Circular Economy grants — page 4
658 listings tracked right now · page 4 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 Agence de la transition écologique (ADEME), Stanley Capital, DRIVE - Rural Innovations, 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, GLOBAL, EAST-AFRICA, LATAM, AFRICA. 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.
Aid for the Creation and Operation of Territorial Observatories
••••• Agency
ADEME funds the creation and ongoing operation of regional observatories focused on climate, air, energy, and circular economy/waste/resources. Support includes one-time creation grants, annual operational grants, and prefiguration study funding for public and private entities establishing territorial monitoring infrastructure.
Support for Reuse of Packaging
••••• Agency
This grant from France's ecological transition agency (ADEME) supports projects that advance the reuse and circular use of packaging materials, reducing waste and environmental impact. It targets organizations working on packaging reuse systems and circular-economy solutions within France.
Ecodesign Studies of Products and Services
••••• Agency
ADEME funds in-depth ecodesign studies for products and services, covering diagnostic phases and implementation phases to improve environmental and economic performance. The programme supports organisations of all sizes, with dedicated tracks for SME diagnostics, European Ecolabel certification, and ecodesign standard testing.
A European Private Equity Fund (Resource Efficiency)
••••• organisation
The funder is offering mid-market private equity investments in European resource efficiency and environmental technology businesses, targeting companies valued between $250m and $2.5bn. This is equity investment in mature, revenue-generating cleantech and water technology companies, not grants or early-stage funding.
Roadshows & Hackathons
••••• organisation
Three two-day roadshow and hackathon events in France, Slovenia, and Greece connecting rural founders with investors, corporates, and domain experts to accelerate bioeconomy and circular-economy ventures. The programme targets early-stage rural innovators seeking capital, partnerships, and mentorship.
An EU-funded rural bioeconomy accelerator programme
••••• organisation
An EU-funded accelerator programme supporting rural startups and SMEs developing circular bioeconomy solutions, offering mentoring, investor matchmaking, and roadshow participation. Eligible teams receive up to 240 hours of bespoke support across finance, sustainability, business models, pitching, and social innovation.
a European cleantech acceleration programme
••••• organisation
A 6-month acceleration program providing up to €60,000 in investment, mentorship, and strategic connections for early-stage cleantech startups in energy, smart cities, waste management, carbon capture, and ESG solutions. Primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies in Europe, with emphasis on the Baltics and Nordic regions.
A Deep-Tech Venture Fund
••••• organisation
The funder's Main Fund invests in breakthrough deep-tech companies at the intersection of scientific innovation and mass-market impact across industrial automation, advanced materials, and energy transition. The fund targets companies redefining trillion-dollar markets in IoT, AI, robotics, specialty chemicals, alternative proteins, and decarbonization.
Strategic Venture / Corporate Investment
••••• organisation
SKF offers strategic minority equity investments and joint ventures in startups and companies developing industrial technology, robotics, and circular-economy solutions aligned with sustainability goals. Eligible companies should address recycling, precision manufacturing, or circular-business models in heavy industry.
Fanya Safi Waste Coalition
••••• Foundation
This grant supports a multi-stakeholder waste management coalition in Lamu County, Kenya to coordinate solid waste reduction and recycling efforts. It is designed for organizations working collaboratively on waste infrastructure and circular economy outcomes in a specific geographic region.
Bahari Moja – Kiunga Reserve Cleanup and Plastic Recycling
••••• Foundation
This grant funds cleanup operations and plastic recycling infrastructure at the Kiunga Marine Reserve in Kenya, addressing marine litter and ocean pollution. It supports nonprofits, community groups, and social enterprises working on coastal environmental restoration and circular-economy solutions in East Africa.
Solutions for Change
••••• organisation
This grant funds the development, deployment, and scaling of solutions that reduce unmanaged plastic waste and advance circular economy systems globally. It supports economically viable, environmentally beneficial, and socially responsible projects worldwide that demonstrate scalable blueprints for plastic circularity.
Enabling the Ecosystem
••••• organisation
This grant funds ecosystem-building and multi-stakeholder collaboration across the plastic value chain to advance waste management, recycling, and circular-economy solutions. It targets governments, businesses, civil society, financial institutions, and academia working together at global, national, and local levels.
Global Sustainability Foundation Awards for Built Environment
••••• Foundation
A global awards programme recognising outstanding built-environment projects that advance sustainable construction through resource efficiency, ecosystem resilience, and social equity. Open to projects demonstrating innovation in sustainable building practices and urban development.
Corporate Venture Capital Fund for Sustainable Agrifood Innovation
••••• organisation
PINC is a corporate venture capital fund investing €200k–€1M in early-stage agrifood startups focused on planetary health, novel food technologies (precision fermentation, cell cultivation), and circular food systems. The fund targets companies in the Nordics and Europe with strategic alignment to Paulig's business interests.
Catalytic Capital
••••• organisation
Catalytic Capital provides non-dilutive or concessional funding to innovative businesses and initiatives demonstrating positive socio-environmental impact, using a collaborative investment approach. The fund targets early-stage to growth-stage ventures across bioeconomy, impact investing, and environmental sectors.
Founders Collective
••••• organisation
An alumni-only community programme for climate entrepreneurs in Africa offering continued mentorship, partnerships, expert guidance, and connections to finance and markets. Designed for enterprises ready to scale their climate and green transition businesses.
African Innovation Incubation and Acceleration Programme
••••• organisation
The funder provides funding to selected innovators for planning, development, partnership activation, and market launch support across East and West Africa. The programme targets circular economy, food-agriculture, and health innovations ready to scale in African markets.
Open Innovation Challenge: Circular Economy Solutions
••••• organisation
An open innovation challenge funding substantive solutions for circular economy models based on sharing, reusing, and repairing materials. The call targets innovators and organizations collaborating between Italy and Africa to develop new production and consumption systems.
Climate, Environment and Biodiversity
••••• Foundation
This grant from the funder supports innovative solutions to protect the environment and biodiversity, with a focus on inclusive climate action, circular economy, and animal welfare. It is open to organizations developing environmental and sustainability interventions across these thematic areas.
Venture-Building Platform Scales Impact Companies
••••• organisation
The funder Studio is a venture-building platform that identifies, tests, and scales impact-driven companies in sustainable living, future of work, and consumer experience sectors from pre-seed to early-stage. The studio provides capital, operational support, and team-building to founders reinventing how people live and consume.
Circular Economy Programme
••••• Programme
This is a business transformation initiative that supports companies in adopting circular economy and sustainable business models. It targets organizations seeking to transition to circular principles and practices.
A US Impact-Focused Pre-Seed Venture Fund
••••• organisation
Pre-seed venture capital fund backing early-stage startups with a strategic sustainability or social-impact mission across cleantech, environment, and inclusive technology. Targets US-headquartered teams demonstrating an 'impact moat'—competitive advantage rooted in their mission.
Investment & Advisory – Built Environment Early-Stage
••••• organisation
The funder provides investment and advisory services to early-stage technology ventures developing sustainable solutions for the built environment and real asset industries. The fund targets ventures aligned with financial returns and positive climate/equity impact.
a European venture fund launches €50M SFDR Article 9 impact fund
••••• organisation
A €50M SFDR Article 9 impact fund investing up to €3M per company in Seed and Series A startups with measurable environmental and social outcomes across eight sustainability streams (air, water, energy, mobility, education, healthcare, food/agriculture, circular economy). Targets approximately 10 companies per cohort year with equity-style venture capital.
Inclusive Plastic Collection
••••• organisation
This grant funds inclusive plastic collection systems that reduce pollution while improving livelihoods for informal waste pickers and workers in the waste sector. It targets circular-economy and social-inclusion outcomes through infrastructure and systems that formalize and support waste collection in developing contexts.
Direct Capital Investment (Angel)
••••• organisation
The funder provides direct equity investment of up to $275,000 at pre-seed and seed stages for innovative startups with environmental and digital focus, particularly in Europe. The fund targets companies in sustainability, digital solutions, software, logistics, and fintech sectors.
A Major Foundation's Evergreen Fund – Circular Economy
••••• organisation
The funder's Evergreen Fund invests in technology-driven circular economy solutions that convert linear systems into circular ones, including material innovation, advanced recycling, and industrial optimization. The fund targets early-stage companies (Seed to Series A) globally, with geographic emphasis on Europe, US, and India.
Early Stage Investments (Investors Programme)
••••• organisation
This is an investor-access programme connecting venture capital, corporate venture, strategic investors, and business angels with curated early-stage GreenTech startups across Energy Tech, Construction, Circular Economy, and Environment sectors. It is designed for investors seeking deal flow and portfolio opportunities, not for startups seeking direct funding.
Smart Society: Digital Technologies and Business Models for Circular Economy and Carbon Credits
••••• organisation
This grant funds digital technologies and business models that advance circular economy, carbon credits management, food/agriculture, smart infrastructure, and decarbonization solutions. It targets innovators and companies developing scalable climate and sustainability solutions across multiple sectors.
A growth-stage venture fund in sustainable industrial packaging
••••• organisation
ESPIF is a growth-stage venture fund focused on sustainable industrial packaging and related technologies, backed by the funder with SFDR sustainability disclosure. It targets companies innovating in industrial materials and processes with environmental benefits.
Call for Proposals – Supporting Mine Sites
••••• organisation
EPRM funds projects that improve responsible mineral sourcing and working conditions at artisanal and small-scale mining sites, particularly in conflict-affected regions. Projects focus on minerals like cobalt and gold relevant to EU supply chains.
Waste & Recycling Innovation Prize
••••• organisation
This is a topical innovation prize awarded by the funder to teams developing advancements in waste management or recycling that promote sustainability. It targets entrepreneurs and innovators at any stage working on waste and recycling solutions.
Collections – Sustainable Products
••••• Foundation
This grant funds the development of a sustainable, luxury product line built on zero-waste principles that integrates economic development, talent training, and responsible supply chains with traceable materials science. It targets entrepreneurs and organizations creating high-end sustainable products with measurable social and environmental impact.
Real Assets Fund (Evergreen)
••••• organisation
Evergreen fund from the funder targeting long-term real asset investments in circular economy, digital transformation, energy transition, and value-add real estate. Designed for investors seeking illiquidity premium over extended horizons across sustainability-focused infrastructure and asset classes.
Plastic Free Campus and Carbon-Free Campus
••••• Foundation
A free, self-directed online programme that mobilises student action to reduce single-use plastic consumption and carbon footprints at schools, with interventions spanning school, home, event, and community levels. The grant funds implementation of this educational platform across multiple languages to drive behavioural and systemic change on plastic pollution and climate.
a US food-and-beverage company's Accelerator Program – Middle East & Africa
••••• organisation
The PepsiCo the funder Accelerator Program supports early-stage sustainability-focused startups in the Middle East and Africa region working on circularity, regenerative agriculture, and climate solutions. Eligible companies receive acceleration support, mentorship, and potential funding to scale their impact across these priority sectors.
A US Food and Beverage Company's Greenhouse Accelerator Program – North America
••••• organisation
This is an accelerator program by PepsiCo (via the funder) targeting early-stage sustainability startups in North America that develop solutions in circularity, sustainable agriculture, and climate innovation for integration into PepsiCo's supply chain. The program provides cohort-based acceleration, mentorship, and potential investment/partnership opportunities.
A US Food & Beverage Company's European Accelerator Program
••••• organisation
PepsiCo the funder Accelerator Program supports European startups developing sustainability innovations in circularity, sustainable agriculture, and climate solutions. Selected companies gain access to PepsiCo's European operations, expertise, and partnership network to scale their technologies.
A US Food-and-Beverage Company Greenhouse Accelerator Program – APAC
••••• organisation
An accelerator programme connecting early-stage sustainability startups with PepsiCo's supply chain, expertise, and network across Asia-Pacific, focusing on circularity, sustainable agriculture, and climate/energy solutions. Eligible companies must have pilot-to-deployment potential and operate in areas aligned with PepsiCo's sustainability priorities.
Planet Goal – Protecting the environment
••••• organisation
Planet Goal funds projects advancing environmental sustainability through green infrastructure and ecological regeneration, with a focus on climate mitigation and nature-based solutions. The grant is open to organizations working on environmental protection and ecosystem restoration.
M-ERA.NET 2026/27
••••• Agency
M-ERA.NET 2026/27 is a European transnational research call funding collaborative projects in materials science and engineering that drive innovation across Europe. It targets research institutions and consortia developing advanced materials and engineering solutions with commercial or societal impact potential.
Community and Environment
••••• Foundation
This grant funds projects that help rural communities achieve self-sufficiency while protecting the environment and advancing sustainability. It targets organizations working at the intersection of community development, rural economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.
World Circular Economy Forum
••••• Fund
WCEF is an internationally recognised forum and global event organised by Sitra that convenes stakeholders to advance circular economy solutions and address ecological crises through sustainable economic growth. The grant appears to support participation, engagement, or partnership in this annual/recurring forum rather than a specific project intervention.
a sustainable-growth investment fund
••••• organisation
Growth capital fund providing equity investment to sustainable companies with proven business models across food & agriculture, water & waste, circular economy, renewable energy, and grid systems. Targets growth-stage enterprises driving measurable environmental and economic outcomes aligned with climate action.
A European Climate Tech Investment Sub-Fund
••••• organisation
The funder Sub-Fund D is a climate tech investment vehicle targeting early-to-growth stage companies developing climate solutions across Europe and Israel. The fund deploys capital into companies advancing decarbonization, renewable energy, circular economy, and other climate technology sectors.
Research & Innovation Grants
••••• Foundation
This grant funds research and innovation initiatives addressing global water challenges and the transition to sustainability and circular economy, primarily in Denmark. It supports research environments and projects that advance environmental sustainability through innovation.
Increase in Waste Recycling and Valorisation Capacity (01/C12-i02/2025)
••••• organisation
This grant supports projects that increase waste recycling and recovery capacity in Portugal under the Recovery and Resilience Plan's Sustainable Bioeconomy component. It targets organizations implementing circular-economy infrastructure and waste-valorization initiatives.