Grant for Bioeconomy projects: May 4th submission deadline

A new grant opportunity for bioeconomy related RDI stage projects has been made available under the “Bioeconomy in the North” call. Companies and research organisation from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Canada can apply.

Deadline for proposal submission is 4 May 2022.

A project must include at least one industry partner (SME/corporate) and participants from at least three countries. The grant covers typically 70% of cost for companies and research organisation, with a max country contribution of ca 300 000 euros per project (e.g. 900 000 euros with participants from three countries).

The objective is to research and innovation leading to new products and supply services from wood-based biomass resources relevant in Northern Europe and North America.

The call is for RDI projects that support bioeconomy and circularity.

Projects should significantly contribute to at least one of the two following topics:

• Forest Biorefineries – Process and materials innovation involving wood-based biomass in support of a circular bioeconomy
  Proposals submitted under this topic should scientifically address at least one of the following aspects of biorefinery innovation:

  • Creation of novel forest biorefinery technologies and/or processes high added value refined forest bioproducts

  • Optimization of forest biorefinery processes (cost, energy and water consumption, raw material efficiency, bio-material recycling)

• Innovation in solid wood products in support of a circular bioeconomy
  Proposals submitted under this topic should scientifically address at least one of the following aspects of solid wood product (including engineered wood and composites) innovation:

  • Improvement of existing or creation of novel high-value structural wood products and/or related building systems

  • Development of sustainable and competitive production technologies for high-value structural wood-based products

  • Use of digitalization and functionalization to support value-added strategies for wood-based products

Eligibility criteria

• Consortia must involve at least three partners from three different countries participating in the call;

• The participation of at least one industry partner per consortium (large company or SME) from countries member of the initiative is mandatory (also associated partners are allowed);

• Consortia must be balanced: the contribution of one country to the collaborative project must not exceed 60% of the total project costs in order to ensure balanced transnational partnerships;

• The duration of the project should not exceed a period of 36 months;

• Industry partners (from member or non-member countries) and other project partners can also join on their own costs. The respective financial commitment must be stated in a “financial commitment”.

The call excludes food/feed biomass resources exploitation.

The total programme budget is ca. 7 million €) but budget for individual projects are based on national limits.  

Funding of the project partners is provided by the participating national programs. Requested funding may cover research and travel expenses (for example consumables, equipment, travel costs etc.) according to the national criteria.  

For more detailed information on the call, you can contact us directly. We will gladly help you further!
Roumiana Atanassova, roumiana.atanassova@grannenfeltfinance.fi, tel. +358 40 6815 068