High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets

HORIZON-JU is a CBE JU Innovation Action funding topic for development and demonstration of high-performance, circular-by-design bio-based thermosets with an indicative topic budget of around €14 million. Projects must demonstrate resource-efficient production and conversion into circular end-products at least at TRL 6, test end-of-life solutions at TRL 5 or above, apply eco-design principles aligned with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework, and exclude landfilling and incineration. The call is single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, opens 23 April 2026 and closes 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. Eligible applicants are consortia of organisations established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries following Horizon Europe and CBE JU eligibility and evaluation rules.

What it funds

Scope and objectives

Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA) to develop and scale resource-efficient, bio-based thermoset materials that combine high technical performance with circularity. Projects must demonstrate technology at least at TRL 6 for production and conversion into circular end-products, apply eco-design principles (ESPR-aligned), test end-of-life alternatives at TRL 5+, exclude landfilling/incineration, and apply the EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. Proposals should engage end-users early (multi-actor approach) and show complementarities with past/ongoing EU projects.

TRL and technical requirements:Production and product validation at minimum TRL 6; EoL solutions tested at TRL 5 or above; must meet market performance benchmarks (mechanical, thermal, fire/corrosion resistance, durability) and be compatible with existing manufacturing equipment ¹.

Who can apply

Consortia of organisations eligible under Horizon Europe rules:industry (including SMEs), research organisations, universities, technology providers, recyclers and end-users from EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. Participation and formal eligibility follow Horizon Europe Annexes and CBE JU Work Programme requirements.

Funding and deadlines

Topic is part of the CBE JU 2026 call. Indicative topic contribution:around €14,000,000. The wider 2026 CBE JU call budget is approximately €170,760,699. Type of grant: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based. Deadline (single-stage): 22 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.

1. 1Type of action: Innovation Action (HORIZON-JU-IA)
2. 2Target TRL: production and product validation >= TRL 6; EoL testing >= TRL 5
3. 3Landfilling and incineration of test EoL options are out of scope
4. 4Must apply SSbD framework and involve end-users (MAA)

Submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the HORIZON-JU-IA submission route. Follow proposal page limits, eligibility and evaluation rules in the Horizon Europe General Annexes and the CBE JU Annual Work Programme ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU reference documents and Annual Work Programme 2026 are available at CBE JU Reference Documents. Full topic text and submission are on the Funding & Tenders Portal Portal topic page.

Immediate facts and administrative details

Call identifier:HORIZON-JU. Programme: Horizon Europe under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Type of action: HORIZON JU Innovation Actions (HORIZON-JU-IA). Type of Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Opening date: 23 April 2026. Deadline / submission cut-off: 22 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. Submission model: single-stage through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (electronic submission).

Topic objective:Develop and demonstrate high-performance bio-based thermoset materials designed for circularity and compatible with existing manufacturing equipment, and demonstrate resource-efficient production and downstream conversion into circular end-products at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above.

Scope, expected outcomes and technical requirements

Expected policy alignment and impact:proposals should contribute to the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the Chemical Industry Action Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal. Projects must target both improved availability of bio-based thermosets meeting high technical performance and improved circularity of thermosets and downstream applications measured against specified market benchmarks, taking production, use and end-of-life (EoL) into account.

1. 1Targeted applications: high-demand sectors such as transport, energy, electronics and other sectors requiring high technical performance.
2. 2Technical priorities: processability during manufacturing (including thermal stability), mechanical properties, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, durability and overall performance throughout life cycle.
3. 3Circularity and EoL: proposals must address recycling, re-use or upcycling solutions and test selected EoL alternatives (at TRL 5 or above). Landfilling and incineration are explicitly out of scope.
4. 4Eco-design: apply eco-design principles in line with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to enable circularity and address major EoL challenges for the targeted end-use.
5. 5SSbD: include an explicit task to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for assessment of the targeted bio-based thermosets and derived products.
6. 6Multi-actor approach: involve end-users, including consumers where applicable, from early project stages to assess and incorporate market acceptance and user insights into product development.
7. 7Complementarity: ensure synergies and complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects (Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe Clusters, BBI JU, CBE JU projects).

Target TRL and demonstration requirements:Proposals must demonstrate resource-efficient production of innovative bio-based thermosets at least at TRL 6 and conversion of those materials into circular end-products at least at TRL 6. Selected EoL alternatives must be tested at TRL 5 or above.

Eligibility, structure and participation conditions

Eligibility of applicants and other legal conditions:General admissibility, eligibility of countries, other eligibility criteria, financial and operational capacity, exclusion grounds, award criteria and thresholds, evaluation procedures and the legal and financial set-up of grants follow the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026. Detailed lists (Annex A–G and Annex B for eligible countries) and the CBE JU call-specific conditions are referenced in the call documentation CBE JU reference documents ¹.

Eligible applicant types:The call accepts the usual Horizon/CBE JU applicants: private companies (including startups, SMEs and large enterprises), universities and higher education establishments, public research organisations and research institutes, technology centres, non-profit organisations, standardisation bodies, public authorities and national/regional entities, and other legal entities established in eligible countries. Specific eligibility of entities from non-EU/non-associated countries depends on Annex B of the Horizon General Annexes and any bilateral arrangements; consult the Programme Guide and Annex B for country-specific provisions.

Consortium requirement:This is a Horizon Innovation Action where collaborative projects are expected. The call documentation refers applicants to the Work Programme General Annexes for explicit eligibility rules (for example minimum consortium composition for collaborative actions). Practically, Innovation Actions under Horizon Europe typically require a consortium of participants from multiple eligible countries; applicants should check Annex B and call-specific rules in the Submission System for precise minimum participation requirements.

Beneficiary scope (geographic eligibility):Primary geographic eligibility is 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 participate and receive funding only if specific provisions apply; consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and Annex B for country-by-country rules.

Funding type and financial modality:Financial mechanism: grant (Horizon Action Grant, budget-based). Beneficiaries will receive monetary support through grant agreements governed by the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call lists indicative contribution figures for topics; final funding rates, eligible costs and co-funding rules follow Horizon rules and the applicable MGA.

Co-funding requirement:The call text does not specify a bespoke co-funding percentage. Standard Horizon Europe rules apply: Innovation Actions normally fund up to 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and up to 100% for non-profit public bodies, research organisations and higher education establishments, unless otherwise stated in the MGA or call-specific documents. Applicants must consult the HE MGA and General Annexes for exact rates and co-funding obligations.

Application type, process and templates:Application method: open single-stage call with electronic submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission system. Applicants must use the application form available in the Submission System (Part A and Part B). Proposal page limits and layout follow Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Application Form instructions in the Submission System. Evaluation form templates (standard evaluation form for HE RIA/IA) and model grant agreement documents are provided in the call documentation. The call-specific instructions are in the CBE JU Call for proposals 2026 documentation and the Submission System.

Budget, indicative grant sizes and number of grants

Indicative grant sizes are given in the CBE JU budget overview for the full call; applicants should consult the call-specific budget line in the Submission System during proposal preparation. The topic's indicative money allocation is around €14 millionbut the exact grant awarded to a successful consortium will depend on the proposal content, budget justification and evaluation outcome.

Project maturity, expected deliverables and technology scope

Expected project stage and deliverables:The call requires demonstration at TRL 6 or above for both resource-efficient production routes and for conversion of developed bio-based thermosets into circular end-products. EoL solution testing must be performed at TRL 5 or above. Deliverables should include validated production processes, demonstrated end-product performance (mechanical, thermal, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, durability and compatibility with existing manufacturing equipment), eco-design documentation aligned with ESPR requirements, SSbD assessment outputs, EoL testing reports and market acceptance/consumer engagement results under the multi-actor approach.

• Material science scope: bio-based thermoset chemistries, bio- or non-bio-based functional additives, formulations enabling high performance and recyclability.
• Processing and manufacturing: scale-up of resource-efficient synthesis routes, processability and thermal stability during manufacturing and compatibility with existing industrial equipment.
• Circularity technologies: mechanical/chemical recycling, depolymerisation, reprocessing, re-use/upcycling routes; systems for collection/traceability; business models enabling circular value chains.
• Assessment frameworks: application of SSbD, life cycle assessment (LCA), eco-design compliance with ESPR, product performance benchmarking against market requirements.

Evaluation, timing and selection

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring and thresholds:the call uses the standard Horizon Europe award criteria and thresholds as described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation procedures, and indicative timelines for evaluation and grant agreement preparation are described in Annex F and the Online Manual. Applicants must refer to the evaluation form templates provided in the Submission System (Standard evaluation form HE RIA/IA).

Application stages and timeline:Submission model: single-stage. Typical stages from the call documentation and portal guidance: (1) electronic submission of full proposal by deadline, (2) remote evaluation by independent experts, (3) ranking and consensus reports, (4) possible clarification or interview stage (where applicable), (5) selection decision and invitation to grant preparation, (6) grant agreement signature and project start. Exact timeline for evaluation and grant agreement signature is indicative in Annex F.

Number of application stages:1 (single-stage submission) but subsequent evaluation and grant preparation steps follow standard multiple-step administrative processes as described above and in Annex F of the General Annexes.

Success rates:No topic-specific success rate is provided in the call text. Success rates depend on the number and quality of proposals submitted. CBE JU and Horizon historical success rates vary by topic and year; applicants should assume competitive selection and prepare proposals to meet high evaluation thresholds.

Application templates and structure guidance

Required documentation and forms:use the Application Form available in the Submission System (Part A administrative data and Part B proposal with excellence, impact and implementation sections). Proposal page limits and layout are specified in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and in Part B of the Application Form in the Submission System. Evaluation form templates will be used by evaluators and are available for download; applicants should consult the standard evaluation form for HE RIA/IA to understand assessment criteria and scoring.

1. 1Part A (Administrative): legal entity data, coordinator and participants, budget table, ethics check and other declarations.
2. 2Part B (Technical proposal) typical structure: 1) Excellence: objectives and relation to the topic, state-of-the-art, concept and methodology, TRL and risk management; 2) Impact: expected impacts, exploitation and dissemination plan, market uptake and business case; 3) Implementation: work plan, work packages, deliverables, milestones, consortium description, consortium management and resources, budget justification; 4) Ethics and security considerations where applicable.
3. 3Annexes: CVs and track record of key staff, letters of support or commitment from industry partners or end-users, facilities and infrastructure descriptions, data management plan (if requested), SSbD assessment outputs (where available) and business plan annex for IA-Flagship (not applicable here unless specified).

Applicants are strongly advised to consult the following documents before applying:the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 call-specific instructions, the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (Annex A to G), the HE Programme Guide, the Model Grant Agreement (HE MGA), the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and the SSbD methodological guidance and related Commission documents to ensure compliance with mandatory frameworks and to prepare the SSbD task.

Risks, exclusions and items explicitly out of scope

Out of scope:landfilling and incineration as EoL strategies are explicitly excluded. Projects that do not demonstrate TRL 6 for production and end-product conversion or that fail to apply eco-design / SSbD principles and to involve end-users early in the development are unlikely to meet the topic requirements. Ethical, regulatory and safety obligations and exclusions follow the Horizon Europe General Annexes and HE MGA.

Mentioned countries and geographic references

The call documentation refers to eligibility by reference to Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. No individual Member States or specific associated countries are singled out in the topic text; the geographic eligibility coverage is EU Member States and Horizon associated countries as per Annex B. For details on specific non-associated country arrangements consult Annex B and the Programme Guide.

How to prepare a competitive proposal (key points)

1. 1Clearly demonstrate TRL progression and provide technical evidence that production and conversion reach TRL 6 or higher with robust test data and industrial compatibility assessments.
2. 2Showcase resource-efficient production routes including material feedstock sourcing, process mass/energy balances and upscaled production plans.
3. 3Provide full EoL strategy testing plans (TRL 5+) for recycling, reuse or upcycling alternatives; quantify circularity improvements versus market benchmarks.
4. 4Apply SSbD framework: include a dedicated work package performing SSbD assessment and referencing JRC Methodological Guidance and relevant SSbD tools.
5. 5Apply ESPR/ecodesign principles: include durability, reparability/maintainability, recyclability and substance-of-concern analyses as required by ESPR.
6. 6Incorporate multi-actor approach: include end-users, manufacturers, downstream integrators and consumer assessment activities early in the project and demonstrate how feedback shapes development.
7. 7Describe exploitation, scale-up pathways, industrial viability, regulatory compliance and standardisation plans; include IPR management and market uptake strategies.
8. 8Ensure strong consortium with complementary expertise across materials science, processing, LCA/SSbD assessment, downstream manufacturing, recycling technology providers and end-user industries.

Support services and help:National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk and other services are referenced in the call pages to assist applicants with proposal preparation, partner search and submission.

Success rate and competitiveness:The call text does not provide a specific success rate for this topic. Historically, CBE JU and Horizon programme topics are competitive with varying success rates by topic and year. Applicants should assume robust competition and ensure that proposals score highly across excellence, impact and implementation criteria.

Summary: what is this opportunity about and who should apply?

This Horizon Europe CBE JU Innovation Action topic seeks collaborative proposals to develop, demonstrate and validate high-performance bio-based thermoset materials that are circular-by-design. Projects must demonstrate resource-efficient production and conversion into circular end-products at TRL 6 or above, apply eco-design and the SSbD framework, test EoL alternatives at TRL 5+, and actively involve end-users/consumers through a multi-actor approach. The call targets materials and processing innovations that deliver industrially relevant mechanical, thermal and durability performance while enabling recycling, re-use or upcycling. Eligible applicants include industry, SMEs, research organisations and universities from EU Member States and Horizon-associated countries; the action is funded as a grant under the Horizon Action Grant (budget-based) model with an indicative topic allocation of around €14 million. Proposals must be submitted as a single-stage application through the Funding & Tenders Portal by 22 September 2026 and must follow Horizon/CBE JU rules on application forms, page limits, eligibility and evaluation. Comprehensive reference documents, templates and guidance are available via the Funding & Tenders Portal, the CBE JU website and the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 and related reference documents, call-specific information and legal annexes are available at the CBE JU reference documents page: cbe.europa.eu and via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page: ec.europa.eu

Opportunity Overview

This is an Innovation Action (IA) call under the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), a €2 billioneuro public-private partnership between the European Commission and the Bio-based Industries Consortium operating under Horizon Europe. The call aims to develop high-performance bio-based thermoset materials that are simultaneously circular and sustainable, addressing a critical gap in the European bioeconomy where thermosets remain difficult to recycle without compromising technical performance.

Funding Details

Budget Allocation:Approximately €14 millioneuros allocated to this specific topic as part of the total €170.7 millioneuro 2026 call budget.

Call Timeline:Opening date 23 April 2026, with submission deadline 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. Single-stage submission process.

Grant Type:HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG) under Horizon Europe rules and procedures.

Scope and Expected Outcomes

Successful projects will contribute to multiple EU policy frameworks including the Circular Economy Action Plan, Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, Chemical Industry Action Plan, and the Clean Industrial Deal. The initiative addresses the fundamental challenge that while bio-based thermosets demonstrate excellent technical performance for demanding applications in transport, energy, and electronics sectors, their cross-linked molecular structure makes recycling extremely difficult without degrading material properties.

Expected outcomes include wider availability of bio-based thermoset materials meeting high technical performance requirements and improved circularity of thermosets and downstream applications against specified market benchmarks, considering production, use, and end-of-life stages.

Technical Requirements

Proposals must demonstrate at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 for resource-efficient production of innovative bio-based thermosets targeting both high performance and circularity. Functionalization through bio-based or non-bio-based additives is permitted. Projects must also demonstrate TRL 6 conversion of developed thermosets into circular end-products, proving technical performance meets market requirements and is compatible with existing manufacturing equipment.

Eco-design principles aligned with the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation must be applied to enable material circularity. End-of-life alternatives must be tested at TRL 5 and above, with landfilling and incineration explicitly out of scope. Acceptable end-of-life solutions include recycling, reusing, or upcycling pathways.

Key Application Requirements

• Multi-actor approach (MAA) involving end-users and consumers from early project stages to assess market acceptance and incorporate insights into product development
• Application of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for assessment of targeted bio-based thermosets and derived products, with updated methodological guidance available April 2026
• Demonstration of complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects addressing similar challenges, including Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe Cluster 6 projects and BBI JU/CBE JU funded initiatives
• Compliance with Horizon Europe general requirements including digital technologies integration, cross-disciplinary aspects, and social sciences and humanities considerations

Eligibility and Participation

Eligible participants include research organizations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and public entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate if they have made specific provisions for funding availability under Horizon Europe. Participants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements and pass exclusion criteria as detailed in Horizon Europe General Annexes.

The CBE JU has historically welcomed strong SME participation, with SMEs representing approximately 40 percent of participants in the predecessor BBI JU program. The current European bio-based industry sector is valued at €700 billioneuros, indicating substantial market opportunity for successful innovations.

Evaluation and Award Process

Proposals will be evaluated using standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action evaluation criteria as detailed in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation forms and procedures are described in Annex F of the General Annexes and the Online Manual. Award criteria typically assess excellence, implementation quality, and impact potential.

The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement establishment is described in Annex F of the General Annexes. Grants will be established under the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA) with budget-based implementation.

Strategic Context and Policy Alignment

This call directly supports the European Union's transition toward a circular, sustainable, and competitive economy. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, which entered into force 18 July 2024, establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements on virtually all physical products, with thermosets representing a priority area for innovation. The regulation aims to improve product durability, circularity, recyclability, and overall environmental footprint reduction.

The Safe and Sustainable by Design framework, revised in March 2026, provides a voluntary decision-making approach to guide innovation toward safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials across their entire life cycles. The framework emphasizes minimizing health, climate, and environmental impacts during sourcing, production, use, and end-of-life stages, directly aligning with thermoset project objectives.

Support Resources and Guidance

Applicants have access to comprehensive support mechanisms including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual, and CBE JU-specific call documentation. National Contact Points (NCPs) provide guidance and practical assistance on Horizon Europe participation. The Enterprise Europe Network offers specialized support for SMEs. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues, while CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks advise on standardization aspects.

CBE JU has scheduled pre-call support activities including an Online Info Day on 12 March 2026 and a Networking Event in Brussels on 21 April 2026. The CBE JU website provides access to the Annual Work Programme 2026, Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, and frequently asked questions from previous calls. A proposal pre-check service is available through the NCP_WIDERA.NET project for eligible country applicants.

Key Challenges and Innovation Focus

The core innovation challenge addressed by this call is the inherent conflict between thermoset cross-linking chemistry that provides superior technical performance and the material properties that enable recycling. Key technical challenges include processability during manufacturing with thermal stability considerations, achieving mechanical properties and fire resistance meeting market requirements, ensuring durability throughout product life cycles, and developing viable end-of-life solutions that maintain material value without compromising performance.

Projects must balance competing demands:delivering high technical performance for demanding applications in transport, energy, and electronics sectors while simultaneously designing materials for circular recovery and reuse. This requires innovation in material chemistry, manufacturing processes, product design, and end-of-life infrastructure development.

Broader CBE JU 2026 Call Context

This thermosets topic is one of 13 topics in the 2026 CBE JU call, which collectively receive €170.7 millioneuros in funding. The call includes four Innovation Action Flagship topics at €20 millioneuros each, five standard Innovation Action topics at €14 millioneuros each (including thermosets), three Research and Innovation Action topics at €6.5 millioneuros each, and one Coordination and Support Action at €1.2 millioneuros. The CBE JU operates within a 2021-2031 partnership framework with six planned calls for proposals and a total indicative operational budget of €976.5 millioneuros.

The 2026 call represents the second full call cycle under the CBE JU, building on the success of the 2025 call and the predecessor Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (2014-2020). The call topics collectively address feedstock diversification, circular design principles, biotech scale-up, and market uptake across the European bioeconomy value chain.

Footnotes

1. 1Complete topic descriptions, detailed requirements, and specific conditions are available in section 2.2.3 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026, accessible at CBE JU Reference Documents. The Safe and Sustainable by Design framework guidance is available at SSbD Framework. Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation details are at ESPR.