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Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

To develop and scale innovative processes for producing nutrients from atmospheric CO2 using genetically engineered microorganisms, fostering safer food systems and new business models in biotechnology. - Target recipient type and size: Industry, food-producing companies, research organizations, public bodies, NGOs. SMEs and start-ups are particularly promoted. - This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, focusing on food systems, biotechnology, bioeconomy, and agriculture. - Geographic scope: EU Member States and Associated Countries. International cooperation (e.g., with the US, Africa) is encouraged. - Key filtering criteria: Focus on precision fermentation, CO2 utilization by microorganisms, food applications, and commitment to the multi-actor approach. - Grant frequency and context: Part of the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Work Programme 2025, a recurring framework program with specific calls. This is a one-time call for this specific topic ID within the 2025 program.

Financial Structure

  • Total budget for this topic: €12,000,000.
  • Expected number of grants: 2.
  • Minimum grant amount per project: €6,000,000.
  • Maximum grant amount per project: €6,000,000.
  • Currency: EUR.
  • Eligible costs: Not explicitly detailed, but grants are 'budget-based' Innovation Actions, covering costs related to research, innovation, and scaling activities.
  • Matching fund requirements: Not specified in the provided text. Horizon Europe Innovation Actions typically cover 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and 100% for non-profit entities.
  • Financial reporting and audit requirements: Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes (not provided).

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Organization Types
  • Existing private companies
  • SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises)
  • Start-ups
  • Industry-related actors (e.g., associations, consultants, engineering experts)
  • Researchers and research organizations
  • Policy makers
  • Technology providers
  • Primary producers
  • Food, drink and hospitality industry
  • Retailers
  • Social economy actors
  • Local authorities and communities
  • NGOs (Non-governmental Organizations) and civil society
  • Public bodies
  • Universities
Geographic Requirements
  • Organizations must be established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
  • International cooperation is encouraged, notably with partners in the United States and within the EU-Africa Partnership.
Project Requirements
  • Proposals must apply the 'multi-actor approach', involving diverse actors from the value chain.
  • Proposals must include a dedicated task and resources to collaborate with other projects funded under this topic.
  • Projects should demonstrate a clear path to fostering EU strategic autonomy and leadership in innovative nutrient production.
  • Projects should align with the Food 2030 R&I initiative and the EU strategy on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing.
Exclusions
  • Detailed exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes (not provided in this document).

Application Process

Application Timeline
  • Call opening date: 2025-05-06.
  • Application deadline: 2025-09-16.
  • Submission is a 'single-stage' process.
Required Documentation and Submission
  • Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and specifically in Part B of the Application Form.
  • Application forms specific to this call are available in the Submission System.
  • Submission is done via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.
Evaluation and Selection Process
  • Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
  • An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also in Annex F.
Support and Guidance
  • Applicants can find guidance in the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (MGA), and additional documents like the HE Main Work Programme 2025 parts.
  • Support services include the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, and European IPR Helpdesk.
  • A partner search tool is available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Post-Award Requirements
  • Legal and financial set-up of grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment, and Financial Capacity Assessment apply.
  • Grantees are expected to collaborate with other projects funded under this topic and establish links with Regional Innovation Valleys.

Evaluation Criteria

The specific scoring criteria are not detailed in the provided grant information but are referenced as described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. However, based on the Expected Outcomes and Scope, the following will likely be key: Strategic Alignment and Impact
  • Contribution to safer food systems.
  • Promotion of innovation through new start-up companies in food biotechnology.
  • Fostering EU strategic autonomy and leadership in innovative nutrient production.
  • Contribution to reducing CO2 in the air and understanding environmental/climate impacts.
  • Alignment with Food 2030 R&I initiative and the EU 'Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing' communication.
  • Contribution to climate-neutrality and climate-resilience.
  • Deliverance of co-benefits for climate change mitigation/adaptation, environmental sustainability, circularity, healthy diets, and malnutrition/hunger reduction.
Innovation and Technical Excellence
  • Application of precision fermentation using genetically engineered microorganisms.
  • Identification and scaling up of innovative technologies by SMEs and start-ups.
  • Improvement of existing pilot plants to scale up nutrient production.
  • Feasibility analysis for scaling developed biotechnologies.
  • Development of business models for industry and in-situ application.
  • Consideration of climate-related aspects and sustainability.
Quality of Implementation and Multi-actor Approach
  • Demonstration of costs and resource-efficiency in bioreactors and processing.
  • Support for the set-up of new or existing living laboratory facilities and pre-commercialisation infrastructure.
  • Establishment of an open space database/platform for business models and pre-commercialisation testing.
  • Effective implementation of the 'multi-actor approach' with adequate involvement of diverse stakeholders, particularly private companies, SMEs, and start-ups.
  • Inclusion of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) perspectives where relevant for human-centred approaches and social innovation.
  • Engagement with Regional Innovation Valleys for bioeconomy and food systems (RIV4BFS) and research infrastructures (e.g., IBISBA, ESFRI catalogue).
  • Collaboration with data spaces like European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) where possible.
  • Appropriate resources for collaboration with other funded projects under this topic.
Expected Quality Thresholds
  • Topics under this destination should be balanced in terms of high as well as low Technological Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Legal Compliance
  • Compliance with the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.
  • Adherence to general conditions and specific conditions outlined in the Work Programme General Annexes and the specific topic.
  • Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment, and Financial Capacity Assessment apply.
Ethical and Environmental Standards
  • Projects should contribute to the 'One Health' approach where relevant.
  • Emphasis on environmental friendliness, climate-neutrality, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Contribution to biodiversity protection and pollution minimization.
Specific Project Requirements
  • Multi-actor approach is mandatory: Requires adequate involvement of researchers, policy makers, technology providers, primary producers, food/drink/hospitality industry, retailers, social economy actors, SMEs, local authorities, communities, NGOs, and civil society, considering gender and socio-demographic aspects.
  • Collaboration with other funded projects: Proposals must include a dedicated task and resources for active collaboration with other projects selected under this topic.
  • Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH): Encouraged to apply a human-centred approach and support social innovation.
  • Regional Innovation Valleys: Encouraged to establish links with Regional Innovation Valleys for the bioeconomy and food systems (RIV4BFS) to aid technology deployment.
  • Data Management: Cross-articulation with data spaces (e.g., European Open Science Cloud - EOSC) and exploitation of synergies are encouraged.
  • Research Infrastructure Utilization: Encouraged to consider services offered by European research infrastructures (e.g., IBISBA, ESFRI catalogue).
Innovation and Scale-up
  • Projects should address both high and low Technological Readiness Levels (TRLs).
  • Focus on creating new start-ups and scaling up existing solutions, including improving pilot plants.
International Cooperation
  • Collaboration with international partners, particularly from the United States, is encouraged.
  • Targeted R&I activities under the EU-Africa Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) are also encouraged.

Grant Details

co2 food 2030 food system sme air bioreactor biotechnology business models downstream processing gas gas emission genetically modified innovation microbes microorganisms nutrients plant emission precision fermentation scale-up start-ups up-scaling upstream processing agriculture food environment research manufacturing circular economy sustainable food systems climate action bioeconomy food security
Nutrients produced by microorganisms utilising primarily CO2 from the air, with the support of biotechnology
48214342TOPICSen
Horizon Europe
SME STARTUP ENTERPRISE NGO PUBLIC UNIVERSITY OTHER
AT BE BG HR CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE AL BA GE IS IL MD ME MK NO RS TR UA UK CH
AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE MANUFACTURING OTHER
DEVELOPMENT EARLY_MARKET GROWTH
OTHER
SDG2 SDG3 SDG6 SDG8 SDG9 SDG12 SDG13 SDG14 SDG15 SDG17
FUNDING RESEARCH_DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION_COMMERCIALIZATION CAPACITY_BUILDING PILOT_PROJECTS NETWORKING RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY_TRANSFER MARKET_EXPANSION
12000000.00
6000000.00
6000000.00
EUR
None
Sept. 16, 2025, midnight
None