Objective
Europe faces urgent challenges in securing sustainable, nutritious protein sources. A reliance on meat and imported soy drives high greenhouse gas emissions, land use change, biodiversity loss, and health risks. Plant-based and other novel protein alternatives are growing, but face limitations in texture, nutrition, and consumer acceptance particularly in delivering authentic whole-cut formats like steaks and fillets, which dominate conventional meat consumption but remain scarce among alternatives.
MycoStruct addresses this gap by scaling up an innovative fermentation platform that produces structured mycelium proteins with natural meat-like texture, superior nutrition, and clean-label simplicity. The process grows semi-solid mycelial structures directly within fermentation vessels, eliminating the need for heavy processing, binders, or additives. The result is a fibrous, steak-like product with >50% high-quality protein, full amino acid profile, and bio-fortified iron and vitamin B12 levels equivalent to beef, while being cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat, and rich in dietary fibre.
The project will scale production tenfold, from pilot to a 5 kL demonstration facility. It will integrate sustainable feedstocks from agricultural and food industry side streams, reducing costs and environmental impacts. Advanced modelling will support scale-up towards 1 kL industrial systems, enabling rapid replication across Europe.
By combining cutting-edge biotechnology with circular economy principles, MycoStruct will deliver sustainable proteins with up to 93% lower greenhouse gas emissions and 99% reductions in land and water use compared to beef. Consumer co-design, sensory testing, and chef-led demonstrations will ensure high acceptance, positioning structured mycelium as a mainstream protein option. The project contributes directly to the EU Bioeconomy, Farm-to-Fork, and Food 2030 strategies, strengthening Europe’s resilience, food security, and sustainability.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.6.6 - Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-IA - HORIZON JU Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
12618 Tallinn
Estonia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.