🏛 EU_PORTAL · 📍 EU
€2,020,000
Mar 26, 2026
Oct 20, 2026
Single Market Programme (SMP)
Cascade funding (FSTP – Financial Support to Third Parties). This call targets innovative SMEs developing solutions that increase the valorisation of biomass side-streams, 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 6.1.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).2.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.3.Proposals can be submitted either by a single SME or by an SMEs consortium with up to three (3) SMEs.4.Applicants can be SMEs registered at EU Member States and countries associated to the Single Market Programme.5.Projects must have a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least 6.6.For Single SME projects, the maximum lump-sum grant per project (1 SME) is €60.000.7.For collaborative projects, the maximum lump-sum grant per project (2-3 SMEs) is €90.000.8.Innovation grants must be matched by at least 15% private financial contribution (debt or own financial resources), with proof required.AMENDMENT 16 JULY 2026Following aspects of the call text have been updated and clarified:Thematic priorities - scope of the call and valorisation pathwaysCall definitions: biosolutions added, TRL requirements clarifiedDocuments required: no stamp needed, only signatureEligibility criteriaEvaluation procedure, criteria and scoring: 2 stage evaluation process in Cut-off 2, pre-selection (knock-out stage) added. Timing of the evaluation procedure cut-off 2 prolongedRe-submission of proposals: to be done in new application formPeriod to file complaintsSPOC contact detailsPay attention that there is an adapted application form for cut-off 2!