[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 17, 2026: Full application deadline (single-stage call)

€5–6 million per project (lump sum); 2 projects to be funded; total call budget €11 million

Funds innovative solutions for recycling post-consumer blended textile waste to improve resource efficiency, reduce pollution, and advance the circular economy in Europe.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Innovation Action supports the development and demonstration of advanced recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textile waste, particularly from blended products such as polycotton or other combinations of synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural fibers. Projects should focus on scalable, marketable solutions for the collection, sorting, and fibre-to-fibre recycling of apparel and home textiles. The call emphasizes the disassembly and separation of complex products, removal of non-textile contaminants and hazardous chemicals, and minimization of microplastic release during recycling. Solutions are expected to adopt a lifecycle perspective (using LCA/LCC), align with the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach, and contribute to the objectives of the Textiles of the Future partnership and broader EU sustainability strategies. --- ## Due Dates - September 17, 2026: Full application deadline (single-stage call) --- ## Funding Amount - Total budget for this topic: €11 million - Expected funding per project: €5–6 million (lump sum grant) - Number of projects to be funded: 2 - Funding covers all eligible direct and indirect costs as a fixed lump sum defined in the grant agreement --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium requirements:** At least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - **Eligible applicants:** Any legal entity (universities, research organizations, companies, public bodies, NGOs, etc.) from eligible countries. - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States, associated countries to Horizon Europe, and some low/middle-income countries (see [General Annex B](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf)). - **Special notes:** Entities from non-associated third countries may participate at their own cost unless their participation is deemed essential. - **Gender Equality Plan:** Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions from EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place at grant signature. - **Civil applications only:** Projects must focus exclusively on civil applications. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=6&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Format:** Single-stage submission using the standard Horizon Europe application forms (Part A—administrative, Part B—technical description). - **Lump sum budget:** Applicants must provide a detailed lump sum budget using the official Excel template; this must be uploaded as an annex. - **Evaluation criteria:** Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation (see [General Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf)). - **Page limits:** 45 pages for Part B for lump sum Innovation Actions. - **Supporting documents:** Plan for exploitation and dissemination of results (including communication activities), ethics self-assessment, and other required annexes. - **Timeline:** Results are typically communicated ~5 months after the deadline; grant agreements signed ~8 months after the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Key focus areas:** Fibre-to-fibre recycling, separation of blended fibers, removal of hazardous chemicals and microplastics, lifecycle assessment (LCA/LCC), Safe and Sustainable by Design, alignment with EU sustainability strategies. - **Clustering:** Projects are expected to coordinate with other relevant EU initiatives and projects under the Textiles of the Future partnership. - **Open science and SSH:** Proposals should address open science practices and, where relevant, contributions from social sciences and humanities. - **Ethics & security:** Projects must comply with EU and national ethics standards and security rules. --- ## External Links - [Call Details and Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=6&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes 2026–2027](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [Lump Sum Budget Table Template](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_en.xlsm) - [Guidance: Lump Sums – What Do I Need to Know?](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder general contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Funding & Tenders Portal | [Portal Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form)| | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | Phone (EC switchboard) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Advancing recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textiles waste from blended products

Sign in to see full grant listing