European Commission logo
Horizon Europe Cluster 6 — Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources & Environment

Horizon Bioeconomy: Balancing Nature Markets and Food Security

Funds two €6M projects that show how farmers can earn from carbon and biodiversity credits without shrinking Europe's food supply.

OpenEuropean CommissionEU

Farmland and farm biomass are being pulled toward new uses — bio-based chemicals and materials, energy, carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and other paid “nature market” services. That's real new income for farmers, but it also raises a real risk: less land and biomass going toward food. This topic funds the research and tools to grow that income without shrinking food supply, in support of the

Research and policy work that shows how EU farmers can earn new income from the bioeconomy and from “nature markets” — carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and other market-based payments for environmental services — without cutting into food production. Funded work covers natural capital accounting methods, new business models and value chains that pay farmers beyond food and feed, interdisciplinary impact analysis from farm to macro level (income, biomass supply and demand, land-use and food-security risk), and policy recommendations that balance bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity goals against food security. Two lump-sum grants of €6M each are planned, and the two funded projects are expected to work together, not separately.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.17 Sept 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.22 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€12M

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see how they score you

Sign up free to see the timeline

Sign up free to see where teams trip up

Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-09Source: ec.europa.eu