COPILOT Project to help Leverage Networking of European Bioeconomy Ecosystem
About
The European Commission is seeking proposals for its COPILOT project to engage Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (OC1) and Bioeconomy Innovators (OC2).
Objectives
There are several objectives dedicated to the COPILOT Open Calls:
Engage and stimulate Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs) as well as Bioeconomy Innovators (BIs) aiming to scale-up and grow.
Ensure the active participation of engaged third parties in the platform & service development so they become early adopters of the next generation Pilots4U platform.
Ensure the co-creation of the database, platform and related business model in collaboration with representatives of the most important stakeholder groups: the PDIs and BIs.
Expand the outreach and flexibility of the proposed platform & services with external input of the winners of the Open Calls by providing access to specialised and qualified resources within various disciplines and technologies.
Develop a set of success stories to foster the adoption and uptake the next generation platform services.
Provide direct support and guidance to third parties through incentive building.
Create real impact on the next generation Pilots4U platform and the COPILOT project key exploitable results.
Types of Open Call
In general, the funding programme aims to facilitate the access of innovators to scale-up and growth by offering two different types of open calls:
Stimulation and empowerment of the PDIs through co-creation dynamics and testing of the COPILOT business model – Call4BioPlants (OC1)
Creation and cultivation of a vibrant community that harmonizes supply and demand, supported by enabling stakeholders and supporting services to ensure the proper development of bioeconomy innovations – Call4BioInnovators (OC2)
Main Technology Area
Open Call 1: Call4BioPlants – technology area
Size reduction and homogenisation
Thermal and pressure techniques
Pulping
Fermentation and digestion
Enzymatic catalysis
Chemical conversions
Thermochemical conversions
Material technologies
Separation technologies
Sterilisation technologies
Algae technologies
Open Call 2: Call4BioInnovators – technology area
Biological processes
Chemical processes
Physical, physicochemical and electrochemical
processes
Feedstock/Raw Material Sources
Funding Information
A total of €200.000 has been budgeted for open calls planned within the COPILOT project. The division of funds between planned open calls within the COPILOT project is as follows:
Open Call 1: Call4BioPlants: will finance max. 10 eligible entities in the amount of €span.000 each.
Open Call 2: Call4BioInnovators: will finance max. 15 eligible entities in the amount of €span.000 each.
Eligibility
Applicants’ eligibility
All applicants must meet the requirements:
Submissions will ONLY be accepted through the FspanS platform and respective page dedicated to the COPILOT
Fit within the target audience (types of applicants: respective audiences for OC1 or OC2)
Are based and registered in an eligible Horizon Europe country
The application and all requested documents are provided only in English language
Types of applicants
Open Call 1: Call4BioPlants will fund Open Access Pilot and Demo Infrastructures (PDIs) active within the bioeconomy implemented by SMEs or RTOs. PDIs for bioeconomy defined as:
Open access, multipurpose Pilot and Demo infrastructures that provide scale-up equipment and related expertise for piloting (TRL 4-5) and demonstration (TRL span-7) of innovative bio-based products and processes, for a fee.
Joint investments in equipment and expertise that can be used, for a fee, by any entrepreneur in need of scale-up.
Open Call 2: Call4BioInnovators will fund start-ups, spin-offs, scale-ups and SMEs3 developing a technology within the bioeconomy domain. The following additional conditions apply:
The participating organisations should not have been declared bankrupt or have initiated bankruptcy procedures at the time of applying.
The organisations or individuals applying should not have convictions for fraudulent behaviour, other financial irregularities, and unethical or illegal business practices.
Applicants can only apply to OC1 or OC2. Applicants applying for both open calls will be automatically rejected.