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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to revolutionize the bio-based sector by integrating advanced digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create climate-neutral bio-based value chains. It focuses on unleashing the full potential of these technologies to improve the sustainability, resilience, and strategic autonomy of the European bio-based industry. - Explicitly targets organizations within the bio-based sector, including industry players (especially SMEs), research and innovation stakeholders, and civil society. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: Bio-based sector, circular economy, agriculture, forestry, marine/aquatic biotechnology. - Geographic scope is Europe, with international cooperation encouraged (e.g., US, Japan, South Korea, India). - Key filtering criteria: Focus on AI/digitalization for bio-based value chains, excluding health biotechnology. - This is a recurring grant opportunity as part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, specifically under Cluster 6, Destination 'Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors'.

Financial Structure

The total indicative budget for this specific topic (HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-09) is 10,000,000 EUR.
The expected number of grants for this topic is 2.
The minimum contribution per grant is 5,000,000 EUR.
The maximum contribution per grant is 5,000,000 EUR.
The currency for funding is EUR.
Financial and operational capacity requirements are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial set-up of grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible and ineligible costs are typically detailed in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and relevant Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Structure

Eligible organization types are broad, including research organizations, universities, industry (SMEs strongly encouraged), and civil society organizations.
A multi-actor approach (MAA) is encouraged, meaning diverse stakeholders and value chain actors should be involved, implying consortium applications are preferred or required for comprehensive project execution.

Geographic Location

Organizations from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding.
Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if specific funding provisions are made, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Technical Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, IT solutions, bioinformatics, data analytics, 'omics' technologies, and sensor/Internet of Things (IoT) integration relevant to bio-based applications.
Projects should leverage European Research Infrastructures (e.g., IBISBA, ESFRI catalogue) and relevant Data Spaces, including the European Open Science Cloud.

Scope Exclusions

The health biotechnology sector is explicitly not in scope for this grant.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Process

The submission session became available on 2025-05-06.
The application deadline for this call is 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000.
This is a single-stage submission model.
Proposals must be submitted via the Electronic Submission Service through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Required Documentation

Standard application form for Horizon Innovation Actions (IA) is available in the Submission System.
Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and specifically in Part B of the Application Form.

Project Implementation and Reporting

Projects are expected to contribute to stated expected outcomes.
Proposals should include a task dedicated to sharing methodologies and findings with other projects funded under this topic and similar ongoing projects.
Guidance for policymakers, industry, and civil society should be developed through an inclusive co-creation process.

Support and Guidance

The Online Manual provides guidance on procedures from proposal submission to grant management.
The Horizon Europe Programme Guide offers detailed guidance on the program's structure, budget, and political priorities.
The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions.
National Contact Points (NCPs) offer guidance and assistance on participation.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provides advice to businesses, especially SMEs, on EU research funding.
The IT Helpdesk assists with technical aspects of submission.
The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk advise on standardization.
Partner Search tools are available to help find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Award Criteria

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Expected Impact

Proposals must clearly demonstrate contribution to a clean, competitive, and circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy through the integration of digital solutions/AI.
Projects should lead to improved sustainability, resilience, and strategic autonomy of the European bio-based industry by leveraging AI/digitalization.
Proposals must advance understanding and demonstration of more sustainable feedstocks, productive and efficient industrial processes, and bio-based products (including circularity and biodegradability).
Expected to improve understanding of risks and benefits based on new, inclusive assessment methods, integrating technical and social innovation.

Quality and Implementation

Projects should explore the potential of AI and other digital technologies/tools in the bio-based sector.
Focus on developing new capacities, high-quality tools, and algorithms of AI/digital technologies for promising applications (impact on environmental sustainability and competitiveness).
The concept of a 'digital twin' can be explored if relevant.
Generative AI is in scope if relevant to the proposed concept.
Proposals should demonstrate upscaling from current potential and align with parallel actions on AI and other digital technologies.
Must incorporate systematic assessment of risks and opportunities for the sector.

Cross-cutting Themes

Multi-actor Approach (MAA) and social innovation are encouraged, especially to address societal concerns and perceptions of AI in the bio-based economy (e.g., skills and job impacts).
All relevant stakeholders and value chain actors should be involved.
Links to Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) operations are strongly encouraged.
Citizen engagement and dialogue, and social innovation approaches, should be considered.
Proposals must assess and minimize risks to ecosystems, applying the Do-No-Significant-Harm (DNSH) principle.
Projects should include a task for sharing methodologies and findings with other relevant projects.
International cooperation is encouraged for win-win outcomes and mutual benefits.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Proposals must align with various EU initiatives and regulations, including the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, EU bioeconomy strategy, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and the EU AI Act.
Projects must adhere to the Do-No-Significant-Harm (DNSH) principle, minimizing risks to ecosystems.

Ethical and Societal Standards

Social innovation is encouraged, particularly to address societal concerns and perceptions regarding AI's role in bio-based innovation.
Citizens engagement and dialogue are encouraged for seeking wider input and support.
Participation of disadvantaged groups based on gender and other social categories should be considered when impacting or involving civil society.

Technical and Data Requirements

Proposals should leverage data and services from European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud and relevant Data Spaces.
The 'digital twin' concept can be explored as a technical approach.

Strategic Alignments

Strong synergies are expected with Cluster 4 ('Digital, industry and Space') and Cluster 5 ('Climate, Energy and Mobility') of Horizon Europe.
Full synergy and complementarity with the 'Circular Bio-based Europe' (CBE Joint Undertaking), the EU partnership for a climate neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy, and the EU mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030', as well as the Soil mission.
Coordination with the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is encouraged.
Possible synergies with other JRC activities and the future European Partnership 'Forests and forestry for a sustainable future' should be sought.

International Cooperation

International cooperation is encouraged, specifically with countries mentioned in the EU biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative communication, such as the United States of America, Japan, South Korea, and India, for mutual benefits.

Grant Details