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

September 17, 2026

€10M total budget | ~€5M per project | 2 projects expected to be funded | Lump sum grant

Funds research to develop sustainable, innovative blue bio-based products from marine organisms, advancing green industry through blue biotechnology.

Health biotechnology and biofuel/bioenergy applications are excluded from scope.

--- ## Description This grant supports research and innovation actions (HORIZON-RIA) focused on leveraging the unique properties of biomolecules from marine organisms—such as fungi, algae, and invertebrates—to develop safe, sustainable, and high-impact blue bio-based products. The goal is to advance the EU’s green transition by replacing hazardous chemicals and promoting sustainable alternatives in industrial applications (e.g., adhesives, surfactants, antifouling coatings, biosensors, enzymes). Projects must integrate synthetic and engineering biology, utilize digital tools (AI/ML, bioinformatics), and rigorously assess the environmental, safety, and economic impacts of the developed products compared to conventional counterparts. Proposals must address the legal, ethical, and regulatory aspects of accessing and using marine resources, including biodiversity preservation and fair access and benefit sharing. Collaboration with European research infrastructures and international partners is encouraged, as is alignment with existing EU blue economy and bioeconomy initiatives. All data generated should follow FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable). Health-related biotechnology and biofuel/bioenergy applications are specifically excluded to avoid overlap with other Horizon Europe clusters. --- ## Due Dates - Full proposal deadline: **September 17, 2026** (17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - **Total available budget:** €10 million - **Expected EU contribution per project:** around €5 million (lump sum) - **Indicative number of projects funded:** 2 - **Project duration:** Typically 36-48 months (to be proposed by applicants) --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Any legal entity, regardless of location (EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and certain non-associated countries—see the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) and [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)). - **Consortium requirement:** At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country, with at least one in an EU Member State. - Public bodies, research organizations, higher education institutions, private companies, and NGOs are eligible. - **Affiliated entities** may participate if linked to a beneficiary. - **Associated partners** may join without receiving EU funding. - **Exclusions:** Entities under EU sanctions or ineligible due to specific country restrictions. - **Special note:** Proposals must focus exclusively on civil applications and cannot include health biotechnology or biofuel/bioenergy. --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare your proposal:** - Download and complete the [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). - Follow the structure and page limits (max 45 pages for RIAs using lump sum funding). - Address all required sections: objectives, methodology, impact, implementation, consortium composition, work plan, risk assessment, and data management. - Include a plan for dissemination, exploitation, and communication. - Ensure integration of gender dimension and open science practices. 2. **Submit 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-11?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502). 3. **Deadline:** September 17, 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. 4. **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on excellence, impact, and 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)). 5. **Grant agreement preparation** for successful proposals. **Key documents:** - [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) - [Work Programme 2026-2027 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [HE Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_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) --- ## Additional Information - **FAIR Data:** Projects must ensure all data produced is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable. - **Ethics:** Compliance with EU and national ethical standards is mandatory; an ethics self-assessment is required. - **Gender Equality Plan:** Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions from EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. - **Synergies:** Applicants are encouraged to link with relevant Horizon Europe and EU blue economy initiatives to maximize impact and avoid duplication. - **International cooperation** (including with Latin America and the Caribbean) is encouraged. - **Exclusions:** Health biotechnology and biofuel/bioenergy applications are out of scope. --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-11?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/calls-for-proposals?callIdentifier=HORIZON-CL6-2026-01) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Work Programme 2026-2027: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [General Annexes (eligibility, evaluation, legal setup)](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) - [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) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [National Contact Points (NCPs) for Horizon Europe](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | European Commission general | +32 2 299 11 11 | | Funder Contact Page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | ---

Harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to deliver sustainable blue bio-based products

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