The 2016 bioeconomy report is the first JRC science for policy report addressing the bioeconomy across its sectors as well as from angles such as bioeconomy policies,legislation and funding, jobs and growth, and the environment. However, holistic approaches to bioeconomy research and monitoring are still at an early stage. Therefore, this report cannot yet provide a comprehensive description and evaluation of the ‘state’ of the bioeconomy; it rather reflects the current state of ‘knowledge’ about the bioeconomy. The report was prepared in cooperation with experts from the EC’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), other EC directorates-general (DG) (especially DG Research and Innovation) and external experts, and in consultation with the EC’s Bioeconomy Inter-Service Group (ISG).