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CIRCULOOS OPEN CALL 2

Deadline Extended: Open Call 2 deadline Updated!
You now have until 30 May 2025 at 17:00 CEST to submit your proposal

DISCLAIMER

⚠️The guidelines, the application forms, and the sub-grant agreement template have been updated. 
Please download them again before applying.

Mind that the correct file names are:
1. “CIRCULOOS OC2 Guidelines for Applicants Final Version”
2. “Annex II Application Form Open Call 2 OC2 (1)”
3. “Annex IV Sub-grant Agreement Template v2

Apply here OC2
Download Guidelines Open Call 2

CIRCULOOS OPEN CALL 3.1

UNTIL JUNE 11 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

DISCLAIMER

⚠️The guidelines have been updated. 
Please download them again before applying.

Mind that the correct file name is:
1. “VFinal_Guidelines for Applicants_OC3.1″

Apply here OC3.1
Download Guidelines Open Call 3.1

Missed Webinar #1? Watch Here!

Missed Webinar #2? Watch here!

🚀 New funding opportunities for circular economy innovations!

To accelerate the transition towards circular manufacturing, CIRCULOOS is launching two complementary funding opportunities: Open Call 2 (OC2):

  • OC2 supports the formation of new circular supply chains, of consortia of 2-4 entities, to develop and implement novel circular value chain demonstrators.
  • OC3.1 Enables single entities to extend the existing CIRCULOOS pilot value chains by introducing new R-strategies or enhancing existing ones. Selected entities will contribute by improving resource recovery, refining manufacturing processes, or identifying new market players to strengthen circularity. > RECENTLY LAUNCHED!

Both calls share the same goal—to strengthen circular economy practices—but target different scopes: OC2 builds new supply chains, while OC3.1 strengthens existing ones.

✅ Receive up to €60,000* per partner for your innovation (*The applicable funding rate for every project will be 60% of the eligible costs for profit making entities, or 100% for non-profit or academic organisations. An estimated number of 16 consortia will be funded)

✅ Build or scale circular supply chains and processes

✅ Collaborate with industry leaders, SMEs, and research centers

✅ Gain access to expert knowledge, digital tools, and the RAMP platform

✅ Contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy

Overview

OC2 supports consortia of 2 to 4 entities in the design and implementation of Innovative Circular Supply Chains. It encourages collaboration among supply chain actors, manufacturers, recyclers, and technology providers to develop solutions in sectors such as metal, construction, electrical, furniture, leather, machinery, vehicles, wood, and plastic.

Key Details

  • Who can apply? SMEs, large companies, research organizations, and other stakeholders forming a consortium (2-4 partners).

  • Funding: Up to €60,000* per partner, with a maximum of €240,000* per consortium (*The applicable funding rate for every project will be 60% of the eligible costs for profit making entities, or 100% for non-profit or academic organisations. An estimated number of 16 consortia will be funded, with a total available budget of 2880K€).

  • Project Duration: 12 months

  • Impact: Creation of new circular supply chains and cross-sector collaboration.

 

  • Deadline: May 28, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

  • Implementation Start: September 2025

Applicants must follow these steps when preparing their proposal:

  1. Complete the online application form on the F6S platform and provide all mandatory information.

  2. Attach all required documentation that you can find hyperlinked here, ensuring:
  3. Review contractual obligations in advance: Applicants are strongly advised to review Annex IV (Sub-Grant Agreement) and the relevant Declarations of Honour (consortium) before submission, as they will be mandatory for selected applicants. Find them in the subsection below.

  4. Ensure timely submission: It is highly recommended that applicants submit their proposal well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

  5. Resubmission requests: If an error is discovered before the deadline, applicants may contact the CIRCULOOS team to request a correction. However, resubmissions may not be possible if requested within 48 hours of the deadline.

  6. Deadline extensions: Extensions will only be granted in the case of significant technical issues affecting the F6S platform. If an extension is applied, all applicants will be notified accordingly.

*Failure to submit a complete proposal before the deadline will result in automatic disqualification from the Open Call.

To learn more about the evaluation process, project implementation, and reporting requirements if selected, download the full guidelines below.

If your application is successful for CIRCULOOS Open Call 2
 (12-month innovation journey) to implement, enhance, and scale circular solutions. Whether by building upon existing project lines or establishing new circular supply chains and cross-sector collaborations, your participation will contribute directly to advancing sustainable manufacturing practices across Europe.

Thus, it will be mandatory to send all of these documents hyperlinked here via the F6S platform. Mind that they are only requested during the contracting phase:

For OC2:

 
Apply here OC2

✅ Receive up to €60,000 in funding per selected entity. 

✅ Integrate into an existing circular supply chain and collaborate with key industry players. 

✅ Leverage CIRCULOOS digital tools to track sustainability and optimize processes. 

✅ Benefit from mentoring and technical support to refine your solution.

Overview

The CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.1 (OC3.1) is a unique funding opportunity for individual entities to join and enhance one of the three CIRCULOOS pilot value chains (wood, plastics, leather). Selected entities will contribute new circular economy solutions to improve material recovery, optimize manufacturing, or extend product lifecycles. 

Key Details

  • Who can apply? Technology providers (AI, robotics, automation, sensors); material innovators (bioplastics, composites, recycled textiles); waste processors & recyclers (sorting, reprocessing, chemical recycling); and manufacturers integrating circular design principles.

  • Funding: Up to €60,000* per entity (*The applicable funding rate for every project will be 60% of the eligible costs for profit making entities, or 100% for non-profit or academic organisations. Up to 6 entities will be selected (total available budget for OC3.1 is 360K).

  • Project Duration: 9 months

  • Impact: Applicants must demonstrate how their solution adds value to an existing CIRCULOOS pilot by: introducing new R-strategies (e.g., advanced sorting, novel reuse techniques); expanding circular sourcing and material recovery within the pilot; and improving environmental performance using measurable sustainability indicators.

 

  • Deadline: June 11, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

  • Implementation Start: September 2025

Applicants must follow these steps when preparing their proposal:

  1. Complete the online application form on the F6S platform and provide all mandatory information.

  2. Attach all required documentation that you can find hyperlinked here, ensuring:
  3. Review contractual obligations in advance: Applicants are strongly advised to review Annex IV (Sub-Grant Agreement) and the relevant Declarations of Honour (single entities) before submission, as they will be mandatory for selected applicants. Find them in the subsection below.

  4. Ensure timely submission: It is highly recommended that applicants submit their proposal well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

  5. Resubmission requests: If an error is discovered before the deadline, applicants may contact the CIRCULOOS team to request a correction. However, resubmissions may not be possible if requested within 48 hours of the deadline.

  6. Deadline extensions: Extensions will only be granted in the case of significant technical issues affecting the F6S platform. If an extension is applied, all applicants will be notified accordingly.

*Failure to submit a complete proposal before the deadline will result in automatic disqualification from the Open Call.

To learn more about the evaluation process, project implementation, and reporting requirements if selected, download the full guidelines below.

If your application is successful for CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.1
 (9-month innovation journey) to implement, enhance, and scale circular solutions. If you are selected, you join the team of the pilots consortium partners and you will work with them and with the rest of the technical partners to demonstrate advances in the particular value chains and improved environmental and life cycle indicators.

Thus, it will be mandatory to send all of these documents hyperlinked here via the F6S platform. Mind that they are only requested during the contracting phase:

For OC3.1:

 
Apply here OC3.1

CIRCULOOS Open Calls FAQs

SMEs, mid-caps, large companies, research organizations, and innovation hubs can apply. Entities must be established in an EU or Horizon Europe-associated country. 

Individual entities

  • Manufacturing European mid-caps, MSMEs (as defined in EU law – EU recommendation 2003/3619) with a commercial activity in the manufacturing industry as a producer, or a technology/ service supplier for applications in the manufacturing industry
  • Recycling & Processing Companies that add new recovery solutions to existing CIRCULOOS pilot lines

Any necessary technical role for integration or technical development to offer automation, sorting, or data management solutions, etc. should be assumed by the entity above with or without external support via sub-contracting, which has to be clearly justified.

Yes, research associations actively engaged in scientific research and with a clear mission to promote research are eligible.

Yes, entities can submit applications to both open calls. However, if multiple proposals are approved, the entity must choose one to be funded.

All sectors of the traditional manufacturing domain are welcome, that are interested to adopt circularity practices, as long as CIRCULOOS tools help them solve their challenges. To our point of view the bio/food/pharma sectors are not clearly fitting to this category. Any proposer targeting this sector has to convince on how the CIRCULOOS tools will help them in their circularity goals and businesses.

The application form is available in the “Documents” section of the F6S open call page. Applicants must complete the form and upload it as a PDF. 

OC2 requires consortia of 2-4 partners, including companies and research organizations. Applicants can use the RAMP platform for matchmaking, or can seek partners that are suitable for their needs.

The deadline for applications is May 28, 2025.

The deadline for applications is June 11, 2025.

A single entity can receive a maximum of €60,000 in total from only one open call.

No, applicants cannot receive funding for the same activities from multiple EU-funded projects.

The financial support covers:

  • Personnel costs related to development, deployment, and integration activities.
  • Software, hardware, and data required for the demonstrator implementation.
  • Access to and use of infrastructure necessary for the project.
  • Audio/visual production and communication activities related to the project.
  • Travel expenses for meetings with the CIRCULOOS team, workshops, events, and project promotion.
  • Promotion & dissemination activities for project outcomes and the CIRCULOOS initiative.
  • Overhead costs of 25% on all costs except subcontracting.

All these costs must be thoroughly justified by the workplan of the application and fully align with the established objectives.

All costs and budget follow the structure and eligibility criteria of Horizon Europe programmes, IA, with funding 60%. 

  • OC2 projects will run for 12 months (September 2025 – September 2026).
  • OC3.1 projects will run for 9 months (September 2025 – June 2026).

Selected projects must provide periodic progress reports, milestone updates, and a final report, also they must provide some deliverables to present their work, an indicative list is provided in the guidelines document.

Yes, each funded project will receive guidance from the CIRCULOOS team, including technical and business mentoring.

No, beneficiaries of OC2 cannot apply for OC3.1.

Expression of Interest

Status: Closed

The CIRCULOOS Expression of Interest (EOI) was designed to mobilise supply chain actors across diverse manufacturing sectors — from metal and construction to furniture, leather, and plastics — encouraging them to collaborate and co-create Innovative Circular Supply Chains. These consortia aimed to adopt R-strategies (such as refurbishing, remanufacturing, or repurposing) while leveraging regional collaboration, trustworthy data-sharing, and new digital tools to bring circular products to market.

Although the EOI registration is now closed, you can still explore more information on how to connect with potential partners via RAMP.

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This project has received funding from the European Union’s “Horizon Europe” programme under grant agreement 101092295.