This cascade funding opportunity under Horizon Europe aims to enable regions to design and trial circular/zero‑waste measures that prevent plastic leakage to rivers and seas. It will also replicate the prevention solutions devised by the UPSTREAM project.

The call is open to certain EU/Horizon-associated regional and local authorities.

Austria’s Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure is funding national R&D projects promoting the resource transition and laying the groundwork for a competitive and sustainable economy.

They are looking for Cooperative R&D projects in areas such as sorting and recycling and condition-based maintenance, and Qualification networks on circular plastics.

Deadline: 17 September 2026

RAMP, The Raw Materials Partnership for the Green and Digital Transition, is calling for transnational research and innovation projects across the raw materials value chain.

Proposals should focus on improving access to raw materials while promoting circular economy practices, achieving sustainability and minimising social and environmental costs.

EIT Culture & Creativity has launched an open call for projects to develop and scale circular, regenerative and responsible fashion business models grounded in the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, inclusion and beauty. 

They are looking for existing businesses, pilots, initiatives or proven concepts that are ready to be developed, deployed or scaled through meaningful collaboration.

This open call is intended for partnerships working on innovation and upscaling (from a proven concept to a working facility) in the recycling and circularity of plastics, including textiles and rubber. 

They are looking for research projects and showcases relevant to the system in the Netherlands.

Apply by 6 October 2026

ORMAT2026 is an annual French funding programme that supports investment in sorting and preparation of waste for recycling, the production of recycled raw materials and their incorporation into products, as well as the repurposing, remanufacturing and reconditioning of batteries.

Businesses in the recycling value chain can apply.

Deadline: 31 December 2026

The C4B project is launching its Open Call 2026 to help innovative ideas move from concept to practice, contributing to the development of a circular and competitive European bioeconomy.

It is looking for projects able to test the applicability, scalability and replicability of the business models developed as part of the project. 

Deadline: 14 August 2026

The Horizon Europe project AGRI-BIOCIRCULAR-HUB is offering up to EUR 50 000 grants to 12 SMEs and startups from Poland, Latvia and Ukraine to develop, test or scale innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and the circular bioeconomy.

Apply by 31 July 2026.

The European Commission has opened the LIFE Programme calls.

The sub-programme on Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for Circular Economy and Zero Pollution – Environment includes recovery of resources from waste and circular economy and the environment.

Apply by 22 September.

This Innovation Open Call is looking for SMEs in the agri-food production and/or processing sector, SMEs in other sectors that valorise biomass/by-products/side-streams from the agri-food sector and SMEs offering solutions and/or technology for the valorisation of these materials.

Cut-off 2: 17:00 CET on 20 October 2026.