Deadline Date: September 22, 2026
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to advance bio-based fertilisers and crop protection solutions that promote sustainable agriculture and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs.
The focus areas of the programme include industrial-scale biorefinery development, sustainable production of bio-based fertilisers and crop protection solutions, increased availability of cost-competitive and safe-and-sustainable-by-design bio-based alternatives, reduction in reliance on synthetic and mineral agricultural chemicals, strengthening cooperation between bio-based industries and farmers, improving soil health, reducing microplastics and pollutants in soil and water, enhancing food quality and resilience, and advancing objectives aligned with EU bioeconomy, soil restoration, and clean industrial strategies.
The programme is designed to address key challenges in agriculture related to crop losses, dependency on synthetic chemicals, and environmental degradation. It promotes the transition toward sustainable agricultural inputs by encouraging the development of bio-based solutions that can replace or complement conventional fertilisers and crop protection products.
Projects funded under this initiative are expected to demonstrate industrial-scale production of bio-based alternatives, ensuring efficient and robust processes that can handle variability in raw materials while maintaining product quality and effectiveness. These solutions may include bio-fertilisers, bio-stimulants, and biological pest and disease control products such as bioherbicides, biopesticides, and bioinsecticides.
In addition to production, projects must validate the performance of these bio-based products at scale by incorporating them into final formulations and testing their agronomic efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The objective is to achieve comparable or improved performance relative to existing synthetic or mineral-based products while ensuring consistency in nutrient composition where applicable.
Field testing is a critical component of the programme, requiring projects to collaborate with primary producers and test products under real farming conditions. These trials must assess the impact on soil health, water quality, and agricultural productivity across different climates, soil types, and farming systems, including organic agriculture. Innovations that involve controlled release mechanisms must also ensure that they do not contribute to microplastic accumulation in soil.
The programme places strong emphasis on strengthening the link between agriculture and industry by fostering partnerships across the value chain, from feedstock supply to end-use application. This approach aims to improve resilience, reduce dependency on imports, and support the development of competitive and sustainable agricultural systems.
With a total funding allocation of 170,760,699 euros, the programme is open to a wide range of participants, including legal entities from EU member states, associated and non-associated countries, and international organizations, provided they meet the conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe framework. Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products – €20 million.
For more information, visit European Commission.
