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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

GRANT PURPOSE AND TARGET: - This grant aims to strengthen the European Research Area by enhancing the bioeconomy research and innovation ecosystem. - It specifically targets improving research and innovation capacities and aligning R&I agendas in the BIOEAST countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Focuses on bioeconomy, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental governance. - Geographic scope includes BIOEAST countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia), Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). Consortia should also include entities from EU Member States with relevant experience. - Key filtering criteria: Focus on bioeconomy, strong consortium requirement with specific regional focus, and experience in managing joint research initiatives. - This is a single-stage, Coordination and Support Action (CSA) topic within the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2025, specifically under Cluster 6, Destination 7.

Financial Structure

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE: - The grant provides a total budget of 4,000,000 EUR for one expected project. - The minimum and maximum grant amount per project is 4,000,000 EUR. - Funding is provided as a 'lump sum' contribution, meaning payments are based on the completion of predefined work packages, not on actual incurred costs. - Eligible costs are those that would be eligible under standard Horizon Europe rules, including: - Personnel costs (employees, contractors, seconded persons, SME owners/natural person beneficiaries). - Subcontracting costs. - Purchase costs (travel, subsistence, equipment, other goods, works, services). - Other cost categories (financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods and services, research infrastructure access, PCP/PPI procurement, Euratom Cofund staff mobility, ERC additional funding). - Ineligible costs are those explicitly excluded by Horizon Europe rules. - Indirect costs are calculated at a flat rate of 25% of eligible direct costs, and this is integrated into the overall lump sum. - A 'co-financing principle' applies, meaning the total estimated costs of the action must be greater than the requested Union contribution. - Pre-financing follows standard Horizon Europe rules. - A portion of the total lump sum (between 5% and 8%) is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism. - Financial reporting of actual costs is generally not required; the focus is on technical implementation and work package completion.

Eligibility Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Organization Type and Structure

Eligible organization types are not strictly defined by legal form (e.g., SME, NGO) but generally include:
- Universities
- Public entities (e.g., ministries, government agencies)
- Research organizations
- Thematic networks
- Other private stakeholders involved in the bioeconomy sector.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium.
Consortia should include entities from EU Member States with significant experience in managing joint research initiatives and partnerships.

Geographic Location Requirements

Participation is open to entities from:
- BIOEAST countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia.
- Ukraine, Moldova.
- Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia.
- All EU Member States (for experienced partners).

Experience and Capacity

Consortia members, particularly those from EU Member States, must demonstrate 'significant experience of managing joint research initiatives and partnerships'.
The proposal should show the ability to mobilize research funders, managers, and thematic networks from the macro-region.

Exclusion Criteria

Financial and operational capacity will be assessed, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
General exclusion criteria for Horizon Europe apply (e.g., bankruptcy, grave professional misconduct, fraud).

Application Process

APPLICATION PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Application Procedure

This is a 'single-stage' application process.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the European Commission's 'Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service'.
Applicants will need an EU Login account to access the submission system.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

The submission session opened on '2025-05-06'.
The application deadline is '2025-09-24 00:00:00+0000'.

Required Documentation and Materials

A specific 'Application Form' (Part B) available in the Submission System.
A 'Detailed budget table' (HE LS) demonstrating the estimated direct and indirect costs per work package, beneficiary, and affiliated entity.
The proposal must include a detailed description of activities covered by each work package and all related resources.
Applicants must declare that they have followed their 'own accounting practices' for budget preparation.

Evaluation and Grant Agreement

Proposals will be evaluated by external independent experts, partially composed of EU institution representatives.
The evaluation will include a check of the budget estimate by financial experts against benchmarks and historical data.
The final lump sum amount will be established after evaluation, considering expert recommendations.
The 'Model Grant Agreement' (Lump Sum MGA) will be used for successful projects.

Support and Assistance

Applicants can find guidance through the 'Online Manual', 'Horizon Europe Programme Guide', 'Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ', and the 'Research Enquiry Service'.
'National Contact Points (NCPs)' offer guidance and assistance in participating in Horizon Europe.
The 'Enterprise Europe Network' provides advice to businesses, particularly SMEs, on EU research funding.
Technical support for the Submission Portal is available via the 'IT Helpdesk'.
Assistance on intellectual property issues is available from the 'European IPR Helpdesk'.
'Partner Search' services are available to help find consortium partners.

Evaluation Criteria

EVALUATION CRITERIA: Proposals are evaluated based on three main criteria, consistent with Horizon Europe standards: Excellence

Clarity and pertinence of the project's objectives.
Soundness of the proposed methodology, including interdisciplinary aspects and the integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH).
Robustness of the underlying research and innovation capacities, particularly in bioeconomy, soil/water resilience, food systems security, and sustainable biomass valorization.
Extent to which the proposed work is beyond the 'state of the art'.

Impact

Contribution to 'improved research and innovation capacities in the bioeconomy' across the target regions.
Effectiveness in fostering 'improved coordination and collaboration among stakeholders' and achieving a shared vision for climate-neutrality and a circular bioeconomy.
Potential to strengthen the macro-region's R&I ecosystem leading to 'tangible projects' and 'fair and sustainable socio-economic development and environmental sustainability'.
Ability to strengthen the European Research Area by outlining a roadmap and identifying 'emerging thematic areas for research and innovation cooperation'.
Alignment with the European Green Deal priorities, EU climate targets, and the bioeconomy strategy.
Demonstrated potential for 'impact and scalability' of proposed activities.
Contribution to the reduction of biodiversity loss and climate action.
Enhancement of long-term cooperation and amplification of research impact on socio-economic development.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including the appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including risk management.
Quality and capacity of the consortium members and the extent to which they complement each other.
Justification of the proposed lump sum contribution based on estimated direct and indirect costs per work package.
Soundness of the budget estimate, verified against benchmarks and market prices by experts with financial know-how.

Compliance & Special Requirements

COMPLIANCE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Regulatory Compliance

Projects must comply with the 'Regulation (EU) 2021/695' (Horizon Europe Framework Programme), 'Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765', and 'Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2018/1046' (Financial Rules).
The specific 'Decision of 7 July 2021' authorizing the use of lump sum contributions under Horizon Europe also applies.

Ethical and Environmental Standards

Compliance with 'ethical standards and research integrity' is subject to checks during project implementation.
Projects are expected to contribute to the 'European Green Deal', EU climate targets, and goals related to 'biodiversity loss reduction', 'zero pollution', and a 'circular bioeconomy'.

Intellectual Property (IP) and Data

Policies on the 'management of intellectual property' apply and are subject to checks.
While not explicitly detailed, general EU data protection and privacy regulations apply. The project is expected to contribute to the 'European data strategy and future European data union strategy'.

Special Considerations

Coordination and Support Action (CSA): This grant type emphasizes networking, coordination, capacity building, and supporting policy coherence rather than direct research or innovation development.
Lump Sum Funding: A key feature is the simplified financial management, where payments are tied to the completion of work packages rather than detailed cost reporting. This shifts focus to technical performance and output.
Regional Focus: Strong emphasis on collaboration within and support for the BIOEAST countries, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.
Strategic Alignment: Projects must align with a broad range of EU policies and initiatives, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), EU biodiversity strategies, and digital transformation agendas.
Synergies: Proposals should demonstrate synergies with ongoing and past bioeconomy governance projects and collaborate with the 'Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking' and its widening strategy.
Multi-actor Approach: The interactive innovation model, particularly the 'multi-actor approach (MAA)', is supported and mainstreamed across Cluster 6, promoting strong interaction between and integration of various stakeholders.

Grant Details