Circular Economy grants
658 listings tracked right now · page 1 of 14
Circular economy funding has moved from a niche industrial-decarbonization sub-theme to a top-line priority in the EU (Circular Economy Action Plan, Horizon Cluster 6), the UK (DEFRA Resources & Waste Strategy), and a growing list of MDB programmes. The 2024–2026 wave concentrates on textiles, electronics, plastics, and battery materials. Listed below are the open circular economy grant calls in that landscape, taken from each funder's own notice and re-checked on every refresh.
Industrial grants are capital-heavy and correspondingly slow. The recurring large pots are the EU Innovation Fund, the US Industrial Demonstrations Program, and the UK Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, all of which expect a named site, a credible counterfactual for emissions saved, and matched investment already committed. Smaller circular-economy and waste calls come through EU LIFE, national environment agencies and local authorities, where the eligibility is broader and the cheques are far smaller.
This page lists open circular economy grants currently tracked by Raise Lens — 658 of them right now, sorted with the soonest deadline first. Every listing has been classified against the sustainability taxonomy rather than matched on keywords, so what appears here is circular economy work rather than anything whose description happens to mention it.
The funders publishing circular economy grants here include 48400564, 51176802, 51122025, among 2 others. Who is funding matters as much as what: eligibility, reporting burden and the realistic timeline to a decision vary far more between funders than between individual calls.
Geographic coverage on this page spans EUROPE, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan. Eligibility is usually tied to where the work happens or where the applying organisation is registered, and the two are not always the same — worth checking before investing time in an application.
44 of these close within the next 30 days. Deadlines are taken from the source listing and re-checked on every refresh, but the originating funder remains the authority — always confirm against the official notice before you submit.
Partnership on raw materials for the green and digital transition
••••• organisation
This is a joint transnational call for research and innovation projects addressing raw materials supply chains critical to the green and digital transition, including extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution. The call targets consortia of research institutions, SMEs, and industry partners across EU member states and associated countries.
Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds innovation projects to diversify EU sources of nutritional food ingredients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibres) through agricultural and food biotechnology, enhancing food security and strategic autonomy. Eligible applicants include research institutions, SMEs, large companies, and consortia developing alternative ingredient sources, circular-economy food production, and food-safety solutions.
Ecodesign and energy labelling compliance support facility for suppliers and retailers
••••• organisation
This grant supports suppliers and retailers in achieving compliance with EU ecodesign and energy labelling regulations. It funds a compliance support facility to help businesses meet legislative requirements for product environmental performance and transparency.
Projects on Legislative and Policy Priorities in the fields of Nature & Biodiversity and Circular Economy & Quality of Life
••••• organisation
This is a callable grant programme funding projects that address legislative and policy priorities in nature & biodiversity conservation and circular economy & quality of life. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public bodies, and consortia working on EU environmental policy implementation.
Climate Change Mitigation
••••• organisation
This is a European Union call for Standard Action Projects under the LIFE Climate Action programme, funding climate change mitigation initiatives across eligible member states and associated countries. Applicants can propose projects addressing greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy, and related climate mitigation pathways.
Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech
••••• organisation
This EU Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds projects to boost the competitiveness of industrial biorefineries through advanced biotechnology, bioprocessing, and biocatalysis. Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, and consortia developing bio-based products, bioconversion technologies, and sustainable biorefinery processes.
Bio-based chemicals and/or materials from woody residues
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds development of bio-based chemicals and materials derived from woody residues, supporting the circular bioeconomy and forest-based value chains. Eligible applicants include research institutions, SMEs, large companies, and consortia working on biomass conversion, sustainable design, and forest management.
Addressing separation and purification challenges in biorefineries
••••• organisation
This grant funds research and innovation projects addressing separation and purification technologies in industrial biorefineries, including bioprocessing, biocatalysis, and downstream processing. It targets consortia developing sustainable, resource-efficient separation solutions for bio-based product manufacturing, with awards up to €3.25M per project.
SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects developing safe-and-sustainable-by-design bio-based polymers from alternative feedstock sources, with emphasis on circular design, biodegradation, and recycling. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, SMEs, and large companies across EU member states and associated countries.
Circular Economy and Zero Pollution
••••• organisation
This is a callable funding programme under the EU's LIFE scheme supporting circular economy and zero pollution projects through Standard Action Projects (SAP). It funds environmental initiatives advancing circular economy principles and pollution reduction across eligible EU and associated countries.
Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds development and deployment of bio-based additives that enhance recyclability and/or biodegradability of polymers and plastics. It targets industrial biotechnology companies, research institutions, and consortia working on circular-economy solutions through bioprocessing and safe-by-design approaches.
Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds development and deployment of biotechnology routes to convert residual biomass into bio-based chemicals, materials, and products. It targets companies, research institutions, and consortia advancing industrial bioprocessing, fermentation, and biocatalysis technologies.
SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care
••••• organisation
This is a Horizon Europe innovation action call funding development of safe-and-sustainable-by-design bio-based solutions for home and personal care products, leveraging industrial biotechnology, green chemistry, and digital tools. Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, and consortia across the EU and associated countries working on commercializable bio-based alternatives to conventional home and personal care ingredients and formulations.
High-performance, circular-by-design, bio-based thermosets
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds development of high-performance, circular-by-design bio-based thermosets with emphasis on recycling, upcycling, and safe-by-design principles. It targets consortia of companies, research institutions, and SMEs working on next-generation sustainable composite materials and polymers.
Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes
••••• organisation
This grant supports industry projects transitioning to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes, with funding up to €1.2M per project. It targets competitiveness and innovation through coordination and support actions addressing market barriers, skills, and stakeholder dialogue in the bio-based industrial transformation.
Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects to develop breakthrough sustainable bio-based textile fibres, addressing microplastics and environmental impact in the textile industry. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, and large companies working on materials engineering, polymers, and sustainable textile manufacturing.
Films and coatings for circular packaging
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds development of bio-based films and coatings for circular packaging that meet safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles, targeting end-of-life recyclability and food/non-food packaging applications. Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, and consortia across EU member states and associated countries.
SSbD bio-based alternatives for fertilising and/or crop protection products
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds innovation projects developing safe-and-sustainable-by-design bio-based alternatives to synthetic fertilisers and crop protection products. It targets consortia (research institutions, SMEs, large companies) advancing agricultural biotechnology, bioactive molecules, and farming systems to reduce chemical inputs while maintaining crop yields.
SSbD bio-based solutions for home and/or personal care
••••• Commission
This grant funds full industrial-scale biorefinery projects producing Safe and Sustainable by Design bio-based solutions for home, personal care, and cosmetics sectors. Eligible projects must demonstrate TRL 8 production, integrate solutions into market-ready end-products, and reduce fossil-feedstock dependence while preventing water pollution and microplastics.
Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy
••••• Commission
This EU grant funds full industrial-scale biorefinery projects producing nutritional food ingredients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibres) from alternative bio-based sources to strengthen EU food-sector resilience and reduce environmental impact. Eligible projects must demonstrate production at TRL 8, validate use in food products at TRL 6+, and address safety, consumer acceptance, and cost competitiveness.
Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres
••••• Commission
This funder grant funds research and innovation projects developing sustainable, bio-based textile fibres from renewable biomass, including waste feedstock, with focus on scalable production, circularity, and lifecycle safety. Eligible applicants include research institutions, SMEs, and large companies working on man-made bio-based, semi-synthetic, or refined natural fibres.
SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources
••••• Commission
This funder grant funds research and innovation projects developing scalable, Safe and Sustainable by Design bio-based polymers from alternative feedstocks with circular end-of-life options. It targets consortia capable of advancing synthesis, purification, and multi-sector demonstration of novel bio-polymers up to EUR 6.5M.
Supporting industry in the switch to sustainable and circular bio-based products and processes
••••• Commission
This EU grant funds coordination and support activities helping industries transition from non-bio-based or traditional processes to sustainable, circular bio-based products and processes. It targets multi-stakeholder consortia that identify barriers, validate solutions, and publish sectoral roadmaps for the green transition.
Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech
••••• Commission
This funder grant funds full industrial-scale biorefinery projects using biotechnology to produce sustainable bio-based chemicals, polymers, and other market-relevant products at TRL 8. Eligible applicants are companies and consortia demonstrating robust biomanufacturing routes with improved sustainability, circularity, and EU strategic autonomy.
Biotech routes for valorisation of residual biomass
••••• Commission
This funder Innovation Action grant funds biotechnology-based projects that convert residual biomass into high-value bio-based chemicals, polymers, materials, and enzymes through scalable biorefinery processes. Eligible applicants are organizations developing robust, circular biotech solutions that integrate pretreatment, separation, and purification while addressing environmental and resource efficiency concerns.
Bio-based additives as alternatives to unlock and increase recyclability and/or biodegradability
••••• Commission
This grant funds development of Safe and Sustainable by Design bio-based additives that improve circular end-of-life for materials and products, enabling recyclability or biodegradability for currently difficult-to-recycle materials. Eligible applicants are organizations (startups, SMEs, large companies, research institutions, consortia) demonstrating innovative synthesis at TRL 6+ with validated market-relevant technical performance across at least two sectors.
Circular Economy and Zero Pollution
••••• Commission
This is a European Commission LIFE programme grant supporting projects that advance circular economy principles and eliminate pollution across the EU. It funds organizations implementing concrete circular economy and zero-pollution initiatives, from waste reduction to sustainable resource management.
Technical Assistance preparation of Environmental Sectoral Integration Plans
••••• Commission
This is a technical assistance grant from the European Commission's LIFE programme to support the preparation of Environmental Sectoral Implementation Plans (ENV SIPs). It funds capacity-building and planning activities for organizations working on climate, energy, and environmental policy implementation across the EU.
Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic)
••••• organisation
This grant funds demonstration and deployment of innovative textile collection, sorting-for-reuse, and repair systems at city and regional level to advance circular economy principles. It targets cities, regions, and consortia implementing circular business models for textile waste reduction and material recovery.
Bioremediation of Ukraine's ecosystems contaminated by conflicts
••••• organisation
This grant funds bioremediation and ecological restoration of Ukraine's ecosystems damaged by armed conflict, using biotechnology and environmental science approaches. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and consortia working on soil health, contamination remediation, and habitat restoration in conflict-affected regions.
Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects developing bio-based products, materials, and manufacturing processes that advance a sustainable bioeconomy and circular society. It targets consortia of research institutions, companies, and innovation actors across the EU working on biochemical conversion, bioprocessing, and social dimensions of bio-based transitions.
Advancing recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textiles waste from blended products
••••• organisation
This grant funds innovation in recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textile waste, particularly from blended fiber products, to advance circular economy and sustainable value chains. It targets research, development, and demonstration of advanced recycling solutions with €5–6 million per project.
Advanced recovery of critical raw materials from Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds advanced technologies and business models for recovering critical raw materials from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), supporting circular economy innovation. Eligible applicants include companies, research institutions, and consortia developing recovery processes, extraction methods, and circular business models.
Supporting pre-normative research for standardization of the bio-based products
••••• organisation
This grant supports pre-normative research to develop standardization frameworks for bio-based products, advancing the bioeconomy and circular economy. It targets research institutions, consortia, and industry partners working on biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and standardization methodologies.
Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe innovation action funds projects to improve the circular economy and recyclability of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging, addressing waste reduction and sustainable design. It targets consortia developing new recycling technologies, materials, and business models for complex plastic packaging.
Understanding biomass flows in Europe
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe research call funds projects investigating biomass resource flows, utilization patterns, and circular bioeconomy applications across Europe. It targets research institutions and consortia developing evidence and tools to optimize sustainable biomass management and support the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
Bioeconomy policy support hub for Member States, regions and sectors
••••• organisation
This grant funds policy support hubs to help EU Member States, regions, and sectors develop and implement bioeconomy strategies and circular-economy transitions. It targets public administrations and policy bodies seeking expert advice, best-practice sharing, and coordination on bioeconomy innovation and digital integration.
Balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity objectives to unlock sustainable value chains
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects that integrate food security, bioeconomy, climate, and biodiversity objectives into sustainable value chains. It targets multi-actor consortia developing circular bio-based economy models, farm income diversification, and natural capital accounting across agricultural and food systems.
Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects advancing bio-based products, materials, and manufacturing processes through biotechnology and biomanufacturing. It targets European consortia developing sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel-derived chemicals, plastics, fuels, and materials.
Harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to deliver sustainable blue bio-based products
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects that harness marine organisms and biotechnology to develop sustainable, bio-based products and solutions. It targets consortia of research institutions, SMEs, and companies working on marine biotechnology applications including bioactive compounds, enzymes, biomanufacturing, and bioprocessing.
Innovation and Demonstration Hydrogen
••••• Agency
This call funds innovation and demonstration projects that develop or improve hydrogen production, transport, and use technologies across industrial, mobility, and energy supply applications. Eligible applicants are enterprises working on technological components, industrial pilots, vehicle design, or eco-design initiatives aligned with ecological and energy transition goals.
Capacity Building Support for Food Banking Network - 2026-2027
••••• organisation
This grant supports capacity-building initiatives for the European Food Bank Federation to strengthen its organizational and operational capabilities during 2026-2027. It targets food waste prevention and reduction across Europe's food banking network.
Support for Commodity Development
••••• Fund
The funder provides financial and technical support for sustainable commodity development projects, with a focus on forest resource conservation and sustainable use in the Congo Basin region. Eligible applicants include for-profit enterprises, cooperatives, social enterprises, and institutions working on commodity projects in Cameroon, CAR, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of Congo.
29th Call for Proposals – Impact Finance
••••• Fund
This is a callable funding opportunity for SMEs, enterprises, cooperatives, and governments in the commodity sector to access impact finance. The grant supports sustainable development and economic resilience in agriculture and commodity production.
Planisols: Aid for Land Sobriety and Limiting Soil Artificialisation in Territorial Strategies
••••• Agency
Planisols is a French technical and financial support programme that helps territories develop strategies to preserve soils, combat land artificialisation, and achieve net-zero artificialisation by 2050. It funds diagnostic studies, strategic planning, soil observatories, and awareness-raising activities across regional to municipal scales.
Introducing circular economy models in the construction sector, from buildings to city scale
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds projects introducing circular economy models in the construction sector, from individual buildings to city-scale interventions, with support for climate-neutral and smart cities missions. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, companies, and local authorities across EU member states and associated countries.
Mobili'Pro: Professional Travel Optimization
••••• Agency
Mobili'Pro is a structured three-year professional travel optimization program that helps employers reduce the environmental impact of their vehicle fleets and business mobility through diagnostic assessment, customized action planning, and monitored implementation. The program is open to organizations with company vehicle fleets seeking to transition to lower-emission mobility solutions.
Hoogwaardige mestverwerking (HMV)
••••• organisation
This is a Dutch government grant programme supporting high-quality manure processing and waste valorisation projects. It targets enterprises and organisations seeking to implement circular-economy solutions in agricultural waste management.