International dimension of the circular bio-based economy: seeking win-win opportunities – Förderung EU-weit

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: • improved multi-level governance capable of anticipating a changing world and enabling a just sustainable transition for all, as related to the potential of bio-based innovation and industry in the global bioeconomy to deliver on multilateral climate and biodiversity targets; • improved stakeholder engagement and trust, related to the global dimension of sustainable bioeconomy, with a focus on circular bio-based solutions and approaches with reduced carbon footprint as well as biotechnology, biomanufacturing and biorefining. Scope: This topic is in line with the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Life Sciences Strategy, the EU Biotech Act, the Clean Industrial Deal, the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act, the policies related to the fair green transition (i.e. EU Green Deal ambition of leaving no one behind) as well as the EU global commitments on climate change and biodiversity. Proposals should: • analyse bottlenecks and opportunities (in terms of measurable socio-economic and environmental impacts) of the international cooperation in sustainable and fair/just bio-based circular innovation, identifying key interested players active in this area, including the European circular bio-based industry, international organisations (e.g. OECD, FAO, Global Bioeconomy Summit) and like-minded international partners, civil society actors). The focus should be on actions in selected key areas (including, but not limited to biorefining[1], biotechnology[2], biomanufacturing, environmental applications, international biomass trade analysis, circularity of bio-based economy, intellectual property (IP) aspects, global infrastructure mapping, etc). This should take into account the diversity of approaches, perspectives and initiatives in non-EU contexts (e.g. G20 work on bioeconomy), in view of effective international cooperation and dialogue on circular and fair bio-economy/bio-based economy; • develop an inclusive and transparent networking approach to support stakeholder engagement and international dialogue (via existing structures, platforms, bioeconomy databases and dashboards[3], and other instruments[4]), considering the role of the governance actors, propose suitable trust-building measures (e.g., co-creation, sharing of best practice, mutual learning), aiming at the global common challenges and win-win solutions, with impact on sustainable economic development, UN SDGs[5], climate and biodiversity); • prepare a roadmap for next steps of international cooperation in this area, provide recommendations to policy makers on national and regional level, and other interested stakeholders (e.g., industry), propose solutions to ensure long-term impact, including by linking to existing activities and by applying suitable digital means (e.g., webinars, scientifically robust social media use, etc.). Proposals are encouraged to work together with relevant initiatives including those of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy, Bioeconomy Monitoring System, etc.). Synergies with activities under the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and International Bioeconomy Forum as well as Global Bioeconomy Summit are encouraged. This topic should involve the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines. International cooperation is strongly encouraged, in particular with South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. [1] With focus on bio-based materials and chemicals. In case bioenergy is considered, it should be covered in the frame of the cascading use of biomass and ensuring synergy with Horizon Europe Cluster 5. [2] With focus on industrial, agro-food, environmental or marine biotechnology sectors. In case health biotechnology is considered, ensure synergy with Horizon Europe Cluster 1. [3] e.g. DataM - Bioeconomy - European Commission [4] Among others, European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, Circular Cities and Regions Initiative, Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, etc. [5] In particular SDG 8, 9 and 12. ">General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. 3. Other Eligible Conditions If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity. described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. 5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]]. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the specific topic of the Work Programme Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE CSA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)  Guidance HE Programme Guide  Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA  HE Unit MGA  Lump Sum MGA  Operating Grants MGA  Call-specific instructions  Detailed budget table (HE LS)  Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?" Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes EIC Work Programme 2026 ERC Work Programme 2026 HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual  Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions  Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement