security and industrial competitiveness through detailed analysis, scenario development, and macroeconomic modeling. They can target technologies under development or those closer to commercialization, contributing towards the EU 2030 targets.

The expected outcomes include improved knowledge of value chains for advanced biofuels, increased reliability and robustness of renewable fuel technologies, and sustainable development benefits across multiple stakeholders. The call encourages a cooperative approach involving farmers, CO2 suppliers, technology developers, and policymakers to create integrated solutions in renewable fuel development.

Funding amounts vary, with specific grants for HORIZON-RIA and HORIZON-IA actions, generally ranging between €4 million to €10 million, depending on the specific topic. Funds are allocated with various projects in the pipeline, ensuring a robust opportunity for stakeholders aiming to innovate within the energy sector.

The call aligns with broader EU goals related to climate change, energy independence, and the transition to sustainable industries, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in tackling the multidisciplinary issues surrounding advanced biofuels and renewable energy technologies.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on enhancing European energy security and industrial competitiveness through advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). The core objective is to address the challenges that impact the security of supply, competitiveness, and value chain integration of these technologies.

The expected outcomes of funded projects are:

Improved energy security and industrial competitiveness of renewable fuel technologies, benefiting energy consumers.

Enhanced reliability, robustness, and security of renewable fuel technologies for energy producers and consumers.

Increased knowledge and understanding among diverse stakeholders (policy makers, public authorities, citizens, researchers, and industry) regarding integrated value chains for advanced biofuels and RFNBOs.

Generation of multiple benefits for multi-stakeholders (policy makers, technology developers, researchers, industry) by promoting sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, climate change resilience, regenerative practices, renewable fuel innovation, and maximized carbon removals.

The scope of the projects includes:

Assessing the energy security and industrial competitiveness aspects of value chains for advanced biofuels and RFNBOs, considering the EU's current situation in relation to global energy security and industrial competitiveness.

Evaluating the potential contribution of these technologies to the EU's energy security and industrial competitiveness through detailed value chain analysis, future scenarios, macroeconomic modelling, and strategic decision-making methods.

Addressing value chains closer to commercialization that can contribute to the EU 2030 targets, as well as value chains for technologies under development with long-term potential, and adopting appropriate mitigation measures.

Identifying research and innovation actions needed to improve energy security and industrial competitiveness, implementing research activities for optimization, and defining new standards for advanced biofuels and RFNBOs.

Addressing competitiveness, energy security, and integration challenges at various steps in the value chain and among relevant stakeholders.

Coordinating efforts towards developing win-win integrated solutions for sustainable value chains of advanced biofuels and RFNBOs, engaging stakeholders such as farmers, CO2 suppliers, technology providers, researchers, fuel producers, end users, policy makers, and international organizations.

Considering multidisciplinary issues related to production, carbon removals, CO2 trading and valorization, sustainable farming, production of nature-based soil amendments, fertilizers, organic materials, fuel standardization, and trade-offs/synergies of carbon farming and land uses.

Value chains of renewable hydrogen as an end-product are explicitly excluded from the scope.

A sustainability assessment of integrated solutions, including techno-economic, environmental, and social aspects, based on life cycle analysis is required.

General conditions for participation include:

Admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, as detailed in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.

Eligibility of 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 setup of the grants, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Specific conditions are detailed in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms, as well as the model grant agreement (MGA), are available in the Submission System. Standard application forms (HE RIA, IA) and evaluation forms will be used with necessary adaptations.

Additional guidance and documents include:

HE Programme Guide

Lump Sum MGA

Detailed budget table (HE LS)

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

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility

HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. 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 budget overview for the year 2025 includes several topics with varying funding amounts and indicative numbers of grants:

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 33,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 8,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-05 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-10 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 24,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-12 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 8,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-13 - HORIZON-PCP HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement: 20,000,000 EUR, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-14 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: 6,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-18 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 18,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-19 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 16,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-20 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 20,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-22 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 18,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-24 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 18,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 12,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-04 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: 12,000,000 EUR, around 3 grants

HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-06 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: 15,000,000 EUR, around 2 grants

The opening date for submissions is planned for 16 September 2025, and the deadline for submission is 17 February 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

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

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the EU's energy independence and industrial strength by focusing on advanced biofuels and renewable fuels. It seeks to fund projects that can thoroughly analyze and improve the entire value chain of these fuels, from production to consumption, ensuring they are competitive, secure, and sustainable. The program encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including researchers, industry players, and policymakers, to foster innovation and address the multidisciplinary challenges in this field. By supporting research and innovation, the EU aims to accelerate the transition to net-zero manufacturing and enhance its position in the global energy market.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the context of Horizon Europe and the types of actions (RIA, IA, CSA, PCP), eligible applicants could include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, NGOs, public organizations, and other relevant stakeholders in the biofuels and renewable fuels sector. The call encourages the engagement of all relevant stakeholders, including farmers, CO2 suppliers, technology providers, researchers, fuel producers, end users, policy makers, and international organizations.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the Type of MGA (Model Grant Agreement) being "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]". Additionally, the budget overview mentions HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP).

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the scope mentions the need to coordinate efforts towards the development of win-win integrated solutions engaging all relevant stakeholders, suggesting that a consortium approach is favored, if not required. Partner search announcements are available.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for EU member states and associated countries, as indicated by the Horizon Europe Programme. The text also 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.

Target Sector: The program targets the energy sector, specifically focusing on advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). It also touches upon agriculture, climate, and CO2 trading and valorisation, sustainable farming, production of nature-based soil amendments, fertilizers, and organic materials, fuel standardisation, carbon farming, and renewable energy (solar panels).

Mentioned Countries: The text refers to "EU" and "non-EU/non-Associated Countries".

Project Stage: The program supports projects at various stages, from technologies under development to value chains closer to commercialization. Both value chains closer to commercialisation with the potential to contribute more to the EU 2030 targets for green transition and industrial competitiveness and value chains for technologies under development with the potential to contribute to the longer term and could duly adopt mitigation measures, are both in scope.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action. The budget overview provides a detailed breakdown:
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-01 (HORIZON-IA): €33,000,000 (around €11,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-02 (HORIZON-RIA): €8,000,000 (around €4,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-05 (HORIZON-IA): €15,000,000 (around €7,500,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-07 (HORIZON-RIA): €15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-08 (HORIZON-RIA): €15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-10 (HORIZON-IA): €24,000,000 (around €8,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-12 (HORIZON-RIA): €8,000,000 (around €4,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-13 (HORIZON-PCP): €20,000,000 (around €20,000,000 per grant, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-14 (HORIZON-CSA): €6,000,000 (around €2,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-18 (HORIZON-IA): €18,000,000 (around €9,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-19 (HORIZON-IA): €16,000,000 (around €8,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-20 (HORIZON-IA): €20,000,000 (around €10,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-22 (HORIZON-IA): €18,000,000 (around €9,000,000 per grant, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-24 (HORIZON-RIA): €18,000,000 (around €6,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-01 (HORIZON-RIA): €15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-02 (HORIZON-IA): €12,000,000 (around €4,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-03 (HORIZON-RIA): €15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-04 (HORIZON-IA): €15,000,000 (around €5,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-05 (HORIZON-RIA): €12,000,000 (around €4,000,000 per grant, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D4-06 (HORIZON-IA): €15,000,000 (around €7,500,000 per grant, 2 grants)

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive financial support in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate, which would depend on the number of applications received.

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

Summary: This Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-02) focuses on enhancing European energy security and industrial competitiveness by addressing the challenges in the value chains of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). The call aims to support projects that assess and improve the energy security, industrial competitiveness, and integration of these value chains, considering the current geopolitical and market situations. Projects should evaluate how these technologies can contribute to EU energy security and industrial competitiveness through detailed value chain analysis, scenario development, and macroeconomic modelling. The call encourages the development of win-win integrated solutions engaging various stakeholders, including farmers, CO2 suppliers, technology providers, researchers, fuel producers, end users, and policymakers. Multidisciplinary issues related to advanced biofuels and RFNBO production, carbon removals, sustainable farming, and fuel standardisation should be considered. The call provides lump sum grants to eligible entities from EU member states and associated countries, with varying funding amounts depending on the specific topic and type of action (RIA, IA, CSA, PCP). The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of February 17, 2026. The call is part of the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically under Cluster 5, and aligns with the EU's goals for climate, energy, and mobility.