The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a EUR 2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. CBE JU operates under Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme.

It has launched a call for project proposals on the following topics:

• Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation
• Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass
• Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties
• Retrofitting of (bio)refineries industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products
• Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems
• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based solutions to replace hazardous conventional chemicals for textiles production
• Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources
• Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes
• SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications
• Valorisation of untapped forest biomass
• Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health
• Alternative biomanufacturing routes for natural and synthetic rubber
• Develop and deploy new curricula and knowledge exchange practices relevant to bio-based systems

The budget for the call is EUR 172 million. All stakeholders of the circular bio-based sector can apply: deadline 18 September.

See the Annual Work Programme 2025 for the complete topic text, conditions and requirements and look for answers in the FAQ for applicants.