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Horizon Europe · European Union

Replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products

Opens 20 Apr 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 3 awards of €4 million each, from a total budget of €12 million. Applications close on 22 Sep 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

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 [1] ) bio-based substances to effectively replace hazardous active substances used in biocidal products covered by Biocidal products regulation [2] 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 ;

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Bioproducts (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) biomaterials, bioplastics, biofuels, bioderived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-derived novel materials Chemical engineering, technical chemistry Chemical process engineering Environmental biotechnology Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus species Bio-based Biocidal product Biocidal products regulation Biocide Biotecnology Life Sciences Strategy Start-ups and Scale-ups active substance harmful organism hazardous substances insecticides mosquitos pests wood preservative

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-09-22. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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