The role of research & innovation for the EU Bioeconomy
The bioeconomy is defined as the activities that deliver sustainable solutions based on biological resources to create added value.
These include products, services, science and technologies benefiting sectors ranging from agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture to value chains based on biomass processing, biomanufacturing and biotechnologies such as in food, health, energy, industry, ecosystem and other services.
The Commission has adopted a new Bioeconomy Strategy to foster a clean, competitive and resilient European economy reducing its dependency on fossil fuels.
The new Strategic Framework for a Competitive and Sustainable EU Bioeconomy builds on previous work of the Commission: the implementation of the 2012 bioeconomy strategy and its update in 2018 achieved significant progress in research and innovation. A 2022 progress report showed that the actions of the 2018 Bioeconomy Strategy were on track to achieve their main objectives, while identifying areas where further action was needed.
Stronger development of the bioeconomy will help the EU accelerate progress towards a circular and low-carbon economy. It will help modernise and strengthen the EU industrial base, creating new value chains and greener, more cost-effective industrial processes, while protecting biodiversity and the environment.
EU-funded bioeconomy innovations show the bioeconomy’s role in fostering circularity, adapting to and mitigating climate change, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing pollutants. They create jobs and income opportunities, particularly for farmers and foresters, and support a greener, more resilient future.
Find in this booklet how the bioeconomy is the living proof that competitiveness, climate action, environmental protection and citizens’ wellbeing go hand in hand.
Innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
The bioeconomy delivers sustainable solutions based on biological resources. These solutions benefit sectors ranging from primary production to value chains of food, health, materials and energy. The EU-funded bioeconomy innovations presented in this booklet show the bioeconomy’s role in fostering circularity, adapting to and mitigating climate change, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing pollutants.
EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassadors
The EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador programme gives Europe’s next generation a voice in shaping a sustainable future. 15 young changemakers from across the EU will spend two years (2025-2027) informing and inspiring their peers, engaging local communities and collaborating with decision-makers to highlight the bioeconomy’s relevance in our daily life.
National bioeconomy strategies
Foresight from the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) has been instrumental in developing national bioeconomy research and innovation strategies for EU countries and for the Commission. SCAR represents 37 countries: its members are ministries - or other organisations such as research councils - from all EU countries, with candidate and associated countries as observers.
The BIOEAST initiative offers a shared strategic research and innovation framework for working towards sustainable bioeconomies in Central and Eastern European countries.
Innovations in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing
Biotechnology and biomanufacturing play a crucial role in producing bio-based products that address many challenges such as climate mitigation and adaptation, sustainable resource use, ecosystem restoration, food supply and security.
The sector is facing several challenges: research and technology transfer to the market, regulatory complexity, access to finance, skills, value chain obstacles, intellectual property, public acceptance and economic security.
In its Communication on Building the future with Nature, the Commission has proposed a comprehensive set of actions to address these challenges
- a simplified regulatory framework
- a fair set of European standards
- an EU Biotech and Biomanufacturing Hub
- better support for businesses
- reviewing the EU Bioeconomy Strategy
The EU is supporting research in biotechnology through Horizon Europe, the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and historically through Horizon 2020.
You can find out more about how the EU has supported research in this area, how much its contributed, read about selected projects, and learn more about the Commission's future actions in the factsheet.
Today, the EU is at the heart of scientific research and innovation in new, bio-based manufacturing solutions that will bolster the industrial competitiveness and sustainability of our economies.
Funding opportunities
Calls for proposal on bioeconomy-related themes in Horizon Europe and information on the work programme.
Loans and guarantees to innovative businesses for research and innovation activities.
Loans for projects in agriculture, forest-based, blue economy, waste management. Loans guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments for high-risk investment in production and processing of food, biobased materials and bioenergy.
The ECBF is part-funded by the Commission and invests in late-stage bioeconomy start-ups.
Funding supporting the deployment of biobased solutions in carbon intensive sectors.
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
Projects and results
The Commission's primary portal for information about EU-funded research projects and their results.
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects
Latest news, interviews and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU.
Access to real-time programme data with the ability to filter by country, region, theme and more.
Platform where framework programme participants present their results for you to search, contact their owners, and form partnerships.
Thematic collections of innovative EU-funded research results in the bioeconomy field.
Success stories
EU-funded researchers are improving the tracking and certification of biological waste to help give it a second life as new bio-based products.
- Project locations
- Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Sweden
From solar energy beamed from space to genetic brain maps and live self-repairing bridges, research in 2025 is promising.
- Project locations
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Collaboration and jobs
Find partners for open EU calls for proposal.
Partnerships with EU countries on bioeconomy related issues.
International cooperation in bioeconomy research and innovation to help tackle global challenges.
Alliance of EU-funded projects dealing with bioeconomy promotion and communication
Innovation community of industry players, agrifood startups, research centres and universities from across Europe accelerating innovation to transform the food system.
Initiative offering a shared strategic research and innovation framework for working towards sustainable bioeconomies in Central and Eastern European countries.
ERA-Net Cofund Action under Horizon 2020, which aims to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) in the field of biotechnology.
Researcher jobs in related fields.
CBE is a €2 billion partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries under Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme. CBE JU is the legal and universal successor of BBI JU.
Scientific publications, tools and databases
The European Bioeconomy Policy Forum (EBPF) was launched in November 2020 and is governed by all participating Member States.
The Forum operates on two levels – a high level and an expert level.
Platform supporting policy making by bringing together knowledge on the bioeconomy from a wide range of scientific disciplines and sources.
an overview of the research performed by the JRC in 10 science areas
Online library of official EU bioeconomy publications
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions - all data is free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
All scientific publications from Horizon Europe and H2020 are accessible via OpenAIRE.
Access to marine and maritime data in Europe.
2024 marks 40 years since the launch of the EU’s first funding programme dedicated to science, research and innovation. This booklet presents a symbolic 40 stories to illustrate the breadth of R&I made possible through EU R&I funding and some of the results achieved over the last 40 years. It covers...
