Strengthening the European Research Area by enhancing the bioeconomy research and innovation ecosystem in BIOEAST countries

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6 is part of the Horizon Europe initiative aimed at enhancing the bioeconomy research and innovation ecosystem in the BIOEAST region, which includes Central and Eastern European countries. The focus is on strengthening the European Research Area by fostering coordination and support among research institutions and stakeholders within this geographic scope. Eligible applicants include a range of entities such as research institutions, universities, public-private partnerships, and government bodies within the BIOEAST countries, which typically encompass nations like Hungary, Poland, and others in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as associated countries including Ukraine and Moldova. The funding type provided under this grant is a lump-sum grant categorized as a Coordination and Support Action (CSA). The application process follows a single-stage system with an open call, allowing proposals to be submitted until September 24, 2025. The grant aims to align research and innovation agendas, enhance collaboration, and address sustainability challenges within the bioeconomy sector, specifically focusing on areas like sustainable biomass production and circular bio-based systems. While the exact funding amount is not specified, comparable Horizon grant initiatives generally range from €4 million to €24 million. The strategic goals include promoting collaboration, improving research capacities, and targeting outcomes that align with the EU’s climate and sustainability objectives. No explicit co-funding requirement is mentioned, and the anticipated success rates are estimated to be around 10% to 39%, reflecting the competitive nature of such grants. Proposals are encouraged to demonstrate impact potential, scalability, and engagement with ongoing initiatives in the bioeconomy sector. Key conditions for participation cover admissibility, financial capacity, and exclusion criteria, with evaluation processes outlined in the Horizon Europe guidelines. This call aligns with broader EU goals of promoting innovation and sustainability in the bioeconomy, addressing regional challenges through integrated approaches.

This is a Horizon Europe call focusing on strengthening the European Research Area by enhancing the bioeconomy research and innovation ecosystem in BIOEAST countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. The call, identified as HORIZON-CL6-2025-03, is part of the Cluster 6 call 03 and follows a single-stage submission process. The call encompasses various types of actions, including Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The opening date for submissions is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 24, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of successful proposals includes improved research and innovation capacities in the bioeconomy, enhanced coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, a strengthened macro-regional innovation ecosystem, and a strengthened European Research Area. The scope of the call involves aligning research and innovation agendas for sustainable natural resources, with attention to soil and water resilience, food systems security, and sustainable biomass valorisation in the bioeconomy.

Proposals should mobilise research funders and managers, thematic networks, and consortia should include entities from EU Member States with experience in managing joint research initiatives. Collaboration with the BIOEAST Initiative is crucial. Synergies with ongoing projects on bioeconomy governance and collaboration with the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) JU are expected.

The call aims to engage ministries, research funders, and managers, establish communication frameworks, enhance long-term cooperation in the bioeconomy, and address regional geopolitical, research, and innovation challenges. This includes fostering climate neutrality, reducing biodiversity loss, and promoting a circular, sustainable bioeconomy.

General conditions for participation include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, and financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria. The evaluation committee will include representatives of EU institutions, and the evaluation process follows Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum.

Specific conditions are detailed in the specific topic of the Work Programme, with slides available for applicants to understand lump sum funding. Application forms, evaluation forms, and model grant agreements are available in the Submission System. Additional guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, call-specific instructions, and detailed budget tables.

The call includes multiple topics with varying budgets and indicative numbers of grants:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-01:HORIZON-RIA, €6,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-02:HORIZON-IA, €12,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-03:HORIZON-RIA, €12,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-04:HORIZON-RIA, €8,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-05:HORIZON-RIA, €9,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-06:HORIZON-CSA, €4,400,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6:HORIZON-CSA, €4,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-08:HORIZON-RIA, €10,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-09:HORIZON-IA, €15,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-10:HORIZON-RIA, €16,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-11:HORIZON-RIA, €12,000,000, around 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-12:HORIZON-CSA, €3,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-13:HORIZON-CSA, €10,000,000, around 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-14:HORIZON-RIA, €8,000,000, around 1 grant

Partner search announcements are available, and applicants can access the Electronic Submission Service through the Funding & Tenders Portal. Support resources include an Online Manual, the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, FAQs, a Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points, the Enterprise Europe Network, and an IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster the bioeconomy in BIOEAST countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans by aligning research agendas, enhancing innovation capacities, and fostering collaboration. It seeks to address climate change, promote sustainable resource management, and drive socio-economic development through a circular and inclusive bioeconomy. The call offers various funding instruments, requires strong partnerships, and provides ample resources for applicants to prepare competitive proposals.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the Horizon Europe framework and the nature of Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) and Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, non-profit organizations, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the bioeconomy, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and environmental sectors. The call specifies that consortia should include entities from EU Member States with significant experience of managing joint research initiatives and partnerships.

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically through HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium. The call specifies that for establishing knowledge transfer and good cooperation, consortia should include entities from EU Member States with significant experience of managing joint research initiatives and partnerships.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes BIOEAST countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia), EU accession countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. The call also emphasizes the need for consortia to include entities from EU Member States. 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 bioeconomy sector, with a focus on sustainable natural resources, soil and water resilience, food systems security, and sustainable biomass valorisation. It also addresses agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, environmental science, ecology, and biodiversity.

Mentioned Countries:Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Moldova. The Western Balkans are also mentioned as a region.

Project Stage:The opportunity supports a range of project stages, including research, innovation, coordination, and support actions. This suggests that projects can be in the research, development, validation, or demonstration phases.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €3,000,000 to €16,000,000. The indicative number of grants also varies, with some topics expected to fund one project and others expected to fund two.

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

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates cannot be determined with the information provided.

Co-funding Requirement:The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call focuses on strengthening the European Research Area by enhancing the bioeconomy research and innovation ecosystem in BIOEAST countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. The call aims to align research and innovation agendas for sustainable natural resources, with a particular focus on soil and water resilience, food systems security, and sustainable biomass valorisation in the bioeconomy. The primary goal is to enhance research and innovation capacities and foster ownership in BIOEAST and EU accession countries.

The call includes various topics, each with a specific focus and budget, ranging from €3,000,000 to €16,000,000. The types of actions supported include Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and non-profit organizations from EU Member States, BIOEAST countries, EU accession countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.

The call emphasizes the need for consortia to include entities from EU Member States with experience in managing joint research initiatives and partnerships. Collaboration with the BIOEAST Initiative is expected to be instrumental in achieving the project outcomes. The call also encourages proposals to demonstrate the potential for impact and scalability and to collaborate with ongoing and past projects and initiatives on bioeconomy governance and the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) JU.

The overall objective is to contribute to the European Green Deal priorities, the EU’s climate targets for 2030 and 2050, and the bioeconomy strategy vision by improving research and innovation capacities, fostering coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, strengthening the macro-region's research and innovation ecosystem, and addressing regional challenges through an integrated macro-regional approach to research and innovation.