Overview
HORIZON-JU is a Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking Research and Innovation Action funding opportunity to develop breakthrough bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass and bio-based textile waste, with an indicative topic budget of approximately €6.5 million and a total CBE JU 2026 call budget of €170.7 million. Proposals must demonstrate improved technical performance and compatibility with existing textile manufacturing, design for sustainable end-of-life, prevention of microplastic release, and testing against existing standards. The call requires a multi-actor consortium (typically at least three independent legal entities established in different countries), application of the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, and adherence to Horizon Europe eligibility and evaluation rules. Submission is via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal in a single-stage process, opening 23 April 2026 and closing 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET.
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Highlights
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Essential facts
Programme:Horizon Europe (CBE JU call HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026). Type of action: Research and Innovation Actions (RIA). Single-stage call; submission opens 23 April 2026 and deadline 22 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.
What it funds:RIAs developing breakthrough processes and fibres from sustainably sourced biomass (including bio-based textile waste), covering natural, semi-synthetic and bio-based man-made fibres; must demonstrate compatibility with existing textile manufacturing, improved technical performance against benchmarks, design for sustainable end-of-life and measures to prevent microplastic release 1.
- 1Eligible applicants: transnational consortia of research organisations, industry (including textile manufacturers), SMEs, and other legal entities from countries eligible under Horizon Europe.
- 2Required approach: multi-actor involvement across the value chain and application of the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.
- 3Expected outcomes: scalable production routes, market-ready fibre prototypes meeting technical standards, enhanced circularity and reduced microplastic release.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Topic identifier | HORIZON-JU |
| Indicative contribution for this topic | Around €6.5 million (topic-level) |
| Total CBE JU call budget (2026) | €170,760,699 (all topics combined) |
| Type of grant | HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] |
Proposals must follow Horizon Europe admissibility, eligibility and evaluation rules (page limits, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity). Consult the call-specific documents and the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 for full conditions and submission instructions.
Footnotes
- 1See CBE JU topic text and background report: Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy JRC Publication and CBE JU reference documents CBE JU Call documents.
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Breakdown
Opportunity summary and strategic context
This is a single-stage Call for Proposals published under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) within Horizon Europe. The topic identifier is HORIZON-JU and the type of action is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA). Opening date: 23 April 2026. Deadline: 22 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. The call contributes to the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal and the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation, with indirect contribution to the Horizon Europe Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 (Objective 2: prevent and eliminate pollution of oceans, seas and waters).
Expected outcomes and technical scope
Expected outcomes:wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements; scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres; enhanced circularity and prevention of microplastics release compared to benchmarks. Scope: development of breakthrough processes to produce bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock; bio-based textile waste is explicitly eligible as feedstock. In scope are bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres. Proposals must ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment, improve technical performance against state-of-the-art benchmarks (examples: tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability, durability) and test properties using existing standards/methods. Proposals must design fibres for sustainable end-of-life, assess feasibility of end-of-life options and prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances across the product lifecycle.
Reference evidence and background:The topic rationale cites a 2025 JRC report showing fossil-based synthetic textile fibres reached 67% of the global market in 2023 and highlights limitations of cotton and opportunities for other natural and man-made cellulosic fibres1.
Eligibility and applicant requirements
Eligible participating organisations and detailed eligibility rules follow Horizon Europe general annexes and CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026. Applicants must consult Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes for eligible countries and other eligibility specifics. Financial and operational capacity, exclusion and related checks are applied as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific topic requirements include multi-actor approach (MAA) obligations and application of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for the assessment of targeted textile fibres.
Eligible Applicant Types
This Horizon Europe RIA topic accepts the standard range of Horizon participants:universities and higher education institutions; public research organisations; research institutes; SMEs and large enterprises (industry); startups and scaleups; non-profit organisations; NGOs; public bodies and authorities; and other legal entities established in eligible countries. The call text explicitly expects involvement of textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers as part of the multi-actor approach.
Funding Type
Primary financial mechanism:grant (Horizon Action Grant, budget-based, Model Grant Agreement type HORIZON-AG). This topic is funded under CBE JU contributions to Horizon Europe RIAs.
Consortium Requirement
Consortium expected. As a Horizon RIA under CBE JU, proposals typically require at least multiple participants from eligible countries; the topic text also mandates a multi-actor approach involving value chain actors (textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users/consumers). Applicants must consult Annex B and section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 for precise minimum participation rules and any exceptions.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)
Primary geographic eligibility:EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries as defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Some non-associated third countries may be eligible under specific provisions or national co-financing arrangements; applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the Work Programme General Annexes for country-specific funding eligibility.
Target Sector
Thematic sectors targeted:textiles and fashion manufacturing, bio-based materials, chemical and materials engineering, industrial biotechnology, sustainable and circular manufacturing, advanced materials (cellulosic fibres, bio-based polymers), environment and climate (microplastics reduction), and product design for circularity. Cross-cutting: standardisation and regulatory alignment (Ecodesign, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability) and SSbD implementation.
Mentioned Countries
No single country list is provided in the topic text. The opportunity references EU-level policies and EU/JRC publications; therefore the applicable region is the EU and Horizon Europe associated countries. No individual Member State is singled out in the topic description. For country eligibility details see Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Project Stage (expected maturity)
Expected project maturity:research and development focused on technology development, integration, testing, demonstration and validation on laboratory or small-scale prototype level. As an RIA, the emphasis is on establishing new knowledge and demonstrating feasibility rather than full market deployment. Proposals should demonstrate a path to scalability and market compatibility with existing textile manufacturing equipment.
Funding Amount and Budget
Topic-level indicative contribution available for this RIA:approximately €6,500,000 (Breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres is listed with an indicative budget of around €6.5 million for 2026). The overall CBE JU 2026 call budget across topics is €170,760,699. Individual grant sizes in the broader call range from around €3.25 million to €20 million for other topics; applicants should treat €6.5 million as the indicative contribution for this RIA and plan budgets accordingly.
Application Type and Submission
Application method:open call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Submission is electronic via the Portal's Submission System. Deadline model: single-stage. Start submission by selecting the HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions entry point and the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG) model in the Portal. Applicants must use the application form available in the Submission System.
Nature of Support
Beneficiaries will receive financial support in the form of grant funding. In addition to monetary support, successful projects gain access to non-monetary services and resources typical of Horizon projects: technical and policy networks, access to CBE JU stakeholder communities, visibility and exploitation support, and guidance on SSbD and standardisation. The grant is budget-based under the Horizon MGA with eligible costs reimbursement rules.
Application Stages and Evaluation Process
Number of application stages:1 (single-stage submission). Evaluation proceeds according to Horizon Europe general annexes: admissibility checks, eligibility checks, and expert evaluation against award criteria (excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of implementation). Score thresholds and weighting follow Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes and the standard HE evaluation form for RIAs. Indicative evaluation timeline and grant agreement conclusion follow Annex F; applicants should consult the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual for exact schedules.
Success Rates
Specific success rates for this topic are not published. Historically, Horizon Europe and CBE JU competitive RIAs have variable success rates depending on topic demand; applicants should assume moderate to low success rates for well-funded topics and prepare high-quality proposals. No explicit numerical success-rate guarantee is available in the call documentation.
Co-funding Requirement
Co-funding:standard Horizon Europe rules apply. For Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) under Horizon the typical EU funding rate is up to 100% of eligible direct costs for non-profit public bodies, secondary and higher education establishments, research organisations and SMEs, and up to 70% for other entities (for profit entities). Applicants must consult the Model Grant Agreement and General Annexes for precise funding rates and eligible cost rules. The CBE JU call documents note that participants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity per Annex C.
Mandatory Technical and Administrative Requirements
- 1Adhere to proposal page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the application form in the Submission System.
- 2Comply with eligible country rules referenced in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes; check national eligibility for non-associated third countries.
- 3Include a Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) with adequate involvement of value chain actors: textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers.
- 4Include a specific task to apply the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework to the targeted textile fibres and document the assessment process and results.
- 5Demonstrate complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects (Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and Cluster 4, 'Textiles of the Future' partnership, BBI JU/CBE JU projects).
- 6Test fibre properties according to existing standards/methods and demonstrate compatibility with end-product requirements and existing textile manufacturing equipment.
- 7Address end-of-life design and feasibility assessment for the chosen end-of-life routes and provide evidence that microplastic release and harmful substance release are prevented or reduced along the life cycle.
- 8Provide required administrative documents and complete legal entity validation, LEAR appointment and financial capacity checks as per the Funding & Tenders Portal guidance.
Templates and Application Form Structure
Applicants must use the application form provided in the Submission System. The call refers to standard Horizon application and evaluation templates: Part A (administrative forms), Part B (scientific/technical description) and any call-specific annexes. The submission system contains the up-to-date templates and Part B instructions; applicants should not upload alternative templates. The RIA application form typically includes the following sections and suggested structure.
| Application Form Section | Content and guidance |
|---|---|
| Part A — Administrative data | Participant identification, contact details, legal entity validation, budget summary, ethics and security declarations. |
| Part B — Excellence | Objectives, relation to call topic and expected outcomes, state-of-the-art analysis, novelty and ambitiousness, SSbD application task description, complementarities with past projects. |
| Part B — Impact | Expected impacts listed in topic text, scalability and market uptake plan, contribution to EU policies (Bioeconomy Strategy, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Ecodesign), exploitation and dissemination measures, pathways to reduce microplastics and enable circularity. |
| Part B — Implementation | Work packages and deliverables, multi-actor engagement plan, tasks to ensure compatibility with existing textile equipment, testing and standards, pilot or lab validation activities, management and consortium description, risk management, resources and facilities. |
| Annexes | Ethics self-assessment (if applicable), letters of support or intent from industry partners and value chain actors, data management plan, additional technical annexes such as business plan annex only for IA-Flagship (not applicable for RIA). |
Practical tips:include clear description of feedstock sourcing (sustainability credentials), analytical testing methods and standards references, measurable KPIs for microplastic release reduction and circularity, and clear evidence of compatibility with industrial spinning and textile processing equipment. Provide letters of commitment from textile manufacturers or spinning mills where possible to demonstrate market relevance.
Evaluation and Award Criteria
Evaluation will apply the standard Horizon Europe RIA award criteria and scoring thresholds described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes and the standard HE evaluation form. Criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation. Thresholds and weighting are applied per the evaluation templates; applicants should consult Annex D and the evaluation form for details.
Administrative and reference documents
- 1CBE JU Annual Work Programme and Budget 2026 (section 2.2.3.1 Calls for proposals).
- 2Horizon Europe Main Work Programme 2026-2027 and General Annexes (including Annexes A to G referenced in the topic text).
- 3Horizon Europe Programme Guide and Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.
- 4Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG) and Annotated Model Grant Agreement documents.
- 5SSbD Framework and Methodological Guidance published by the European Commission and JRC (Safe and sustainable by design).
- 6JRC publication: Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy (JRC140676, 2025) referenced in the topic text1.
Support services and contact points:Funding & Tenders Portal Helpdesk (IT support), National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon Europe, Enterprise Europe Network, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks, and CBE JU helpdesk (info[at]cbe.europa.eu) for call-specific queries. Partner search functionality is available in the Portal for consortium building.
Budget overview for the 2026 CBE JU call
| Topic identifier | Indicative contribution (EUR) |
|---|---|
| HORIZON-JU (Breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres) | around €6,500,000 |
| CBE JU total indicative budget (2026 call) | €170,760,699 |
Summary — what this opportunity is about and how to approach it
This CBE JU Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action funds ambitious R&D projects that develop novel bio-based textile fibres produced from sustainably sourced biomass or bio-based textile waste, or that innovate extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres to meet market technical requirements. Proposals must demonstrate laboratory/small-scale validation of processes, compatibility with existing textile manufacturing equipment, improved fibre technical properties benchmarked against state-of-the-art, and design for circular end-of-life while preventing microplastics and harmful substance release across the value chain. The call strongly requires engagement of value chain actors through a multi-actor approach and mandates application of the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. Budget for the topic is approximately €6.5 million; submission is via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the standard Horizon application templates in a single-stage process. Applicants should follow Horizon and CBE JU general annexes for eligibility, evaluation and grant rules, include clear testing standards and KPIs, provide evidence of feedstock sustainability and industry relevance, and reference complementarities with past EU-funded projects. Consult the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, the Horizon Programme Guide and the SSbD Methodological Guidance when preparing the proposal.
Key immediate actions for applicants:verify country eligibility and participant validation on the Funding & Tenders Portal, assemble a multi-actor consortium including textile manufacturers or spinning mills, plan work packages that include SSbD assessment, standards-based testing and end-of-life feasibility studies, prepare letters of support from industrial partners, and use the Portal submission templates and the Online Manual to meet page limits and formal requirements.
Useful links:Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and submission entry, CBE JU reference documents page, JRC report on bio-based textiles, and the Commission SSbD guidance available via the Commission research pages.
Proposal authors must ensure full compliance with Horizon Europe legal and financial rules, complete required checks (legal entity validation, LEAR appointment, financial capacity assessments where applicable) and include required annexes and ethics declarations in the submission. The Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and NCPs are recommended resources for practical submission support.
Deadline reminder:single-stage proposals must be submitted by 22 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
This summary references the original topic description and supporting documents available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and CBE JU reference pages. For exact legal and procedural requirements consult the Annual Work Programme 2026 and the Horizon Europe General Annexes.
Footnote marker for reference to the JRC publication and SSbD sources:1
Footnotes
- 1References: HARMSEN P., SKRIFVARS M. and MAGNOLFI V., Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, European Commission, JRC140676, 2025. Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework and Methodological Guidance available from the European Commission JRC and research pages: Safe and sustainable by design and CBE JU reference documents: CBE JU reference documents.
Short Summary
Impact Develop scalable, market-ready bio-based textile fibres from sustainable biomass (including textile waste) that meet technical performance benchmarks, enable circular end-of-life routes and demonstrably reduce microplastic and harmful substance release across the product lifecycle. | Impact | Develop scalable, market-ready bio-based textile fibres from sustainable biomass (including textile waste) that meet technical performance benchmarks, enable circular end-of-life routes and demonstrably reduce microplastic and harmful substance release across the product lifecycle. |
Applicant Teams with expertise in materials science and polymer/textile engineering, industrial biotechnology and feedstock sourcing, standardised testing and characterisation, product design for circularity and SSbD assessment, plus experience with industrial-scale textile manufacturing and commercialization pathways. | Applicant | Teams with expertise in materials science and polymer/textile engineering, industrial biotechnology and feedstock sourcing, standardised testing and characterisation, product design for circularity and SSbD assessment, plus experience with industrial-scale textile manufacturing and commercialization pathways. |
Developments Breakthrough processes for producing bio-based man-made (synthetic/semi-synthetic) and modified natural fibres from sustainably sourced biomass or bio-based textile waste, validated at lab/small-scale prototype level, compatible with existing textile manufacturing and designed for sustainable end-of-life under the SSbD framework. | Developments | Breakthrough processes for producing bio-based man-made (synthetic/semi-synthetic) and modified natural fibres from sustainably sourced biomass or bio-based textile waste, validated at lab/small-scale prototype level, compatible with existing textile manufacturing and designed for sustainable end-of-life under the SSbD framework. |
Applicant Type Researchers, profit SMEs/startups, large corporations, NGOs/non-profits and government organisations are the relevant applicant types. | Applicant Type | Researchers, profit SMEs/startups, large corporations, NGOs/non-profits and government organisations are the relevant applicant types. |
Consortium Designed for transnational consortia:collaborative proposals must include multiple independent legal entities (minimum three) from different countries and demonstrate a multi-actor value-chain engagement (textile manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users/consumers). | Consortium | Designed for transnational consortia:collaborative proposals must include multiple independent legal entities (minimum three) from different countries and demonstrate a multi-actor value-chain engagement (textile manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users/consumers). |
Funding Amount Indicative topic-level contribution is approximately €6,500,000 (grant funding, HORIZON Action Grant budget-based model). | Funding Amount | Indicative topic-level contribution is approximately €6,500,000 (grant funding, HORIZON Action Grant budget-based model). |
Countries Open to organisations established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with some non-associated third-country participation possible only under specific provisions or national co-financing arrangements. | Countries | Open to organisations established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with some non-associated third-country participation possible only under specific provisions or national co-financing arrangements. |
Industry Circular bio-based economy targeting sustainable and circular textiles (bio-based materials and textile manufacturing; aligned with EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles). | Industry | Circular bio-based economy targeting sustainable and circular textiles (bio-based materials and textile manufacturing; aligned with EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles). |
Additional Web Data
Opportunity Overview
This is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) call under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) 2026 funding programme. The opportunity focuses on developing innovative breakthrough processes to create bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock, addressing the global dominance of fossil-based synthetic fibres which represent 67 percent of the global textile market as of 2023. The call is part of a broader €170.7 million funding initiative across 13 thematic areas within the bioeconomy sector.
Call Identification and Timeline
Call Identifier:HORIZON-JU
Opening Date:23 April 2026
Submission Deadline:22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time)
Submission Model:Single-stage submission process
Funding Details
Budget Allocation:Approximately €6.5 million for this specific topic
Total Call Budget:€170.7 million across all 13 topics in the HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026 call
Funding Rate for Universities:100 percent funding available for universities participating in RIA actions. A minimal amount of in-kind contribution to operational activities (IKOP) from Bio-based Industries Consortium members is expected.
Scope and Research Focus
The call addresses critical challenges in the global textile industry where fossil-based synthetic fibres dominate the market. While cotton is the second most produced fibre globally, the European Union holds only approximately 2 percent of global cotton production and is expected to remain a net importer. The opportunity seeks to develop novel sustainable sources of natural fibres and improve man-made bio-based fibres to meet market requirements and technical performance standards.
Eligible feedstock includes sustainably sourced biomass and bio-based textile waste. Proposals may focus on bio-based man-made synthetic and semi-synthetic fibres, or on the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres such as flax, hemp, and wool.
Key Project Requirements
- Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock, with bio-based textile waste eligible as feedstock
- Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration and industrial adoption
- Design bio-based fibres to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks including tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity and plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability
- Test fibre properties according to existing standards and methods to assess compatibility with end-product requirements
- Design bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end-of-life options and assess the actual feasibility of targeted end-of-life scenarios
- Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the entire product life cycle
- Ensure adequate involvement of all key value chain actors including textile manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and consumers as part of the multi-actor approach
- Apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework developed by the European Commission for assessment of targeted textile fibres
- Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects addressing similar challenges, including Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects under Cluster 6 and Cluster 4, and projects funded by BBI JU or CBE JU
Expected Outcomes and Policy Alignment
Successful projects are expected to contribute to multiple EU policy frameworks including the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation. Projects will also provide indirect contributions to the Horizon Europe Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030', particularly regarding the prevention and elimination of pollution in oceans, seas and waters.
Specific expected outcomes include wider availability of natural and man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements, scalable production processes for novel man-made and modified natural fibres, and enhanced circularity with prevention of microplastics release compared to current benchmarks.
Eligibility and Consortium Requirements
Standard Horizon Europe eligibility conditions apply. For collaborative projects, consortia must be composed of at least three legal entities that are independent from each other and each established in a different country. Eligible participants include universities, research organisations, public entities, private companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and international organisations.
The call is open to participants from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and a number of non-EU and non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding availability in Horizon Europe projects. Detailed eligibility information is provided in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Type of Action and Grant Agreement
Action Type:Research and Innovation Action (RIA) - establishes new knowledge or explores the feasibility of new or improved technologies, products, processes, services or solutions. May include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing, demonstration and validation on small-scale prototypes in laboratory or simulated environments.
Grant Agreement Model:HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG)
Application Process and Support
Proposals must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal electronic submission system. The application form and all required templates are available in the submission system. Applicants should note that proposal page limits and layout requirements are described in Part B of the Application Form and in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Pre-call support activities have been scheduled to assist applicants. The CBE JU networking platform enables participants to find partners and form consortia ahead of the call. Applicants from eligible countries can use the pre-check proposal service offered by the NCP_WIDERA.NET project for professional proposal review.
Evaluation and Award Criteria
Evaluation will follow standard Horizon Europe procedures for RIA actions. Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. The submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the General Annexes and the Online Manual. An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement conclusion is also provided in Annex F.
Funding Organisation and Partnership Structure
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion public-private partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) operating under Horizon Europe for the 2021-2031 period. CBE JU is the legal and universal successor to the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), which since 2014 has invested over €3.7 billion in more than 160 projects. The partnership has demonstrated strong return on investment, with each euro of public money generating €3.52 of private investment.
Strategic Context and Market Opportunity
The global textile industry faces significant sustainability challenges. Fossil-based synthetic fibre production has grown substantially, reaching 67 percent of the global market in 2023. The European Union's limited share of global cotton production and expected continued net importer status creates strategic opportunities for developing alternative bio-based fibre sources. Novel sustainable natural fibres require improvements in production steps including retting and degumming, spinning, modification and treatment. Man-made bio-based fibres, including polylactic acid (PLA) and other synthetic bio-based polyesters, are increasing market share but require enhanced technical performance to meet end-product requirements.
Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework
Proposals must include a task to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, a voluntary European Commission assessment framework revised in March 2026. The SSbD framework guides innovation towards chemicals and materials that are safer and more sustainable over their entire life cycles. The framework promotes systematic application of safety and sustainability considerations during the design, development, production and uptake stages. The Joint Research Centre has published Methodological Guidance with practical suggestions for framework application, with an updated version expected in April 2026. The Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) is developing a toolbox providing an overview of existing tools for each framework step.
Reference Documents and Additional Resources
Applicants should consult the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 for complete topic text, conditions and requirements. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide provides detailed guidance on funding structure, budget and political priorities. The Horizon Online Manual offers comprehensive information on application procedures from proposal submission to grant management. The CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for 2022-2030 identifies main technological and innovation challenges in the circular bio-based economy and provides the agreed framework for funding projects.
Key reference documents include the EU Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695, the Horizon Europe Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, and the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509. The Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment provide guidance on participant eligibility verification. The EU Grants Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AGA) provides detailed explanations of grant agreement provisions.
Support and Contact Information
Applicants can obtain guidance and support through multiple channels. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance, practical information and assistance on Horizon Europe participation. The Enterprise Europe Network offers advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The IT Helpdesk addresses technical questions regarding the Funding and Tenders Portal. The European IPR Helpdesk provides assistance on intellectual property issues. The CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardisation matters. The Research Enquiry Service answers questions about European research and EU Research Framework Programmes. For CBE JU-specific questions, applicants should contact info[at]cbe.europa.eu.
Key Considerations for Applicants
- Consortium formation is mandatory with minimum three independent legal entities from different countries
- Multi-actor approach engagement is required, involving textile manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and consumers
- Technical performance improvements must be demonstrated against state-of-the-art benchmarks using existing standards and testing methods
- Microplastics prevention and sustainable end-of-life design are critical evaluation factors
- Complementarity with existing Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe and BBI JU/CBE JU projects must be clearly demonstrated
- SSbD framework application is mandatory and must be integrated into project design
- Market penetration feasibility through compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes is essential
- Universities receive 100 percent funding for RIA actions, while other entity types follow standard Horizon Europe funding rates
- In-kind contributions from Bio-based Industries Consortium members are expected
- Single-stage submission process means no resubmission opportunity after initial evaluation
Footnotes
- 1The CBE JU 2026 call budget of €170.7 million is distributed across 13 topics including 4 Innovation Action Flagships at €20 million each, 5 Innovation Actions at €14 million each, 3 Research and Innovation Actions at €6.5 million each, and 1 Coordination and Support Action at €1.2 million. The total represents part of the €976.5 million indicative operational budget planned across six calls during the CBE JU partnership lifetime (2021-2031).
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SSbD bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-02 is a Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking flagship Innovation Action opened 23 April 2026 with a single-stage submission deadline of 22 September 2026 17:00 CET and an indicative topic envelope of aro...
Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech
Flagship innovation action HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-01 (Circular Bio-based Europe JU) to deploy first-of-a-kind industrial-scale biorefineries where biotechnology is the key enabling technology. Indicative budget EUR 20 million; single...
Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-CSA-01 is a Coordination and Support Action under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking funding stakeholder consultation, barrier analysis, case studies, a multi-stakeholder forum and sectoral and cross-sect...
Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IA-03 is a Horizon Europe Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking Innovation Action to demonstrate innovative technologies converting woody residues into higher-value bio-based chemicals and materials. The topic h...
Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-01 is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking seeking scalable separation and purification technologies for industrial biorefineries. The topic has an...
Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy
HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-IAFlag-04 is a Horizon Europe Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking flagship Innovation Action funding industrial-scale biorefinery demonstrations to produce nutritional food ingredients (proteins, lipids, speci...