At the heart of the programme are 13 dedicated call topics spanning the full innovation chain
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has officially published its Annual Work Programme (AWP) for 2026, setting out strategic priorities and funding opportunities to accelerate sustainable and competitive bio-based innovation across Europe.
The 2026 Work Programme lays the foundation for a major call for project proposals backed by a total budget of €170.7 million. This call will open on 23 April 2026 and close on 22 September 2026, inviting researchers, industry players, public organisations and consortia from the European bio-based ecosystem to apply.
At the heart of the programme are 13 dedicated call topics spanning the full innovation chain — from early-stage research to large-scale industrial deployment. These include flagship actions aimed at boosting biorefinery competitiveness, advancing safe and sustainable bio-based products for agriculture and home care, and diversifying nutritional food ingredient sources to improve EU resilience and strategic autonomy.
In addition to flagship innovation actions, the work programme encompasses innovation and research actions advancing biomass valorisation, circular design, biodegradable materials, sustainable textiles, and separation technologies, among other areas.
The AWP 2026 reflects CBE JU’s commitment to address key European policy priorities, including the EU Green Deal, the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and the Clean Industrial Deal, by promoting circularity, sustainability and competitiveness in the bio-based industries.
The full Annual Work Programme 2026 is now publicly available for download and reference, offering detailed call topic descriptions, funding conditions and submission requirements.
Click here to read the full Annual Work Programme for 2026
Key dates:
- Call launch: 23 April 2026
- Submission deadline: 22 September 2026
- Total budget: €170.7 million cbe.europa.eu
This programme presents a significant opportunity for partnerships across academia, industry and public sectors to contribute to Europe’s transition to a sustainable, circular bio-based economy.