Deadline: 22-Sep-2026
The European Commission is funding projects under Horizon Europe to develop and scale bio-based food ingredients that diversify protein, lipid, fibre, and carbohydrate sources. The programme aims to strengthen EU food system resilience, reduce dependency on traditional agricultural inputs, and improve environmental sustainability through industrial biorefinery solutions. Projects must demonstrate industrial-scale production, food application validation, and circular, resource-efficient processes.
Overview
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support bio-based innovation in food ingredient production under the Horizon Europe framework.
The programme focuses on transforming food systems by developing alternative nutritional ingredients sourced from bio-based and industrial processes rather than conventional agriculture alone.
Total funding allocation: €170,760,699
Dedicated topic: Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy – €20 million
Key Objectives of the Programme
This initiative supports long-term transformation of food systems to improve sustainability, resilience, and strategic autonomy.
Core objectives include:
- Diversifying sources of nutritional food ingredients
- Strengthening EU food system resilience and autonomy
- Scaling industrial biorefinery technologies
- Improving environmental sustainability in food production
- Promoting healthy and sustainable diets
- Increasing consumer acceptance of alternative food ingredients
- Enhancing resource efficiency and circularity
What Are Bio-based Food Ingredients?
Bio-based food ingredients are nutritional components derived from biological or industrial bio-processes rather than conventional livestock or fisheries systems.
Key ingredient categories:
- Proteins (alternative protein sources)
- Lipids (bio-based fats and oils)
- Fibres (dietary and functional fibres)
- Specialty carbohydrates (functional sugars and polysaccharides)
These ingredients are designed to replace or complement traditional food system inputs.
Focus Areas of the Programme
1. Industrial-scale biorefinery development
- Large-scale production of food ingredients
- Efficient conversion of bio-based feedstocks
- Integration of cascading and multi-output processes
2. Food ingredient diversification
- Development of alternative protein sources
- Expansion of non-traditional nutritional inputs
- Reduction of reliance on conventional agriculture
3. Food system resilience and autonomy
- Reduced dependency on external supply chains
- Strengthened EU strategic food independence
- Stable ingredient supply under climate and market risks
4. Sustainability and resource efficiency
- Reduced environmental footprint of food production
- Efficient use of biological and industrial feedstocks
- Circular use of resources across production chains
5. Consumer acceptance and nutrition
- Improved awareness of alternative food ingredients
- Focus on taste, texture, and sensory quality
- Promotion of healthy dietary outcomes
Project Requirements and Expectations
Projects must demonstrate industrial viability and real-world food application.
Production requirements:
- Industrial-scale biorefinery operations
- Focus on at least one primary nutritional ingredient
- Strong business case for ingredient production
- Scalable and economically viable processes
Advanced production models:
- Co-production of multiple ingredients (food + feed)
- Cascading use of raw materials
- Maximum value extraction from bio-based feedstocks
Scope of Feedstocks and Inputs
Allowed feedstocks:
- Agricultural crop-derived industrial inputs
- Bio-based industrial raw materials
- Processed biological residues and by-products
Exclusions:
- Direct food production from:
- Livestock systems
- Fisheries
- Aquaculture
This ensures focus on innovative transformation technologies rather than traditional farming outputs.
Food Application and Validation Requirements
Projects must demonstrate that ingredients are safe, functional, and nutritionally effective.
Required validations:
- Nutritional composition and quality
- Stability in food formulations
- Sensory performance (taste, texture, aroma)
- Digestibility and bioavailability
- Potential health benefits
- Safety (including allergen and intolerance risks)
Environmental and Circular Economy Requirements
The programme strongly emphasizes sustainability across the entire lifecycle.
Key expectations:
- High resource efficiency in production
- Minimal environmental footprint
- Circular processing systems
- Prevention of contamination in recycling loops
- Sustainable feedstock utilization
- Long-term ecological and economic viability
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open under Horizon Europe eligibility rules.
Eligible applicants include:
- Research institutions and universities
- Food and biotech companies
- Industrial biorefinery developers
- SMEs and large enterprises
- International organisations
- Multi-country consortia of legal entities
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative supports a structural shift in global food systems.
Key benefits:
- Reduces dependency on traditional agricultural inputs
- Strengthens food security and supply chain resilience
- Enables alternative protein and nutrient sources
- Supports climate-resilient food production systems
- Promotes sustainable and healthy diets
- Advances EU strategic autonomy in food systems
- Encourages innovation in industrial biotechnology
How It Works / How to Apply
Step-by-step process:
- Form a consortium of eligible partners (industry + research + food sector)
- Identify relevant Horizon Europe call topic
- Develop proposal including:
- Biorefinery design and production process
- Target nutritional ingredient(s)
- Industrial scalability plan
- Food application and validation strategy
- Environmental sustainability assessment
- Submit application via EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- Evaluation by expert panels based on:
- Scientific excellence
- Industrial feasibility
- Environmental and societal impact
- Selected projects receive grant funding for implementation and scaling
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Technical mistakes:
- Weak industrial-scale production plan
- No clear biorefinery integration model
- Lack of validated food application testing
Strategic mistakes:
- Focusing only on lab-scale innovation
- Ignoring consumer acceptance and sensory testing
- Poor scalability or economic feasibility
Scope mistakes:
- Using excluded conventional food production systems
- Limited ingredient diversification strategy
- No circular economy integration
Tips for Strong Proposals
- Focus on industrial-scale biorefinery design (TRL-driven)
- Clearly define primary and co-produced ingredients
- Include strong food product validation (taste, safety, nutrition)
- Demonstrate circular and cascading resource use
- Address consumer acceptance early in design
- Provide clear business case and market pathway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main goal of this EU funding programme?
The goal is to diversify nutritional food ingredient sources using bio-based and industrial technologies to strengthen food system resilience.
2. How much funding is available?
The overall programme has €170,760,699, with €20 million dedicated to food ingredient diversification.
3. What types of ingredients are supported?
Proteins, lipids, fibres, and specialty carbohydrates produced through bio-based industrial processes.
4. Are livestock or fisheries allowed as sources?
No. The programme excludes direct food production from livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture systems.
5. What scale of production is required?
Projects must demonstrate industrial-scale biorefinery production capability.
6. Is consumer acceptance important?
Yes. Projects must consider sensory quality, nutritional value, and consumer acceptance of new ingredients.
7. Can international organisations apply?
Yes, if they meet Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.
Conclusion
This Horizon Europe funding call supports a major transformation of food systems by enabling industrial-scale production of alternative nutritional ingredients. By diversifying protein, fibre, lipid, and carbohydrate sources, the programme strengthens food security, reduces environmental impact, and enhances strategic autonomy while promoting sustainable and healthy diets across Europe and beyond.
For more information, visit European Commission.