Submission period closed

Archived funding opportunity

BioBlock Open Call 2025

The call invited visionary projects that advance transparency, FAIR data, and decentralized collaboration in biotechnology.

Funding lines & budget

  • R&D Projects: up to 36 months, maximum €250,000 per partner.
  • Community Sprints: up to 18 months, maximum €150,000 per partner.
  • Praxis Sprints: up to 18 months, maximum €150,000 per partner.
Total budget: approximately €1 million, with at least one project per challenge.

Challenges

  1. Open Challenge — Community Building & Transfer
  2. Blockchain Prototype for FAIR Data Trading
  3. FAIR Data Playground

Eligibility

Universities, research institutions, startups, SMEs, corporations, NGOs, and civil-society organizations could apply. A Praxispartner is a non-academic organization with direct relevance to practice and transfer.

Only entities with a legal seat in Germany can receive funding. Non-EU/EEA/CH entities may participate as associated partners without funding and with limited rights, or as subcontractors through a German partner without exploitation rights.

Timeline

  • Call opened: 12 September 2025
  • Deadline: 10 October 2025
  • Interviews: 24 October 2025, CIC Venture Café (hybrid)
  • Notification: November 2025
  • Earliest start: 1 April 2026 for sprints; 1 July 2026 for R&D
  • Project end: all projects must end by 31 December 2028

Application process

  1. Download and complete the official proposal template, including summary, objectives, implementation, impact, budget, governance and compliance, and the consent checklist.
  2. Submit one PDF with CVs and optional letters of support.
  3. Name the file 2025_BioBlockCall_ProjectAcronym_LeadInstitution.pdf.
  4. Final funding requires a German-language submission through easy-Online.

Governance & evaluation

  • Management Team: fit-to-call check.
  • Stakeholder Advisory Board: expert review.
  • Interviews: shortlisted projects present at CIC Venture Café.
  • PtJ: legal and financial eligibility check.
  • Final decision: after PtJ approval.

Terms

Funding was based on §§ 23 and 44 BHO, AZA, De-minimis, and AGVO. Funding rates ranged from 25–100%, with 100% of eligible costs, including indirect costs, for academic partners. Open Access, GDPR compliance, FAIR data, IPR, and audit rules applied. Funded projects must display the BioBlock, BMFTR, and DATIpilot logos.

Resources