CBE JU has published its 2026 work programme, announcing €170.7 million funding for call for project proposals to accelerate sustainable and competitive bio-based solutions across Europe. The 2026 work programme introduces 13 topics ranging from industrial flagship biorefineries to research actions that strengthen feedstock diversification, circular design, biotech scale-up and market uptake.
Flagship Innovation Actions (TRL 8)
Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech – €20M
Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products – €20M
SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care – €20M
Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy – €20M
Innovation actions (TRL 6-7)
Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass – €14M
Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability – €14M
Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues – €14M
High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets – €14M
Films and coatings for circular packaging – €14M
Research and innovation actions (TRL 5)
Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries – €6.5M
SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources – €6.5M
Breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres – €6.5M
Coordination and support actions (CSA)
Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes – €1.2M
Please check the Annual Work Programme 2026 for further information.
The 2026 call for proposals will open on 23 April 2026 and close on 22 September 2026.
The CBE JU Info Day 2026 will take place on 12 March online, while a dedicated networking event will happen on 21 April in Brussels, Belgium. Registration for in-person attendance will open in January 2026. All stakeholders interested in applying for CBE JU funding will also have the opportunity to engage on the CBE JU networking platform.
You may find more information here.