Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications under Horizon Europe to support the development of sustainable bio-based solutions that drive scientific, technological, and societal transformation toward more sustainable ways of living. The initiative focuses on advancing bio-based innovation, circular economy systems, and socially inclusive green transition models across Europe.
The programme supports projects that combine biotechnology, biomanufacturing, digital tools, and social sciences to develop innovative products and services while improving environmental sustainability, climate neutrality, and social well-being. The total funding available is approximately €8,000,000, with around €4,000,000 allocated per project.
What is the European Bio-Based Innovation Grant?
This funding opportunity supports research and innovation projects that contribute to the development of a circular, sustainable, and socially inclusive bioeconomy in Europe.
The programme promotes:
- Bio-based innovation and biotechnology
- Circular economy systems
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Climate-neutral industrial transformation
- Social inclusion and environmental justice
- Public acceptance of bio-based technologies
- Digital innovation in bioeconomy systems
- Cross-sector collaboration between science, industry, and society
Main Objectives of the Programme
The initiative aims to transform both production systems and societal behaviour through sustainable bio-based innovation.
Core Objectives Include:
- Advancing sustainable bio-based products and services
- Supporting circular and resource-efficient systems
- Reducing environmental and climate impacts
- Enhancing social acceptance of biotechnology
- Promoting environmental justice and inclusion
- Strengthening public understanding of bio-based innovation
- Encouraging responsible consumption patterns
- Supporting climate-neutral industrial transitions
Key Thematic Areas
Bio-Based Innovation and Biotechnology
Projects are expected to develop:
- Innovative bio-based products
- Sustainable consumer goods
- Bio-manufactured materials and services
- Less resource-intensive production systems
These innovations should reduce environmental pressure and support sustainable lifestyles.
Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency
The programme encourages:
- Circular bio-based production systems
- Waste reduction and reuse strategies
- Efficient use of biological resources
- Sustainable value chain redesign
Digital Technologies in Bioeconomy
Projects should integrate advanced technologies such as:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Bioinformatics
- Digital modelling tools
- Data-driven innovation systems
These tools are expected to enhance research, development, and implementation processes.
Social Transformation and Societal Impact
The programme places strong emphasis on the social dimensions of innovation.
Focus Areas Include:
- Environmental justice
- Gender equality
- Diversity and inclusion
- Social equity
- Improved living conditions
- Reduced pollution exposure
- Fair green transition
Projects must demonstrate how innovation contributes to broader societal transformation.
Public Engagement and Acceptance
A key priority is improving public understanding and acceptance of bio-based innovation.
This Includes:
- Public perception of biotechnology risks and benefits
- Consumer attitudes and behaviour
- Market acceptance of new products
- Sustainable consumption awareness
- Science communication and outreach
Policy Alignment and Strategic Frameworks
The programme aligns with major EU strategies and initiatives, including:
- EU Bioeconomy Strategy
- Biotechnology and biomanufacturing policies
- Life Sciences Strategy
- Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking
- Clean Industrial Deal
- New European Bauhaus
- Start-ups and Scale-ups Strategy
- Circular economy frameworks
Collaboration Requirements
Projects must ensure strong collaboration across multiple sectors.
Required Stakeholders Include:
- Industry partners
- Public authorities
- Research institutions
- Civil society organisations
- Social science and humanities experts
Collaboration is expected to create feedback loops between innovation development and real-world implementation.
Role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)
The programme explicitly requires integration of SSH disciplines to:
- Analyse societal impacts
- Support inclusive innovation design
- Study consumption patterns
- Evaluate social acceptance
- Ensure ethical and equitable outcomes
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to deliver:
- Innovative bio-based products and services
- Reduced environmental footprint of consumption
- Stronger public trust in biotechnology
- Inclusive and equitable innovation systems
- Improved circular economy practices
- Enhanced digital bioeconomy tools
- Scalable socio-economic transformation models
Funding Details
Total Budget
- Approximately €8,000,000
Per Project Funding
- Around €4,000,000 per project
Funding is intended for large-scale, interdisciplinary research and innovation consortia.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to a wide range of applicants.
Eligible Entities Include:
- Universities and research institutions
- Private companies and SMEs
- Start-ups and scale-ups
- Non-profit organisations
- Public sector organisations
- International organisations
Geographic Eligibility
Applicants may include:
- EU Member State entities
- Associated countries
- Non-associated third countries
- International organisations
All applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility and participation rules.
Legal Entity Definition
A legal entity is defined as:
- Any natural or legal person recognised under applicable law with legal personality
OR - Any entity without legal personality capable of exercising rights and obligations
How to Apply
Step 1: Understand the Programme Scope
Ensure your project aligns with:
- Bio-based innovation
- Circular economy goals
- Social transformation objectives
- EU policy priorities
Step 2: Build a Consortium
Form partnerships across:
- Industry
- Academia
- Public authorities
- Civil society
- Social sciences experts
Step 3: Develop Project Proposal
Your proposal should include:
- Innovative bio-based solutions
- Digital integration (AI, bioinformatics)
- Social impact strategy
- Environmental sustainability plan
- Market and scalability approach
Step 4: Address Social Dimensions
Clearly demonstrate:
- Gender equality considerations
- Environmental justice outcomes
- Inclusion and diversity strategies
- Public engagement approaches
Step 5: Define Impact Pathways
Explain:
- How innovation will reach markets
- How societal acceptance will be improved
- How consumption patterns will shift
- How environmental impact will be reduced
Step 6: Submit Application
Submit your proposal under Horizon Europe call requirements before the deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Combine science, technology, and social research
- Demonstrate clear environmental benefits
- Include strong public engagement strategies
- Ensure meaningful industry collaboration
- Integrate AI or digital tools effectively
- Address social equity and inclusion explicitly
- Show clear pathway to market adoption
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring social sciences and humanities integration
- Weak public acceptance strategy
- Overly technical proposals without societal context
- Lack of industry collaboration
- Poor explanation of circular economy impact
- Missing gender and inclusion considerations
- Weak exploitation or market strategy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this funding call?
It supports sustainable bio-based innovation that contributes to environmental, technological, and social transformation in Europe.
How much funding is available?
The total budget is approximately €8,000,000, with around €4,000,000 per project.
Who can apply?
Any legal entity, including universities, companies, NGOs, and international organisations, subject to Horizon Europe rules.
Are non-EU organisations eligible?
Yes, entities from non-associated third countries may apply if they meet eligibility requirements.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects focusing on bio-based products, circular economy systems, digital bioeconomy tools, and social transformation initiatives.
Is industry collaboration required?
Yes, collaboration with industry and public authorities is mandatory.
Does the programme include social sciences?
Yes, integration of social sciences and humanities is required to assess societal impact.
Final Thoughts
The European Commission’s 2026 bio-based innovation call represents a major opportunity to advance sustainable technologies while reshaping how societies produce, consume, and interact with biological resources.
By combining biotechnology, digital innovation, circular economy principles, and social transformation strategies, the programme aims to deliver solutions that are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially inclusive, economically viable, and widely accepted by society.
For more information, visit European Commission.