Strengthening Capacities and introducing EU practices for sustainable operation and management of the BIO4 Campus

The European Commission has announced an Action Grant opportunity aimed at supporting projects in Serbia, specifically titled "Strengthening Capacities and introducing EU practices for sustainable operation and management of the BIO4 Campus." The total budget for this grant is €250,000. The call for proposals was published on November 19, 2025, with a deadline for applications set for January 24, 2026.

This grant operates under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, indicating its focus on institutional development to align practices with EU standards. The project emphasizes capacity building and the introduction of sustainable management techniques within the biotechnology sector, as suggested by the "BIO4 Campus" designation.

The nature of this grant requires collaboration through a consortium model, specifically involving at least one institution from an EU member state paired with a Serbian institution, as inferred from the "Twinning Light" framework associated with the program.

While the exact eligibility criteria and application stages are not fully detailed, it is likely that applicants will face multiple evaluation stages, including initial eligibility checks followed by substantive assessments. Co-funding requirements are also not explicitly stated but are common in such funding programs.

Interested parties should obtain additional details from related documents such as the Annex C1 bis Twinning Light Fiche and Annex C9 bis Twinning Light2, which provide guidelines for applying. This opportunity is particularly suited for public sector bodies, research institutions, and potentially NGOs with relevant experience seeking to improve operational frameworks in the life sciences sector, aligning them with EU practices.

Overall, this grant represents a strategic initiative to enhance the capabilities of the BIO4 Campus in Serbia and promote sustainable management practices in biotechnology, creating a pathway for knowledge transfer and partnership between EU and Serbian entities.

The European Commission is offering an Action Grant under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance program to support projects in Serbia. The grant, titled "Strengthening Capacities and introducing EU practices for sustainable operation and management of the BIO4 Campus," aims to enhance the BIO4 Campus through the introduction of EU best practices and capacity building initiatives.

The total budget allocated for this grant is 250,000 EUR.

The call for proposals was published on November 19, 2025, and updated on the same day. The deadline for submitting applications is January 24, 2026.

Relevant documents for this grant opportunity include: Annex C1 bis Twinning Light Fiche, and Annex C9 bis Twinning Light2, both published on November 19, 2025. These documents provide further details and guidelines for the Twinning Light projects.

In summary, this grant opportunity focuses on strengthening the BIO4 Campus in Serbia by integrating sustainable operational and management practices aligned with EU standards. The funding is provided through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, and the grant type is an Action Grant. Interested parties should review the provided annexes for detailed information and ensure their applications are submitted by the deadline of January 24, 2026. The available budget is 250,000 EUR.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity details do not explicitly list the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of "Twinning Light" projects and the objective of strengthening capacities and introducing EU practices, eligible applicants are likely to include public sector bodies, research institutions, and potentially NGOs with relevant experience in the EU. The focus on "Twinning Light" suggests that the project involves collaboration between an EU member state institution and a Serbian institution.

Funding Type: The funding type is Action Grants.

Consortium Requirement: The mention of "Twinning Light" strongly suggests that a consortium is required, specifically a partnership between an institution from an EU member state and an institution from Serbia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographical zone is Serbia. EU member state institutions are also implicitly eligible as partners in a Twinning Light project.

Target Sector: The target sector is related to the sustainable operation and management of the BIO4 Campus. While BIO4 is not explicitly defined, the name suggests it is related to bioeconomy, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or similar fields. Therefore, the target sector can be broadly categorized as biotech/medtech, agriculture/food, environment, and potentially education/research.

Mentioned Countries: Serbia, and implicitly all EU member states (due to the Twinning Light mechanism).

Project Stage: The project stage is likely focused on development and implementation, aiming to strengthen capacities and introduce EU practices. This suggests a stage beyond basic research, focusing on practical application and knowledge transfer.

Funding Amount: The budget is 250,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission."

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money through the Action Grant.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it is likely to involve at least one stage of proposal submission and evaluation. Given the nature of EU grants, there may be multiple stages, including eligibility checks, technical evaluation, and potentially negotiation.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly stated. It is possible that co-funding is required, but this cannot be determined from the provided information.

Summary:

This opportunity is an Action Grant funded by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) with a budget of 250,000 EUR. The call, published on November 19, 2025, with a deadline of January 24, 2026, aims to strengthen capacities and introduce EU practices for the sustainable operation and management of the BIO4 Campus in Serbia. The project utilizes a "Twinning Light" mechanism, implying a mandatory consortium consisting of at least one institution from an EU member state and one institution from Serbia. The target sector is related to bioeconomy, biotechnology, or related fields, focusing on development and implementation rather than basic research. The application is submitted through an open call. The grant provides financial support. The number of application stages and co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. The opportunity is geared towards fostering collaboration between EU and Serbian institutions to enhance the BIO4 Campus's capabilities in sustainable operation and management, aligning it with EU standards and practices.