Large-scale production of liquid advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin

The EU grant opportunity focuses on the production of liquid advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). This call falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting sectors such as aviation, shipping, and energy-intensive industries. Proposals must demonstrate the large-scale production of advanced biofuels, utilizing sustainable feedstocks sourced within the EU.

Eligible applicants include small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, research institutes, universities, and public-private partnerships. The funding type is a grant, and a consortium approach is strongly encouraged to engage various stakeholders across the value chain.

Geographically, the funding primarily targets EU member states and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, though provisions are made for non-EU entities to participate under specific conditions. The focus sectors encompass energy, environment, climate, and transport, aiming to enhance the sustainability of the fuel production process.

The project stage is classified as demonstration, with an expected maximum funding amount of between €1 million and €5 million per project, totaling €33 million for this call. The submission process is structured as a single-stage open call, and funding is provided in the form of grants, requiring a detailed exploitation plan highlighting economic viability, scalability, and sustainability.

While specific success rates are not disclosed, applicants are encouraged to explore various funding sources to support project sustainability, even though co-funding is not explicitly outlined as a requirement.

Proposals should incorporate innovative technologies, address feedstock challenges, and present a life-cycle analysis to ensure environmental benefits. It is expected that improvements to existing demonstration plants will also be facilitated, ultimately contributing to the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors and meeting EU renewable energy objectives.

The deadline for submissions is set for February 17, 2026, and the call is aligned with the EU’s broader Green Deal initiatives.

This EU funding opportunity, HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-01, focuses on the large-scale production of liquid advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). It falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically Cluster 5 Call 02-2026 (WP 2025) and is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call employs a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 16 September 2025, and the deadline for submission is 17 February 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated to this topic is 33,000,000 EUR, and it is anticipated that around 3 grants will be awarded.

The expected outcomes of this funding opportunity are multi-faceted. Energy producers and consumers in transport and energy-intensive industries are expected to benefit from increased industrial capacity for advanced biofuels and RFNBOs. Technology developers should receive support in preparing first-of-a-kind plants, paving the way for subsequent commercial facilities. Technology providers should experience de-risking of innovative technologies, reduced CAPEX and production costs, and increased market uptake of advanced biofuels and RFNBOs. Public authorities, citizens, researchers, and industrial stakeholders should see improvements in the sustainability, reliability, robustness, and security of the relevant value chain. National authorities can leverage the evidence provided to contribute to Renewable Energy Directive targets and ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime targets. Policymakers and regulators will gain factual information to accelerate permitting procedures and increase the responsiveness of research and innovation to societal interests. Finally, the funding aims to support and facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) Action for Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy.

The scope of the funding is to demonstrate innovative large-scale production of liquid advanced biofuels and/or RFNBOs for sectors with specific needs, such as aviation, shipping, and energy-intensive industries. Production should utilize EU sustainable biomass feedstocks, including biogenic residues and wastes, biogenic parts of slurries and industrial wastes, and/or non-biological origin feedstocks like renewable hydrogen and CO2 or renewable carbon, nitrogen, or their compounds. Production pathways can involve chemical, biochemical, biological, and thermochemical processes, or a combination thereof.

Proposals should demonstrate large-scale production of ready-to-deploy advanced biofuels and/or RFNBOs, engaging various stakeholders across the value chain. They should address the impact of real-size feedstocks on plant design, including feedstock pretreatment and wastewater treatment. The impact on plant design and feasibility of improving feedstocks externally and upstream to the fuel production plant should also be addressed. A lifetime cycle analysis of the production route is required, especially for RFNBOs, considering the continuous availability of renewable energy and materials. Production of renewable hydrogen as an end-product is explicitly excluded.

The projects are expected to create reference cases for full-scale plants, including ready-to-build, revamp/reuse, and operate scenarios. Improvements, optimization, and modifications of existing demonstration plants are within scope to encourage cost-effective solutions.

A strong investment and business case, along with a sound exploitation strategy, are essential. The exploitation plan should detail scalability, commercialization, and deployment. Information and assessment of the commercial plant's economic viability, permitting procedures, a value chain-based business plan, and identified funding sources are expected. Projects should include at least one relevant local economic business case, outlining local value and supply chains and the expected number of local jobs. Proposals should also provide information and assessment of the impact on land and water use, soil, and biodiversity, as well as public awareness of full-scale renewable fuel plants.

A sustainability assessment and GHG reduction analysis compared to fossil equivalents, based on a life-cycle analysis, are required. Special attention should be given to estimating the GHG emissions reduction potential, using the methodology in the Innovation Fund.

General conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award processes are described in Annexes D and F, and the Online Manual.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the standard application form (HE RIA, IA) and evaluation form templates. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, and call-specific instructions. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2025 sections on General Introduction, Climate, Energy and Mobility, and General Annexes, as well as various EU regulations and guidelines.

The submission system is planned to open on 16 September 2025. Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants.

This funding opportunity aims to bridge the gap between promising biofuel and RFNBO technologies and their real-world application by supporting the construction and operation of large-scale demonstration plants. It seeks to foster sustainable fuel production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the EU's renewable energy targets, particularly in sectors like aviation and shipping where alternative solutions are limited. The emphasis is on demonstrating economic viability, scalability, and environmental sustainability, while also creating local economic benefits and increasing public awareness.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls and the focus on innovation and demonstration, eligible applicants could include: SMEs, large enterprises, research institutes, universities, technology developers, feedstock suppliers, fuel suppliers, end-users, national bodies, and public or private authorities with funding capacity. The call encourages engagement across the value chain, suggesting a preference for consortia with diverse participants.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. The call includes HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the call's emphasis on engaging various stakeholders across the value chain (feedstock developers, technology developers, fuel suppliers, end users, national bodies, public/private authorities) suggests a consortium approach is highly encouraged, if not required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is focused on the EU, as the call emphasizes the vast potential of sustainable feedstocks throughout the EU. However, the text also mentions that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is energy, specifically renewable energy and advanced biofuels. Sub-sectors include:
 * Advanced biofuels production
 * Renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs)
 * Aviation
 * Shipping
 * Energy-intensive industries
 * Sustainable biomass feedstocks
 * Renewable hydrogen
 * CO2 utilization
 * Renewable carbon and nitrogen compounds

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union (EU) and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is primarily demonstration and commercialization. The call aims to support projects that:
 * Demonstrate large-scale production of ready-to-deploy advanced biofuels and/or renewable fuels of non-biological origin.
 * Result in reference cases for ready-to-build, revamp/reuse and/or operate full-scale plants.
 * Improve, optimize, and modify existing demonstration plants to prepare for the next full-scale plant.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action. The budget overview provides the following ranges:
 * HORIZON-IA: Typically ranges from €12 million to €33 million, with indicative grants around €4 million to €11 million.
 * HORIZON-RIA: Typically ranges from €8 million to €18 million, with indicative grants around €4 million to €6 million.
 * HORIZON-PCP: €20 million, with one indicative grant of €20 million.
 * HORIZON-CSA: €6 million, with indicative grants around €2 million.

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

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The text mentions the importance of identifying funding sources such as private equity, loans, loan guarantees, grants, or public financing for CAPEX and OPEX, suggesting that co-funding from the applicant or other parties is expected, although not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on boosting the large-scale production and deployment of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) within the EU. It targets the aviation, shipping, and energy-intensive industries, aiming to establish commercially viable, full-scale plants that utilize sustainable feedstocks. The call encourages projects to demonstrate innovative technologies, address feedstock challenges, and develop robust business plans for scalability and commercialization. Funding is provided through various Horizon Europe action types (IA, RIA, PCP, CSA) with varying budget ranges, and applicants are expected to form consortia involving diverse stakeholders across the value chain. The ultimate goal is to support the EU's renewable energy targets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the implementation of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) for Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy. The call is a single-stage application process, and while co-funding is not explicitly required, applicants are expected to explore various funding sources to ensure project sustainability and scalability.