Deadline: 22-Sep-2026
The European Commission is offering €1.2 million in funding to help industries transition դեպի bio-based value chains. The initiative focuses on identifying barriers, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and developing roadmaps for sustainable industrial transformation. Open under Horizon Europe, it targets scalable, practical solutions for adopting bio-based systems.
Overview
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support industries in transitioning toward sustainable, circular, and bio-based value chains.
This initiative is part of Horizon Europe and aims to accelerate industrial transformation by addressing systemic, technical, and market barriers.
Key Objectives
The program aims to:
- Support the transition to bio-based industrial systems
- Identify and address barriers to adoption
- Strengthen collaboration across sectors
- Build confidence in bio-based markets
- Develop actionable transition roadmaps
Policy Alignment
This initiative contributes to major EU frameworks, including:
- EU Bioeconomy Strategy
- Clean Industrial Deal
- European Chemical Industry Action Plan
- Circular Economy Act
Key Focus Areas
1. Barrier Identification and Analysis
Projects must:
- Identify technical, regulatory, and market barriers
- Assess challenges such as:
- Cost competitiveness
- Feedstock availability
- Skills gaps
- Regulatory complexity
- Market uncertainty
2. Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Engage bio-based and non-bio-based industries
- Promote partnerships across value chains
- Encourage stakeholder dialogue and cooperation
3. Stakeholder Consultation
- Conduct consultations across at least 3 industrial sectors
- Include:
- SMEs and startups
- Large industry players
- Value chain actors
- Ensure geographic and sectoral diversity
4. Validation with End Users
- Test proposed solutions with:
- Consumers
- Industry end users
- Ensure practical relevance and applicability
5. Case Studies and Best Practices
- Identify successful bio-based adoption examples
- Analyze scalability and replication potential
- Share insights across sectors
6. Stakeholder Forum Development
Projects must establish a forum including:
- Bio-based industries
- Feedstock suppliers
- Non-bio-based industries
- Investors and policymakers
- Demand-side stakeholders
7. Roadmap Development
- Develop sectoral and cross-sectoral transition roadmaps
- Cover at least 3 industries
- Include:
- Transition strategies
- Risk reduction measures
- Adoption pathways
Funding Details
- Funding per project: €1.2 million
- Total program budget: €170,760,699
- Funding type: Research and innovation grant
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Research institutions and universities
- Private companies and industry groups
- SMEs and startups
- NGOs and international organizations
Eligibility Conditions
Applicants must:
- Be a legal entity
- Comply with Horizon Europe rules
- Meet all call-specific requirements
Why This Grant Matters
Many industries face barriers in adopting bio-based solutions despite sustainability benefits.
This initiative helps:
- Reduce dependency on fossil-based systems
- Accelerate circular economy transition
- Improve industrial sustainability and competitiveness
- Enable scalable and replicable solutions
How the Program Works
Project Requirements
Projects must:
- Conduct multi-sector consultations
- Identify and analyze key barriers
- Develop and validate solutions
- Establish stakeholder collaboration platforms
- Produce case studies and best practices
- Publish transition roadmaps
Expected Outcomes
- Clear understanding of industry challenges
- Practical solutions validated by stakeholders
- Increased collaboration across sectors
- Roadmaps guiding industrial transition
- Replicable models for bio-based adoption
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Review Horizon Europe call requirements
- Define project scope and target sectors
- Build a consortium (if required)
- Prepare a proposal including:
- Methodology
- Stakeholder engagement plan
- Expected impact
- Submit via the EU funding portal
What to Emphasize
- Strong industry engagement strategy
- Clear understanding of barriers and solutions
- Practical and scalable outcomes
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Alignment with EU policies
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Focus on real-world applicability
- Include diverse stakeholders across value chains
- Demonstrate scalability and replication potential
- Provide clear roadmap frameworks
- Align with sustainability and circular economy goals
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Limited stakeholder engagement
- Weak validation with end users
- Lack of cross-sector collaboration
- Overly theoretical approaches
- عدم alignment with EU priorities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of this grant?
To support industries in transitioning to bio-based value chains.
2. How much funding is available?
€1.2 million per project.
3. Who can apply?
Any legal entity meeting Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
4. What sectors are targeted?
At least three industrial sectors critical to the green transition.
5. Is stakeholder engagement required?
Yes, extensive consultation and collaboration are mandatory.
6. What outputs are expected?
Case studies, stakeholder forums, and transition roadmaps.
7. Why is this initiative important?
It helps industries overcome barriers and adopt sustainable bio-based systems.
Conclusion
This funding opportunity from the European Commission supports a critical shift toward sustainable, bio-based industrial systems.
By addressing barriers, fostering collaboration, and providing actionable roadmaps, it enables industries across Europe and beyond to transition toward a more resilient and circular economy.
For more information, visit European Commission.
