The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), under Horizon Europe, is providing funding for research and innovation projects developing breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres. The topic HORIZON-JU-CBE-2026-RIA-03 aims to advance the production of textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass, including bio-based textile waste, while improving their environmental performance, circularity and suitability for textile applications. The topic has an indicative budget of €6.5 million.  

The opportunity is aimed at multi actor consortia bringing together relevant actors across the bio-based and textile value chains, including textile manufacturers, raw-material suppliers, research organisations and end users. Projects should develop fibres that can meet relevant technical requirements and be compatible with existing textile production processes and equipment. Proposals are also expected to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework and consider the fibres’ circularity and environmental sustainability.  

The submission deadline is 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. An indicative EU contribution of €3.25 million per project is expected to be appropriate, with around two projects anticipated to be funded. As a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), projects are expected to reach Technology readiness level (TRL) 5 by the end of the project.  

Interested organisations and consortia should review the full topic conditions, eligibility requirements and application guidance on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.