SCOPE AND ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

This call targets innovative SMEs developing solutions that increase the valorisation of biomass, contributing to more sustainable and resilient agri-food ecosystems through the development of new processes, services and products.



This Innovation Call includes financial support for projects especially focusing on the development, adoption, and commercialisation of innovative upcycled ingredients for food and non-food applications, products, business processes, and technologies (including digital) that maximise the valorisation of agri-food biomass and side-streams. These projects should have a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6.



The Innovation Open Call targets:

• SMEs in the agri-food production and/or processing sector;

• SMEs in other sectors (ex. cosmetics, nutraceuticals, etc) that valorise biomass/by-products/side-streams from the agri-food sector;

• SMEs in other sectors (ex. cosmetics, nutraceuticals, etc) that valorise their own biomass/by-products/side-streams for the agri-food sector;

• SMEs offering solutions and/or technology for the valorisation of biomass/by-products/side-streams from the agri-food sector (development and application of new technologies or processes).

Applicants can be SMEs registered at EU Member States and countries associated to the Single Market Programme



TIMING

Launch of the Open Call: March 26, 2026

• Second Cut-off date: October 20, 2026 – 17:00 CET



TASK DESCRIPTION

• The applicant’s project must lead to the implementation of either a new process, a new product, or a new service or a combination of them.

• Proposals can be submitted either by a single SME or by an SMEs consortium with up to three (3) SMEs.

• Projects must have a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 6.

• The expected duration of the innovation projects is of 1 year.



For Single SME projects, the maximum lump-sum grant per project (1 SME) is €60.000.



For collaborative projects, the maximum lump-sum grant per project (2-3 SMEs) is €90.000.



This call has a total budget of € 2.020.000 over both cut-off dates.



Innovation grants must be matched by at least 15% private financial contribution (debt or own financial resources), with proof required.





Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Mar Coromina mcoromina@secartys.org | 623 35 59 80, and we'll do our best to help you.