Deadline: 06-Oct-21
European Commission is seeking proposals for Contained Biomass Solutions for Sustainable and Zero-Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) Production Systems for High-Value Applications.
Scope
- The innovative bioeconomy sectors need to diversify and deliver technological and industrial solutions based on available and sustainably sourced biomass.
- In particular, this covers sustainable application in various industrial systems for high value products and uses, such as in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic and veterinary sectors, especially in the context of biorefining and other (industrial) high-value uses.
- This calls for identifying, optimising, screening and monitoring of the growing conditions in suitable systems such as bioreactors from where they need to be efficiently processed, extracted and converted into industrial outputs of interest.
- The scope covers innovative multi-scale bioreactor designs, and related innovations such as hydroponics systems and phenotyping platforms for increased sustainability of biomass production, and its efficient, pathogen-free processing and use.
Funding Information
Grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000 except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (lowvalue grant).
Expected Outcomes
Project results should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Lower production costs, improved safety and access to final efficient, specific, high-yield and high-value, climate-neutral circular applications
- Lower dependence on land-based production systems, minimising the risk of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC), with specific technical solutions and strategies for innovative, high-output, multi-source high-value contained applications, based on a variety of biological organisms and their cultivation systems and technologies involved.
- Methodologically robust verification of sustainability of the production system via life-cycle assessment approaches. This covers the greater resource efficiency of production pathways, by applying the upcycling and cascading use of biomass residues or side-streams.
- More mature and advanced biotechnology solutions for the innovative culture, screening and processing of the selected organisms, as well as the related digital applications, thus contributing to European industrial competitiveness.
- Higher engagement of SMEs, for creating skilled jobs and bringing other socio-economic benefits for end users and/or patients, through expanding the range of natural ingredients for new applications in industrial sectors, enhancing the functional performance of the investigated value chains and products, and contributing to more sustainable industrial practices and resource independence of the EU Member States and associated countries.
- Better public understanding across EU Member States and associated countries of biotechnology, and of biodiversity conservation and enhancement objectives set out in the EU biodiversity strategy and respect for the principles of access and benefit sharing (UN Biodiversity Convention), via clear, inclusive and transparent communication strategies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.
- A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
- To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States;
- eligible non-EU countries:
- countries associated to Horizon Europe
- low- and middle-income countries
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3dK6Vdi