Applications will soon open for the BiOrbic Industry Collaboration Call 2026, an initiative led by BiOrbic – Ireland's National Bioeconomy Research Centre to accelerate collaborative research and innovation that supports the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

The call invites researchers and industry partners to jointly develop projects that address real-world challenges across the agri-food, forestry, marine and biotechnology sectors. By bringing together academia and industry, the programme aims to accelerate the commercialisation of research, strengthen innovation ecosystems and develop sustainable bio-based solutions with economic, environmental and societal impact.

Projects must be challenge-driven, industry-focused and aligned with one or more of BiOrbic's strategic research priorities.

Funding Available

The programme supports projects of varying scale depending on the research scope and maturity.

Small Projects

• Funding: Minimum €120,000
• Project Duration: 10–12 months

Medium Projects

• Funding: Above €120,000
• Project Duration: 1–3 years

Large Projects

• Funding: Up to €2 million
• Project Duration: 2–4 years

Funding operates through a co-funded collaborative research model, with costs shared between participating organisations and industry partners.

Research Challenge Areas

Projects must align with at least one of BiOrbic's research challenges.

Healthy Ecosystems

Projects supporting:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Ecosystem restoration
• Sustainable environmental management

Climate-Neutral Operational Systems

Research focused on:

• Animal agriculture
• Marine systems
• Forestry
• Sustainable cropping systems

Valorisation of Waste Resources

Innovative solutions addressing:

• Food waste
• Plastic waste
• Resource recovery
• Circular material use

Bioeconomy Systems

Projects supporting:

• Circular bioeconomy design
• Digitalisation of the bioeconomy
• Renewable bio-based energy systems

Enabling Actions

Research contributing to:

• Scaling the bioeconomy
• Green chemistry
• Sustainability assessment
• Economic and policy research
• Education and public engagement
• Future skills development

Who Should Apply?

This funding opportunity is designed for collaborative research teams that combine academic expertise with industry experience.

Eligible applicants include:

Research Organisations

Researchers from eligible BiOrbic partner institutions.

Industry Partners

Businesses and organisations engaged in economic activity, including:

• SMEs
• Large companies
• Biotechnology companies
• Agri-food businesses
• Forestry enterprises
• Marine industry organisations
• Bio-based manufacturing companies

Projects should demonstrate strong collaboration between research institutions and industry from the earliest stages of project development.

Eligibility

To be eligible, proposals must:

• Align with at least one BiOrbic research challenge.
• Include an eligible researcher from a BiOrbic partner institution.
• Include at least one eligible industry partner.
• Demonstrate a genuine collaborative partnership between academia and industry.
• Commence during the first half of 2027.

Priority will be given to research teams that have already established collaborative relationships before submitting their application.

Researchers awarded funding automatically become affiliated with BiOrbic for the duration of the project.

Eligible Research Institutions

Researchers must be affiliated with one of the following BiOrbic partner institutions:

• University College Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Cork
• University of Galway
• University of Limerick
• Maynooth University
• Dublin City University
• Atlantic Technological University
• Munster Technological University
• Technological University Dublin
• Technological University of the Shannon
• Teagasc

Eligible Industry Partners

An eligible industry partner is defined as any organisation engaged in economic activity, regardless of:

• Legal status
• Company size
• Ownership model
• Funding structure

This includes businesses that develop, manufacture or commercialise products and services within the bioeconomy.

Project Duration

Projects may range from 10 months to 4 years, depending on their scope.

Typical durations include:

• Approximately 12–18 months for projects supporting postdoctoral researchers.
• Approximately 4 years for projects supporting PhD researchers.

Application Process

Applications begin with an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Successful applicants will then:

• Further develop the full project proposal.
• Finalise the project budget.
• Sign a collaborative research agreement between research and industry partners.
• Prepare for project commencement during the first half of 2027.

Organisations may submit multiple Expressions of Interest, provided each proposal represents a distinct research project.

Important Dates

• Call Opens: 17 August 2026
• Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
• Initial Feedback: Within four weeks of submission
• Collaborative Agreement: Following successful Expression of Interest
• Project Start: During the first half of 2027

Why This Opportunity Matters

The transition towards a circular and sustainable bioeconomy requires stronger collaboration between research institutions and industry.

The BiOrbic Industry Collaboration Call provides a platform for researchers and businesses to jointly develop solutions that improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen Ireland's bioeconomy through commercially relevant innovation.

By supporting projects across agriculture, biotechnology, forestry, marine systems and circular economy innovation, the programme helps bridge the gap between scientific discovery and industry adoption while building long-term partnerships that deliver measurable economic and environmental benefits.

Countries

Eligible Research Host Country

• Ireland

International Collaboration

While funded researchers must be based at an eligible BiOrbic partner institution in Ireland, international collaboration is encouraged where it strengthens the scientific quality and industry relevance of the project.

The programme is particularly relevant for organisations and collaborators working across:

• Ireland
• United Kingdom
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland
• Netherlands
• Germany
• France
• Belgium

These countries have well-established strengths in bioeconomy research, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture and industrial innovation, making them valuable collaborators for multinational research partnerships.

Click HERE to visit the official website.