CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2 — Value-Chain Extension & Enhance
Funding and support for single entities to join and strengthen existing circular manufacturing supply chains as strategic “missing link” partners, adding new R-strategies and value across three core sectors.
About CIRCULOOS
CIRCULOOS helps micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in manufacturing redefine their supply chains through the principles of the Circular Economy. The project builds an ecosystem where production companies collaborate around R-strategies (Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish, Remanufacture and Repurpose) to reduce waste, minimize reliance on virgin materials, and deliver measurable sustainability gains.
At its core, CIRCULOOS provides a digital platform powered by the RAMP Marketplace and a suite of AI and data tools, including supply chain optimization, digital twins, lifecycle assessment (GRETA), and a cybersecure data-sharing infrastructure. These tools allow multiple supply chain actors to collaborate, track material flows, and optimize circular processes end-to-end.
The project has progressed through several open calls. Open Call 2 (OC2) established 15 circular value chain demonstrators across diverse sectors. Open Call 3.1 (OC3.1) began extending the three core CIRCULOOS pilot lines (Wood, Leather, and Plastic). Open Call 3.2 now represents the next phase: Value-Chain Extension & Enhance, focused on filling the remaining gaps.
About CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2
Open Call 3.2 is a “missing link” call. It invites single entities (manufacturing SMEs, technology providers, recyclers, and other circular economy enablers) to join and strengthen existing CIRCULOOS value chains. The goal is not to create new chains from scratch, but to resolve specific bottlenecks (technical, supply-side, or market-access related) that are currently preventing the funded ecosystems from reaching full operational scale.
Selected entities will integrate their solutions into the existing CIRCULOOS digital backbone, contribute measurable circular economy value, and demonstrate their added value through lifecycle assessment.
The call is structured into two complementary tracks:
Track A — OC2 Enhance
Track A targets the 15 demonstrators funded under Open Call 2. Each of these consortia has identified specific gaps, documented as 24 demand entries in the guidelines, that prevent them from fully scaling up. A single entity joins one of these chains to unlock efficiency, extend product life cycles, or open new downstream markets.
The 24 documented demands span three types of partner profiles:
- Supply partners: entities providing recycled feedstocks or waste streams.
- End-user / validation partners: downstream companies incorporating circular products into their processes.
- Technology integrators: providers of sorting, AI, robotics, logistics, or digital traceability solutions.
Applicants are not strictly limited to the documented demands. They may propose a solution to any relevant gap in the referenced chains, provided it genuinely addresses a bottleneck and does not duplicate existing consortium capabilities.
Track B — Pilot Extensions
Track B focuses on strengthening the three core CIRCULOOS pilot lines, which serve as live testbeds for circular manufacturing:
- Wood Pilot (Netherlands, priority in OC3.2): Producing building blocks from recycled urban wood, minimizing reliance on virgin timber.
- Plastic Pilot (Spain): Incorporating recycled plastics into high-quality automotive manufacturing components.
- Leather Pilot (Hungary): Repurposing leather manufacturing scraps into new small leather goods, eliminating the incineration of waste materials.
Track B participants bring specialized expertise to enhance these pilots, expand sourcing options, introduce new circular products, or validate CIRCULOOS digital tools with real-world data.
Why Apply to CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2
CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 will fund approximately 10 entities with a fixed lump sum of up to €60,000 per entity, drawing from a total budget of approximately €600,000. The funding rate is 60% of eligible costs for commercial entities (manufacturing SMEs, mid-caps, and technology providers). Research organizations and universities qualify for a 100% funding rate as non-profit entities.
The project duration is 6 months, running approximately from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2027. Funds are disbursed in three milestone-linked instalments:
- 40% (up to €24,000) upon signing of the Sub-Grant Agreement.
- 30% (up to €18,000) upon approval of interim deliverables.
- 30% (up to €18,000) upon approval of final deliverables.
Beyond the grant itself, selected entities receive technical mentoring from the CIRCULOOS coordination team together with a detailed work plan, assuring that the proposal’s goals are accomplished.
Of the approximately 10 available funding slots, the selection follows a structural allocation rule: at least 4 slots go to Track A, at least 1 slot goes to Track B (with priority for the Wood Pilot), and the remaining 4/5 slots are allocated to the highest-scoring runner-up proposals from either track.
Who Can Apply?
Open Call 3.2 accepts applications exclusively from single legal entities. Eligible profiles include:
- Manufacturing MSMEs, mid-caps, and micro-SMEs with commercial activity in manufacturing (as producers or technology/service suppliers).
- Circular Economy Enablers: recycling and processing companies, waste collectors, upcyclers, and repairers introducing new recovery solutions to the chain.
- Technology Providers and System Integrators offering AI, automation, robotics, sorting, or data management solutions that bridge a specific gap.
- Research organizations (RTOs) and academic institutions, provided they develop and deploy (integrate into the pilot) their technical solution.
Applicants must be established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country and must meet standard Horizon Europe eligibility conditions (not subject to insolvency proceedings, no professional misconduct, compliant with tax and social security obligations).
How to Apply to CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2
All applications must be submitted through the F6S online platform. The required documents are:
Annex I. Technical & Business Proposal: the main proposal document, submitted as PDF following the provided template.
Annex IV. Declaration of Honour: signed by the legal representative, submitted as PDF.
All documentation must be in English. Applicants are strongly advised to review Annex II (Sub-Grant Agreement) and Annex V (SME Declaration) before submitting, as these will be required during the contracting phase.
A single entity may submit to both Track A and Track B simultaneously by filing two separate applications on the F6S platform. However, if successful in both evaluations, only one proposal will be funded. Submitting more than one application to the same track results in automatic disqualification of all submissions for that track.
Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Resubmission requests must be sent to support@f6s.com before the deadline (and cannot be guaranteed within 48 hours of it).
Important Dates
- Call open: 8 April 2026
- Informational Webinar 1: 22 April 2026 at 10:00 CET — “How to join a CIRCULOOS Value Chain: The Demand Menu & Missing Links”
- Informational Webinar 2: 20 May 2026 at 10:00 CET — “Meet the OC#2 Winners & Pilot Leads”
- Submission Deadline: 10 June 2026 at 17:00 CETForma
Proposal Requirements
Mandatory Use of CIRCULOOS Tools
A key requirement for all selected proposals from both tracks is integration into the CIRCULOOS digital ecosystem. Two tools are mandatory:
- RAMP Marketplace: the entry point for accessing CIRCULOOS platform tools, registering businesses, establishing new commercial relationships, and discovering circular economy partners.
- CIRCULOOS Data Platform: collects IoT data from production facilities, maintains shared data models for supply chain entities, and enables cybersecure data exchange among chain actors.
Additionally, the following tools are optional but may be recommended by the CIRCULOOS mentoring team depending on the experiment: the Supply Chain Optimization Tool (SCOPT), the Supply Chain Digital Twin (SCDT), the Supply Chain Orchestrator, and the LifeCycle Assessment Tool (GRETA). Even when not directly implemented, applicants must identify the necessary data inputs for all optional tools.
Evaluation and Selection Process
Eligible proposals are reviewed by a panel of two external experts and one internal CIRCULOOS partner. Each proposal is scored on three criteria (Excellence, Impact and Implementation & Resources) on a 0–5 scale, with a minimum threshold of 3/5 per criterion and an overall threshold of 10/15.
In case of equal scores, the proposal with higher impact potential and implementation feasibility is prioritized. Applicants may submit an appeal within three working days of receiving a rejection, by writing to circuloos-support@f6s.com.
Final Thoughts on CIRCULOOS Open Call #3.2
CIRCULOOS Open Call 3.2 is a well-defined, operationally grounded opportunity for manufacturing SMEs, technology providers, and circular economy specialists who are ready to demonstrate their value in a real industrial setting. OC3.2 asks applicants to solve a specific, documented problem within an already established and funded ecosystem.
The two-track structure offers flexibility: Track A suits entities with a solution that fits one of the 24 documented demand slots (or can credibly address a similar gap in one of the 15 demonstrators), while Track B is the right path for entities looking to deepen their involvement in the Wood, Plastic, or Leather pilot sectors
The 6-month duration and co-funding requirement (40% own contribution) mean this call is best suited to entities with an already-developed solution and an available internal budget to match. That said, the combination of up to €60,000 in direct funding, access to a live circular manufacturing testbed, hands-on integration support from the CIRCULOOS technical team, and visibility within a growing European circular economy network makes it a compelling proposition for the right applicant.
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