Replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 focuses on replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products with safer, bio-based alternatives. It supports innovation in compliance with the Biocidal Products Regulation (EC) No 528/2012, emphasizing a "safe and sustainable by design" framework.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, industry operators, and SMEs within EU Member States and associated countries. The call encourages international cooperation and the involvement of SMEs. Funding operates under a lump-sum grant model with a total budget of €12 million, anticipated to distribute three grants of €4 million each in 2027.

The application process is single-stage, opening on April 20, 2027, and closing on September 22, 2027. Proposals should focus on innovative bio-based substances targeting two specific areas: wood preservatives and mosquito control, ensuring effectiveness and safety for human health and biodiversity. The call aims to expedite the development of sustainable alternatives, support EU strategies on biotechnology and life sciences, and promote extensive collaboration between academic and industrial sectors.

Projects should incorporate social sciences to address safety testing, particularly for vulnerable populations, and must demonstrate validated indicators of effectiveness and cost efficiency. While co-funding is not required, participants are expected to exhibit operational capacity for project execution. Success rates for proposals are projected to fall in the 10-39% range based on competitive submissions.

In summary, this initiative signifies a critical investment in advancing sustainable chemical solutions and aligning with the EU's bioeconomy and zero pollution objectives. A range of support services, including guidance from National Contact Points and access to various research aids, will be available for applicants throughout the proposal preparation and submission process.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically Call 01 single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01). The topic is Replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products, HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage. The planned opening date is 20 April 2027, and the deadline date is 22 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of this call is that project results contribute to driving the innovation of public authorities and industrial operators confronted with the Biocidal products regulation (EC) No 528/2012, within the 'safe and sustainable by design' framework. The outcomes should support the goals of the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, of the Strategy for European Life Sciences and of the new EU bioeconomy strategy.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: innovation in bio-based and natural substances brings safer alternatives to hazardous substances contained in biocidal products, with decreased risk on human health and biodiversity, including pollinators; safe, sustainable and effective solutions are developed and tested for the control of harmful organisms affecting human or animal health or the environment.

The scope of this call is to address the issue that despite being needed for the control of pests or harmful organisms, some of the biocidal active substances currently approved are problematic for human or animal health or the environment. More innovation to bring safer alternatives into the market is therefore essential, allowing for further restriction or ban to the use of the most hazardous biocidal active substances.

Proposals should: develop innovative and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based substances to effectively replace hazardous active substances used in biocidal products covered by Biocidal products regulation and, specifically, at least in one of the following applications as listed below: hazardous active substances used in wood preservatives biocidal products. Developed solutions/substances should aim to limit the development of resistance or cross-resistance to harmful organisms, such as Aspergillus species, and in particular Aspergillus fumigatus; hazardous active substances used in insecticides biocidal products to control mosquitos. Developed solutions/substances should be sufficiently effective to control larvae or adults of mosquitoes responsible for diseases transmitted to humans or animals; the developed substances can include active substances derived from plants, microbes and other natural sources, and bio-based substances; include a review at international level of the hazardous active substances in the scope (wood preservatives and insecticides to control mosquitos); test the solutions/substances developed and assess their safety for human health, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, including pollinators; validate their contribution to biodiversity enhancement, when applicable; demonstrate their effectiveness in replacing the hazardous substances through scientific validated indicators, including their integration into final products, also in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Projects should include social sciences and humanities (SSH) in testing the safety of the developed substances on humans, especially including the analysis of groups in vulnerable situations, and the diversity in terms of sex, disability, age, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, etc. International cooperation is encouraged, for the review of substances in scope. Participation of SMEs in the consortium is encouraged.

The SSbD framework is to be used to guide the innovation process towards safer and more sustainable chemicals and advanced materials. The application of the SSbD framework should be evidenced/visible through the decisions and changes made throughout the innovation process, demonstrating how safety and sustainability considerations influenced choices from design to final outcomes.

General conditions for this call include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 60 000. Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) Information on financial support to third parties (HE) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"

Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for this topic in 2027 is as follows:

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-02 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 7,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 24,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 3

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 10,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 9,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 9,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 14,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 7,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 6,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 4,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 3

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 9,800,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 4,900,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions: Budget 12,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 6,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 2

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions: Budget 3,000,000 EUR, Single-stage, Opening 2027-04-20, Deadline 2027-09-22, Contribution around 3,000,000 EUR, Indicative number of grants 1

There are no partner search announcements listed. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header. There are no topic Q&As listed.

For support, applicants are encouraged to read all provisions carefully before preparing their application. The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance on the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) can provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) can provide advice to businesses with a special focus on SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding. The IT Helpdesk can answer questions about forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, and technical aspects of proposal submission. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on how to tackle standardisation in project proposals. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders of researchers. Partner Search can help find a partner organisation for the proposal.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to fund research and innovation actions that develop safer, more sustainable bio-based alternatives to hazardous substances in biocidal products, specifically wood preservatives and insecticides for mosquito control. The call encourages international cooperation, participation of SMEs, and consideration of social sciences and humanities aspects. The funding will be provided as a lump sum, and successful projects are expected to contribute to the EU's bioeconomy strategy and zero pollution goals. The call provides a comprehensive set of resources and support services to guide applicants through the proposal process.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but the call encourages participation from public authorities, industrial operators, and SMEs. Therefore, eligible applicants likely include startup, SME, large enterprise, university, research institute, and potentially other types of organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA) being HORIZON-AG-LS. Beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, with a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party. The call includes HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement: The call encourages participation of SMEs and international cooperation, implying that a consortium is preferred, although not explicitly stated as mandatory.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be EU member states and associated countries, as this is a Horizon Europe program. However, the call 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 program targets the following sectors: biotechnology, biomanufacturing, life sciences, bioeconomy, chemicals, advanced materials, agriculture, and environment, with a focus on biocidal products and their regulation, wood preservatives, and insecticides. It also involves social sciences and humanities (SSH) for testing the safety of developed substances on humans.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity does not explicitly mention specific countries, but refers to EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries that have made provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The project stage targets research, development, and innovation, with an emphasis on developing, testing, and validating solutions. This includes activities ranging from research and innovation actions (RIA) to innovation actions (IA), suggesting a focus on development, validation, and demonstration stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 24,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 3.

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 a lump sum grant. Beneficiaries may also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to EUR 60,000 per third party.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants and the total budget can be used to estimate the potential success rate, which would likely be in the 10 to 39% range.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly stated, but Horizon Europe projects often require some level of co-funding, which is not specified in the provided text.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products with safer, bio-based alternatives. It aims to drive innovation in public authorities and industrial operators to comply with the Biocidal Products Regulation (EC) No 528/2012, within a 'safe and sustainable by design' framework. The call encourages projects that develop and test innovative bio-based substances for wood preservatives and insecticides, specifically targeting substances that control mosquitos and limit resistance development in harmful organisms. Projects should assess the safety of these substances for human health and biodiversity, validate their contribution to biodiversity enhancement, and demonstrate their effectiveness in replacing hazardous substances. The call encourages international cooperation, participation of SMEs, and the inclusion of social sciences and humanities to address the human and social aspects of the developed substances. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with the possibility of providing additional grants to third parties. The call is a single-stage open call, and eligible applicants include public authorities, industrial operators, SMEs, and other research-oriented organizations from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding arrangements. The indicative budget for individual projects varies from EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 24,000,000, with a planned opening date of April 20, 2027, and a deadline of September 22, 2027.