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

September 16, 2025 (opens) | February 17, 2026 (deadline, 17:00 Brussels time)

€8,000,000 total; around €4,000,000 per project; 2 grants expected

EU grant supporting research to boost competitiveness, energy security, and integration of advanced biofuel and renewable fuel value chains, with a focus on stakeholder engagement and sustainability.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe call supports research and innovation actions aimed at enhancing the competitiveness, energy security, and integration of value chains for advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) within the European Union. Projects should address the challenges and opportunities related to these technologies, focusing on their contribution to EU energy security and industrial competitiveness. The scope includes both value chains close to commercialization and those still under development, with a strong emphasis on detailed scenario development, macroeconomic modeling, and comprehensive sustainability assessments (techno-economic, environmental, and social, based on life cycle analysis). Applicants are expected to engage diverse stakeholders—including policy makers, technology providers, industry, farmers, CO₂ suppliers, researchers, end users, and international organizations—to develop integrated, win-win solutions for sustainable fuel value chains. Multidisciplinary issues such as carbon removals, CO₂ trading, sustainable farming, standardization, and land use trade-offs should be considered. Value chains where renewable hydrogen is the end-product are not eligible under this call. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: September 16, 2025 - Application deadline: February 17, 2026 (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total call budget: €8,000,000 - Expected contribution per project: approximately €4,000,000 - Indicative number of grants: 2 - Funding type: Lump sum grant (HORIZON-RIA) --- ## Eligibility - Open to entities from EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. - Some non-EU/non-associated countries may participate if they have made specific arrangements; see the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf). - Proposals must be submitted by consortia (not individual organizations), typically involving partners from at least three different eligible countries. - Value chains focused on renewable hydrogen as the end-product are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Application templates and guidance documents are available on the portal: - [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) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [Lump Sum MGA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - Proposals must comply with the requirements in the Work Programme General Annexes (see [Annexes A-G](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf)). - Evaluation criteria and thresholds are detailed in the General Annexes. --- ## Additional Information - The focus is on both short- and long-term contributions to EU green transition and industrial competitiveness targets. - Proposals should address integration challenges and value chain optimization, including new standards for advanced biofuels and RFNBOs. - A comprehensive sustainability assessment is mandatory. - Value chains involving renewable hydrogen as an end-product are explicitly excluded. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-02?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Cluster 5 Call 02-2026 Overview](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals?callIdentifier=HORIZON-CL5-2026-02) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes (2025)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) - [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Standardisation Help | [CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk](mailto:research@cencenelec.eu) / [ETSI Research Helpdesk](https://www.etsi.org/research/helpdesk) | ---

Competitiveness, energy security and integration aspects of advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin value chains

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