Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems
HORIZON-JU-IA
Funding Amount
€7.0M - €7.0M
Deadline
18/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems Call?
Grant Description
This call supports innovation actions to develop sustainable and scalable cultivation, processing and valorisation of macroalgae species. It addresses challenges in marine biorefining, contributes to the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Zero Pollution Action Plan, Sustainable Blue Economy and the EC Communication on a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector. Projects will demonstrate industrial scalability, develop novel bio-based products, create socio-economic benefits and ensure environmental sustainab...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Proposals are expected to deliver:
• Proven industrial scalability of sustainable cultivation, pretreatment and valorisation options for macroalgae species.
• Development of novel bio-based product(s) from cultivated macroalgae, underpinned by viable business opportunities for market uptake.
• Demonstrated socio-economic benefits, including potential for job creation or preservation, particularly in declining blue economy sectors.
• Verified environmental sustainability of the entire value chain, evidenced by biodiversity and water quality preservation and/or enhancement, and where relevant, ecosystem restoration.
• Measurable contributions to: the EU Biotech and Biomanufacturing Initiative; the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan; the Zero Pollution Action Plan; the EU Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy; the EC Communication “Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector”; and the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, Objective 3 (carbon-neutral and circular blue economy).
• Proven industrial scalability of sustainable cultivation, pretreatment and valorisation options for macroalgae species.
• Development of novel bio-based product(s) from cultivated macroalgae, underpinned by viable business opportunities for market uptake.
• Demonstrated socio-economic benefits, including potential for job creation or preservation, particularly in declining blue economy sectors.
• Verified environmental sustainability of the entire value chain, evidenced by biodiversity and water quality preservation and/or enhancement, and where relevant, ecosystem restoration.
• Measurable contributions to: the EU Biotech and Biomanufacturing Initiative; the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its action plan; the Zero Pollution Action Plan; the EU Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy; the EC Communication “Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector”; and the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, Objective 3 (carbon-neutral and circular blue economy).
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
• Exclude wild harvesting of macroalgae (in line with the EU Algae Initiative).
• Select and optimise macroalgal feedstock (seaweed and marine plants, including seagrass).
• Demonstrate scalable cultivation systems (open and/or closed) achieving high biomass yields and optimised parameters (light, O₂, CO₂, nutrients, pH, temperature, seasonality).
• Explore multitrophic and mixed cultivation (e.g. algae with fish/shellfish) and algae-mediated remediation or other nature-based solutions.
• Develop downstream processing and biorefinery steps to produce novel bio-based products and viable business models.
• Maximise resource and energy efficiency, with the option to integrate renewable energy inputs.
• Conduct full environmental assessments and implement monitoring/mitigation for biodiversity, invasiveness, toxicity, carbon sequestration and nutrient loads.
• Include a dedicated task on public perception and societal acceptance of large-scale macroalgae operations.
• Apply a Multi-Actor Approach by involving coastal governance bodies, regional/local authorities, end-users and, where applicable, B2C consumer groups.
• Demonstrate complementarities with and build upon results from relevant Horizon 2020/Europe and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.
• Establish synergies with the EU 4 Algae Stakeholder Platform and use its EU Algae projects database.
• Exclude wild harvesting of macroalgae (in line with the EU Algae Initiative).
• Select and optimise macroalgal feedstock (seaweed and marine plants, including seagrass).
• Demonstrate scalable cultivation systems (open and/or closed) achieving high biomass yields and optimised parameters (light, O₂, CO₂, nutrients, pH, temperature, seasonality).
• Explore multitrophic and mixed cultivation (e.g. algae with fish/shellfish) and algae-mediated remediation or other nature-based solutions.
• Develop downstream processing and biorefinery steps to produce novel bio-based products and viable business models.
• Maximise resource and energy efficiency, with the option to integrate renewable energy inputs.
• Conduct full environmental assessments and implement monitoring/mitigation for biodiversity, invasiveness, toxicity, carbon sequestration and nutrient loads.
• Include a dedicated task on public perception and societal acceptance of large-scale macroalgae operations.
• Apply a Multi-Actor Approach by involving coastal governance bodies, regional/local authorities, end-users and, where applicable, B2C consumer groups.
• Demonstrate complementarities with and build upon results from relevant Horizon 2020/Europe and BBI JU/CBE JU projects.
• Establish synergies with the EU 4 Algae Stakeholder Platform and use its EU Algae projects database.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Only cultivated macroalgae are in scope; wild harvesting is prohibited.
• EU‐native species may be used in open environments; non‐native species only in closed systems.
• Applicants must use the updated Application Form (Part B template dated 04/04/2025) in the submission system.
• Proposals must adhere to Horizon Europe General Annexes for admissibility (page limits, layout), eligibility (Annex B), exclusion and capacity (Annex C), evaluation criteria (Annex D) and procedures (Annex F, G).
• Projects must implement the Multi-Actor Approach as defined in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU 2025 Work Programme.
• Projects must ensure environmental safety, including biodiversity protection and possible enhancement, and must include monitoring and mitigation plans.
• Proposers must demonstrate complementarities with specific projects (e.g. ALEHOOP, BIOSEA, MACRO CASCADE, PROTEUS, PROMISEANG, Algae Pro BANOS, LOCALITY) and show how their work builds on or extends these activities.
• Applicants are required to establish formal synergies with the European Algae Stakeholder Platform (EU 4 Algae) and engage with its network.
• EU‐native species may be used in open environments; non‐native species only in closed systems.
• Applicants must use the updated Application Form (Part B template dated 04/04/2025) in the submission system.
• Proposals must adhere to Horizon Europe General Annexes for admissibility (page limits, layout), eligibility (Annex B), exclusion and capacity (Annex C), evaluation criteria (Annex D) and procedures (Annex F, G).
• Projects must implement the Multi-Actor Approach as defined in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU 2025 Work Programme.
• Projects must ensure environmental safety, including biodiversity protection and possible enhancement, and must include monitoring and mitigation plans.
• Proposers must demonstrate complementarities with specific projects (e.g. ALEHOOP, BIOSEA, MACRO CASCADE, PROTEUS, PROMISEANG, Algae Pro BANOS, LOCALITY) and show how their work builds on or extends these activities.
• Applicants are required to establish formal synergies with the European Algae Stakeholder Platform (EU 4 Algae) and engage with its network.
Important dates
Open from: 03/04/2025
Deadline:18/09/2025
Application period has ended
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