CJ
Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)

Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources

Funds scale-up of protein extraction or production processes from alternative sources like plants, fungi, microorganisms or fermentation, aimed at food use.

This Innovation Action is run by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking rather than the Commission directly, evaluated in a single-stage round. The JU expects to fund two projects, each with a fixed EU contribution of EUR 7,000,000, drawn from a combined budget of EUR 172,137,258 shared across all thirteen topics in the CBE JU's 2025 call. Applications use the CBE JU's own 2025 call appli…

Proposals may also target additional properties depending on the application, such as reducing food intolerances or allergies or improving digestibility, and can co-produce other bio-based products, including feed, alongside the food-grade protein through a cascading approach. Where a proposal pursues a circular production model, it must ensure the loop doesn't reintroduce pathogens or contaminants, so the resulting product carries no added toxicological risk.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
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.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.-

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CJ
Open

CBE JU 2026 Call for Project Proposals

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds EU bio-based innovation projects with up to Euro20 million per topic.

BiotechAdvanced Materials+1
€1.2M – €20MSep'26
CJ
Closed

Alternative biomanufacturing routes for natural and synthetic rubber

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds research into biomanufactured alternatives to imported natural rubber and fossil-based synthetic rubber for automotive, healthcare and industrial uses.

BiotechAdvanced Materials
€3.5M
CJ
Closed

Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds research into bio-based, biodegradable delivery coatings for fertilisers that replace today's microplastic-shedding polymer coatings.

BiotechAgritech
€3.5M
CJ
Closed

Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds a full-scale biorefinery that produces bio-based drop-in platform chemicals able to compete directly with their fossil-based equivalents.

BiotechAdvanced Materials+1
€20M
CJ
Closed

Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds a full-scale plant scaling up fibre-based packaging with new or improved properties, designed from the start for recycling or reuse.

BiotechAdvanced Materials
€20M
CJ
Closed

Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes

🇪🇺CBE JU · European Union

Funds converting a batch biotech process for making bio-based chemicals or materials into a continuous process with higher productivity and lower cost.

BiotechAdvanced Manufacturing
€7M
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Biotechnology for Healthy Soil and Resilient Agriculture

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds two €6.4M projects that turn soil-friendly biotechnology into scalable, safe and market-ready farm solutions.

BiotechAgritech+2
€6.4MApr'27
European Innovation Council logo
Open

EIC Transition Open

🇪🇺EIC · European Union

Supports European deep-tech ventures advancing laboratory research toward validated prototypes and near-market technologies.

AerospaceAgritech+22
€500K – €2.5MSep'26
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council logo
Open

BBSRC Applicant-Led (Responsive Mode) — Always Open

🇬🇧BBSRC · United Kingdom

Supports United Kingdom bioscience researchers through responsive grants that fund investigator-led foundational innovation.

BiotechAgritech+5
£2M
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Horizon Food Microbiome Market

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds two €7–8M innovation projects that move food-system microbiome products from validated testing toward reliable EU-market scale-up.

BiotechFood Tech
€7M – €8MSep'27
European Commission logo
Closed

Raising citizen awareness on alternative proteins derived from biotechnology

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Pays one consortium to run a public-education and communication campaign on biotech-derived alternative proteins such as precision-fermentation foods.

Food TechBiotech
€2M
European Commission logo
Open

CBE JU: Nutritional Food Ingredient Resilience

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds one €20M innovation project that scales alternative proteins, oils, fibres or specialty carbohydrates into safe, accepted food ingredients.

Food TechBiotech+1
€20MSep'26