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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must demonstrate a high-TRL industrial demonstration (advancing from TRL 6 to 8) that valorises fisheries and aquaculture side-streams into high-value bio-based products or organic aquafeed alternatives compliant with @Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Crucially, consortia must secure a strategic sea-basin anchoring to leverage the call's portfolio selection rule across the 4 Mission basins, deploying multi-actor value chains that integrate primary producers, industrial bioprocessors, and end-market off-takers while explicitly excluding pharma and energy applications.
TRL 6 → 8
Innovative and efficient methods and techniques for extracting high-value compounds and valorising seafood by-products from discards of unavoidable unwanted catches or waste products (e.g.: fish sludge, fish manure, trimmings, viscera, shells, seaweed and algal residues, etc.). These high-value extracted compounds can be used for different applications, such as animal feed, or as inputs for other industries like, for instance, food production, fertilisers, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biotech industries, bioplastics and bio-based packaging. Applications in the field of alternative energy sources or pharmaceuticals are excluded under this topic.
Innovative organic feed ingredients, as alternatives to fish meal and fish oil, with the potential to support good growth and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) taking into account single species nutritional needs, enabling sustainable future organic aquaculture development in Europe.
Measurable improvements in the competitiveness and increased environmental sustainability of the EU’s fisheries and/or aquaculture sectors by integrating circular economy principles;
Minimized and better managed waste products derived from fisheries and/or aquaculture sectors as well as improved reutilization and reduction of by-products;
Reduced existing barriers preventing the implementation and development of circular principles in seafood chains, such as the cost of advanced processing technologies, regulatory hurdles, lack of collaboration across the different seafood supply chain actors or limited market demand and acceptance;
Measurable socio-economic benefits for local stakeholders and communities involved in the seafood processing chain.
Mission objective 2 - prevent and eliminate pollution of marine and freshwaters
Mission objective 3 – Sustainable, carbon-neutral and circular blue economy
Circular Economy Action Plan
highAdopted under the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan aims to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes. It targets product design, circular processes, and waste prevention to keep resources in the EU economy for as long as possible.
Evaluators expect clear pathways demonstrating how seafood by-products, side-streams, and packaging are valorised or eliminated, along with life cycle assessments showing reduced resource depletion.
EU Bioeconomy Strategy
highThe EU Bioeconomy Strategy focuses on developing a sustainable, circular bioeconomy that connects land and marine ecosystems with primary production and industrial processing. It seeks to balance environmental protection with the economic use of biological resources to replace fossil-based inputs.
Evaluators look for strategies to optimize marine biomass utilization, innovative bio-based processing technologies, and cross-sectoral synergies that maximize economic and ecological value from aquatic resources.
EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution
highThe Zero Pollution Action Plan sets a 2050 vision to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems. It outlines key 2030 targets to significantly reduce nutrient losses, chemical pesticides, plastics, and microplastics in marine environments.
Evaluators expect proposals to detail pollution prevention throughout the supply chain, such as minimizing plastic shedding from fishing gear and packaging, reducing chemical additives, and curbing aquatic discharges.
EU Algae Initiative
mediumTitled "Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector", this initiative outlines actions to unlock the potential of algae as a renewable source of food, feed, and biomaterials in Europe. It addresses production bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, consumer awareness, and standardisation.
Evaluators expect to see proposals integrating macro- and micro-algae into circular seafood chains where applicable, demonstrating sustainable cultivation, feed substitution, or functional ingredient extraction with measurable scalability.
European Ocean Pact
mediumThe European Ocean Pact represents the EU's commitment to integrated ocean governance, reconciling ocean conservation with a sustainable blue economy. It reinforces commitments across marine protection, sustainable fisheries, and cross-border maritime management.
Evaluators look for holistic approaches linking sustainable seafood supply chains with broader ocean health, stakeholder stewardship, and alignment with maritime governance priorities.
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products
mediumRegulation (EU) 2018/848 establishes the principles, specific production rules, and labelling requirements for organic agricultural products, including organic aquaculture and seaweed. It aims to ensure fair competition for farmers, prevent consumer deception, and maintain high standards of animal welfare and environmental performance.
Evaluators expect proposals addressing organic seafood chains to ensure complete compliance with organic aquaculture rules, traceability protocols, feed provenance, and non-chemical processing techniques defined by the regulation.
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.
To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the 4 different Mission basins[[For the purposes of Mission Ocean and waters, Member States/Associated Countries, are considered to be part of a given sea/river basin if they have a coast/riverbank on the relevant sea/river or contain river basins flowing into the relevant sea]] (1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin, 2. Mediterranean Sea basin, 3. Baltic and North Sea basin, 4. Danube River basin, including Black Sea), grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within each sea basin, provided that the applications attain all thresholds.
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.
Beneficiaries will be subject to the following additional obligations regarding open science practices: if projects collect in-situ data and marine observations, beneficiaries must make them openly available through the European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet), based on the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates
Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System. You can find examples of standard application forms in the Reference Documents page.
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 12. Missions
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 focus strictly on the following scored and portfolio-defining elements:
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 | |||
| SC1Innovative and efficient methods and techniques for extracting high-value compounds and valorising seafood by-products from discards of unavoidable unwanted catches or waste products (e.g.: fish sludge, fish manure, trimmings, viscera, shells, seaweed and algal residues, etc.). These high-value extracted compounds can be used for different applications, such as animal feed, or as inputs for other industries like, for instance, food production, fertilisers, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biotech industries, bioplastics and bio-based packaging. Applications in the field of alternative energy sources or pharmaceuticals are excluded under this topic. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Innovative organic feed ingredients, as alternatives to fish meal and fish oil, with the potential to support good growth and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) taking into account single species nutritional needs, enabling sustainable future organic aquaculture development in Europe. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Measurable improvements in the competitiveness and increased environmental sustainability of the EU’s fisheries and/or aquaculture sectors by integrating circular economy principles; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Minimized and better managed waste products derived from fisheries and/or aquaculture sectors as well as improved reutilization and reduction of by-products; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Reduced existing barriers preventing the implementation and development of circular principles in seafood chains, such as the cost of advanced processing technologies, regulatory hurdles, lack of collaboration across the different seafood supply chain actors or limited market demand and acceptance; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Measurable socio-economic benefits for local stakeholders and communities involved in the seafood processing chain. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Open access to in-situ marine data via EMODnet and FAIR principlesIf projects collect in-situ data and marine observations, beneficiaries are obligated to make them openly available through the European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet) based on FAIR principles. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Cross-sectoral stakeholder involvement across the seafood supply chainProposals should foster cross-sectoral cooperation by ensuring early involvement of relevant stakeholders including producers, processing industries, technology providers, and researchers in co-creating solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Single sea basin / Mission lighthouse targetingEach proposal must explicitly state and address only one basin / Mission lighthouse (Atlantic and Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic and North Sea, or Danube River basin/Black Sea), tailoring activities to regional specificities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Protection of ecosystem health, biodiversity, and animal welfareActivities and proposed solutions must be implemented to respect and benefit ecosystem health and biodiversity, ensuring and prioritising the health and welfare of animals. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Cooperation with EMFAF, H2020, Horizon Europe, and topic CIRCBIO-11Projects should consider results from and cooperate with relevant projects under EMFAF, Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and specifically HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-11. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with CBE JU and Sustainable Blue Economy PartnershipProjects are expected to cooperate and exchange with activities under the Circular Biobased Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and the Sustainable Blue Economy partnership. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Cooperation with Lighthouse CSAs and Mission Implementation PlatformProposals should establish operational links and cooperate with the relevant Lighthouse CSAs and the Mission Implementation Platform to track progress and coordinate lighthouse basin activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Engagement with European Research Infrastructures such as AQUASERVProposals are encouraged to consider services offered by European Research Infrastructures and relevant RI projects in fisheries and aquaculture, such as AQUASERV. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Mission objective 2 - prevent and eliminate pollution of marine and freshwaters | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Mission objective 3 – Sustainable, carbon-neutral and circular blue economy | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1circular economy action planAdopted under the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan aims to accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes. It targets product design, circular processes, and waste prevention to keep resources in the EU economy for as long as possible. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu bioeconomy strategyThe EU Bioeconomy Strategy focuses on developing a sustainable, circular bioeconomy that connects land and marine ecosystems with primary production and industrial processing. It seeks to balance environmental protection with the economic use of biological resources to replace fossil-based inputs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu action plan towards zero pollutionThe Zero Pollution Action Plan sets a 2050 vision to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems. It outlines key 2030 targets to significantly reduce nutrient losses, chemical pesticides, plastics, and microplastics in marine environments. | · | · | 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.
Proposals must explicitly target exactly one of the four Mission basins (e.g., Mediterranean, Baltic/North Sea). Evaluators apply a strict portfolio selection rule to ensure geographical coverage across all basins, meaning your proposal competes primarily against others targeting the same basin rather than the entire applicant pool.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Any proposed valorisation of seafood by-products into pharmaceuticals or alternative energy sources is explicitly excluded. Including these applications will trigger direct scoring penalties or outright rejection for failing negative scope adherence.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
To successfully demonstrate the TRL 6 to 8 progression, the consortium must execute at least three use cases in real conditions. This requires a multi-actor approach that formally embeds primary seafood processors, fishers, aquaculture operators, and downstream off-takers into the project structure.
Source: Scope
Projects collecting in-situ marine data face a strict legal obligation regarding open science practices. Beneficiaries must commit to making all marine observations openly available through EMODnet following FAIR principles, a requirement evaluators will actively check during the pre-award phase.
Source: Eligibility rules
If developing organic feed alternatives, the proposed solutions must strictly adhere to Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Evaluators expect complete compliance with organic aquaculture rules, meaning non-chemical processing techniques and verifiable traceability protocols must be hardwired into the methodology.
Source: Underlying policies
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