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Horizon Europe
1 phase
Strategic Analysis
This call seeks to unlock the potential of marine organisms to create innovative, safe, and sustainable blue bio-based products, moving beyond traditional applications. A winning proposal will demonstrate cutting-edge scientific development, robust sustainability and market assessments, and clear pathways for policy and industrial uptake, while strictly adhering to the exclusion of health biotechnology and biofuel/bioenergy.
TRL → 5
develop safe and sustainable blue bio-based products, by exploring the use of the unique physical, chemical and biochemical properties of biomolecules from marine organisms (e.g., adhesion, structural organization, fluorescence, luminescence). Proposals in scope include novel adhesion agents or bonding products, biochemicals to replace hazardous chemicals, antifouling paintings and coatings, replacement for synthetic surfactants, biomarkers, biosensors, enzymes. Proposals aiming to develop molecules with important economic or societal impact are encouraged. The applications in health biotechnology, as well as the biofuel/bioenergy area are excluded, to avoid overlaps with Horizon Europe Clusters 1 and 5, respectively;
incorporate the use of synthetic and engineering biology approaches and foresee the necessary links with the digital technologies and tools (AI/ML, bioinformatics);
include the assessment of the costs and benefits compared to conventional alternatives in the market. Proposals should look into regulatory, market and value chain bottlenecks;
assess the safety, environmental sustainability and effectiveness of the developed bio-based products derived from marine environments compared to the equivalent material on the market;
develop recommendations for policy makers and industrial actors, considering the available scientifically sound assessment of risks and benefits of the developed solutions.
increased support on green bioprocessing, safe and sustainable blue bio-based products;
increased understanding of safety, effectiveness and regulatory bottlenecks of blue bio-based products;
increased commitment to biodiversity preservation and conservation ensuring that the biodiscovery of new compounds does not lead to unsustainable harvesting from the wild and promoting sustainable use of genetic diversity.
Improved climate change adaptation and mitigation through the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy and bioeconomy, underpinned by biotechnologies and sustainable industrial solutions, such as carbon capture and utilisation and recovery of materials, water and energy.
Industrial competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy are improved through the development of safe, sustainable, circular and/or bio-based value chains. This is done by promoting the efficient and circular use of secondary materials and water, fostering the multi-functionality of forests, and ensuring the sustainable supply of critical resources from land and sea.
Living conditions for individuals and communities are improved through innovative, affordable and sustainable safe and sustainable by design products and services based on circular and/or bio-based solutions while demonstrating a reduction of environmental and climate pressures.
Advanced societal transformation based on a systemic approach, as well as people’s involvement and integration of social sciences and humanities for fair, safe, sustainable and circular value chains, sustainable consumption patterns, environmental justice, gender equality and social inclusion.
EU Green Deal
highEcodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
highsustainable blue economy
highRelevant for proposals exploring water reuse, coastal agriculture, or marine-based irrigation solutions (e.g., desalination, fog harvesting). Proposals should align with blue economy principles (e.g., circular water use, biodiversity conservation).
Demonstration of blue economy synergies, such as water reuse in coastal farming or desalination for irrigation. Quantification of economic and environmental benefits is encouraged.
European Ocean Pact
highnew EU bioeconomy strategy
highThe updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy aims to accelerate the transition from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based one, using renewable biological resources from land and sea to produce food, feed, materials, and energy. It emphasizes sustainable resource management, circularity, and innovation to address societal challenges like climate change, food security, and resource depletion.
Proposals should demonstrate how their digital innovations contribute to a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy in agriculture, particularly in optimizing the use of biological resources and reducing waste in water and nutrient-scarce environments.
European Life Sciences Strategy
highThe European Life Sciences Strategy aims to strengthen Europe's leadership in life sciences and biotechnology, fostering innovation, research excellence, and the translation of scientific discoveries into societal benefits. It emphasizes ethical considerations, data sharing, and the development of cutting-edge technologies.
Proposals should clearly articulate how their biotechnology application for CCU contributes to advancing European life sciences, demonstrating scientific excellence, innovation potential, and the capacity to translate research into industrial applications. Emphasis on ethical considerations, responsible innovation, and potential for economic impact within the life sciences sector will be valued.
EU Algae Initiative
highThe EU Algae Initiative, launched in 2022, aims to unlock the potential of algae in the EU. It seeks to boost the sustainable production and consumption of algae and algae-based products in Europe, recognizing their role in food, feed, bio-based materials, pharmaceuticals, and carbon sequestration. The initiative supports research, innovation, and market development for a robust EU algae sector.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how they contribute to the sustainable development of the EU algae sector, including innovative approaches to cultivation, processing, and the creation of novel algae-based products. Emphasis should be placed on environmental sustainability, economic viability, and alignment with the initiative's goals for a thriving blue bioeconomy.
new approach for a sustainable blue economy
highThe "new approach for a sustainable blue economy" (Communication COM/2021/240 final) outlines a new vision for the EU's blue economy, shifting from exploitation to preservation and sustainability. It aims to harness the potential of oceans, seas, and coasts for sustainable development, focusing on decarbonisation, circularity, biodiversity protection, and innovation in sectors like aquaculture, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.
Proposals should explicitly demonstrate how they align with the principles and objectives of this new approach, particularly in fostering sustainable practices in marine biotechnology and the development of blue bio-based products. Emphasis should be placed on contributing to ocean health, climate neutrality, and the creation of green jobs within the blue economy.
EU Competitiveness Compass
mediumEU Clean Industrial Deal
mediumindustrial strategy
mediumEU Biotech Act
mediumThe "EU Biotech Act" refers to proposed legislative initiatives aimed at streamlining and supporting the biotechnology sector in the EU, often discussed in the context of the Communication on Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing. It seeks to create a more predictable and innovation-friendly regulatory environment for biotechnological products and processes, including those in agriculture and food.
Proposals should demonstrate an awareness of the regulatory landscape for biotechnological products, particularly if the feed additives involve novel biotechnological processes or genetically modified organisms. Evaluators will look for projects that consider future regulatory pathways and contribute to the EU's strategic autonomy in biotechnology.
EU strategy on research and technology infrastructures
mediumThis strategy emphasizes the importance of world-class research and technology infrastructures (RTIs) for advancing scientific excellence, fostering innovation, and supporting industrial competitiveness in Europe. It aims to optimize the use, development, and accessibility of RTIs across various scientific domains, including those relevant to the bioeconomy and marine research.
Proposals should clearly articulate how they will leverage existing or contribute to the development of relevant research and technology infrastructures, particularly those supporting marine biology, biotechnology, or bio-based product development. Demonstrating efficient use of shared resources and potential for broader impact on the European RTI landscape will be valued.
European Chemicals Industry Action Plan
lowEuropean Water Resilience Strategy
lowEU strategy for outermost regions
low">
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.
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.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
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.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
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
Evaluators will primarily look for scientific excellence in exploring unique marine biomolecule properties and the innovative application of synthetic/engineering biology and digital tools (@SC2). A strong emphasis will be placed on the comprehensive assessment of safety, environmental sustainability, and cost-benefit analysis compared to market alternatives (@SC3, @SC4). Furthermore, the proposal must clearly outline how its solutions contribute to a circular bioeconomy, biodiversity preservation, and provide actionable policy and industrial recommendations (@SC5, @EO3).
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Your proposal will be deemed out of scope if it includes applications in health biotechnology or the biofuel/bioenergy area. The call text explicitly excludes these topics to prevent overlap with other Horizon Europe clusters. Frame your project's impact exclusively within the listed in-scope areas like novel materials, biochemicals, or biosensors.
Source: Scope / Activities
This call uses a lump sum funding model, meaning payments are tied to the completion of predefined work packages, not cost reporting. Your proposal's structure, particularly the work plan and deliverables, must be built around clear, verifiable milestones. The credibility of your budget depends on a detailed and logical breakdown of costs per work package.
Source: Eligibility
A purely scientific proposal will not be funded. The scope mandates the inclusion of a cost-benefit analysis against market alternatives and a thorough assessment of the safety, environmental sustainability, and effectiveness of your products. These analyses must be core components of your work plan, not afterthoughts.
Source: Scope / Activities
The call requires the incorporation of synthetic and engineering biology approaches and the use of digital technologies like AI/ML and bioinformatics. Proposals that fail to integrate these modern tools into their core methodology for discovery and development will be at a significant competitive disadvantage during evaluation.
Source: Scope / Activities
The AI has drafted potential core elements based on the call analysis. To start building your project proposal structure, select the elements that resonate with your consortium's concept. You can refine and rewrite them fully once your project workspace is created.
Current industrial practices heavily rely on conventional products that often contain hazardous chemicals or are derived from unsustainable sources, leading to significant environmental pollution and health risks.
The vast and unique biochemical potential of marine organisms remains largely underexplored and underutilized for the development of novel, high-performance, and sustainable bio-based products.
There is a critical need for robust safety, environmental sustainability, and techno-economic assessments for emerging blue bio-based products, coupled with clear regulatory frameworks to facilitate their market entry and adoption.
The biodiscovery of new compounds from marine organisms, if not managed sustainably, poses a risk of over-harvesting and negative impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystems.
Experts in marine biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, materials science, and digital technologies who will directly contribute to the research and development activities.
Companies involved in the production of bio-based chemicals, coatings, adhesion agents, and other relevant sectors, as well as those interested in adopting sustainable marine-derived solutions.
National and EU-level policy makers and regulatory bodies responsible for environmental protection, industrial policy, and the blue economy, who will receive recommendations for new frameworks.
The broader academic and research community, benefiting from new knowledge, methodologies, and data generated by the project, fostering further research and innovation.
End-users who will benefit from safer, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly products replacing hazardous conventional alternatives.
Non-governmental organizations focused on marine conservation and environmental protection, who will benefit from improved practices and policies for sustainable marine resource use.
To develop innovative, safe, and sustainable blue bio-based products by harnessing the unique physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of biomolecules derived from marine organisms, such as novel adhesion agents, antifouling coatings, or biochemicals replacing hazardous substances, excluding applications in health biotechnology and biofuel/bioenergy.
To incorporate synthetic and engineering biology approaches, alongside digital technologies such as AI/ML and bioinformatics, to optimize the discovery, development, and production of marine bio-based products, ensuring efficiency and innovation.
To conduct comprehensive assessments of the safety, environmental sustainability, and effectiveness of the developed blue bio-based products, including a thorough cost-benefit analysis against conventional market alternatives, and to identify regulatory, market, and value chain bottlenecks.
To develop scientifically sound recommendations for policy makers and industrial actors, based on the assessment of risks and benefits, to facilitate the market uptake and sustainable governance of blue bio-based products and ensure biodiversity preservation.
The project will contribute to climate change mitigation by developing bio-based products that have a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional alternatives, reducing overall GHG emissions from industrial processes and product lifecycles.
By fostering the development of sustainable and circular blue bio-based products, the project will enhance resource efficiency and circularity within the bioeconomy, reducing waste and reliance on virgin materials.
The project will improve industrial competitiveness and sustainability by enabling the production of novel, safe, and environmentally friendly bio-based products, contributing to more sustainable and resilient value chains.
Through the development of durable and efficient blue bio-based products, the project will contribute to a more efficient and circular use of resources, reducing overall consumption of critical materials from land and sea.
The development of safe and sustainable by design blue bio-based products will lead to a reduction in environmental pollution and associated health risks, improving living conditions for individuals and communities.
By replacing hazardous chemicals in applications like antifouling paints, the project will directly contribute to reducing water pollution in aquatic ecosystems, thereby protecting marine life and human health.
The project's recommendations for policy makers will contribute to the development and implementation of new policy instruments that support the shift towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and circular value chains.
By generating scientifically sound assessments and recommendations, the project will build capacity among industrial actors and policy makers to implement solutions aligned with sustainable development goals, fostering a systemic societal transformation.