Funding for SMEs and start-ups investing in innovation in the biofertilizers and biostimulants sector - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS project offers funding for SMEs and start-ups focused on innovation in the biofertilizers and biostimulants sector. The call for applications is open from September 1, 2025, to November 14, 2025. The budget for this initiative is €1,800,000. Projects can last up to 12 months, targeting various regions in Portugal, Italy, Spain, and French overseas territories. The application process is structured as a single-stage open call, requiring submissions to be made in English via email, with further details available on the project website.

The project is segmented into two strands: Strand 1 focuses on providing tools and services to support biofertilizer deployment through specific investment cases. These cases range from using organic fertilizers and market analysis to biostimulant testing and environmental impact evaluation. Funding amounts in Strand 1 range from €5,500 to €60,000 depending on the case.

Strand 2 emphasizes open innovation and aims to scale up new biofertilizer technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-8. It supports initiatives in four categories: production scale-up, innovative formulation processes, product evaluation, and service-related projects, offering grants up to €60,000 or €120,000 for collaborative projects.

Eligible applicants must be SMEs and start-ups, with a requirement for a Declaration confirming their status. The opportunity does not specify a co-funding requirement. Selected beneficiaries will receive not only financial support but also access to expert advisory services in areas such as intellectual property and environmental assessments.

The evaluation period falls between November 17, 2025, and mid-February 2026, focusing on the quality of proposals that meet the geographic and project-specific eligibility criteria. This initiative aims to foster innovation in sustainable agriculture and support the transition towards a circular bioeconomy through the development and deployment of biofertilizers and biostimulants.

The I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS project is offering funding for SMEs and start-ups investing in innovation in the biofertilizers and biostimulants sector. The call for applications will be open from September 1st, 2025, to November 14th, 2025 (17:00 CET). The deadline model is single-stage. The total funding available is 1,800,000.00 €. The expected duration of participation is 12 months. The project acronym is I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS. The full name of the EU funded project is I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS: Interregional innovation investments for biofertilizers and circular bioeconomy solutions for a sustainable agriculture. The grant agreement number is 101161143. The topic is I3-2023-INV1 - 2000-12-31T16:00:00.000Z.

The call text and required documents (SME Declaration and Application Form – Technical and Budget Form) are available on the project website: https://i3-4-biofertilizers.eu/ (Opportunities section). All applications must be submitted via email, following the detailed information in the Open Call Guidelines. The evaluation period will run from November 17th, 2025, to mid-February 2026, following the evaluation criteria described in the call text. Only eligible proposals will be considered for evaluation. Eligibility is restricted to specific regions detailed in the call text. Proposals will be assessed according to defined criteria, with a focus on ensuring their quality. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to applicants at the end of the assessment period.

The project duration will be up to 12 months, starting from the date of the agreement signature. Selected SMEs will benefit from a comprehensive support framework, including a network of technical, scientific, and innovation advisory experts in areas such as intellectual property rights (IPR), legal issues, and environmental impact. All applications must be submitted entirely in English.

The call is divided into two application strands:

Strand 1: Tools and services to support the deployment of biofertilizers to support investment cases (ICs).

Strand 2: Open Innovation: Development of new products and scale up of new innovative biofertilizers.

Details for Strand 1 Investment Cases (ICs):

IC #1: Soil and nutrient management using organic fertilizers from chicken manure. Aims to boost soil health and crop yields sustainably with chicken manure-based fertilizers. Geographical Areas: Região Centro and Região do Alentejo (Portugal). Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

IC #1: Analysis of market demand for organic fertilizers from chicken manure and creation of a brand. Aims to build a sustainable fertilizer brand through market insight and eco-friendly innovation. Geographical Areas: Região Centro and Região do Alentejo (Portugal). Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

IC #3: Mapping by-products and waste. Aims to develop a geo-localized map of organic waste and by-products to support biofertilizer production and cost analysis. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €50,000.

IC #3: Struvite testing with Compost + Biochar. Aims to formulate a biofertilizer by mixing struvite (a phosphorus-rich by-product of wastewater treatment) with compost and biochar. Geographical Areas: Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

IC #3: Biostimulant Production from Compost. Aims to produce liquid biostimulants using compost and biochar, enriched with elements such as amino acids, aimed at creating a nutrient-rich product for sustainable agriculture. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

IC #3: Compost + Biochar Mix Development. Supports suppliers in the formulation and initial testing of biochar-based fertilizers. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

IC #4: Measuring the effect of biofertilizers on Climate Change. Greenhouse trials using organic-origin components to evaluate their effects under conditions like drought, salinity, or extreme temperature. Geographical Area: Catalunya (Spain). Maximum Grant Amount: €40,000.

IC #4: Field trials of biofertilizers adapted to specific crops. Trials focusing on fruit trees, vineyards, and olive trees to test the effectiveness and adaptability of tailored biostimulant formulations. Geographical Area: Catalunya (Spain). Maximum Grant Amount: €55,000.

IC #6: Imaging the impact of a biostimulant. Imaging various crops in the field post-application of a biostimulant to observe visible effects. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €15,000.

IC #6: Temporal monitoring by spectral imaging of foliar development after application of a biostimulant. Monitors the quantity and quality of foliar development in early stages, comparing treated versus untreated plants. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €25,000.

IC #6: Cross-Environmental Impact Studies. Evaluates biostimulant-driven changes in key sustainability metrics like soil, water, biodiversity, and fertility. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €20,000.

IC #6: Lifecycle Assessment of Biostimulant Applications. Analysis of carbon sequestration dynamics and the monetization potential of biostimulant applications in agriculture. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €15,000.

IC #6: Fertilizer Impregnation Analysis. Assesses the prolonged release and assimilation effects of coated (urea-type) biofertilizers in field conditions. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €10,000.

IC #6: Agronomic tests on vines (thermal/hydric stress). Evaluates the effects of biostimulants on grapevines to improve resistance to heat and water stress. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €5,500.

IC #6: Agronomic tests on vines (nutrient recovery). Assesses how biostimulants affect post-harvest recovery of carbohydrate and mineral nutrient reserves in grapevines. Geographical Areas: Any of the eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €5,500.

IC #7: Evaluation of a Bacterial Biostimulant on Yield and Soil Fertility in Exotic Crops. Sustainable crop growth through microbial biostimulants and smarter nitrogen use. Geographical Areas: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, and Saint-Martin (France). Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000.

Details for Strand 2: Open Innovation:

This strand aims to scale up innovative biofertilizers initiatives (TRL 6 – 8). It supports projects within these innovative product and solutions areas, categorized into the four scopes outlined below:

1) Scale-Up of Production: Development of strategies to increase production capacity while ensuring product quality and consistency is maintained. Regions for Implementation: All eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000 (up to €120,000 for collaborative projects).

2) Innovative Formulants and Formulation Processes: Investigation of new formulation methods aimed at improving the efficacy and application of biofertilizers. This includes techniques such as seed treatment and the development of different physical forms (e.g., granular, pellets, crystals, powder). Regions for Implementation: All eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000 (up to €120,000 for collaborative projects).

3) Evaluation of Products: Assessment of product effectiveness under greenhouse or field conditions, including the characterization of their mode of action and analysis of variability sources. Regions for Implementation: All eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000 (up to €120,000 for collaborative projects).

4) Service-Related Projects: Support product deployment through the development of complementary services. These may include the creation of specific spraying tools, decision-making tools, training programs, or communication strategies. Regions for Implementation: All eligible regions. Maximum Grant Amount: €60,000 (up to €120,000 for collaborative projects).

In summary, this opportunity provides funding for SMEs and start-ups to advance innovation in the biofertilizers and biostimulants sector. It is structured around two main strands: one focusing on tools and services to support the deployment of biofertilizers in specific investment cases, and the other on open innovation, aiming to scale up new and innovative biofertilizer products and solutions. Strand 1 offers targeted funding for projects addressing specific needs and challenges related to biofertilizer adoption in particular regions, while Strand 2 supports broader innovation efforts in production, formulation, evaluation, and service development related to biofertilizers. The funding amounts vary depending on the strand and specific project, with collaborative projects in Strand 2 potentially receiving higher grants. The overall goal is to promote sustainable agriculture through the development and adoption of biofertilizers and biostimulants.

Eligible Applicant Types: SME. The call text specifically mentions "SME Declaration" as a required document and refers to selected SMEs benefiting from support.

Funding Type: Grant. The opportunity provides "direct financial support" and specifies "Maximum Grant Amount" for various initiatives. This cascade funding mechanism provides grants to SMEs.

Consortium Requirement: Single. Strand 1 appears to be for single applicants. Strand 2 allows for collaborative projects, suggesting that single applicants are also eligible, but collaborative projects can receive higher funding.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility varies depending on the specific investment case (IC) within Strand 1. Some ICs specify regions within Portugal (Região Centro and Região do Alentejo), Italy (Emilia-Romagna), and Spain (Catalunya). IC #7 is specifically for French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, and Saint-Martin (France). Strand 2 states "All eligible regions" for implementation, but the definition of "eligible regions" is not explicitly provided in the scraped content and needs to be clarified in the call text on the project website.

Target Sector: Agriculture/Food, Biotech/Medtech, Cleantech, Innovation, Biofertilizers, Biostimulants, Circular Bioeconomy. The call focuses on biofertilizers and biostimulants, aiming for sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy solutions. It also touches upon aspects of innovation, cleantech (environmental impact), and potentially biotech/medtech depending on the specific biofertilizer/biostimulant technologies involved.

Mentioned Countries: Portugal, Italy, Spain, France (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, and Saint-Martin).

Project Stage: Strand 1 supports tools and services for deploying biofertilizers, suggesting a development or validation stage. Strand 2 explicitly targets scaling up innovative biofertilizer initiatives with TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 6-8, indicating demonstration and potentially commercialization stages.

Funding Amount: Variable. For Strand 1, the maximum grant amounts range from €5,500 to €60,000 depending on the specific investment case (IC). For Strand 2, the maximum grant amount is €60,000, but can be up to €120,000 for collaborative projects. The total funding available for the call is €1,800,000.

Application Type: Open call. The text refers to an "Open Call Guidelines" document, indicating an open call application process.

Nature of Support: Money and non-monetary services. Beneficiaries receive direct financial support (grants) and a comprehensive support framework including a network of technical, scientific, and innovation advisory experts providing assistance in areas like IPR, legal issues, and environmental impact. This includes ongoing support, guidance, and coaching.

Application Stages: The text suggests a single-stage application process, as indicated by "Deadline model single-stage".

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

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

This opportunity is a call for applications under the I3-4-BIOFERTILIZERS project, which aims to promote interregional innovation investments for biofertilizers and circular bioeconomy solutions in sustainable agriculture. The call is divided into two strands. Strand 1 focuses on providing tools and services to support the deployment of biofertilizers, targeting specific investment cases (ICs) in various regions of Portugal, Italy, Spain, and French overseas territories. These ICs cover a range of activities, including soil and nutrient management, market analysis, waste mapping, biofertilizer formulation, climate change impact measurement, field trials, and biostimulant imaging and assessment. Strand 2 is an open innovation strand aimed at scaling up innovative biofertilizer initiatives (TRL 6-8). This strand supports projects related to scale-up of production, innovative formulants and formulation processes, product evaluation, and service-related projects. SMEs are eligible to apply for grants, with maximum amounts varying depending on the strand and specific IC or project type. Collaborative projects in Strand 2 can receive higher funding. In addition to financial support, selected SMEs will benefit from a comprehensive support framework, including access to a network of experts providing guidance on IPR, legal issues, environmental impact, and other relevant areas. The application process is a single-stage open call, with applications submitted via email. The evaluation period will run from November 17th, 2025, to mid-February 2026. The project duration will be up to 12 months. The call aims to foster innovation and adoption of biofertilizers and biostimulants, contributing to a more sustainable and circular agricultural sector.