Circular Biobased Europe (CBE JU)

Summary

The mission of CBE JU is to advance a competitive bioeconomy for a sustainable Europe. To achieve this goal, the public-private partnership is funding projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions, with a focus on these strategic priorities: feedstock, processing, products, as well as cross-cutting aspects of communication and environmental sustainability. These priorities are set in the CBE JU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the 2022-2030 period.

The CBE JU 2025 call offers over €175 million in funding for research, innovation, and flagship projects that advance sustainable, bio-based solutions across sectors including packaging, chemicals, textiles, agriculture, and industrial processes.

General objectives:

1. Accelerate the innovation process and development of bio-based innovative solutions
2. Accelerate market deployment of the existing mature and innovative bio-based solutions
3. Ensure a high level of environmental performance of bio-based industrial systems

Call topics

Innovation actions – flagship (IA-flagship)

• Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation - €20 million
• Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass - €20 million
• Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties - €20 million
• Retrofitting of (bio)refineries industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products - €20 million

Innovation actions (IA)

• Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems - €14 million
• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based solutions to replace hazardous conventional chemicals for textiles production - €14 million
• Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources - €14 million
• Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes - €14 million
• SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications - €14 million

Research and innovation actions (RIA)

• Valorisation of untapped forest biomass - €7 million
• Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health - €7 million
• Alternative biomanufacturing routes for natural and synthetic rubber - €7 million

Coordination and support actions (CSA)

• Develop and deploy new curricula and knowledge exchange practices relevant to bio-based systems - €1 million

Types of action funded by CBE JU

CBE JU funds three types of actions:

• Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) establish new knowledge or explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution. These may include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing, demonstration, and validation on a small-scale prototype, in a laboratory or simulated environment.
• Innovation Actions (IAs) scale up activities from prototype to product validation and market replication. Flagships, an important and specific type of IAs, in particular deploy a first-of-its-kind innovation on the European market.
• Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs), among other, structure stakeholder communities, support technological visions and outreach, as well as disseminate and exploit research results.

Key requirements

• Horizon Europe funding rules and conditions apply as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 General Annexes
• Projects must be collaborative with a minimum of 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU/associated countries, which can include UK-based organisations
• The expected end TRL is specified in each RIAs and IAs topic

RIAs projects are expected to be at the level of laboratory or simulated environments and expected to deliver TRL 3-5 at the end of the projects.

IAs projects are demonstration activities in relevant and operational environments and expected to deliver TRL 6-8 at the end of the projects. In particular, Flagship projects will need to deliver TRL 8 at the end of the projects.

Funding rates

• ‍Innovation actions: up to 60% of the eligible costs (except for non-profit legal entities, where the funding rate is up to 100% of the total eligible costs)
• ‍Research and innovation action: 100% of eligible costs‍
• Coordination and support action: 100% of eligible costs

How we can support your application

Applying to CBE JU calls requires strategic alignment, detailed planning and seamless coordination – and that’s where we come in. Our expert team supports you every step of the way to maximise your chances of success.

🔍 Assessing fit with target call topics‍

We’ll help you identify the most relevant call for your project idea and assess alignment with CBE JU’s scope, goals, and evaluation criteria, ensuring your concept is competitive from the outset.

🛠️ End-to-end application support‍

From shaping your narrative to managing technical and commercial inputs, we take the lead on drafting, structuring and submitting a compelling proposal, fully aligned with the grant requirements.

🤝 Consortium building and coordination‍

We support you in identifying and securing the right partners across Europe and can manage the coordination and communication needed for a strong, collaborative consortium.

⏳ Start today to stay ahead‍

These are large, complex projects – getting started early is critical. Book a consultation with our team today to ensure you have the time and support needed to develop a high-quality application ahead of the September deadline.