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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to develop and deploy safe and sustainable bio-based solutions. It aims to identify, track, and replace hazardous substances and emerging pollutants released from bio-based industries and products, thereby contributing to the de-fossilization and climate neutrality of EU industrial systems. - Target recipient type: Organizations active in bio-based value chains, including research centers, industries, public administrations, and those involved in agriculture and food and drink sectors. - Target recipient size: Not explicitly defined, but projects are expected to involve multi-actor consortia. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC: This grant is highly specific to the bio-based industries, environmental protection, and related sectors like agriculture. - Geographic scope: Organizations from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible. International cooperation is encouraged. - Key filtering criteria for initial screening: Businesses or research entities focused on developing bio-based alternatives, hazardous substance reduction, circular economy principles, and sustainable industrial processes. - Grant frequency: This is part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, suggesting recurring opportunities within the program context. - Program context: Horizon Europe, Cluster 6 'Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment', specifically under Destination 'Clean environment and zero pollution'.

Financial Structure

Funding per project: Successful proposals are expected to receive a contribution of EUR 5,000,000.
Total budget for this topic: EUR 10,000,000 (allocated for two expected grants).
Currency: EUR.
Funding rate: Not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, as an 'Innovation Action' (IA) under Horizon Europe, the typical funding rate is up to 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and up to 100% for non-profit entities.
Eligible costs: Not explicitly detailed, but generally covers personnel costs, travel, equipment, consumables, other goods and services, and indirect costs as per Horizon Europe rules.
Co-financing: Not explicitly mentioned, but implied by typical Horizon Europe Innovation Action funding rates where applicants contribute to the total project costs.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Eligible organization types are generally broad under Horizon Europe, encompassing a wide range of entities. While not explicitly defined for this specific grant, typically, this includes:
Research Organizations (universities, research institutes)
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Large Industries/Enterprises
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Public Administrations
Other legal entities contributing to the grant's objectives.

Geographic Location

Organizations established in EU Member States are eligible.
Organizations established in countries associated with Horizon Europe are eligible.
Specific provisions may allow funding for participants from certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries; consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide for details.

Capacity and Compliance

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity, as detailed in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposals must adhere to general conditions regarding page limits and layout, as described in Annex A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Consortium Requirements

A 'Multi-actor approach' and 'international cooperation' are explicitly encouraged, indicating a strong preference or necessity for consortia (groups of multiple organizations) to apply.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

Stage 1 application deadline: 2025-09-04 00:00:00+0000
Stage 2 application deadline: 2026-02-18 00:00:00+0000

Submission Process

The application follows a two-stage submission procedure.
First-stage proposals will undergo a 'blind evaluation pilot'. This means applicants must not disclose their organization names, acronyms, logos, or names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application.
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.

Required Documentation

Applicants must use the standard application form templates for Horizon Europe 'Research and Innovation Actions' (RIA) and 'Innovation Actions' (IA), specifically the Stage 1 form where applicable.
Proposals must adhere to specified page limits and layout requirements as detailed in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Application Support

Comprehensive guidance is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ.
Direct support can be obtained from the Research Enquiry Service and National Contact Points (NCPs).
Businesses, particularly SMEs, can seek advice from the Enterprise Europe Network.
Technical assistance for the submission system is provided by the IT Helpdesk.
Intellectual property (IP) issues can be addressed by the European IPR Helpdesk.
Guidance on standardization in project proposals is offered by the CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks.

Evaluation Criteria

Project Impact and Outcomes

Enhanced scientific capacity and innovative solutions for detecting and characterizing pollution sources, pathways, distribution, and cumulative impacts, including emerging pollutants.
Contribution to healthier air, water, and soil through improved knowledge and use of safe and sustainable bio-based alternatives by bio-based industry operators and customers.
Successful development and deployment of 'safe and sustainable by design' bio-based industries and products, fostering de-fossilization and climate neutrality in EU industrial systems.
Development and testing of sustainable bio-based and nature-based solutions for remediating polluted environments.
Contribution to the zero-pollution ambition in food systems, preventing and reducing pollution in water, air, and soil.

Quality of Approach and Implementation

Robust methodology for tracking substances of very high concern, emerging pollutants, and persistent/bio-accumulative substances released from bio-based materials and products across their life cycle.
Comprehensive full risk assessment of emitted substances, evaluating impacts on affected ecosystems and the risk for biodiversity loss.
Clear identification and improvement of 'safe and sustainable by design' and circular bio-based solutions to replace hazardous substances and enhance resource efficiency.
Assessment of the reduction in substances of concern achieved through proposed substitutions.
Inclusion of Citizen Science as a research approach, with activities guided by researchers.
Effective integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines, including citizen social science and gender studies, particularly in risk assessment.

Cross-cutting Themes and Strategic Alignment

Integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) and consideration of vulnerable groups in the exposure evaluation and risk assessment.
Collaboration and knowledge sharing with other projects funded under this topic, and analysis of outcomes from past and ongoing EU programs (e.g., Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking).
Contribution to the objectives of the EU's chemical strategy for sustainability, the European Green Deal, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and other relevant EU policies (e.g., Industrial Emissions Directive, EU biodiversity strategy).

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Policy Alignment

Projects must ensure strong alignment with the EU's 'chemical strategy for sustainability' and contribute to the objectives of the 'Industrial Emissions Directive'.
Compliance is required with relevant legislation such as REACH, ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), and Batteries regulation concerning hazardous substances.
Activities should support the 'zero-pollution ambition' of the European Green Deal, the 'Zero Pollution Action Plan', and specific directives like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and EU water legislation.
Proposals should contribute to the 'common agricultural policy', EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, and the Nature Restoration Regulation by addressing pollution as a driver of biodiversity loss.
Projects must also align with the industrial carbon management strategy, European Climate Law, and the upcoming update of the bioeconomy strategy.

Technical and Methodological Standards

Solutions must adhere to the 'safe and sustainable by design' principles, in line with Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2510.
Citizen Science is explicitly encouraged as a research approach, requiring close cooperation with researchers.
The effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines, including citizen social science and gender studies, is required, especially in tasks like risk assessment.

Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

A 'multi-actor approach' and 'international cooperation' are encouraged to maximize impact.
Projects are mandated to include a task for sharing methodologies and findings with all other projects funded under this specific topic.
Applicants must demonstrate how they will collect and analyze outcomes from past and ongoing EU programs, including the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, to avoid duplication and build on existing knowledge.
Synergies and complementarities with other Horizon Europe instruments and Missions (e.g., Water4All, Sustainable Food Systems, Blue Economy, Agroecology, Biodiversa+, Soil Deal, Restore Our Ocean and Waters, Climate-Neutral Smart Cities) should be maximized.

Grant Details