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Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass

European Commission

Expected Outcome:

Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Chemical Industry Action Plan, the upcoming EU Biotechnology and Circular Economy Acts.

Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:

Increased added value of residual biomass for biorefinery applications.
Availability of a wider portfolio of sustainable bio-based products via industrial biotech.
Robust, scalable and efficient biotech process(es) applicable to residual biomass.

Scope:

Diversifying biomass feedstock resources for bio-based products is key to contribute to resilience and strategic autonomy of bio-based operations. Industrial biotechnologies have showcased that they can play a key role to address residual biomass into valuable bio-based products. However, scaling up from research to demo scale requires addressing systemic and technical challenges. This entails the integration of adequate pretreatment and conversion processes, tailored to the targeted residual biomass and its composition variability, in order to achieve high yield, titre and selectivity. At the same time, it requires that these processes are scalable and sustainable. Moreover, effective logistics are needed to mobilise the residual biomass, requiring cooperation with primary producers, waste management operators and other biomass providers.

Proposals under this topic should:

Demonstrate (at least TRL 6) efficient biotechnology based processes to convert residual biomass streams into bio-based chemicals, intermediates, polymers, materials, ingredients[1]and/or enzymes. The topic focuses on processes in which biotechnology is the key enabling technology; the integration of supporting unit operations based on technologies other than biotechnology is in scope. Optimisation of selected cells, enzymes and/or microorganisms, including microbiomes, is also in scope. The feedstock in scope includes:
- Forestry and agricultural residues and/or side streams from the processing of forestry and agricultural biomass (including livestock-based ones such as manure and animal byproducts),
- residues from aquatic biomass, including from fisheries, micro/macro algae production and aquaculture,
- urban and/or industrial bio-based waste and side-streams (including food industry waste and side-streams, cellulose from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, urban biowaste and sewage sludge, and other bio-based waste/side-streams from industrial operations including wood and pulp and paper industry),
- mixed streams from the above.
Integrate optimised biomass pretreatment/fractionation processes tailored to selected residual biomass and optimise (energy)-efficient separation and/or purification process step(s) across the value chain. The valorisation of by-products and side streams across the value chain via the cascading approach is in scope.
Validate (at TRL 5 and above) conversion (or use) of biorefinery product(s) into end-products proving to fulfil market requirements for selected applications sectors.
Address resource efficiency and circularity. When pursuing circular models, ensure that neither pathogens nor contaminants are injected back in the loop, to avoid negative effects on human health and the environment.

In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026[2], proposals under this topic should:

Under the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure the sufficient involvement of feedstock producers/managers for residual feedstock supply.
Optimise logistic models (including sourcing, storage and transport) of residual feedstock, minimising distances and costs. Ensure seamless integration with biomass providers, while promoting win-win business models.
Perform a risk assessment on impacts, potentially deriving from the use of biotechnology, on human safety, biodiversity as well as environmental safety and identify adequate mitigation measures. Assess the adequacy of policy and regulatory means to manage these risks and provide recommendations to overcome potential identified bottlenecks.
Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

All Horizon Europe proposals are scored on three decisive pillars:

✔️ Excellence

Clear, innovative idea beyond state-of-the-art
Strong methodology and scientific credibility
Well-defined, measurable objectives

✔️ Impact (most decisive in practice)

Demonstrated societal, economic, or environmental impact
Strong dissemination & exploitation plan
Alignment with EU priorities (Green Deal, digital, SDGs)

✔️ Quality & Efficiency of Implementation

Realistic work plan, timeline, and deliverables
Clear governance and task distribution
Feasible and justified budget

👉 Proposals must meet minimum thresholds (≈10/15 total) and ≥3 per criterion to be fundable

🧠 2. Consortium Strength (Top Empirical Predictor)

From large-scale studies of EU Framework grants:

Key factors:

Prior EU funding experience (very strong predictor)
High scientific reputation / excellence of partners
Strong existing collaborations (network familiarity)
High “network visibility” in EU research ecosystem

Structural advantages:

Balanced consortium (academia + industry + SMEs)
Inclusion of well-established Western EU institutions
Application-oriented collaborations perform better

👉 This is one of the most consistently proven predictors across studies

🌍 3. Strategic Consortium Composition

Successful proposals often show:

Multidisciplinary & cross-sector teams
Inclusion of:
- Universities
- Industry/SMEs
- Public or non-profit organizations
Alignment of partner roles with project objectives

👉 “Triangular collaboration” (academia + industry + research orgs) is common in funded projects

📊 4. Strong Alignment with Call Topic

Precise match with call scope and expected outcomes
Explicit referencing of:
- Work Programme priorities
- EU missions / policy goals
Avoid “generic” proposals

👉 Misalignment is a major reason for rejection (even for strong science)

📑 5. Proposal Quality & Compliance

Critical but often underestimated predictors:

Full compliance with:
- Formatting rules
- Page limits
- Mandatory annexes
Clear, readable, structured writing
Inclusion of ethics, gender, and data management plans

👉 Administrative errors can lead to automatic rejection

💰 6. Budget Credibility

Budget must be:
- Realistic
- Justified per work package
- Linked to outputs

👉 Weak or inflated budgets reduce evaluation scores

⏳ 7. Preparation Time & Proposal Development

Successful consortia typically:
- Start 6–8 months in advance
- Iterate drafts and internal reviews
Proposal preparation often requires 2–3 person-months effort

📈 8. Experience with Evaluation Process

Understanding scoring system and evaluator mindset is crucial
Key predictors:
- Prior submissions (even unsuccessful ones)
- Use of experienced coordinators or consultants

👉 Studies show success depends on both:

Excellent idea
Understanding evaluation system

📉 9. Success Rate Context (Competitiveness)

Average success rate ≈ 16% in Horizon Europe

👉 Meaning: even strong proposals fail → optimization of all predictors is essential

🧩 Summary: Most Important Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

Strong consortium (experience + reputation)
Clear impact (policy + societal relevance)
Excellence of idea

Moderate but critical:
4. Implementation quality
5. Call alignment
6. Budget credibility

Supporting factors:
7. Proposal writing quality & compliance
8. Early preparation
9. Familiarity with EU evaluation process

💡 Practical Insight

The biggest shift from Horizon 2020 → Horizon Europe is:

👉 Impact is now as important (or more) than scientific excellence

Specialties

Environmental Health

Others

Eligibility Requirements

General conditions

1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

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.

2. Eligible countries

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.

3. Other Eligibility Conditions

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: European Commission

Sponsor Type: Government/Federal

Address: Berlaymont Building, Rue de la Loi 200, 1040 Brussels

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