Deadline Date: September 17, 2026
The European Commission is seeking applications for research and innovation actions that advance biotechnology, life sciences, and biomanufacturing concepts across Europe. The initiative aims to support the development of sustainable, safe, and circular bio-based value chains by fostering innovative bio-based and bio-inspired processes, products, and materials.
The programme focuses on advancing innovation in biotechnology, life sciences, and biomanufacturing; developing sustainable, safe, fair, and circular bio-based processes, products, and materials; improving environmental sustainability and resource efficiency; integrating synthetic and molecular biology, gene editing, metabolic engineering, microbiomes, and biofoundry approaches; applying digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and bioinformatics; promoting nature-based solutions for environmental applications, biodiversity protection.
The topic supports research activities that can significantly advance bio-based innovation and biomanufacturing concepts while preparing future deployment at pilot scale. The initiative aims to develop innovative solutions that contribute to clean growth, environmental sustainability, and decarbonisation while strengthening Europe’s bioeconomy and industrial resilience.
Eligible proposals are expected to focus on promising key technologies underpinning the bio-based industry, particularly in areas such as synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, microbiome research, and biofoundry approaches. Applications related to health biotechnology and biofuel or bioenergy sectors are excluded to avoid overlap with other Horizon Europe clusters.
Projects are encouraged to integrate advanced digital technologies, including AI, machine learning, and bioinformatics, to accelerate innovation and improve efficiency in biotechnology and life sciences applications. The programme also emphasizes the importance of integrating biotechnology with nature-based solutions to support biodiversity enhancement, environmental remediation, and sustainable resource management.
The initiative strongly encourages the participation of SMEs as beneficiaries and external actors while creating opportunities for newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6. Civil society stakeholders, including NGOs and consumer organisations, are also expected to play an active role in improving stakeholder engagement, acceptance, and future market uptake of developed solutions.
Proposals should ensure that the environmental sustainability and safety of developed solutions are assessed quantitatively from the earliest stages of research and development. Activities funded under this topic are expected to achieve Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4–5 by the end of the project.
The funding opportunity falls under HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07 as a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (RIA). The total budget allocated is €12 million, with approximately €4 million available per project.
Participation is open to any legal entity regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, provided that Horizon Europe eligibility conditions are met. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before grant agreement preparation.
For more information, visit European Commission.
