CBE JU 2026: €170.7M for Industrial Bioeconomy
Europe’s largest call dedicated to biorefineries, industrial biotechnology and bio-based solutions at TRL 6-8. Opening: April 23, 2026. Funding up to €20M per flagship project. Consortium applications.
Context and Objective
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published its 2026 Work Programme, making €170.7 million available for 13 strategic topics focused on high technology readiness levels. This call is the operational expression of the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy (December 2024) and the European Commission’s Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing initiative.
Why now: Europe faces accelerated global competition. China prioritises AI-integrated bioengineering in its 15th Five-Year Plan. The UK has classified engineering biology as a “frontier industry” with dedicated regulatory reform. Europe’s response involves accelerating deployment of first-of-their-kind biorefineries and scaling proven technologies to industrial maturity.
This call differs from traditional R&I programmes: the focus is on industrial demonstration (TRL 6-8), not laboratory research. The objective is to bring competitive bio-based solutions to market, reduce dependence on fossil feedstocks, and position Europe as a global leader in industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing.
Key Information
| Call opening | April 23, 2026 |
| Deadline | September 22, 2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time) |
| Total budget | €170,700,000 |
| Number of topics | 13 (4 Flagships | 5 Innovation Actions | 3 Research Actions | 1 CSA) |
| Target TRL | Flagships: TRL 8 | IAs: TRL 6-7 | RIAs: TRL 4-5 |
| Typical contribution per project | Flagships: ~€20M | IAs: ~€7M | RIAs: ~€3.25M |
| Format | Consortium (minimum 3 entities from 3 different countries) |
| Info Day | March 12, 2026 (online) |
| Networking event | April 21, 2026 (Brussels) |
| Submission platform | EU Funding & Tenders Portal |
| Programme | Horizon Europe (CBE JU Partnership) |
⏰ 5-month preparation window. Applications require structured consortia, detailed business plans (Flagships), and demonstration of technical-economic viability. Early networking is critical for identifying complementary partners.
Who Can Apply
Any legal entity established in an EU Member State or country associated with Horizon Europe can participate in CBE JU consortia:
- Companies: SMEs, large enterprises, start-ups, scale-ups (all sectors)
- Research centres and universities
- Sectoral organisations and business associations
- Public entities: municipalities, waste management authorities, regional agencies
- Primary producers: agricultural, forestry, aquaculture cooperatives
Consortium Requirements
Each proposal must include, at minimum:
- 3 independent entities
- Established in 3 different countries (EU Member States or associated countries)
- Relevant industrial participation: companies demonstrating deployment capacity
Mandatory multi-actor approach: All projects must involve relevant actors along the value chain: from feedstock suppliers (primary producers, waste managers) to end-users (manufacturers, consumers). This approach ensures innovations are demand-driven and have a real pathway to market.
Feedstock Origin: Critical Requirement
To strengthen EU resilience, strategic autonomy and competitiveness, all projects must:
- Use biomass produced or generated in the EU/associated countries (does not apply to limited samples for testing)
- Explain how they contribute to strengthening European bio-based value chains
- Demonstrate that biomass production respects local ecological limits
Note: Biomass imported from third countries is not eligible as primary feedstock for demonstration/production, except validation test samples.
The 13 Strategic Topics
Flagships (TRL 8) — €80M Total
Full industrial-scale demonstration projects, first-of-their-kind in the European market:
1. Boosting Biorefinery Competitiveness Through Biotech (€20M)
Industrial biorefineries integrating biotechnology as a key enabling technology for sustainable production of bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, ingredients or enzymes. Focus on biotech as competitive differentiator (fermentation, biocatalysis, metabolic engineering).
2. SSbD Bio-based Alternatives for Fertilising and/or Crop Protection Products (€20M)
Industrial production of Safe and Sustainable by Design bio-based solutions as alternatives to synthetic/mineral fertilisers and plant protection products. Includes biofertilisers, biostimulants, biopesticides. Agronomic validation under different climatic conditions and soil types.
3. SSbD Bio-based Solutions for Home and/or Personal Care (€20M)
Biorefineries for solvents, surfactants, preservatives, antimicrobial agents, emollients, polymers and other SSbD functional compounds for hygiene, cosmetics and FMCG. Demonstration in final product formulations with technical performance and consumer acceptance validation.
4. Diversification of Nutritional Food Ingredient Sources (€20M)
Industrial production of nutritional ingredients (proteins, lipids, specialised carbohydrates, fibres) from alternative sources: micro-organisms, algae, industrial waste, fermentation. Focus on food chain resilience and reducing import dependencies.
Innovation Actions (TRL 6-7) — €70M Total
Demonstration in relevant operational environment, technical validation for subsequent scale-up:
5. Biotech Routes for Valorisation of Residual Biomass (€14M — 2 projects)
Efficient biotechnological processes for conversion of residual biomass (forestry, agricultural, aquatic, urban, industrial waste) into chemicals, materials, ingredients, enzymes. Integration of optimised pre-treatment and efficient separation/purification processes.
6. Bio-based Additives to Unlock and Increase Recyclability and/or Biodegradability (€14M — 2 projects)
SSbD bio-based additives that: (i) enable EoL circularity for currently non-recyclable or non-biodegradable materials/products, or (ii) improve recycling/biodegradation conditions. EoL testing and validation, compatibility with waste management systems.
7. Bio-based Chemicals and/or Materials from Woody Residues (€14M — 2 projects)
Valorisation of woody residues (bark, sawdust, forest harvest residues) through innovative and scalable technologies for bio-based chemicals and materials. Eco-design for sustainable EoL. Supply logistics optimisation.
8. High-Performance, Circular-by-Design Bio-based Thermosets (€14M — 2 projects)
Bio-based thermosetting materials with high technical performance (mechanical properties, thermal resistance, fire resistance, durability) and integrated circularity by design. Application in demanding end products (transport, energy, electronics). Testing of EoL alternatives.
9. Films and Coatings for Circular Packaging (€14M — 2 projects)
Bio-based films and coatings for food and non-food packaging. Focus on barrier properties (oxygen, moisture, fat), compatibility with industrial manufacturing processes, printability, durability. Eco-design for circular EoL (mechanical/chemical/enzymatic recycling, composting).
Research and Innovation Actions (TRL 4-5) — €6.5M Total
Applied research to solve fundamental technical challenges:
10. Addressing Separation and Purification Challenges in Biorefineries (€6.5M — 2 projects)
Innovative separation and purification technologies (downstream processing) for biorefineries: more efficient, economic and sustainable methods to isolate and purify bio-based compounds from complex mixtures.
11. SSbD Bio-based Polymers from Alternative Sources (€6.5M — 2 projects)
SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources (non-food): waste, CO₂, aquatic biomass. Development to TRL 5 with preliminary validation of properties and market potential.
12. Breakthrough Sustainable Bio-based Textile Fibres (€6.5M — 2 projects)
Innovative bio-based textile fibres (modified artificial fibres or synthetic fibres) with superior performance and improved sustainability compared to benchmarks. Industrial processability, durability, comfort, sustainable EoL.
Coordination and Support Action — Variable amount
13. Supporting Industry in the Switch to Sustainable and Circular Bio-based Products and Processes
Coordination action to support industry in transitioning to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes. Structuring stakeholder communities, knowledge dissemination, exploring synergies, identifying regulatory barriers.
Mandatory Cross-cutting Requirements
Environmental Performance Assessment
All RIA and IA projects (including Flagships) must include:
- Ex-ante assessment: Preliminary estimate of environmental performance (contribution to climate neutrality, resource efficiency, zero pollution, circularity) compared with relevant benchmark(s)
- Ex-post assessment:
- RIAs: Dedicated task to assess potential improvements using early-stage data
- IAs and Flagships: Dedicated work package or task with full Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA)
Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)
Projects developing chemicals, materials or products must apply the European Commission’s SSbD framework, ensuring solutions are safe for human health and the environment throughout their lifecycle.
Business Case and Business Plan
| Action Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| RIAs | Qualitative business case (technical, economic, market, social, environmental, regulatory criteria) |
| IAs | Quantified business case + proposed business model + economic indicator estimates |
| Flagships | Detailed business plan (separate annex) including NPV, justified critical assumptions (market size, penetration rate, revenues, CAPEX/OPEX, staffing levels, funding sources) |
Socioeconomic Impact (IAs and Flagships)
Demonstration of socioeconomic value creation and distribution along the entire chain: job creation, economic growth, territorial development, including in biomass production areas.
⚠️ DNSH Requirement: No project may include activities causing significant environmental harm. Excluded: fossil fuels, landfills, incinerators, activities violating circular economy principles or causing pollution.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Evaluation Criteria
Each proposal is evaluated by independent expert panels on three criteria:
| Criterion | What Is Evaluated | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Excellence | Technical-scientific quality of concept, methodology, innovation beyond state-of-the-art, credibility of approach | 0-5 |
| Impact | Contribution to CBE JU objectives and EU policies, pathway to market, scalability, environmental/social/economic impact, dissemination | 0-5 |
| Implementation | Consortium quality, complementary competences, project governance, risk management, viability of work plan and budget | 0-5 |
Approval threshold: Minimum score of 3.0/5.0 in each criterion individually AND minimum overall score (typically 10/15 or 12/15 depending on topic). Proposals below these thresholds are rejected regardless of quality in other dimensions.
Evaluation Timeline
| Call closure | September 22, 2026 |
| Expert evaluation | October 2026 – January 2027 (~3-4 months) |
| Results notification | February 2027 |
| Grant agreement negotiation | March – June 2027 |
| Expected project start | June – September 2027 |
Critical note: Clarification requests during evaluation are common. Technically robust and well-founded proposals minimise this risk and accelerate approval.
Why Specialised Support
CBE JU applications require three critical competencies rarely concentrated in a single organisation:
1. Strategic Consortium Building
Identify and align complementary partners along the value chain: biomass producers, technologists, industrials with scale-up capacity, end-users, research centres. The consortium must demonstrate credible technical capabilities AND realistic pathway to commercial deployment.
2. Technical-Scientific Foundation
Demonstrate current state-of-the-art, innovation gap, technical superiority of proposed solution, scale-up viability, comparative environmental performance (LCSA), SSbD compliance. Requires deep knowledge of scientific literature, technical standards, and market benchmarks.
3. Business Case and Economic Viability
For Flagships: detailed business plan with robust financial projections, sensitivity analysis, go-to-market strategy, identification of commercial risks and mitigations. For IAs: credible business model and founded economic indicators. For RIAs: demonstration of future commercial potential.
Statistical reality: Typical success rate in CBE JU calls: 15-25%. Low technical quality proposals, unbalanced consortia, or weak business cases are eliminated in the evaluation phase. Investment in adequate preparation (6-9 months before deadline) maximises approval probability.
Alignment with European Policies
The CBE JU 2026 call operationalises multiple EU policy priorities:
- EU Bioeconomy Strategy (December 2024): Bioeconomy as pillar of competitiveness and strategic autonomy
- EU Biotech Act (in preparation 2025): Regulatory simplification, sandboxes, fast-track for microbial solutions
- Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation and defossilisation of European industry
- Chemical Industry Action Plan: Transition to sustainable and safe chemicals
- Circular Economy Act (in preparation): Circular economy and waste valorisation
- Life Sciences Strategy: European leadership in biotechnology and biomanufacturing
Long-term perspective: The bioeconomy is included among priorities of the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, including in the European Competitiveness Fund. Companies building capabilities now position themselves for continued access to European funding over the next decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Portuguese companies lead CBE JU consortia?
Yes. Any eligible entity can be consortium coordinator, regardless of size or geographical location. The criterion is technical capacity and experience in managing collaborative projects. Portuguese SMEs with differentiating technology and credible industrial partners are competitive.
How to find consortium partners?
CBE JU provides an online networking platform where organisations publish profiles and search for partners. The Info Day (March 12) and networking event (April 21) in Brussels are structured opportunities. Specialised consultants facilitate matchmaking based on technical and strategic complementarities.
What type of biomass is eligible?
All sustainable biomass produced in the EU/associated countries: agricultural, forestry, aquatic (algae, aquaculture/fisheries waste), urban/industrial bio-based waste, biogenic CO₂. Excluded: biomass violating food-first or cascading use principles, or causing negative environmental impacts (deforestation, biodiversity loss, water resource depletion).
Is it possible to combine CBE JU with other funding instruments?
Yes, but without double funding for the same expenses. Possible to combine with: Portugal 2030 (for complementary activities outside Horizon Europe scope), SIFIDE (for R&D expenses not covered by CBE JU), InvestEU (for post-project scale-up financing). Careful coordination is essential for compliance.
What is the co-financing rate?
Varies by entity type and activity: RIA and IA typically have 70% (companies) to 100% (public bodies, universities, NGOs). Small businesses may have increased rates. Each partner finances their uncovered part. The grant agreement specifies exact rates per beneficiary.
How Aliados Can Support
Aliados Consulting supports Portuguese companies and organisations in strategic preparation of CBE JU applications:
- Strategic fit analysis: assess alignment of technology/concept with CBE JU topics and eligibility requirements
- Partner search and consortium building: identification and articulation with complementary technical and industrial partners in Europe
- Technical proposal structuring: development of methodology, work plan, risk management, compliance with CBE JU requirements
- Business case and business plan: preparation of economic-financial analysis, projections, market strategy (critical for Flagships and IAs)
- Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment: coordination with specialists for credible and founded LCSA
- Regulatory alignment: verification of SSbD, DNSH, public procurement, open science dissemination compliance
- Submission and follow-up: final proposal preparation, submission on EU portal, management of clarification requests during evaluation
- Grant agreement preparation: support in negotiating consortium agreement and grant agreement with European Commission
Contact for opportunity assessment:
📧 telmofernandes@aliados.consulting
🌐 aliados.consulting
Recommended timeline: Begin preparation 6-9 months before deadline (ideally January-March 2026 for September 2026 submission). Consortium should be structured 4-5 months before deadline. Technical proposal in writing 2-3 months before. Final review and refinement in the last month.
