The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe. CBE JU is operating under the rules of Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme, for the 2021-2031 period. The partnership is building on the success of its predecessor, the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), while addressing the current challenges facing the industry. The CBE JU is the legal and universal successor of BBI JU in respect of all contracts, grant agreements and liabilities. The CBE JU’s objectives are ensuring a high level of bio-based industrial systems’ environmental performance, accelerating the development and market deployment of bio-based innovative solutions. CBE JU organises yearly calls for proposals supporting research and innovation, de-risking investments, addressing market challenges, placing sustainability at the heart of the projects, strengthening the collaboration of all bioeconomy actors and engaging with stakeholders along bio-based value chains.