Cascade funding
1st open call
Cascade Funding
What is this call about?
The EMBEDED Open Call 1 funds real-world experiments that transform agricultural and forestry residues into market-ready, sustainable products.
You will work directly with ready-to-use bio-based materials and technologies developed by the EMBEDED project to validate their value in your own operational environment — whether that’s a farm, an industrial process, a construction application or a new product line.
The EMBEDED project is built around a clear Key Value Proposition: Locally transform underused biomass into high-value bio-materials using modular, scalable technologies — creating carbon-positive products and resilient regional value chains.
As an applicant, you will directly test and validate this proposition by:
- Using locally sourced residues (e.g. olive pits, cork waste)
- Applying modular production solutions (e.g. pyrolysis systems)
- Creating or validating real applications and products
- Contributing to carbon sequestration and circular bioeconomy models
What you will work with:
Selected projects will have access to EMBEDED’s core materials and technologies, including:
- Biochar from organic olive pits
- Produced close to the source (local transformation)
- Stable, carbon-rich material
- pH close to neutral → suitable for a wide range of applications
- Detailed specifications available in the downloadable SPECs sheet – SEE BELOW
- Bio-boards made from cork residues
- Sustainable, non-wood construction material
- Designed for both functional and aesthetic applications
- Aligned with New European Bauhaus principles (sustainability, beauty, inclusivity)
- Detailed specifications available in the downloadable SPECs sheet – SEE BELOW
- Access to a modular pyrolysis plant for on-site experimentation
- Detailed specifications available in the downloadable SPECs sheet – SEE BELOW
What you can do (scope of projects)
Your project should focus on one clear application or use case, such as:
- Developing new products using biochar or bio-boards
- Testing EMBEDED materials in real operational conditions
- Designing cork-based solutions with the novel bio-boards
- Running field trials or pilot implementations
The goal is always the same: Prove that these materials or plant work, create value and can scale.
Who should apply
- Primary producers (e.g. farmers)
- SMEs and industrial actors
- Cooperatives and clusters
- Municipalities and public bodies
If you can use, test, or integrate bio-based materials in a real setting, you are a strong candidate.
Funding & key facts
- Up to €50,000 per project
- 9-month implementation
- Minimum 6 projects funded
- €300,000 total budget for Call 1
- Lump-sum funding (50% upfront, 50% after completion)
What success looks like
Your project should deliver:
- A validated application or product
- Evidence of technical and market feasibility
- A clear path toward scaling or adoption
- Contribution to circular, local bioeconomy systems
Why apply
Because you will:
- Work with real, scalable bio-based materials
- Test solutions in your own environment
- Be part of a Europe-wide transition to circular production
- Help turn waste into value — locally
Timeline
- Call 1 opening date: 25/05/2026 – 16:00 CET (Brussels time)
- Call 1 closing date: 29/06/2026 – 16:00 CET (Brussels time)
- Clarification request window: 30/06/2026 – 31/07/2026
- Evaluation and resolution: 30/06/2026 – 30/08/2026
- Provisional publication of the selected projects: 30/08/2026
- Timeline for submitting appeals: 01/09/2026 – 10/09/2026
- Final publication of the selected projects: 17/09/2026
- Signing of the agreement after the project evaluation: 18/09/2026 – 30/09/2026
- Project implementation: 01/10/2026 – 30/06/2027
- Project end: 30/06/2027
- Deadline for Final Project reporting: 30/09/2027
- Duration: 9 months
