Horizon Europe Call: Advancing the European Bio-based Innovation Enabled by Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Concepts (HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07)

The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe funding opportunity aimed at accelerating bio-based innovation through advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts. The call seeks to support research and innovation activities that strengthen Europe's bioeconomy while contributing to environmental sustainability, industrial competitiveness, circularity, biodiversity protection, and climate action.

Projects are expected to advance innovative biotechnology solutions towards pilot-scale validation and support the future deployment of sustainable bio-based products, processes, and materials.

Funding Available

• Total Call Budget: €12 million
• Expected EU Contribution per Project: Approximately €4 million
• Funding Rate: 100%
• Funding Instrument: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)

Programme Information

Programme: Horizon Europe – Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Topic Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07

Call Title: Advancing the European Bio-based Innovation Enabled by Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Concepts

Type of Action: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)

Opening Date: 17 April 2026

Application Deadline: 17 September 2026 (17:00 Brussels Time)

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas:

• Synthetic Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Editing
• Metabolic Engineering
• Microbiome Technologies
• Biofoundry Approaches
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Biomanufacturing
• Nature-based Solutions
• Circular Bioeconomy
• Carbon Sequestration
• Biodiversity Protection and Enhancement
• Environmental Remediation
• Resource Efficiency
• AI and Machine Learning Applications
• Bioinformatics

Projects must integrate digital technologies where relevant and demonstrate strong environmental sustainability considerations.

Important Exclusions

The following areas are not eligible under this call:

• Health Biotechnology
• Biofuels
• Bioenergy

These areas are funded under other Horizon Europe clusters.

Expected Outcomes

Projects should contribute towards:

• Advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation
• Developing sustainable bio-based products and processes
• Strengthening circular value chains
• Supporting industrial decarbonisation
• Improving biodiversity outcomes
• Enhancing resource efficiency
• Reducing waste generation
• Increasing European industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Universities
• Research Institutions
• Public Research Organisations
• SMEs
• Start-ups
• Private Companies
• NGOs
• Non-Profit Organisations
• Public Sector Bodies
• Education and Training Institutions
• International Research Organisations

Consortium Requirements

Applications must be submitted through a consortium consisting of at least:

• One independent legal entity established in an EU Member State; and
• Two additional independent legal entities established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

The minimum consortium therefore consists of three independent organisations from three different eligible countries.

The call strongly encourages:

• SME participation
• Newcomers to Horizon Europe
• Civil society organisations
• NGOs
• Consumer organisations
• International collaboration

Eligible Countries

The call is open to organisations from:

European Union Member States

All EU Member States are eligible.

Horizon Europe Associated Countries

Including:

• United Kingdom
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Iceland
• Israel
• Tunisia
• Morocco
• Türkiye
• Ukraine
• Republic of Korea
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Serbia
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Armenia
• Georgia
• Moldova
• Kosovo

and others listed under Horizon Europe association agreements.

African Countries Eligible for Participation and Funding

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Ethiopia
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Mozambique
• Malawi
• Senegal
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Cameroon
• Angola
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cabo Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Djibouti
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Niger
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• The Gambia
• Togo

and several other low- and middle-income countries globally.

Where Must Projects Take Place?

Projects are expected to contribute to European bio-based innovation and should support EU policy priorities, industrial competitiveness, sustainability, and circular economy objectives.

International partners, including African organisations, may participate and receive funding where eligible. However, projects should demonstrate relevance to the Horizon Europe objectives and support innovation outcomes aligned with European bioeconomy priorities.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Projects are expected to achieve:

TRL 4–5 by the end of the project

Activities may start at any TRL level.

Strategic Relevance for African Organisations

This call presents significant opportunities for African:

• Biotechnology companies
• Industrial biotechnology innovators
• Synthetic biology researchers
• Universities
• Research councils
• Bioeconomy hubs
• Environmental technology developers
• Circular economy innovators

African entities can participate as consortium partners and contribute expertise in biodiversity, biological resources, microbiome research, sustainable production systems, and biotechnology innovation while collaborating with leading European research and industrial partners.

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