Grants for bioeconomy projects
Businesses of all sizes across Norway involved in the production, processing and distribution of bioresources. The scheme is open to both individual businesses and partnerships that develop and test new products, services and solutions based on bioresources.
Projects centred on research and/or the development of new solutions based on bioresources. The projects must help renew bio-based value chains and enable more efficient and environmentally friendly use of resources.
The projects must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help develop more resource-efficient, circular value chains based on bioresources from land, forests and the sea.
Projects may include developing new products, services and technologies, as well as building pilot and demonstration facilities in Norway to test solutions or apply existing technology in new ways.
You must document and quantify the environmental impact by comparing the solution with the best available technology. You can express the impact in terms of CO₂ equivalents, energy use, percentage improvements or other relevant metrics. You must also describe any negative impacts, such as increased resource consumption.
See our page on the EU taxonomy for tools that can help you quantify the environmental impact.
The grant covers a proportion of the project's approved costs, including personnel costs. Read more about approved hourly rates.
The scheme primarily funds development activities, including testing and demonstration, aimed at creating new solutions. We provide funding in line with the relevant block exemptions (GBER) under the State aid rules.
We encourage collaboration between companies, particularly where this can strengthen the project's market potential. In some cases, such collaboration may qualify for a collaboration bonus.
Other funding
You can combine the grant with SkatteFUNN or loans from us, provided that the total public funding complies with state aid rules. You must include any other public funding in the financing plan in your application.
The grant supplements other funding, such as equity or loans from owners and banks. It should reduce, but not eliminate, the owners' risk, and we emphasise a balanced mix of public and private funding.
- Standalone measures to address your own climate and environmental challenges that cannot be applied elsewhere, or that do not aim to support development and wider adoption across bioeconomy value chains
- Routine or regular improvements to existing products, production lines, processes, services or operations
- Projects that are not aligned with the EU taxonomy, such as solutions with an indirect and limited impact on the climate and environment
- Ordinary operating costs
- Marketing and sales activities
- Feasibility studies and preliminary projects (applies to 2026)
The grant covers a proportion of the project's total costs, including personnel costs. More information about approved hourly rates.
We assess innovation projects based on three main criteria:
Level of innovation
Developing something substantially new or significantly improved compared with the best solutions available on the market. The project must be based on relevant research and development activities.
Expected impact
Clear potential to create value and deliver positive outcomes for both the company and society. This includes a solution that can be commercialised, has a defined market and clear potential for profitability, and contributes lasting value through knowledge, jobs and stronger international competitiveness.
Ability to deliver
Your company must have the necessary expertise, capacity and funding. The project must also be firmly embedded in your company’s strategy and have the full support of its management and owners. You must demonstrate that you can deliver the project.