Overview
The COPILOT Extra Call4Travel Vouchers is a funding opportunity designed to support participation in the BIOKET 2026 event, taking place from March 17-19, 2026, in Fribourg, Switzerland. This program specifically targets bioeconomy innovators, including start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The call offers twenty travel vouchers, each valued at €500, to cover travel and accommodation expenses, totaling a funding pool of €10,000.
Eligible applicants must be located more than 300 kilometers from Fribourg, and those based in Central and Eastern Europe will receive bonus evaluation points. Applicants who have previously received funding under COPILOT’s Open Calls 1, 2, or 3 are excluded from this opportunity. To apply, candidates must have a confirmed pitch or presentation slot at the BIOKET 2026 event and can only submit one application.
The application process opens on November 18, 2025, and closes on January 17, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The procedures involve submitting a form, where the COPILOT Consortium will perform eligibility and technical checks, followed by an evaluation stage where applications are scored. Results will be announced on January 27, 2026.
Criteria for evaluation include the perceived benefits of attending the event for the applicant’s organization and the added value of the COPILOT platform, with additional points for start-ups founded in 2020 or later. Successful applicants are required to attend BIOKET 2026, provide feedback about the event, follow the COPILOT LinkedIn page, and submit a travel report within 10 working days post-event.
This funding opportunity is competitive, with an estimated success rate of below 10 to 39% depending on the number of applications received. There are no co-funding requirements, simplifying the process for applicants. Overall, this initiative aims to enhance networking and opportunities for growth in the bioeconomy sector by facilitating access to key European events.
Eligible applicants must be located more than 300 kilometers from Fribourg, and those based in Central and Eastern Europe will receive bonus evaluation points. Applicants who have previously received funding under COPILOT’s Open Calls 1, 2, or 3 are excluded from this opportunity. To apply, candidates must have a confirmed pitch or presentation slot at the BIOKET 2026 event and can only submit one application.
The application process opens on November 18, 2025, and closes on January 17, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The procedures involve submitting a form, where the COPILOT Consortium will perform eligibility and technical checks, followed by an evaluation stage where applications are scored. Results will be announced on January 27, 2026.
Criteria for evaluation include the perceived benefits of attending the event for the applicant’s organization and the added value of the COPILOT platform, with additional points for start-ups founded in 2020 or later. Successful applicants are required to attend BIOKET 2026, provide feedback about the event, follow the COPILOT LinkedIn page, and submit a travel report within 10 working days post-event.
This funding opportunity is competitive, with an estimated success rate of below 10 to 39% depending on the number of applications received. There are no co-funding requirements, simplifying the process for applicants. Overall, this initiative aims to enhance networking and opportunities for growth in the bioeconomy sector by facilitating access to key European events.
Detail
The COPILOT Extra Call4Travel Vouchers - Open call 3 - BIOKET is a funding opportunity offered within the framework of the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT project. This project co-organizes the BIOKET 2026 event, which will be held from March 17-19, 2026, at the Forum Fribourg in Switzerland. The call aims to facilitate the participation of start-ups and SMEs in this key European bioeconomy event by providing travel vouchers.
The call will grant twenty travel vouchers, each worth 500 EUR, to start-ups or SMEs that will attend and pitch or present their technologies at the BIOKET 2026 event. The travel voucher can be used to cover travel and/or accommodation expenses. The total funding available for this call is 10,000 EUR.
The opening date for applications is November 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is January 17, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage.
Eligible applicants are bioeconomy innovators, including start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs.
Additional requirements include:
Applicants that received funding under the COPILOT OC1, OC2 and OC3 Part 1&Part 2, OC3 PP cannot apply to OC3 BIOKET.
Applicants can only receive/win one voucher.
Only entities located more than 300 km from Fribourg (Switzerland) are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have a submitted and confirmed pitch/presentation slot at the BIOKET 2026 event.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
Criteria 1: Applicants must answer a set of questions associated with the proposed activity, specifically addressing: (i) the benefit of attending the BIOKET 2026 event to their organization/technology and (ii) the added value of the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT platform and project activities for their organization.
Criteria 2: Applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe will receive 1 bonus point.
Criteria 3: Applicants that represent start-ups founded at the latest in 2020 will receive 1 bonus point.
Mandatory tasks for successful applicants include:
Attending and pitching/presenting at the BIOKET 2026 event and participating in the feedback survey to evaluate the event.
Following the LinkedIn page Pilots4U powered by COPILOT and creating one post about their pitch with the support of the COPILOT funding.
Providing a travel report 10 working days after the event (Annex 5 to the sub-grant agreement Travel Report).
Submitting a payment request after successful review of the travel report and within 5 working days (Annex 6 to the sub-grant agreement Payment Request).
The application process involves the following steps:
Fill in and submit the application form.
The COPILOT Consortium will perform internal checks of the eligibility criteria of the applications from January 19, 2026, to January 21, 2026.
An evaluation board will review the received applications, scoring them based on the evaluation criteria from January 22, 2026, to January 26, 2026.
All applicants will receive an email with the approval or rejection of their application. Successful applicants will start the onboarding phase in the COPILOT Programme on January 27, 2026.
Other application requirements and considerations:
Applications must be submitted via the provided form. Any other submission method will not be accepted.
All mandatory questions must be answered, and all requested documents must be uploaded. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Applicants must agree to the application's terms and conditions.
All applications and programme communication must be in English.
Unless otherwise agreed, all documents in all phases must be submitted electronically in PDF format without printing restrictions.
Failure to submit the application by the submission deadline, regardless of cause, is not acceptable. It is recommended to apply well before the deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to get familiar with the documents that will be required in the contracting phase.
A full list of applicants containing their basic information will be created for statistical and transparency purposes and shared with the European Commission.
Only one application per applicant (legal entity or natural person) can be submitted to Open Call 3 BIOKET. In the event of multiple submissions by an applicant, only the first application received (timestamp of the system) will enter the evaluation process. Any other submitted applications involving the same applicant will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated in any case.
The project acronym is COPILOT, and the full name of the EU-funded project is "CO-creating the next generation platform of PILOT and demo infrastructures, unlocking faster innovation and EU bioeconomy growth." The grant agreement number is 101157279. The topic is HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-S-01 EU-wide network of pilot plants and testing facilities, improving SMEs and start-ups' access to scale-up.
In summary, this COPILOT Open Call provides travel vouchers for bioeconomy start-ups and SMEs to attend the BIOKET 2026 event in Switzerland. The goal is to support their participation in this important industry gathering, enabling them to pitch their technologies, network, and explore opportunities for growth. The call is specifically targeted at bioeconomy innovators located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland, with bonus points awarded to applicants from Central and Eastern Europe and those representing start-ups founded in 2020 or later. The application process is competitive, and selected applicants must fulfill certain mandatory tasks, including attending the event, providing a travel report, and engaging with the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT LinkedIn page. This initiative aims to boost the bioeconomy sector by facilitating access to key events and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
The call will grant twenty travel vouchers, each worth 500 EUR, to start-ups or SMEs that will attend and pitch or present their technologies at the BIOKET 2026 event. The travel voucher can be used to cover travel and/or accommodation expenses. The total funding available for this call is 10,000 EUR.
The opening date for applications is November 18, 2025, and the deadline for submission is January 17, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The deadline model is single-stage.
Eligible applicants are bioeconomy innovators, including start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs.
Additional requirements include:
Applicants that received funding under the COPILOT OC1, OC2 and OC3 Part 1&Part 2, OC3 PP cannot apply to OC3 BIOKET.
Applicants can only receive/win one voucher.
Only entities located more than 300 km from Fribourg (Switzerland) are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have a submitted and confirmed pitch/presentation slot at the BIOKET 2026 event.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
Criteria 1: Applicants must answer a set of questions associated with the proposed activity, specifically addressing: (i) the benefit of attending the BIOKET 2026 event to their organization/technology and (ii) the added value of the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT platform and project activities for their organization.
Criteria 2: Applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe will receive 1 bonus point.
Criteria 3: Applicants that represent start-ups founded at the latest in 2020 will receive 1 bonus point.
Mandatory tasks for successful applicants include:
Attending and pitching/presenting at the BIOKET 2026 event and participating in the feedback survey to evaluate the event.
Following the LinkedIn page Pilots4U powered by COPILOT and creating one post about their pitch with the support of the COPILOT funding.
Providing a travel report 10 working days after the event (Annex 5 to the sub-grant agreement Travel Report).
Submitting a payment request after successful review of the travel report and within 5 working days (Annex 6 to the sub-grant agreement Payment Request).
The application process involves the following steps:
Fill in and submit the application form.
The COPILOT Consortium will perform internal checks of the eligibility criteria of the applications from January 19, 2026, to January 21, 2026.
An evaluation board will review the received applications, scoring them based on the evaluation criteria from January 22, 2026, to January 26, 2026.
All applicants will receive an email with the approval or rejection of their application. Successful applicants will start the onboarding phase in the COPILOT Programme on January 27, 2026.
Other application requirements and considerations:
Applications must be submitted via the provided form. Any other submission method will not be accepted.
All mandatory questions must be answered, and all requested documents must be uploaded. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Applicants must agree to the application's terms and conditions.
All applications and programme communication must be in English.
Unless otherwise agreed, all documents in all phases must be submitted electronically in PDF format without printing restrictions.
Failure to submit the application by the submission deadline, regardless of cause, is not acceptable. It is recommended to apply well before the deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to get familiar with the documents that will be required in the contracting phase.
A full list of applicants containing their basic information will be created for statistical and transparency purposes and shared with the European Commission.
Only one application per applicant (legal entity or natural person) can be submitted to Open Call 3 BIOKET. In the event of multiple submissions by an applicant, only the first application received (timestamp of the system) will enter the evaluation process. Any other submitted applications involving the same applicant will be declared non-eligible and will not be evaluated in any case.
The project acronym is COPILOT, and the full name of the EU-funded project is "CO-creating the next generation platform of PILOT and demo infrastructures, unlocking faster innovation and EU bioeconomy growth." The grant agreement number is 101157279. The topic is HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-S-01 EU-wide network of pilot plants and testing facilities, improving SMEs and start-ups' access to scale-up.
In summary, this COPILOT Open Call provides travel vouchers for bioeconomy start-ups and SMEs to attend the BIOKET 2026 event in Switzerland. The goal is to support their participation in this important industry gathering, enabling them to pitch their technologies, network, and explore opportunities for growth. The call is specifically targeted at bioeconomy innovators located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland, with bonus points awarded to applicants from Central and Eastern Europe and those representing start-ups founded in 2020 or later. The application process is competitive, and selected applicants must fulfill certain mandatory tasks, including attending the event, providing a travel report, and engaging with the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT LinkedIn page. This initiative aims to boost the bioeconomy sector by facilitating access to key events and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
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Breakdown
Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are bioeconomy innovators, specifically start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs.
Funding Type: The funding type is a voucher, specifically a travel voucher.
Consortium Requirement: A single applicant is required.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly defined as EU or EEA, but there are some geographic limitations. Applicants must be located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland. Bonus points are awarded to applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe.
Target Sector: The target sector is bioeconomy.
Mentioned Countries: Switzerland is explicitly mentioned. Central and Eastern Europe is mentioned as a region.
Project Stage: The project stage is likely commercialization or scale-up, as the voucher supports attendance and pitching/presentation at an event.
Funding Amount: The funding amount is under €50k. Specifically, the call offers twenty travel vouchers, each worth €500, for a total of €10,000 available.
Application Type: The application type is an open call.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a travel voucher.
Application Stages: Applicants must pass through a single stage application process. The stages are: Application submission, Eligibility & Technical check, Application evaluation, and Announcement of the results.
Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated. Twenty vouchers are available. The success rate depends on the number of applications received, which is unknown. If fewer than 20 applications are received and all are eligible, the success rate could be near 100%. If many more than 20 applications are received, the success rate could be below 10%. Therefore, the success rate is other.
Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.
Summary:
This opportunity is an extra Call4-TRAVEL-VOUCHERS offered by the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT project, which is co-organizing the BIOKET 2026 event in Fribourg, Switzerland. The call aims to facilitate access for bioeconomy start-ups and SMEs to this key European bioeconomy event. Twenty travel vouchers, each worth €500, will be granted to eligible applicants to cover travel and/or accommodation costs for attending and pitching/presenting their technologies at BIOKET 2026.
Eligible applicants are bioeconomy innovators, including start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs, that are located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland. Applicants who have already received funding under COPILOT OC1, OC2, OC3 Part 1&Part 2, or OC3 PP are not eligible. Applicants must have a submitted and confirmed pitch/presentation slot at BIOKET 2026. Only one voucher can be awarded per entity.
The application process involves submitting an application form. The COPILOT Consortium will perform eligibility and technical checks. An evaluation board will review and score the applications based on criteria including the benefit of attending BIOKET 2026 and the added value of the Pilots4U/COPILOT platform. Bonus points are awarded to applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe and to start-ups founded no earlier than 2020.
Successful applicants must attend and pitch/present at BIOKET 2026, participate in a feedback survey, follow the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT LinkedIn page, and create one post about their pitch with the support of COPILOT funding. A travel report must be provided within 10 working days after the event. Payment will be processed after successful review of the travel report.
The call opens on 18 November 2025 and closes on 17 January 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Applications must be submitted via the provided online form in English.
Funding Type: The funding type is a voucher, specifically a travel voucher.
Consortium Requirement: A single applicant is required.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly defined as EU or EEA, but there are some geographic limitations. Applicants must be located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland. Bonus points are awarded to applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe.
Target Sector: The target sector is bioeconomy.
Mentioned Countries: Switzerland is explicitly mentioned. Central and Eastern Europe is mentioned as a region.
Project Stage: The project stage is likely commercialization or scale-up, as the voucher supports attendance and pitching/presentation at an event.
Funding Amount: The funding amount is under €50k. Specifically, the call offers twenty travel vouchers, each worth €500, for a total of €10,000 available.
Application Type: The application type is an open call.
Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a travel voucher.
Application Stages: Applicants must pass through a single stage application process. The stages are: Application submission, Eligibility & Technical check, Application evaluation, and Announcement of the results.
Success Rates: The success rate can be estimated. Twenty vouchers are available. The success rate depends on the number of applications received, which is unknown. If fewer than 20 applications are received and all are eligible, the success rate could be near 100%. If many more than 20 applications are received, the success rate could be below 10%. Therefore, the success rate is other.
Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement.
Summary:
This opportunity is an extra Call4-TRAVEL-VOUCHERS offered by the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT project, which is co-organizing the BIOKET 2026 event in Fribourg, Switzerland. The call aims to facilitate access for bioeconomy start-ups and SMEs to this key European bioeconomy event. Twenty travel vouchers, each worth €500, will be granted to eligible applicants to cover travel and/or accommodation costs for attending and pitching/presenting their technologies at BIOKET 2026.
Eligible applicants are bioeconomy innovators, including start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs, that are located more than 300 km from Fribourg, Switzerland. Applicants who have already received funding under COPILOT OC1, OC2, OC3 Part 1&Part 2, or OC3 PP are not eligible. Applicants must have a submitted and confirmed pitch/presentation slot at BIOKET 2026. Only one voucher can be awarded per entity.
The application process involves submitting an application form. The COPILOT Consortium will perform eligibility and technical checks. An evaluation board will review and score the applications based on criteria including the benefit of attending BIOKET 2026 and the added value of the Pilots4U/COPILOT platform. Bonus points are awarded to applicants based in Central and Eastern Europe and to start-ups founded no earlier than 2020.
Successful applicants must attend and pitch/present at BIOKET 2026, participate in a feedback survey, follow the Pilots4U powered by COPILOT LinkedIn page, and create one post about their pitch with the support of COPILOT funding. A travel report must be provided within 10 working days after the event. Payment will be processed after successful review of the travel report.
The call opens on 18 November 2025 and closes on 17 January 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Applications must be submitted via the provided online form in English.
Short Summary
Impact This funding aims to facilitate the participation of bioeconomy innovators in the BIOKET 2026 event, enabling them to pitch their technologies and network with industry stakeholders. | Impact | This funding aims to facilitate the participation of bioeconomy innovators in the BIOKET 2026 event, enabling them to pitch their technologies and network with industry stakeholders. |
Applicant Applicants should possess skills in bioeconomy innovation, technology presentation, and networking, specifically targeting start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs. | Applicant | Applicants should possess skills in bioeconomy innovation, technology presentation, and networking, specifically targeting start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs. |
Developments The funding will support travel and accommodation for participants attending the BIOKET 2026 event in Fribourg, Switzerland. | Developments | The funding will support travel and accommodation for participants attending the BIOKET 2026 event in Fribourg, Switzerland. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for bioeconomy innovators, specifically start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for bioeconomy innovators, specifically start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups, and SMEs. |
Consortium This funding is designed for single applicants only, with only one application allowed per applicant. | Consortium | This funding is designed for single applicants only, with only one application allowed per applicant. |
Funding Amount The funding amount is €500 per voucher, with a total of 20 vouchers available, amounting to €10,000. | Funding Amount | The funding amount is €500 per voucher, with a total of 20 vouchers available, amounting to €10,000. |
Countries Switzerland is explicitly relevant due to the event location, and applicants from Central and Eastern Europe are encouraged through bonus evaluation points. | Countries | Switzerland is explicitly relevant due to the event location, and applicants from Central and Eastern Europe are encouraged through bonus evaluation points. |
Industry The funding targets the bioeconomy sector, specifically supporting participation in the BIOKET 2026 event. | Industry | The funding targets the bioeconomy sector, specifically supporting participation in the BIOKET 2026 event. |
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