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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must demonstrate a breakthrough extraction, synthesis, or functionalisation process for bio-based textile fibres derived from sustainably sourced biomass or textile waste, explicitly matching or exceeding conventional synthetic benchmarks in technical performance (e.g., tenacity, durability, spinnability). The strategy must couple seamless drop-in compatibility with legacy textile manufacturing equipment with rigorous Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) compliance and quantifiable prevention of microplastic shedding across the entire lifecycle.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock. Bio-based textile waste is eligible as feedstock. Bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and/or the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres are in scope.
Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration.
Design the bio-based fibre(s) to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks, e.g., tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability. Test these properties according to existing standards/methods to assess the compatibility with end-products requirements.
Design the bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end of life. Assess the actual feasibility of the targeted end of life option(s). Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the whole product life cycle.
As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the value chains relevant for this topic, including textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers.
Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design
Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, including the partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.
Wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements.
Scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres.
Enhanced circularity and prevent microplastics release compared to benchmarks.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy
highThe updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy (2018) aims to develop a sustainable and circular bioeconomy that drives the renewal of European industry and modernises primary production systems. It focuses on deploying local bioeconomies across Europe while protecting the environment and respecting ecological boundaries.
Evaluators expect proposals to demonstrate how bio-based feedstocks and innovative processing pathways replace fossil-based materials, enhance resource efficiency, and support rural or regional economic value chains without compromising biodiversity or food security.
Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
highThe Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) towards a toxic-free environment is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal. It aims to protect human health and the environment better from hazardous chemicals, while boosting innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals. It promotes the shift to chemicals that are safe and sustainable by design, simplifying and strengthening the EU legal framework for chemicals, and ensuring a toxic-free environment.
Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions contribute to the objectives of the CSS, particularly in developing or utilizing safer and more sustainable chemicals, reducing reliance on hazardous substances, promoting circularity in chemical use, and fostering innovation in safe-by-design approaches. For biorefineries, this could involve ensuring the sustainability and safety of processes and products, and minimizing environmental impact.
EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles
highThe EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles sets out a vision and concrete actions to ensure that by 2030 textile products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable, largely made of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances, and produced respecting social rights and the environment. It addresses the entire lifecycle of textiles, promoting circularity, sustainable manufacturing, and extended producer responsibility.
Evaluators expect proposals to align with key strategy goals by detailing how novel bio-based fibres support end-of-life circularity, recyclability, and reduced microfibre shedding, while avoiding hazardous finishing chemicals and ensuring durability.
Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation
highThe Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a cornerstone of the EU's circular economy agenda, aiming to make products more sustainable throughout their entire lifecycle. It expands the scope of the existing Ecodesign Directive to cover the broadest possible range of products, setting requirements for product durability, reusability, repairability, recyclability, recycled content, energy and resource efficiency, and the presence of harmful chemicals.
It also introduces a Digital Product Passport to provide information on products' environmental sustainability.
Proposals for new bio-based textile fibres should explicitly consider how these fibres will enable the resulting textile products to meet future ecodesign requirements under the ESPR. This includes designing fibres that contribute to product durability, repairability, recyclability, and the use of recycled content. Consideration of the environmental footprint throughout the lifecycle and the potential for a Digital Product Passport for textile products made from these fibres is also important.
Clean Industrial Deal
mediumThe "Clean Industrial Deal" refers to the industrial dimension of the European Green Deal, aiming to make European industry more sustainable, competitive, and resilient. It focuses on decarbonization, circularity, resource efficiency, and the development of clean technologies and products, while ensuring a level playing field and supporting innovation.
Proposals should demonstrate how their advanced manufacturing solutions contribute to the green transition of industry, for example, by reducing emissions, improving resource efficiency, enabling circularity, or developing clean technologies. Alignment with the EU's climate and environmental objectives and enhancing industrial competitiveness are key.
Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030"
mediumThe Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" aims to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems, prevent and eliminate pollution, and make the sustainable blue economy climate-neutral and circular. It sets measurable targets to reduce plastic litter, microplastics, and chemical discharges into aquatic environments.
Evaluators expect proposals targeting bio-based textile fibres to address the reduction and biodegradability of microfibre emissions during textile laundering and use, directly mitigating chemical and particulate pollution of rivers, seas, and oceans.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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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.
described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in section 2.2.3 Calls for proposals in the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026
Application form templates
Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System.
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
CBE JU Call for proposals 2026
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
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 rigorously assess compliance with specific CBE JU requirements: the mandatory Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) engaging biomass providers, spinners, weavers, and fashion/technical textile end-users; the mandatory Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) assessment task; and adherence to the 5% in-kind contribution to operational activities (IKOP) backed by valid BIC membership certificates. Proposals must clearly justify feedstock compliance with the CBE JU SRIA (EU origin, cascading use, non-food competition) and present an ex-ante environmental benchmark proving zero microplastic release and complete circular end-of-life feasibility within a strict 50-page limit.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock. Bio-based textile waste is eligible as feedstock. Bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and/or the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres are in scope. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Design the bio-based fibre(s) to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks, e.g., tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability. Test these properties according to existing standards/methods to assess the compatibility with end-products requirements. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Design the bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end of life. Assess the actual feasibility of the targeted end of life option(s). Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the whole product life cycle. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the value chains relevant for this topic, including textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, including the partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Enhanced circularity and prevent microplastics release compared to benchmarks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) across value chainsAs part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), proposals must ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the relevant value chains, including textile manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, and end users or consumers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Application of European Commission SSbD frameworkProposals must include a dedicated task to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Complementarity with Horizon Europe and BBI/CBE JU projectsEnsure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe (Cluster 6, Cluster 4, and the 'Textiles of the Future' partnership) as well as BBI JU and CBE JU projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Compliance with CBE JU SRIA feedstock principlesProposals must clearly justify feedstock compliance with the CBE JU SRIA, ensuring EU origin, cascading use, and non-competition with food. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1updated eu bioeconomy strategyThe updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy (2018) aims to develop a sustainable and circular bioeconomy that drives the renewal of European industry and modernises primary production systems. It focuses on deploying local bioeconomies across Europe while protecting the environment and respecting ecological boundaries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2chemicals strategy for sustainabilityThe Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) towards a toxic-free environment is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal. It aims to protect human health and the environment better from hazardous chemicals, while boosting innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals. It promotes the shift to chemicals that are safe and sustainable by design, simplifying and strengthening the EU legal framework for chemicals, and ensuring a toxic-free environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu strategy for sustainable and circular textilesThe EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles sets out a vision and concrete actions to ensure that by 2030 textile products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable, largely made of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances, and produced respecting social rights and the environment. It addresses the entire lifecycle of textiles, promoting circularity, sustainable manufacturing, and extended producer responsibility. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4ecodesign sustainable products regulationThe Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is a cornerstone of the EU's circular economy agenda, aiming to make products more sustainable throughout their entire lifecycle. It expands the scope of the existing Ecodesign Directive to cover the broadest possible range of products, setting requirements for product durability, reusability, repairability, recyclability, recycled content, energy and resource efficiency, and the presence of harmful chemicals. It also introduces a Digital Product Passport to provide information on products' environmental sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
5 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.
Evaluators will rigorously assess your consortium's adherence to a 5% in-kind contribution to operational activities (IKOP). This financial commitment must be explicitly backed by valid BIC membership certificates. Proposals failing to document this specific financial and membership structure will face severe penalties during the pre-award evaluation.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
The call sets an absolute threshold for environmental performance, requiring an ex-ante environmental benchmark that proves zero microplastic release across the lifecycle. Proposals must move beyond standard mitigation strategies and provide concrete, quantifiable evidence that the novel fibre architecture intrinsically prevents persistent shedding.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
The mandatory Multi-Actor Approach dictates a highly specific consortium composition. A winning proposal must actively engage biomass providers, spinners, weavers, and fashion or technical textile end-users. Omitting any of these specific value chain actors will result in a direct failure to meet the stated evaluation requirements.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
While the extraction and synthesis processes must be breakthrough, the resulting bio-based fibres must demonstrate seamless drop-in compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes. Proposals requiring capital-intensive modifications to legacy spinning or weaving equipment will fail the market penetration scope requirement.
Source: Scope
Feedstock selection is tightly constrained by the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Proposals must explicitly justify that their chosen biomass or textile waste guarantees EU origin, cascading use, and non-food competition. Failure to document these three feedstock criteria will severely compromise the evaluation score.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
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