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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to broaden the range and optimize the production of natural products derived from terrestrial organisms using advanced bioprospecting, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing techniques.
The core objective is to deliver innovative, circular, and climate-neutral bio-based materials and value chains with enhanced resource efficiency and market value, contributing to a clean, competitive, and sustainable bioeconomy.
Target recipients are organizations, particularly SMEs and industry players, with a focus on demonstrative activities.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, focusing on bio-based sectors including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food/feed additives, agrochemicals, and cleaning products.
The geographic scope covers eligible countries as defined by Horizon Europe rules (EU Member States and Associated Countries).
This grant is part of the recurring Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, specifically under the 'Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors' destination.

Financial Structure

The total budget for this specific topic is 11,000,000 EUR.
Each successful project is expected to receive a grant of 5,500,000 EUR.
The funding mechanism is a 'HORIZON Innovation Action' (IA).
For Innovation Actions, the typical funding rate is up to 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities.
Non-profit entities (e.g., universities, research organizations) participating in Innovation Actions may be eligible for up to 100% funding of eligible costs.
Eligible costs generally include personnel costs, equipment, travel, other direct costs, and indirect costs.
Co-financing from beneficiaries is generally required to cover the unfunded portion of eligible costs.
Financial reporting requirements will follow standard Horizon Europe guidelines, involving periodic and final reports.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type & Size

Eligible organization types are primarily SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and other industry players, as the project has a strong industry/SME focus.
Other types of organizations typically eligible for Horizon Europe actions include universities, research organizations, public bodies, and non-profit organizations, usually as part of a consortium.

Geographic Location

Organizations from EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe are eligible for funding.

Consortium Requirement

A consortium is generally required for Horizon Europe Innovation Actions, bringing together diverse expertise and resources.
International cooperation is encouraged to achieve win-win outcomes and mutual benefits.

Application Process

Application Deadlines & Submission

The submission window for proposals is from 2025-05-06.
The final application deadline is 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000.
Applications must be submitted through the Electronic Submission Service on the Funding & Tenders Portal.
The call operates on a single-stage submission procedure.

Required Documentation

Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Part B of the Application Form, available in the Submission System, provides specific layout requirements.
The standard application form for HORIZON Innovation Actions (HE IA) should be used.

Support & Guidance

Applicants can find detailed guidance in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Online Manual, and Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ.
Assistance is available from National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), IT Helpdesk, and the European IPR Helpdesk.
A partner search facility is available to help find suitable consortium members.

Project Implementation & Reporting

Projects should include a dedicated task for sharing methodologies and findings with other projects funded under this topic and similar ongoing initiatives.
Implementation will involve demonstration activities to prove techno-economic viability of proposed products/tools.
Reporting obligations will follow standard Horizon Europe grant agreements, typically involving periodic technical and financial reports.

Evaluation Criteria

Impact

Contribution to the European Green Deal, EU bioeconomy strategy, circular economy, and industrial strategy.
Demonstration of broadened range and market applications of sustainable terrestrial bio-based products.
Advancement in computational tools (e.g., AI) for biodiscovery.
Increased commitment to biodiversity preservation and conservation through sustainable bioproduction routes.
Awareness raising and improved framework for biotechnology and bio-based innovation.
Development of innovative circular and bio-based materials, products, processes, and value chains.
Creation of new opportunities for industry and consumers through sustainable novel products and circular business models.
Advancement of innovative business and governance models for safe and sustainable product design.
Contribution to the large-scale diffusion of social and technological innovation within planetary boundaries.
Leveraging the full potential of marine and freshwater biological resources and blue biotechnology for societal benefits (e.g., environment-friendly products, public health, environmental conservation).
Fostering multi-functionality of forests based on economic, environmental, and social sustainability pillars.
Contribution to climate action (mitigation and adaptation) and ecosystem services.
Ensuring participation of disadvantaged groups based on gender and other social categories where civil society is impacted.

Quality and Implementation

Quality of the proposed research and innovation methodology, including robust experimental design, data analysis, and appropriate technical approaches.
Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including the allocation of resources and definition of tasks.
Quality of the consortium, considering expertise, complementarity, and management structure.
Risk assessment and mitigation strategies, including those related to ecosystems and the 'Do-No-Significant-Harm' (DNSH) principle.
Adequacy of resources and budget for the proposed activities.

Excellence

Soundness of the proposed concept and methodology.
Ambition and innovation potential of the project.
Scientific and technological quality, including the integration of digital-driven, 'omics' and associated bioinformatic tools.
Clearly defined and measurable expected outcomes.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must comply with applicable EU regulations and international rules concerning access to biological resources.
Specific adherence to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol is mandatory, focusing on sustainable use and fair and equitable sharing of benefits.

Environmental and Ethical Standards

Biodiversity preservation must be guaranteed, for instance, by covering propagation of biological material through in vitro cultivation or biotechnological approaches to decrease pressure on wild resources.
Proposals must assess and minimize any risks to ecosystems, applying the 'Do-No-Significant-Harm' (DNSH) principle.
New products should be 'safe and sustainable by design' (SSbD) as per Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2510.

Technical & Risk Management

Projects must demonstrate the techno-economic viability of producing terrestrial natural products and/or biodiscovery platform tools.
Safety for end-users and operators needs to be assessed and guaranteed.
Projects should avoid overlaps with previously funded initiatives and seek synergies with parallel actions and relevant Joint Undertakings (e.g., Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking - CBE JU).

Special Considerations

A strong emphasis is placed on the integration of digital approaches and tools such as AI, machine learning, modelling, data science, and digital twins in the biodiscovery process.
A sustainability assessment evaluating environmental, economic, and social performance of developed products is required.
Projects should contribute to understanding potential trade-offs in ecosystem exploitation and their potential to deliver ecosystem services.
International cooperation is strongly encouraged to foster mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
Outcomes impacting or involving civil society should consider the participation of disadvantaged groups based on gender and other social categories.

Grant Details