CBE JU: €170.7 million call for project proposals launched

The 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.

Overview of the 13 topics

Flagships (target TRL 8)

• Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech – €20 million
• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products – €20 million
• SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care – €20 million
• Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy – €20 million

Innovation Actions (target TRL 6-7)

• Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass – €14 million
• Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability – €14 million
• Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues – €14 million
• High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets – €14 million
• Films and coatings for circular packaging – €14 million

Research and Innovation Actions (target TRL 4-5)

• Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries – €6.5 million
• SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources – €6.5 million
• Breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres – €6.5 million

Coordination and Support Actions (not linked to TRL)

• Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes – €1.2 million

Who can apply?

All stakeholders of the bio-based industries ecosystem are invited to apply for CBE JU funding, such as farmers, consumer brands, companies, research organisations, and local authorities. CBE JU calls for project proposals are open to any legal entity, be it private or public, for-profit or not-for-profit organisation, including:

• Large companies
• Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
• Research and technology organisations (RTOs)
• Universities
• Associations

How to apply?

Projects must be submitted in a single-stage process, following the procedures outlined on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The call identifier is HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026. Projects can be submitted until Tuesday, 22 September at 17:00 CET.

Timeline

• 23 April 2026: Call launch
• 22 September 2026: Call closure
• Mid-January 2027: Applicants are informed about the outcome
• May-June 2027: Grant agreement signature and expected project start

More info

• CBE JU Call 2026
• CBE JU Info Day (recording)

Are you interested in participating in this call or looking for potential partners? Contact Catalisti's Martijn Roosen at mroosencatalisti.be (mroosen[at]catalisti[dot]be).