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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to develop alternative, sustainable biomanufacturing routes for producing natural and synthetic rubber.
It targets organizations actively engaged in research and innovation within the bio-based materials, biotechnology, and sustainable industrial sectors.
The grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, focusing on bio-based products, rubber, and related industrial applications.
The geographic scope includes all EU Member States and countries associated with the Horizon Europe program.
Key filtering criteria include a strong emphasis on sustainability, the circular bioeconomy, and contributing to the EU's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
This opportunity is part of the annual CBE JU Work Programme, indicating a recurring call.

Financial Structure

Funding amount per grant: minimum 3,500,000 EUR, maximum 3,500,000 EUR.
Currency: EUR.
Eligible costs: These are detailed in the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA) and generally include personnel costs, travel, equipment, other goods and services, and indirect costs.
Indirect costs: A typical 25% flat rate of eligible direct costs applies.
Financial reporting: Requirements are stipulated within the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type and Legal Status

Any legal entity is eligible to apply, including but not limited to universities, research organizations, enterprises (SMEs and large companies), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public bodies.
Consortia are typically required for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) under Horizon Europe, usually involving a minimum number of independent legal entities from different eligible countries.

Geographic Location

Organizations must be established in an EU Member State or a country associated with the Horizon Europe program.

Capacity and Expertise

Applicants should demonstrate robust research and innovation capacity relevant to biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and the production of rubber and elastomers.
Required expertise includes the ability to identify and characterize suitable rubber-bearing genetic backgrounds (e.g., plants, yeast, microbial hosts).
Capabilities in developing high-yield bio-based solutions for isoprenoid and other elastomers, utilizing modern biotechnology tools.
Proficiency in advancing EU/Associated Country-based production, extraction, and processing methods.
Capacity to test the suitability and performance of developed biomanufactured alternatives in various end-products.

Compliance

Adherence to the admissibility conditions and other general rules outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Application Timeline

The submission window for proposals opened on 2025-04-03.
The application deadline is 2025-09-18.

Submission Process

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Electronic Submission Service available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
The application process follows a single-stage submission procedure.

Required Documentation

Proposals must be prepared using the latest Application Form (Part B) template, which was updated as of 04/04/2025 and is available in the Submission System.
All submissions must adhere to the specified page limits and layout guidelines described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, as well as in Part B of the Application Form.

Support and Resources

Online Manual: Provides comprehensive guidance on the submission, evaluation, and grant management procedures.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Offers detailed information on the program's structure, budget, and political priorities.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: A resource for frequently asked questions regarding proposal submission, evaluation, and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service: Available for general inquiries related to European research and EU Research Framework Programmes.
National Contact Points (NCPs): Provide guidance, practical information, and assistance for participation in Horizon Europe, including in non-EU and non-associated countries.
Enterprise Europe Network: Offers advice and support to businesses, particularly SMEs, on EU research funding opportunities.
IT Helpdesk: Assists with technical issues related to the Funding & Tenders Portal, such as forgotten passwords or submission problems.
European IPR Helpdesk: Provides support on intellectual property rights matters.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk: European Standards Organisations offering advice on integrating standardization into project proposals.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment: Outlines general principles and requirements for researchers, employers, and funders.
Partner Search: A tool to help identify and connect with potential partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Excellence

The clarity, pertinence, and ambition of the project's objectives, demonstrating progress beyond the current state-of-the-art.
The soundness of the proposed methodology, including concepts, models, and underlying assumptions.
The innovative nature of the proposed biomanufacturing routes and their potential for high yields of rubber.
The scientific quality of the approach to identifying and characterizing suitable rubber-bearing genetic backgrounds.

Impact

The project's contribution to increasing the availability of sustainable natural and/or bio-based synthetic rubber sources, thereby strengthening European industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
The potential to establish competitive, robust, and highly environmentally performant production routes, emphasizing resource efficiency and sustainability.
The capacity of biomanufactured alternatives to meet specific market requirements for their intended final applications.
Alignment with key EU policies and strategies, including the EU Initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the EU Zero Pollution ambition, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Industrial strategy, the EU Biodiversity strategy 2030, and the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.
Efforts to prevent microplastics release as appropriate.
The effectiveness of the communication, dissemination, and exploitation plan, including contributing to global discussions on rubber sustainability.
Evidence of complementarity with existing and past research and innovation projects addressing similar challenges.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

The coherence and effectiveness of the proposed work plan, including the appropriateness of task and resource allocation.
The suitability of management structures and procedures, encompassing effective risk management.
The quality and relevant expertise of individual participants and the overall consortium.
Measures taken to ensure gender equality, diversity, and to foster responsible research and innovation.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Environmental Compliance

Projects must demonstrate strong alignment with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.
Adherence to the objectives of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero Pollution Action Plan is required.
Proposals should explicitly address environmental aspects, aiming to lower the overall environmental impact of rubber production and achieve high sustainability, including measures for microplastics release prevention where applicable.

Ethical and Legal Standards

The legal and financial setup of grants must comply with the general conditions outlined in Annex G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Applicants must follow the Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment, and Financial Capacity Assessment.
All activities must adhere to the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

Project-Specific Conditions

For projects targeting plant-based rubber sources, a focus on implementing low-ILUC (indirect land-use change) solutions is crucial.
Proposals are expected to ensure strong complementarities with past and ongoing research and innovation projects that address similar challenges (e.g., specific projects like MIDAS, NORDIC BIO-RUBBER).
Projects should actively contribute to the global discussion on the sustainability of natural rubber and the alternatives developed within the project. This contribution should be part of the 'Dissemination and Exploitation plan' and engage with relevant thematic platforms like the International Bioeconomy Forum or Global Bioeconomy Summit.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property policies for grant beneficiaries are governed by the provisions of the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

Cross-Cutting Priorities

This topic is identified with cross-cutting priorities including the New European Bauhaus (NEB), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Digital Agenda. Applicants are encouraged to integrate these themes into their proposals where relevant and impactful.

Grant Details