International connections
Collaborating across regions and borders
At Catalisti, we are committed to supporting our members in their international innovation journeys. As an innovation cluster for the chemical and plastics sector, we recognize the value of European collaboration in tackling complex challenges and driving sustainable growth. That’s why we actively assist companies, knowledge institutions, and other stakeholders in engaging with European research and innovation projects.
Whether you’re new to European funding or looking to expand your involvement, Catalisti is here to support you.
How can Catalisti support you?
We provide hands-on assistance in preparing your European projects, including:
- Dissemination of open calls for proposals through our newsletter and via LinkedIn
- Eligibility assessment
- Partner matching by sharing relevant Requests for Partners (RfPs)
- Strategic review of your proposal
- Application guidance and feedback
Additionally, we can help strengthen your project application by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI).
Please note that Catalisti only supports those European projects after internal evaluation that align with at least one of the programs of our innovation agenda.
Do you have a project idea or any questions about the process? Contact Catalisti's Martijn Roosen at mroosen
catalisti.be (mroosen[at]catalisti[dot]be)
What are the open call for proposals for European projects?
M-ERA.NET (deadline for pre-proposals is 12 May 2026; and 18 November 2026 for full proposals)
The M-ERA.NET Call 2026 is launched on 4 March 2026. 34 funding agencies participate with an indicative budget of about €39 million. The aim is to fund ambitious transnational RTD projects addressing materials research and innovation supporting the European Green Deal and the United Nations's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Eurostars Call 11 for projects (deadline is 10 September 2026)
Eurostars, the EU Partnership on Innovative SMEs, has launched its 11th call for projects. As the world’s largest SME R&D funding programme, Eurostars supports the creation of innovative products, processes, and services for commercialisation. Projects must be led by an innovative SME, while the consortium should include partners from one or more of the 37 participating countries.
CINEA Life Calls (Submission deadline is 22 September 2026. Strategic Nature Projects follow a two-stage process: concept note due 3 September 2026 and full proposal due 4 March 2027)
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. Created in 1992, it has co-financed thousands of projects. The LIFE Programme 2021-2027 is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and has a budget of €5.4 billion. It is divided into four sub-programmes: 1) Nature and biodiversity, 2) Circular economy and quality of life, 3) Climate change mitigation and adaptation, 4) Clean energy transition.
Horizon Europe 2026: Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors (deadline is 17 September 2026)
Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking Call 2026 (deadline is 22 September 2026)
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that supports projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions. It focuses on key strategic priorities, including feedstock, processing, products, as well as cross-cutting aspects of communication and environmental sustainability. CBE JU calls follow the rules and procedures of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme for the 2021–2031 period. The 2026 call has a total budget of €170.7 million and covers 13 topics across four funding instruments.
RAMP Joint Call (deadline for pre-proposals is 22 September 2026; and 15 February 2027 for full proposals)
The first call for the Raw Materials Partnership for the Green and Digital Transition programme (RAMP) has been launched. It is a partnership under Horizon Europe that focuses on research and innovation regarding sustainable and efficient raw material supply. 37 funding agencies from 25 countries are participating in the first Joint Transnational Call, including VLAIO.
Eureka Biotech Call (deadline is 25 September 2026)
Eureka’s Biotech Call for Network Projects is dedicated to fostering international cooperation in biotechnology. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear innovation focus and concrete implementation plans in areas such as (bio)process technology, digitalisation, bioinformatics, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and medicine.
Transnational Eureka Lightweighting Call (deadline is 8 October 2026)
This Eureka call supports international research and development projects around lightweighting design: smart design and material solutions that make products lighter, more sustainable, repairable, reusable, or recyclable.
Are you interested in participating in one of these calls? Contact Catalisti’s Martijn Roosen at mroosencatalisti.be (mroosen[at]catalisti[dot]be).
International partnerships
Catalisti is building a trusted international network to bundle forces, share expertise and foster new collaborations across borders. These are some of our partnerships:
Trilateral Chemistry Strategy
The Trilateral chemistry strategy is a cross-border collaboration between the Netherlands, Flanders, and North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany). Within this framework, Catalisti partners with industry associations, innovation clusters, and regional ministries to strengthen our regions’ global position. A trilateral networking event is organised each year to connect industrial and academic stakeholders.
Trilateral Innovation Summit - 29 September 2025
Axelera
Axelera is a leading innovation cluster based in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in France, dedicated to chemistry, the process industry, and environmental solutions. With over 400 member organisations, Axelera is one of Catalisti’s key international partners with whom we collaborate for industrial missions, sharing RfP's, looking for international partners and completing European projects.
Axel'One
Axel’One is a collaborative innovation platform located in Lyon, France, designed to support companies in scaling up their chemical innovations. As the development of new products and processes in chemistry is often time-intensive and capital-heavy, Axel’One offers shared pilot-scale infrastructure to help reduce the costs and risks associated with industrialisation.
Flanders Investment & Trade
Catalisti collaborates with Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) on industrial missions within Europe and connects foreign startups with the flemish chemical industry.
Are you an international organisation interested in partnering with us? Feel free to contact Laurie Braeckmans at lbraeckmanscatalisti.be (lbraeckmans[at]catalisti[dot]be)