Open Call for Proposals: Develop and Deploy New Curricula and Knowledge Exchange Practices Relevant to Bio-Based Systems

Scope

• Collaboration between university/higher education and industry is a necessary condition for innovation and essential for greater competitiveness of the circular bioeconomy sector(s). Besides technical/technological development, training and re/up/skilling of (future and present) bioeconomy professionals is essential. Key skills could include digital skills, biotech/biomanufacturing, environmental sustainability assessment and circularity, toxicology/risk assessment, ecodesign and safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) concept for bio-based products, business development, process development etc. Soft skills and cross-sectorial skills remain an important aspect, as well as overall open-mindedness to new knowledge, points of views and cultural differences.
• The scope of this topic covers higher education, vocational training, as well as post-graduate and executive courses, as relevant for training students and reskilling and upskilling adult professionals, as needed for the emerging circular bio-based economy.
• Proposals under this topic should:
  • Establish a network of industry and universities/RTOs. Ensure engagement of stakeholders from the ‘Widening’ countries and make sure that their specificities and needs are incorporated in the development and testing of the curricula. Mutual learning from/to rural and coastal/blue bioeconomy, including primary producers, should also be considered.
  • Mobilise the network to co-create a set of curricula for education, training and retraining/reskilling/upskilling of students and professionals in the field of circular bio-based systems. Curricula should include both STEM and SSH disciplines. Capitalise on any best practices and success stories, available also at international level.
  • Test the implementation of the developed curricula with pilot groups of students and professionals. Some of the training methodologies that may be considered are laboratory practices, field work, internships, simulation, case studies, problem-based learning, supervised projects, vocational training, online classes/webinars etc.
• In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2025, proposals under this topic should:
  • Consider synergies and links with existing initiatives such as the European Bioeconomy University Alliance (European Bioeconomy University – Driven by demand, accomplished by intellectual leadership), the pact for skills agenda, actions linked with the BIOEAST InitiativeF, as relevant. Liaise with biotech industrial clusters and Regional Innovation Valleys, as relevant.
  • Establish links with the CBE project NEBA Alliance. Link to calls and initiatives under Horizon Europe and related partnerships, as appropriate, to create synergies with their curricula and training activities, including the upcoming Advanced Materials Academy.
  • Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe and BBI/ CBE JU.

Funding Information

• Develop and deploy new curricula and knowledge exchange practices relevant to bio-based systems – €1 million.

Expected Outcomes

• Proposals under this topic are expected to contribute to EU Initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan, as well as the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the implementation of the EU strategy for a Sustainable Blue Economy and the CBE JU Widening Strategy and Action Plan.
• Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
  • Developed and validated curricula, related to skills’ development for the sustainable bio-based systems and increased circularity.
  • Deployment of EU-wide actions supporting the acquisition of new skills, as relevant for the sustainable and circular bio-based systems.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entities eligible to participate:
  • Entities eligible to participate Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from nonassociated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
  • A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality .
• Entities eligible for funding :
  • To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
    • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
      • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
    • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
      • Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
    • countries associated to Horizon Europe;
      • Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more information, visit EC.