NWO

KIC Integrated Biorefineries for a Circular Future – improving society and environment through sustainable industry

Small-scale: €140k–€290k; Large-scale: €350k–€700k; Total call budget: €3,840,000| Deadline: 20 October 2026 (124 days)|Maximum 5 years

Full proposal deadline 20 October 2026 14:00 CEST (ISAAC); Letter of intent mandatory by 23 June 2026 14:00 CET

Last verified: 18 June 2026

KIC Integrated Biorefineries for a Circular Future funds joint Netherlands, São Paulo consortia developing sustainable, biomass-derived alternatives to fossil raw materials for the chemical industry. Projects can secure €140,000-€700,000 depending on scale, with up to five years to execute. This is a one-off bilateral call requiring private co-funding (minimum 30%) and bringing together Dutch researchers, São Paulo-based scientists, and industry partners to accelerate the circular bioeconomy.

Details

Funder	NWO
Budget	Small-scale: €140k–€290k; Large-scale: €350k–€700k; Total call budget: €3,840,000
Deadline	20 October 2026
Duration	Maximum 5 years
Consortium	Required — one main applicant in the Netherlands, one in São Paulo (Brazil), and at least one private co-funder with presence in NL or Brazil
Application	2-stage: letter of intent (23 June 2026) → full proposal (20 October 2026)
Frequency	One-off
Eligible countries	NL

Eligibility & scope

Joint Netherlands–São Paulo research programme on replacing fossil raw materials with circular biomass-derived materials for the chemical industry. Consortia must include a Dutch research organisation, a São Paulo-based researcher (FAPESP-eligible), and at least one private co-funder; NWO/FAPESP finance max 70% with mandatory 30% co-funding. Topics: biobased feedstocks and conversion processes.

Who Should Apply

•Research groups at Dutch academic or research institutes with expertise in biomass conversion or biorefinery processes
•Collaborators based in São Paulo state eligible for FAPESP funding
•Industrial partners (chemical companies, biotech firms) with presence in Netherlands or Brazil willing to co-fund at least 30%
•Consortia with proven ability to translate feedstock innovation into scalable chemical production

Key Dates

•Letter of intent due 23 June 2026 14:00 CET
•Full proposal deadline 20 October 2026 14:00 CEST
•Maximum five-year project duration

Tips for Applicants

✓Private co-funding is mandatory and non-negotiable, secure letters of commitment from industry partners before submitting the letter of intent.
✓The São Paulo partner must be FAPESP-eligible; confirm their eligibility status early to avoid rejection at the consortium check.
✓NWO and FAPESP combined cover a maximum 70% of budget; align your small-scale (€140k-€290k) or large-scale (€350k-€700k) tier with realistic industry-co-funding capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the budget range for KIC Integrated Biorefineries?

Small-scale projects can request €140,000-€290,000; large-scale projects can request €350,000-€700,000 over up to five years.

Who must be in a KIC Integrated Biorefineries consortium?

A main applicant from a Dutch research organisation, a researcher based in São Paulo (FAPESP-eligible), and at least one private co-funder with presence in Netherlands or Brazil.

How much private co-funding is required?

Private co-funding must cover at least 30% of the total project budget; NWO and FAPESP finance a maximum of 70%.

What is the deadline for KIC Integrated Biorefineries?

A letter of intent is mandatory by 23 June 2026, followed by a full proposal deadline of 20 October 2026.

Is this a recurring call?

No, this is a one-off bilateral Netherlands, São Paulo programme.

biorefinerycircular-economybiomass-conversionnwofapespnetherlands-brazilconsortium-requiredindustry-partnership

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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.