Circular Economy grants — page 9
658 listings tracked right now · page 9 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 RA Capital Management, Eka Ventures, Bundesregierung / Förderdatenbank, 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 GLOBAL, GLOBAL-SOUTH, AFRICA, LATAM, ASIA. 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.
a US venture-capital planetary health fund
••••• organisation
RA Capital Planetary Health Fund provides early-stage equity investments in private companies across critical minerals, manufacturing, recycling, energy, and agriculture with clear commercialization paths within 2–5 years. The fund prioritizes capital efficiency and near-term revenue with a profit-first orientation, not impact-only focus.
An Early-Stage Sustainability-Focused Venture Fund
••••• organisation
The funder Fund provides early-stage (pre-seed and seed) equity investments in consumer-led companies addressing three mega-trends: Life (essential product/service access and affordability), Health (preventative and digital healthcare), and Sustainability (resource efficiency and decarbonisation). The fund targets startups building consumer-facing solutions across these themes.
Promotion of Circular Economy and Soil Protection Measures (Funding Principles – Circular Economy and Soil Protection)
••••• organisation
This grant supports municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany with funding for circular economy material flow management, waste reduction, and soil protection/remediation measures. Eligible projects include waste investigations, contaminated site assessments, and remediation of formerly used land, with priority given to innovative or model-character initiatives.
Promotion of Projects for Optimizing Operational Resource Efficiency and Advancing Circular Economy (Guidelines "Operational Resource Efficiency")
••••• organisation
This grant supports SMEs and research institutions in Lower Saxony pursuing operational resource efficiency and circular economy projects, including machinery investments, product redesign, and feasibility studies. Funding is provided through EU regional development funds and state co-financing to reduce waste, improve material recycling, and advance circular production processes.
Promotion of Aquaculture
••••• organisation
This grant supports the development of innovative, sustainable aquaculture enterprises in Schleswig-Holstein through subsidies from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027. Eligible activities include productive investments, knowledge services, infrastructure development, organic conversion, R&D, and direct marketing to increase production capacity, improve quality, enhance sustainability, and support new enterprise settlement.
Promotion of Resource Conservation and Efficiency Measures in Enterprises – GreenInvest Ress
••••• organisation
GreenInvest Ress funds German enterprises (particularly in Thuringia) to improve resource conservation, efficiency, and waste reduction through consulting services, investment projects, and demonstration initiatives. The programme supports circular economy transitions, sustainable material substitution, and emissions reduction across production processes.
Promotion of Regional Processing and Marketing Facilities
••••• organisation
This grant supports agricultural micro and small enterprises in Lower Saxony, Germany to invest in mobile/semi-mobile processing units (dairies, slaughterhouses) and regional food processing facilities. Funding covers up to 40% of eligible costs (€5,000–€100,000) and prioritizes local sourcing, animal welfare, and organic farming expansion.
Promotion of Sustainable Development of the Fish Industry Area Lower Saxony North Sea Coast
••••• organisation
This grant supports sustainable development projects in the Lower Saxony North Sea Coast fishing region through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Eligible applicants include local populations and organizations implementing strategies that strengthen social, environmental, cultural and human resources in the fish industry sector.
State Economic Programme 2021–2027 – Promotion of the Transition to a Resource-Efficient Circular Economy (Circular Economy Guidelines)
••••• organisation
This German state economic programme funds the transition to resource-efficient circular economy practices and business models. It supports organizations implementing circular economy and waste-reduction initiatives across the economy.
Horizon Europe – Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021–2027)
••••• organisation
Horizon Europe is the EU's primary research and innovation funding framework (2021–2027) supporting a broad portfolio of climate, energy, digital, and societal challenges across member states and associated countries. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, companies, and consortia pursuing innovation in renewable energy, circular economy, climate adaptation, and other sustainability sectors.
Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking
••••• organisation
The Circular Bioeconomy in Europe (CBE JU) is a joint undertaking funding research, innovation, and deployment projects that advance circular bioeconomy solutions across Europe. It supports organizations developing sustainable bio-based products, processes, and value chains that reduce waste and environmental impact.
Catalysing Capital
••••• organisation
This grant catalyses public and private finance towards plastic circularity solutions by partnering with financial institutions to structure tailored financial mechanisms. It targets organizations and consortia working on circular economy and waste management solutions that can leverage or co-create innovative financing structures.
Solutions for Change Projects
••••• organisation
The funder funds test-bed and demonstration projects that advance plastic circularity through economically viable, environmentally beneficial, and socially responsible solutions worldwide. The grant supports organizations implementing circular-economy and waste-management approaches to plastic challenges globally.
Cities & Territories
••••• organisation
FFEM funds innovative environmental projects addressing urban and territorial sustainability challenges in developing countries. The grant targets organizations working on land-use and urban environmental solutions in the Global South.
Convening: Multi-stakeholder collaborations and industry initiatives to drive meaningful change across global value chains
••••• organisation
IDH convenes multi-stakeholder collaborations and industry initiatives to drive sustainable change across global value chains in agriculture, apparel, and food systems. The grant supports collaborative platforms and industry partnerships that address sustainability challenges at scale.
Funds
••••• organisation
The funder provides finance and non-financial support to social enterprises working to end poverty and address the climate crisis. The fund targets social businesses across Brazil, Colombia, East Africa, and India.
Just Transition through Entrepreneurship
••••• organisation
This programme supports Ukrainian SMEs to transition to clean energy and green recovery through entrepreneurship development and business support. It targets small and medium enterprises driving Ukraine's shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy and sustainable practices.
"Cu Apele Curate" (Clean Waters) grants programme
••••• organisation
Lidl Romania funds environmental projects that reduce plastic pollution in the Danube River and its tributaries through a grants programme. The call supports nonprofits, social enterprises, and community groups working on water quality and waste reduction in Central/Eastern Europe.
Environmental, Nature and Animal Protection
••••• Foundation
The funder grant supports programs focused on environmental protection, nature conservation, and animal welfare, with emphasis on sustainable solutions and biodiversity preservation. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, charities, and organizations working on conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable environmental practices.
Sustainability Fund
••••• Foundation
The TopCashback Sustainability Fund supports community-based sustainability and environmental initiatives in Staffordshire. It is open to organizations working on environmental protection and sustainable practices at the local level.
Circular Economy & Plastic Waste Reduction Funding
••••• Foundation
The funder funds civil society organizations driving the transition from linear to circular economy models, with emphasis on practical plastic waste reduction solutions and cross-sector collaboration. Grants support initiatives that combine environmental action with transparency and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Joule for Entrepreneurship Award
••••• organisation
This is a prize/award programme from Eni promoting innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship focused on decarbonization, circular economy, and climate change mitigation to support Italy's economic development. It targets entrepreneurs and startups with solutions in these three core areas.
Open Innovation / Circular Economy
••••• Programme
This grant funds business transformation services that help companies adopt open innovation and circular economy practices, with a focus on facilitating partnerships between established corporates and startups. It targets organizations seeking to transition toward circular business models and collaborative innovation ecosystems.
Terra Next: An ecosystem enabling programme focused on sustainability and circular economy, connecting startups and companies
••••• Programme
An ecosystem enabling programme that connects startups and companies through open innovation to advance sustainability and circular economy solutions. The programme facilitates collaboration between early-stage ventures and established firms to scale circular and sustainable business models.
US Tech Company Climate Innovation Fund
••••• Fund
A $1 billion investment fund from Microsoft that provides equity and debt capital to early-commercial and scaling climate technology companies across carbon removal, energy, water, agriculture, materials, and circular economy sectors. Eligible applicants are companies with early traction needing growth capital or project financing for deployment.
A Nordic Public Investment Fund for Climate Technology
••••• organisation
The funder Fund is a national Swedish investment fund that provides SEK 5–10 million cheques to green innovation and sustainability-driven startups at pre-seed through early growth stages, always co-invested with private partners. It targets founders building cleantech and sustainability solutions in Sweden.
Early-Stage Climate Tech Venture Fund
••••• organisation
Early-stage venture capital fund investing in climate tech, deep tech, and AI solutions for fashion, home, and outdoor consumer industries, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and enabling circular design practices. Targets startups and early-stage companies building transformative impact alongside financial returns.
Waste To Wonder Campaign
••••• organisation
This grant funds the transformation of discarded tyres and waste materials into resource facilities and infrastructure for South African communities. It targets environmental protection and community equality through circular-economy and waste-reduction interventions.
SCP – Green Villages Central Asia
••••• organisation
This grant funds sustainable consumption and production programmes that promote green village models across Central Asia, with a focus on water, sanitation, and rural sustainability. It targets organizations working to implement sustainable development practices in rural communities throughout the Central Asian region.
Stop the Amazon from Tipping
••••• organisation
This grant funds innovation and coalition-building to develop sustainable, nature-positive products from the Amazon rainforest, replacing extractive industries with alternatives in food, feed, fiber, and materials. It targets entrepreneurs, organizations, and innovators working to prevent Amazon ecosystem collapse through economic incentives.
SMF Projects: Small and medium-sized funding projects under the Interreg programme for transnational cooperation in the Danube region
••••• Programme
Small and medium-sized transnational cooperation projects funded under the Interreg Danube Region Programme, supporting climate, innovation, environment, social inclusion, and governance initiatives across the Danube region. Eligible applicants include public authorities, nonprofits, research institutions, and other organizations working on cross-border sustainable development.
Regional Cooperation Funding Programme
••••• Programme
This grant funds projects that implement the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), aligned with climate, innovation, environment, social inclusion, and governance priorities. It is open to organizations across the Danube region working on these cross-cutting themes.
Regular Projects from a transnational regional cooperation programme
••••• Programme
This is an open call for transnational cooperation projects across the Danube Region (2021-2027) that fund initiatives in climate, innovation, environment, social inclusion, and governance. Eligible applicants include public authorities, nonprofits, universities, and private entities working on cross-border sustainability and development challenges.
Priority 2: A greener, low-carbon Danube Region
••••• Programme
This Interreg Danube Programme call funds transnational projects that advance green transition, low-carbon development, and environmental sustainability across the Danube Region. Eligible applicants include public authorities, nonprofits, universities, and private entities working on climate mitigation and environmental goals in a multi-country partnership framework.
Research Prize for Wastewater Resource Recovery and Water Quality
••••• Foundation
The Paul L. Busch Award is a $100,000 prestigious research prize recognizing outstanding advancement in wastewater resource recovery and water quality treatment. It targets researchers and institutions conducting innovative work in these water-focused domains.
Socio-Environmental Innovation
••••• organisation
A socio-environmental innovation programme from the funder that supports innovative businesses and initiatives developing sustainable and inclusive economic solutions. The fund targets entrepreneurs and organizations advancing environmental and social impact through innovation.
Catalytic Capital
••••• organisation
Catalytic capital programme that deploys strategic resources to strengthen businesses and initiatives with positive socio-environmental impact through collaborative investment. Eligible for organizations and ventures demonstrating measurable social and environmental outcomes across sectors.
Sustenta Bio: A funding programme focused on supporting socio-environmental impact businesses and initiatives
••••• organisation
Sustenta Bio is a funding programme by the funder supporting socio-environmental impact businesses and initiatives in Brazil's bioeconomy sector. It targets entrepreneurs and organizations developing sustainable solutions that advance biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and circular-economy principles.
Sport bez odpadu 2026: Vratné kelímky
••••• organisation
This grant supports sports clubs in introducing reusable cups and reducing single-use plastic waste at sporting venues. It is designed for sports organizations seeking to implement circular-economy and waste-reduction practices.
Technologies that Enhance Efficiencies in the Built Environment
••••• organisation
The funder invests in early-stage companies developing technologies that improve design, fabrication, and on-site construction processes for industrial and commercial buildings, including prefabrication, robotics, software, and energy efficiency. The fund targets seed-stage startups with potential for follow-on investment in later rounds.
Sustainable Apparel Debt Investment Programme
••••• Fund
This is a debt investment programme providing USD 1–2.5 million loans to textile and apparel manufacturers in India and Bangladesh to deploy sustainable production technologies targeting at least 50% reduction in materials, energy, or water use. Investees receive technical and environmental & social expertise alongside financing.
Sustainable Living
••••• organisation
This grant funds innovation projects that advance circular economy principles, build climate and community resilience, and promote sustainable lifestyle adoption. It targets organizations and innovators working on systemic sustainability transitions.
Seed Stage Investment
••••• organisation
The funder provides seed-stage equity investment to early-stage startups across Japan and Asia, focusing on founders building new industries in circular economy, deeptech, healthtech, and technologies that create broad economic opportunity. The fund backs teams from their first funding round onward.
Clean Growth Fund
••••• Fund
Early-stage climate tech investment fund providing first-cheque funding of £500k–£5m to UK-based low-carbon companies across power, transport, industry, buildings, agrifood, and circular economy sectors. Targets startups and early-stage ventures developing decarbonisation solutions.
Early-Stage Venture Fund for Critical Infrastructure
••••• organisation
Early-stage venture capital fund investing in capital-efficient hardware, software, services, and materials science companies across critical sectors including energy, water, waste, mobility, agriculture, and infrastructure. The fund targets companies with AI backbone, data moat, and sector expertise to drive innovation in these foundational industries.
An African climate venture studio
••••• organisation
ACV operates a venture studio investing in and building climate-positive businesses across Africa through three models: technology transfer, scaling African climate tech, and adding carbon revenues to existing businesses. The fund targets startups and entrepreneurs in circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, green buildings, e-mobility, and carbon removal sectors.
Conscious Consumer
••••• organisation
The funder invests in profitable, commercially-traction businesses offering solutions for conscious consumers in alternative proteins, local food, healthy leisure, sustainable retail, and sustainable consumption platforms. The fund targets growing and mature companies that reconcile convenience with health and ecological/social awareness.
Wyss Academy for Nature Special Grant
••••• Foundation
This grant funds early-stage solutions that create nature-positive value chains and regenerative local economies in biodiverse landscapes, addressing both environmental and socioeconomic challenges. It targets innovators working on sustainable food systems, circular economy models, and biodiversity conservation integrated with economic development.