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

September 22, 2027

~€6,000,000 per project | 2 projects funded | Lump sum grant | Up to 70% funding (100% for non-profits)

Funds innovative biotechnological solutions to convert gaseous carbon into sustainable industrial feedstock, advancing circularity and climate neutrality in European industries.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in this call.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Innovation Action supports projects developing and demonstrating advanced life sciences-based technologies for Carbon Capture and Use (CCU). The focus is on the purification and conversion of gaseous carbon from industrial emissions or the atmosphere into feedstocks for industrial processes—excluding applications in food, feed, and biofuels. The call aims to facilitate the scale-up of promising CCU solutions using synthetic biology or living microorganisms, contributing to the EU’s climate-neutrality and circular economy objectives. Applicants are expected to: - Review current R&I progress in CCU using life sciences-based technologies. - Develop and test new biotechnological solutions to concentrate, purify, and convert gaseous carbon into suitable feedstock. - Assess environmental, social, and economic viability, as well as business cases and scalability. - Demonstrate the most sustainable technologies. - Evaluate market potential and disseminate replicable solutions, including recommendations for SMEs and industrial operators. - Explore spin-off opportunities for implementing the best demonstrated technologies. International cooperation and synergies with related EU initiatives (e.g., CBE Joint Undertaking, Cluster 5) are encouraged. Collaboration among funded projects is expected, particularly in IP exploitation and dissemination activities. --- ## Due Dates - September 22, 2027: Full application deadline for the topic 'Biotechnology application for CCU' (single-stage call) --- ## Funding Amount - **Indicative budget for the topic:** €12,000,000 (2027) - **Expected grant size:** Around €6,000,000 per project - **Number of projects funded:** 2 - **Funding rate:** Up to 70% of eligible costs (up to 100% for non-profit legal entities) - **Form of grant:** Lump sum (payment upon completion of work packages) - **Project duration:** Typically 36–48 months --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** Any legal entity (universities, research organizations, SMEs, industry, NGOs, etc.) established in: - EU Member States (including their outermost regions) - Countries associated to Horizon Europe - Low- and middle-income countries as specified in the [General Annexes](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) - **Consortium requirements:** At least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different eligible countries (at least one from an EU Member State) - **Key exclusions:** - Legal entities established in China are not eligible for this topic. - Entities subject to EU restrictive measures or established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. - **Focus:** Projects must exclude applications in food, feed, and biofuels/syngas. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08) - **Application format:** - Part A: Online administrative forms (incl. consortium info, budget) - Part B: Technical description (max 45 pages for lump sum topics) - Mandatory annex: Detailed lump sum budget table (Excel) - **Evaluation:** Single-stage, peer-reviewed against criteria of Excellence, Impact, and Implementation (see [Evaluation Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/ef/ef_he-ria-ia_en.pdf)) - **Timeline:** - Call opens: April 20, 2027 - Deadline: September 22, 2027 (17:00 Brussels time) - Evaluation results: ~5 months after deadline - Grant agreement signature: ~8 months after deadline --- ## Additional Information - **Lump sum funding:** No reporting of actual costs; payment is based on completed work packages as agreed in the grant agreement. - **Gender equality:** Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education establishments in EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. - **Open science:** Proposals must address open science practices and data management. - **Ethics and security:** Proposals must comply with EU ethical standards and security requirements. - **International cooperation:** Strongly encouraged, especially for R&I review and demonstration replication. --- ## External Links - [Official call page and topic details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home) - [General Annexes (eligibility, funding, evaluation)](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) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Lump sum funding guidance](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_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) - [Standard Application Form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder general info | [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) | | Topic helpdesk | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | IT support | [Funding & Tenders Portal IT 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) | ---

Biotechnology application for CCU

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