This grant aims to fund innovative projects that develop safe and sustainable bio-based alternatives to hazardous substances in biocidal products. The expected outcomes include advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing, while ensuring safer human health outcomes and protecting biodiversity, including pollinators.
General information
- Programme
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)2021–2027
- Call
- Call 01 - single stage (2027) HORIZON-CL6-2027-01
- Programme part
- Pillar II · Global Challenges & CompetitivenessCluster 6 · Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
- Destination
- Clean environment and zero pollution (2026-27)
- Type of action
- HORIZON-RIA Research and Innovation Actions
- Type of MGA
- HORIZON-AG-LS HORIZON Lump Sum Grant
- Status
- Forthcoming
- Deadline model
- Single-stage
- Opening date
- 20.04.2027
- Deadline date
- 22.09.2027, 17:00 Brussels time
- Cross-cutting priorities
Budget overview
| Type of action | Budget 2027 | EU contribution per project | Grants | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HORIZON-RIAResearch and Innovation Actions | €12M | €4M | 3 | 22.09.2027 |
Expected outcome
Project results are expected to contribute driving the innovation of public authorities and industrial operators confronted with the Biocidal products regulation (EC) No 528/2012, within the 'safe and sustainable by design' framework. The outcomes should support the goals of the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, of the Strategy for European Life Sciences and of the new EU bioeconomy strategy.
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- innovation in bio-based and natural substances brings safer alternatives to hazardous substances contained in biocidal products, with decreased risk on human health and biodiversity, including pollinators;
- safe, sustainable and effective solutions are developed and tested for the control of harmful organisms affecting human or animal health or the environment.
Scope
Despite being needed for the control of pests or harmful organisms, some of the biocidal active substances currently approved are problematic for human or animal health or the environment. More innovation to bring safer alternatives into the market is therefore essential, allowing for further restriction or ban to the use of the most hazardous biocidal active substances.
Proposals should:
- develop innovative and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) bio-based substances to effectively replace hazardous active substances used in biocidal products covered by Biocidal products regulation and, specifically, at least in one of the following applications as listed below:
- hazardous active substances used in wood preservatives biocidal products. Developed solutions/substances should aim to limit the development of resistance or cross-resistance to harmful organisms, such as Aspergillus species, and in particular Aspergillus fumigatus;
- hazardous active substances used in insecticides biocidal products to control mosquitos. Developed solutions/substances should be sufficiently effective to control larvae or adults of mosquitoes responsible for diseases transmitted to humans or animals;
- the developed substances can include active substances derived from plants, microbes and other natural sources, and bio-based substances;
- include a review at international level of the hazardous active substances in the scope (wood preservatives and insecticides to control mosquitos);
- test the solutions/substances developed and assess their safety for human health, terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, including pollinators;
- validate their contribution to biodiversity enhancement, when applicable;
- demonstrate their effectiveness in replacing the hazardous substances through scientific validated indicators, including their integration into final products, also in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Projects should include social sciences and humanities (SSH) in testing the safety of the developed substances on humans, especially including the analysis of groups in vulnerable situations, and the diversity in terms of sex, disability, age, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, etc.
International cooperation is encouraged, for the review of substances in scope.
Participation of SMEs in the consortium is encouraged.
Who can apply
- A consortium of at least three independent organisations from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, at least one from an EU Member State.
- Ukraine has been associated to the programme since 2022: Ukrainian organisations can coordinate and receive funding on equal terms.
- Universities, research organisations, companies (including SMEs), public authorities and NGOs can take part.
Applicant types in our database: Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Research Institute or Organization (RnD), Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
How to apply
- Register your organisation on the Funding & Tenders portal and get a PIC (9 digits).
- Build a consortium or join one: use Partner Search on the topic page.
- Download the proposal template (Part A forms, Part B narrative) in the submission system on the topic page.
- Submit by 22.09.2027, 17:00 Brussels time. The system opens on 20.04.2027.
The official topic text, templates and submission are on the Funding & Tenders topic page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01?
How much funding is available?
What type of action is it?
Can Ukrainian organisations apply?
Where do I apply?
Become a partner in a proposal
be the firstLooking for a consortium for this topic? Leave a short offer: coordinators preparing a proposal will see your organisation and expertise in the GetGrant portal and can send you their contacts in one click.
