Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop scalable, safe, and sustainable bio-based biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products. The focus is on reducing microplastics pollution, promoting soil health, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable bioeconomy in Europe. Projects should enhance biodegradation processes, create new value chains, and validate delivery systems for both agronomic efficiency and sustainability. The safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework must be applied to assess environmental and socio-economic impacts. This opportunity is open to projects within EU and associated countries, as well as some non-EU countries with specific provisions.

• Develop biodegradable delivery systems for fertilisers, with potential application to pesticides and seeds
• Must be bio-based, safe, and sustainable: demonstrate performance, conduct lab and/or small-scale field trials
• Must match or improve on conventional systems in terms of agronomic efficiency, scalability, environmental safety
• Assess biodegradability & environmental impact
• Evaluate how materials break down in natural soils and water (fresh, estuarine, marine)
• Use standardized tests and protocols
• Apply Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD)
• Assess delivery systems and breakdown products (e.g. microplastics)
• Provide thresholds, recommendations, and data gap analysis
• Engage farmers (Multi-Actor Approach)
• Co-develop and test systems
• Analyse effects on plant growth, soil health, water quality
• Ensure synergy with previous projects
• Build on and complement projects like ARAGORN, EDAPHOS, ISLANDR, etc.

Examples:

• A project developing a new biodegradable coating for fertiliser pellets, tested with local farmers to ensure soil health benefits.
• An initiative creating a value chain for bio-based delivery systems, involving industry partners and researchers to assess environmental impacts.
• A collaborative study validating the breakdown of new fertiliser carriers in real agricultural soils and water systems.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 7,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per grant: 3,500,000€

• Applicants must comply with proposal page limits and formatting rules.
• Only participants from eligible countries can apply, as defined by the programme.
• Additional provisions may apply for some non-EU/non-Associated Countries.
• Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements.
• Exclusion criteria may apply as described in the programme guide.
• Proposals must address all specific requirements outlined in the relevant annexes.