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

Horizon Safer Biocides

Funds three €4M research projects that replace hazardous biocidal actives with safer bio-based substances for wood and mosquito control.

ScheduledEuropean CommissionEU

Some biocidal active substances are effective against pests but carry risks for people, animals, biodiversity and the environment. This topic funds three research projects to develop safer alternatives that can replace hazardous actives while still controlling harmful organisms.

A proposal must target at least one of two uses: wood-preservative biocidal products or insecticides that control disea

Developing and testing Safe and Sustainable by Design bio-based or natural substances to replace hazardous active substances in biocidal products. Proposals target at least one of wood preservatives or mosquito-control insecticides, assess human-health and biodiversity safety including pollinators, and demonstrate effectiveness, final-product integration and cost-effectiveness with validated indicators. Activities may start at any TRL and are expected to reach TRL 4-5 by project end.

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.22 Sept 2027
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

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01Source: ec.europa.eu