Open Call for Financial Support to Third parties as a mechanism to test, promote, validate, replicate PRIMARY business model blueprints and develop new value chains

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Official call identifier: PRIMARY

Objective of the call

The call aims to validate the replicability of PRIMARY solutions and support their adaptation in new European rural regions. It seeks to test and refine PRIMARY business model blueprints and processing concepts for the sustainable valorisation of underutilised agricultural residues, while generating evidence on technical feasibility, economic viability, scalability and knowledge transfer.

Scope of activities 

The PRIMARY Open Call supports pilot sub-projects that demonstrate the practical implementation and regional replication of bioeconomy solutions based on the sustainable use of underutilised agricultural residues. Selected projects will test, adapt and validate technological processes and business model blueprints developed within the PRIMARY project in new European regions.

Funded activities must focus on the valorisation of agricultural feedstocks, specifically including grass, greenhouse residues, cotton by-products and olive tree prunings. These resources have significant potential for producing food and feed ingredients, bio-based materials, bioenergy and soil-related products but currently remain underutilised due to limited local processing capacity and the need for further technological adaptation to regional conditions.

Projects are expected to implement and demonstrate integrated value-chain solutions that combine feedstock mobilisation, innovative processing technologies and viable business model approaches adapted to local rural contexts.

Supported activities include:

• Validation and adaptation of PRIMARY business model blueprints for feedstock-specific value chains based on agricultural residues
• Pilot implementation of at least one PRIMARY processing concept in a new regional context to demonstrate technical feasibility and operational viability
• Testing and optimisation of biomass processing technologies, such as:

• grass biorefinery processes for protein- and fibre-rich streams

• submerged fermentation for producing protein-rich ingredients

• solid-state fermentation of greenhouse residues

• fibre-forming technologies for bio-based packaging and construction materials

• pelletizing agricultural residues for biofuel production

• pyrolysis or gasification technologies for producing biochar and other energy products

• Demonstration of economic viability and replicability of the proposed solutions in rural European regions beyond those currently involved in the PRIMARY project
• Engagement of local stakeholders such as farmers, cooperatives, SMEs, public organisations and research institutions in the testing and validation of bioeconomy solutions
• Knowledge transfer and capacity building activities supporting the wider adoption of sustainable biomass valorisation practices

Each funded sub-project must demonstrate at least one replicated or adapted PRIMARY processing concept, one agricultural residue feedstock and one validated business model blueprint in a new regional setting, generating evidence on technical feasibility, operational performance and potential scalability of the solution.

Through these activities, the call aims to strengthen innovation capacity in rural regions and support the development of sustainable bio-based value chains that create new economic opportunities for farmers and local stakeholders.

Eligible applicants 

Eligible applications must be submitted by consortia of 2 to 3 legal entities. Each consortium must include:

• at least one technical partner able to implement, operate, adapt or validate the relevant process or technology in real or pilot-scale conditions

• at least one end-user type partner from the public or private sphere responsible for implementing, using or validating the process and business model in practice

• Organisations based in EU Member States, EFTA/EEA, or Associated Countries (described in General Annex A, General Annex B, General Annex C)

Eligible organisation types include:

• start-ups developing innovative and scalable solutions

• SMEs

• public authorities and public institutions, including municipalities, universities and research institutions

• civil society organisations such as foundations and non-profits

• cooperatives

The call is intended for actors active in the sustainable valorisation of agricultural residues, such as primary producers, cooperatives, technology providers, research organisations and public bodies. Existing PRIMARY consortium members, their affiliated entities, and organisations with contractual or collaborative relationships under PRIMARY are not eligible

Eligible costs 

Eligible costs must be presented as cost estimations supporting a lump-sum grant. The following categories are eligible:

• personnel costs

• subcontracting costs, up to 25% of the proposed budget when properly justified

• travel costs

• equipment costs, limited to depreciation of purchased equipment

• other goods and services, including consumables, supplies, dissemination, protection of results, certificates, translations and publications

• indirect costs, up to 25% of direct costs, excluding subcontracting from the base calculation

Applicants are also recommended to allocate at least 7% of the total funding to dissemination activities.

Funding conditions 

Type of action: 
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – Lump sum grant

Funding rate: 
100% Lump sum

EU contribution per project: 
Up to EUR 100,000 for consortia of 2 partners; up to EUR 150,000 for consortia of 3 partners

Number of funded projects: 
6-9

Project duration: 
18 months 

Deadline for submission

8 June 2026