The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has launched its 2026 Call for Proposals, making €170.7 million available to support collaborative research and innovation projects that will drive Europe’s transition towards a competitive, circular and sustainable bioeconomy.

The call covers 13 funding topics spanning the entire bio-based value chain, from breakthrough research to large-scale industrial deployment. Topics include biotechnology, biorefineries, bio-based chemicals and materials, circular packaging, biodegradable and recyclable solutions, Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approaches and market uptake actions.

The call is open until 22 September 2026, with funding available across Innovation Actions, Research and Innovation Actions, Coordination and Support Actions and several Flagship topics.

The programme reflects the European Union’s ambition to strengthen industrial competitiveness while reducing dependence on fossil resources and accelerating the transition towards circular value chains. Therefore, the CBE JU calls are open to a wide range of stakeholders, including companies, SMEs, research organisations, universities, public authorities and industry associations. Successful proposals are expected to build strong international consortia capable of delivering innovative solutions with tangible environmental, economic and social impact.

The launch of a new funding call also highlights the continuity of the European commitment to research and innovation in the bioeconomy. New projects funded under the 2026 programme will contribute to expanding the ecosystem of organisations working towards more sustainable products, processes and industrial value chains.

TERRIFIC is one of the projects made possible through CBE JU funding. By developing eight innovative bio-based packaging solutions with strong industrial potential, the project fosters collaboration across the value chain, supporting industrial scale-up and bringing sustainable bio-based innovations closer to the market.

Hence, for organisations active in bio-based materials, packaging, biotechnology and circular economy, this kind of calls represent an important opportunity to develop new partnerships and contribute to Europe’s green transition.

As TERRIFIC continues to advance innovative bio-based packaging solutions, we encourage interested organisations to explore the new CBE JU funding opportunities and become part of Europe’s growing circular bioeconomy community.