The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published a new call for grants for projects in the bio-based industry. Applications can be submitted until 22 September 2026, 5:00 PM. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is organizing an online information session on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, regarding this call and related topics within the CIRCBIO destination of Horizon Europe Cluster 6, for which 101 million euros is available.
The CBE JU focuses not only on research but also on demonstration projects and first industrial applications. The call distinguishes between research projects, innovation projects, and flagship projects. The latter category is intended for first industrial applications on the European market, making it relevant for companies looking to take the step from pilot to production.
Biorefinery central
An important theme in the call is biorefining: the processing of plant-based or biogenic residual streams into multiple products. The principle is similar to that of an oil refinery, but using biomass as a feedstock. From a single residual stream, for example, fibers, sugars, lignin, proteins, or chemicals can be extracted, each serving its own market.
The call covers topics related to biotechnology, woody residues, circular packaging films, coatings, textile fibers, and bio-based thermosets. The emphasis is therefore on biomass as a raw material for materials and chemical building blocks, in applications such as plastics, adhesives, and packaging.
Requirements for application
Biobased products must meet the requirements applicable to their application: strength and recyclability for packaging, fire safety and certification for building materials, and scalable production for textile fibers. In addition, the quality, composition, availability, and price of the raw material determine what is feasible. The European funding is intended to support the transition from development to application.
Dutch participation via consortia
European projects typically require collaboration between parties from multiple countries. Companies, universities, research organizations, and governments therefore often form a consortium. RVO acts as the national contact point for Horizon Europe and supports Dutch participants in finding partners, assessing project ideas, and preparing applications.
According to RVO, the Cluster 6 topics covered during the information session include plastics and textile recycling, biomass flows, biobased biotechnology, and the blue bioeconomy.
Practical information
The online information session will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30. The language of the session is English, participation is free, and registration is open until May 26, 2026. Applications for the CBE JU call itself are open until September 22, 2026, at 17:00.
Register for online information session: Circular Bio-based Europe JU & Horizon Europe Cluster 6 (CIRCBIO 2026)
Circular Bio-based Europe call of 2026
CIRCBIO destination of Horizon Europe Cluster 6
Photo: Lucie Hošová, , Unsplash.com
