The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has published its Annual Work Programme for 2025, including information about the next call for project proposals. In 2025, CBE JU will open a call of project proposals covering 13 topics, with a total indicative budget of €165 million:

Innovation actions – flagship (IA-flagship)

• Urban-industrial symbiosis for bio-waste valorisation - €18 million
• Bio-based drop-ins/smart drop-in platform chemicals, via cost-effective, sustainable and resource-efficient conversion of biomass - €20 million
• Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties - €18 million
• Retrofitting of (bio)refineries industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products - €20 million

Innovation actions (IA)

• Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems - €14 million
• Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based solutions to replace hazardous conventional chemicals for textiles production - €13.5 million
• Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources - €14 million
• Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes - €14 million
• SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications - €13.5 million

Research and innovation actions (RIA)

• Valorisation of untapped forest biomass - €7 million
• Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health - €6 million
• Alternative biomanufacturing routes for natural and synthetic rubber - €6 million

Coordination and support actions (CSA)

• Develop and deploy new curricula and knowledge exchange practices relevant to bio-based systems - €1 million

The call for proposals will open on 4 April 2025, and the call deadline is foreseen for 17 September 2025. 

The CBE JU Info Day 2025 is planned for 3 April 2025 in person in Brussels, with ample face-to-face networking opportunities. The sessions will also be streamed online. Registration for in-person participation are open until 21 March 2025 here.

Check the Annual Work Programme 2025 for the complete topic text, conditions and requirements.