The call is relevant for cities and regions that are looking to expand their portfolio of energy-efficient biorefinery concepts for the production of low-cost advanced biofuels. It is especially relevant for the development of a CSS that aims at the valorisation of biogenic wastes and residues and the capturing of waste gasses produced in these processes. The technology should be validated in a relevant environment and take into account feedstock supply and mobilisation patterns at a local and regional level.

Open to any legal entity based in EU Member States and Associated Countries, with required cooperation between at least three parties from three different countries (at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries). Participation of SMEs and industry is encouraged.

Proposals should develop zero-waste and neutral or negative carbon emission energy-efficient biorefinery concepts for enabling the production of low-cost advanced biofuels through co-production of added-value bio-based products and bioenergy. In the scope of this call are the conversion of biogenic wastes and residues – also including algae and aquatic biomass – via chemical, biochemical, electrochemical, biological, thermochemical pathways or in highly circular processes combining them. The design needs to include mass and energy flows, addressing the process’ heat and power needs by the use of co-produced bio-heat and bio-power, capturing and reusing biogenic effluent gases and sequestering biogenic emissions to maximise overall material and energy efficiency.

The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 7.00 million. The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

1. EC publishes calls for proposals on the funding and tenders portal https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/ 
2. The call is open for the usual period of ca. five months where applicants can submit their proposal.
3. Proposals can be single or two-stage application processes. A single stage application process requires the filling in of a structured proposal of max. 45 pages including: objectives and innovation approach (excellence); tangible impacts that can be achieved through the project (impact); and the project planning and tasks (quality). If the application is two stage, the aforementioned structure would be the second stage of the application while the first stage is a simplified proposal of a maximum 10 pages including only excellence and impact sections. These documents are to be uploaded to the portal in PDF format alongside the filling in of the respective parts of the portal with administrative information on the beneficiaries, affiliated entities or others. All participants in a project need to possess a Participant Identification Code (i.e. PIC number, a nine-digit number registered on ECAS). For more information, please see the work programme and the call documents.
4. Proposals submitted within the deadline will be evaluated by experts against evaluation criteria. 
5. Winning proposals will be invited for signing a grant agreement with the EC.

Planned opening date: 17 September 2024

Deadline date: 21 January 2025