100 results found
Developing agroecology living labs and lighthouses for climate action under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership
Code: 37069 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025
Agroecology is a holistic approach based on using ecological processes and optimising them to support agricultural production .
By working more closely with nature and ecosystem services, it has the potential to increase the cyclicality, diversification and autonomy of farms, to address climate challenges while maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, and to promote the full transformation of agricultural systems and agricultural value chains, from input substitution and beyond.
Making food systems more resilient to food safety risks through the deployment of technological solutions
Code: 37063 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025
Proposals must contribute to all of the following areas:
- in the areas of food safety and food fraud, many efforts have been made in the framework of European Framework Programmes to generate knowledge and potential applications.
- support innovation to drive advances in the food system, implementing digital and technological solutions at high TRL that address existing gaps in food safety and/or food fraud.
- Identify existing regulations and provide recommendations on which technologies could use sandboxes to drive future commercialization.
Open topic: Innovating for on-farm post-harvest operations, storage and transformation of crops into food and non-food products
Code: 37060 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025
Under this theme, proposals should test, develop and pilot innovative solutions to support farmers to improve their position in value chains, benefit from the valorisation of their agricultural products and improve their financial sustainability.
Proposals should improve the climate and environmental performance of the resulting farmers’ activities and businesses.
Emerging and future risks to plant health
Code: 37058 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025
Plant health is vital for agriculture, forestry, ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity on a global scale.
The current EU legislative framework on plant health plays a vital role in protecting the EU from the introduction of new plant pathogens, as well as in combating existing plant pathogens more effectively.
Preparing farmers, their workforce and advisors to the future of agriculture by providing the relevant knowledge, skills and competences at the right time and place
Code: 37050 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-14 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
Knowledge, skills and competences are key factors for a more competitive, sustainable and resilient agriculture.
However, in many EU Member States there are growing concerns about the lack and mismatch of knowledge, skills and competences among farmers working in diverse and rapidly changing environments.
In order to be prepared for and benefit from the various climatic, environmental, technological, socio-economic and other relevant drivers of change, the rural community, in particular farmers, their workforce and their advisors, should be able to acquire and put into practice the relevant knowledge, skills and competences, at the right time and in the right place, in a lifelong pathway.
Strengthening knowledge and skills of advisors and integrating them within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) via an EU advisory network
Code: 37046 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-13 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
The advisers are best placed to encourage farmers to change their practices to improve the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of agriculture.
They must be able to translate knowledge and provide specific, targeted and practical solutions for farmers, tailored to specific local conditions.
They should be prepared to provide innovation support services based on the interactive innovation model.
They should also be able to use different data sources to analyse farm performance over time, covering the three dimensions of sustainability, and thus provide informed, holistic advice to farmers.
Increasing knowledge flows to practice within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) via thematic networks
Code: 37041 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-12 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
Research results, innovative solutions, practical knowledge and best practices are not sufficiently known, disseminated and used in practice, despite continuous investment in R&D to support farmers and/or foresters and/or rural communities to become more competitive, sustainable and resilient.
Enhancing sustainability and resilience of agriculture, forestry and rural development through digital twins
Code: 37037 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-11 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
Given that around a third of EU citizens live and work in rural areas, it is vital to empower rural communities – farmers, foresters and other rural actors – in the transition towards sustainability and resilience so that no one is left behind.
In this context, digital twin technology has attracted attention over the last decade because of its potential to address challenges in many application areas and to transform the way businesses and public administrations operate.
However, research and innovation related to the use of digital twins in rural areas and related key economic sectors, in particular in agriculture and forestry, is still limited.
Digital twins require further exploration, innovation, testing and demonstration in order to realise their full potential and achieve a higher level of maturity and scalability in different territorial and sectoral contexts.
Exploring options to resolve land and sea use competition
Code: 37020 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-05 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
A sustainable and circular bioeconomy is based on management that guarantees the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, while providing sufficient biomass to produce the food, materials and energy needed for human well-being.
On the one hand, we see a decline in biodiversity, a gap in carbon storage by ecosystems or a lack of capacity of the biosphere to absorb pollutants.
On the other hand, increasing competition for biomass use between food, materials and energy suggests a possible sustainable biomass gap in Europe.
Boosting the attractiveness of agriculture and the connection between the farming community and society
Code: 37009 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-03 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
With the current challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, new working patterns and changes in consumer behaviour, there is a need for a more innovative and sustainable agriculture in the EU.
However, the EU agricultural sector has been facing a steady decline in the workforce over the last fifteen years, also dependent on demographic challenges such as the ageing of the farming population.
Therefore, the need to attract and support new and young farmers is critical. The incentives, commercial character and business models of agriculture have changed due to recent climate and environmental challenges and new opportunities offered by technological and digital innovations, but at the same time due to social and economic factors.
Upscaling innovative payments to support farmers in the delivery of agri-environment-climate public goods
Code: 37006 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-02 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 24/09/2025
Payments for environmental services are financial incentives that recognise and support farmers for voluntary interventions that contribute to the provision of public goods.
Research and practical experiences from a variety of public and private sector initiatives have provided evidence and guidance on cost-effective and well-contextualized design to support practitioners.
Implementing more outcome-based, collective or spatially coordinated approaches to payment conditionality rules is among the key recommendations for achieving the best possible outcomes.
The ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR)
Code: 36971 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-01 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Removing carbon dioxide (CDR) in an environmentally safe, socially acceptable and economically sustainable way is essential for the implementation of European and global climate policies.
There is considerable uncertainty regarding scalability and short, medium and long-term effectiveness and impacts on marine ecosystems and human health.
Monitoring, reporting, verification and mitigation of non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions and related air pollutants from agriculture
Code: 36967 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-04 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Most of the emissions can be attributed to methane and nitrous oxide, which come from livestock production and release from agricultural soils, in particular due to fertiliser use and manure management.
Additional efforts in this area are needed to achieve the EU’s climate objectives, in particular climate neutrality by 2050.
Developing innovative phytosanitary measures for plant health – focus on systems approach for pest risk management
Code: 36963 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 25/09/2025
Plant health is vital for agriculture, forestry, ecosystems and biodiversity on a global scale.
However, maintaining healthy crops is becoming increasingly difficult due to climate change, biodiversity loss, globalisation and international trade, which accelerate the spread of pests and diseases.
Overcoming the barriers for scaling up circular water management in agriculture
Code: 36959 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), water scarcity affects 30% of the EU population, with economic losses of up to €9 billion per year.
Droughts are increasing in frequency, magnitude and impact, and the affected area is expanding. Agriculture is the main water user in some Member States and associated countries.
Additional activities for the European partnership on animal health and welfare
Code: 36957 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
The objective of this action is to continue to support the European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare identified in the strategic plan “Horizon Europe” 2021-2024 and implemented for the first time under HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-2: European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare, and in particular to fund additional activities.
Strengthening the EU crop breeding research and innovation ecosystem for competitive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture
Code: 36954 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-09 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Crop production is facing increasing challenges, such as the urgent need to adapt to climate change, improve water and nutrient use efficiency , protect biodiversity, improve soil health, reduce environmental impacts and ensure food security and resilience.
Addressing these complex issues requires innovative solutions and the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources to develop resilient and adaptable crops.
Exploring the potential of controlled environment agriculture (CEA)
Code: 36951 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-08 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) refers to any form of agriculture that controls and optimises environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, light or nutrient concentration.
Examples of CEA include greenhouses, vertical farms, greenhouses, building-integrated agriculture, hydroponics, hydroponics, aeroponics, and other practices where technological advances allow for precise regulation of growing conditions.
CEA optimisation offers advantages in terms of resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and crop quality, providing a promising alternative to traditional agriculture to meet the growing global demand for food, especially in the face of climate change and urbanisation.
Additional activities for the European partnership on accelerating farming systems transition – agroecology living labs and research infrastructures
Code: 36947 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European Partnership for Accelerating the Transition of Agricultural Systems – Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024.
Enhancing plant protein production to bolster the resilience of agricultural systems and EU self-sufficiency in plant protein used as feed
Code: 36908 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Currently, the cultivation of protein crops, such as pulses and fodder legumes, represents only a small percentage (around 3 %) of the EU’s agricultural area.
While there is no significant shortage in the supply of protein for nutritional purposes in the EU, there is a greater shortage in the feed sector, resulting in high levels of imports (especially soya) from countries that often have different environmental and social standards.
It is therefore of strategic importance for the EU to expand domestic production of protein crops, including mixed crops as a source of feed.
Understanding and managing medium and longer-term challenges and opportunities for agriculture stemming from shifting climatic zones and changing agroecological environments
Code: 36905 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-03 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Average global temperatures have risen by about 1.5 °C globally since pre-industrial times; temperatures in Europe – the continent with the fastest warming – are rising at about twice that rate.
As temperatures increase, previously stable climate zones (i.e. long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation and seasonal variations) are shifting to higher latitudes (towards the poles) and higher altitudes (where possible).
These changes affect both natural and managed ecosystems and the services they provide, altering the distribution and abundance of many plant species and their life cycles, with consequences for crops and other forms of agricultural land use, including livestock.
Improving grassland management in European livestock farming systems+
Code: 36868 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Good grassland management is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture in the EU and associated countries, as well as for the provision of multiple ecosystem services such as water purification, erosion and flood prevention, carbon sequestration and food production, and for the conservation of biodiversity.
Grasslands can also play an important role as a source of protein crops for animal feed. They are key elements of European socio-cultural landscapes.
Nutrients produced by microorganisms utilising primarily CO2 from the air, with the support of biotechnology
Code: 36864 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-14 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Innovations using microorganisms have the potential to offer benefits in various sectors such as agriculture, food and feed, industry, the environment, the marine/aquatic sector and biodiversity.
The use of microorganisms genetically modified for precise fermentation is an innovative approach that could contribute significantly to safer food systems.
This biotechnology harnesses the potential of microorganisms to produce nutrients, such as enzymes, fats and other valuable compounds, with high yield and specificity.
It is therefore a key area for investment and research that promises to revolutionise the food system and contribute to a healthier planet.
Fostering animal breeding and genetics for climate change adaptation and mitigation, improved robustness and resilience
Code: 36861 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-07 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025
Breeding and genetic improvements are some of the tools that can help the livestock sector to increase the efficiency and sustainability of production, to adapt to changes in the environment (e.g. harsh climatic conditions, health risks, changes in feed quality or availability) and to contribute to reducing emissions.
By selecting specific traits that are important for adaptation and mitigation purposes and incorporating them into breeding programmes, farmers and breeders can contribute to more sustainable livestock systems.
Environmental impacts from the production of agricultural crops for bio-based industrial systems
Code: 36820 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
It focuses on the environmental impact of biomass production, without covering the full life cycle of the uses of this biomass, nor the utilisation of waste and residues.
Pilots of long-term climate impact forest monitoring sites: Linking stand-level information and remote sensing
Code: 36747 | Identifier Code: FORWARDS | Programme name: Funding under projects | Start submission calls: 19/06/2025 | End submission calls: 24/08/2025
FORWARDS is a Horizon Europe project that will prototype the ForestWard Observatory, a pan-European monitoring and evaluation tool that will help demonstrate the impact of climate change on forests and guide decision-making for practical forest management.
European partnership: Forests and Forestry for a Sustainable Future
Code: 36732 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-15 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
As the main instrument for cooperation between public organisations from EU Member States and associated countries in forest-related fields , the Partnership will facilitate coordinated research and innovation actions on the diverse forestry challenges in Europe, involving a wide range of stakeholders, thus reducing the fragmentation of relevant R&D.
The Partnership should mobilise key partners and stakeholders, such as ministries responsible for research, forest and environment-related sectors, funding agencies, research organisations, research infrastructures, foresters, industry, NGOs, international networks, etc.
Τhis partnership will mobilise research and innovation to accelerate the transition to a sustainable forest bioeconomy to enhance forest sector value, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Breeding for resilience: enhancing multi-stress tolerance in crops
Code: 36730 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 05/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025
Crop production faces significant challenges due to climate change and the need to adopt low-input practices, including efficient water use, to reduce the environmental impact while ensuring food security. Issues such as salinity, extreme weather conditions like droughts, waterlogging, high temperatures, and emerging patterns of pests and diseases severely impact crops, resulting in reduced productivity and yield losses. Crop responses to multiple stresses differ from their responses to single stresses. Therefore, attention should be given to enhancing crop tolerance to combinations of multiple abiotic and biotic stresses, thus better reflecting real-life agricultural conditions.
To address these challenges, it is crucial to evaluate local crop varieties, which are often better adapted to specific environmental conditions and stresses. Identifying local varieties with high plasticity enhances crop resilience and agro-biodiversity. Developing agro-ecological practices to improve stress tolerance will further support these efforts, promoting low-input practices and enhancing the overall adaptability of agricultural systems. Additionally, broad-spectrum strategies for improving stress tolerance in crops should be developed. Smart and future-proof breeding programmes need to systematically consider characteristics that enhance crop resilience and adaptation to these demands.
Harmonising and optimising composting plants performances in Europe
Code: 36729 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-12 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
The Waste Framework Directive allows for the collection of waste that meets the relevant standards for packaging that can be recovered through composting and biodegradation, together with bio-waste. For example, the collection of bio-waste with industrially compostable plastic bags is encouraged (Communication on the “EU Policy Framework for Bio-based, Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics” COM(2022). Harmonisation of the performances of industrial composting plants in the EU would help meeting the targets for bio-waste collection and the quality of resulting compost.
Provide digital solutions tailored to small and medium-sized farms to monitor and sustainably manage agricultural inputs and natural resources
Code: 36722 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-06 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
A key challenge for the agricultural sector is to provide food in a context of increasing global population, climate change and price volatility while reducing pollution and preserving natural resources and biodiversity for future generations. Farmers should be able to adopt innovative solutions to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the farming sector while lowering its environmental footprint. However, still many farmers, particularly small and medium-sized ones, do not have easy access to monitoring and decision support systems and tools fed with data reflecting local conditions and farm characteristics.
Digital and data technologies offer solutions to monitor environmental parameters (e.g. soil conditions, water and air quality, nutrients content and availability) in a cost-efficient manner while supporting decision-making of natural resources and inputs management.
Bioprospecting and optimised production of the terrestrial natural products: new opportunities for bio-based sectors
Code: 36652 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-08 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
The aim of this action is to broaden the range of novel compounds, lowering the production costs, quicken the development pipeline, and enable more innovation for the industrial operators, with clear-cut benefits for the final users (consumers and industries).
The scope covers immense diversity of terrestrial micro- and macro-organisms and their communities, which represents a rich and largely unexplored reservoir of natural products and their base ingredients (e.g. plants, fungi, microorganisms etc. are in scope).
Supporting the implementation of nature restoration measures for sustainable farming systems
Code: 36648 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-10 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025
Farmers play a pivotal role in addressing biodiversity loss while ensuring food production and quality, thereby contributing to overall food security. To support biodiversity-friendly agriculture, it is essential to first list demonstrated farming practices and ecosystems that benefit biodiversity. Next, there is a need to assess the socio-economic impact of nature restoration measures on the agricultural sector and the individual farm, as well as develop and improve existing incentives and their interplay. A key element for a wide adoption of such practices by farmers is demonstrating production and labour benefits, or at least maintaining economic competitiveness in the implementation of nature restoration measures. Moreover, specific targets for agricultural ecosystems outlined in the EU Nature Restoration Regulation necessitate that applied research lays the foundation for Member States to effectively comply and design appropriate and successful strategies. Therefore, environmental, economic, and social benefits, as well as potential trade-offs between nature restoration measures and food security and quality (production and availability) should be demonstrated over different time frames. These should be developed with farmers in mind: short-term and immediate impact on production, their businesses, and nature, as well as medium and long-term.
Survey preparation in the EU: Pest survey cards for 12 regulated pests
Code: 36637 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-PLANTS-04 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 08/05/2025 | End submission calls: 15/07/2025
The purpose of this call is to develop pest survey cards to support the EU MSs in the preparation of pest surveys for 12 regulated pests in the EU. The work consists in characterising:
- the pests,
- the population of host plants targeted by the surveys and
- the methods of detection and identification for these pests and when possible grouping the pests.
Thermal ecology and biology of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (false codling moth) in East Africa
Code: 36633 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-PLANTS-01-02-Lot2 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 30/04/2025 | End submission calls: 23/07/2025
The objective this call is to address, by collection and analysis of experimental and observational evidence, key knowledge gaps identified during EFSA plant health risk assessment and preparedness activities on invasive insect plant pests and on insect vectors of invasive plant pathogens.
This call is divided into three specific groups. Applicants may apply for one or more groups.
Lot 2: focuses on understanding the thermal ecology and biology of the different life stages of the false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in East Africa, to reduce key risk assessment uncertainties on this pest.
Ecology of insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in EU table grapes outbreaks
Code: 36631 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-PLANTS-01-01-Lot1 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 30/04/2025 | End submission calls: 23/07/2025
The objective this call is to address, by collection and analysis of experimental and observational evidence, key knowledge gaps identified during EFSA plant health risk assessment and preparedness activities on invasive insect plant pests and on insect vectors of invasive plant pathogens.
This call is divided into three specific groups. Applicants may apply for one or more groups.
Lot 3: focuses on understanding the role of insect vectors and putative vectors in the spread of the quarantine plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa in table grape vineyards during outbreaks in the EU, in order to support risk assessment and control of Xylella fastidiosa epidemics in table grapes.
Taxonomy and biology of Leucinodes species (grass moths) from Africa
Code: 36628 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-PLANTS-01-03-Lot3 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 30/04/2025 | End submission calls: 23/07/2025
The objective this call is to address, by collection and analysis of experimental and observational evidence, key knowledge gaps identified during EFSA plant health risk assessment and preparedness activities on invasive insect plant pests and on insect vectors of invasive plant pathogens.
This call is divided into three specific groups. Applicants may apply for one or more groups.
Lot 3: This grant aims to enhance knowledge on the taxonomy and biology of the shoot and fruit borers African Leucinodes species (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sub-Saharan Africa, to reduce key risk assessment uncertainties on this group of moths affecting solanaceous crops in Africa.
Valorisation of untapped forest biomass
Code: 36600 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-RIA-01 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 03/04/2025 | End submission calls: 18/09/2025
Forest managers often face challenges in implementing more sustainable practices. Additional value can be gained from forestry (both monocultured and mixed forests), agroforestry and horticulture as well as from their residual streams, and from the biomass removed for fire, flood, drought, and disease prevention. Valorisation of such biomass streams can contribute to address the risk of forest abandonment while preserving biodiversity. This is particularly important where the resulting forest or forest-like biomass is low in volume, value, or both. The available biomass mainly consists of small wood, damaged wood (e.g., wood affected by parasites), and various types of wood from mixed forests. Additionally, it includes non-wood biomass, such as shrubs, bark, cork, branches, and resin. These kinds of biomass generally have low or even negative economic value, meaning they often need to be disposed of at a cost. Typically, this biomass is burned locally for energy or simply incinerated, releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere and providing little or no economic benefit to forest managers. This topic should explore valorisation pathways for the targeted feedstock beyond bioenergy and biofuel production.
Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources
Code: 36582 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2025-IA-03 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 03/04/2025 | End submission calls: 18/09/2025
The overarching challenge of ensuring sufficient sustainable availability of proteins for human and animal nutrition is far from being solved. The shift towards sustainably sourced alternative proteins can contribute to building food system resilience. If the proteins are sourced locally, this can also reduce dependency on protein imports as highlighted in the European Protein Strategy. Many alternative protein sources already exist and increasing R&I efforts is needed to boost their uptake as a key nutritional food ingredient, while ensuring safety and acceptability to consumers/end-users. Previous R&I projects, dealing with alternative proteins, have been mainly focused on studying new production technologies, providing relevant contribution to developing new knowledge. There is still the need to foster innovation by scaling-up processes enabling to respond to end-user needs, decreasing production costs and improving circularity.
PRIMA – Section 1 – Farming Systems in the Nexus 2025 Topic 1.2.1-2025 (IA) Enhancement of Sustainable Farming Systems within Mediterranean Wetlands for Conservation and Coexistence
Code: 36531 | Identifier Code: Topic 1.2.1 - 2025 | Programme name: PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (2018 – 2028) | Start submission calls: 03/04/2025 | End submission calls: 15/07/2025
Aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal and EU Nature restoration law, and the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, the initiative to enhance wetland restoration in the Mediterranean serves as a catalyst for achieving the EU’s climate goals outlined for both 2030 and 2050. It aligns with the Union for the Mediterranean’s Greener Med Agenda 2030, which underscores the pivotal role of wetlands in furnishing vital ecosystem services for the region’s environmental well-being and economic advancement. Wetlands are regions where water influences the environment, fostering a unique ecosystem rich in biodiversity.
Establishing capacities for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe
Code: 36209 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-BIOHAW-03 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 25/03/2025 | End submission calls: 22/05/2025
This call aims to build capacities (infrastructure for capturing/sampling wild birds, and testing/sequencing of samples) for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds by creating a network of surveillance nodes in Europe.
- Lot 1: Establishing capacities for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe – Wadden Sea Region
- Lot 2: Establishing capacities for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe – Western Black Sea Region
Support to EFSA for the risk assessment of pesticides
Code: 36085 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2025-PREV-02 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 04/03/2025 | End submission calls: 22/05/2025
The main objective of the call is to award a four-year Framework partnership agreement (FPA) with multiple organisations belonging to the Article 36 list that will support EFSA for tasks on pesticides falling within the mission of the EFSA PREV, PLANTS and FDP units. The tasks will be related to risk assessments of active substances used in plant protection products, and to risk assessments of pesticide residues in food and feed. This type of cooperation between EFSA and organisations sharing at national level the same objectives of human health and environment protection regarding plant protection products will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and experience between EFSA and these organisations and will increase the overall efficiency of the EU regulatory processes in this sector.
Support for simple programmes targeting Canada, USA or Mexico
Code: 35795 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-SIMPLE-2025-TC-AMERICAS | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 22/01/2025 | End submission calls: 23/04/2025
The general objective of the AGRIP Programme is to enhance the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector.
The specific objectives of this Programme are to:
- increase awareness of the merits of EU agricultural products and of the high standards applicable to the production methods in the EU;
- increase the competitiveness and consumption of EU agricultural products and certain food products and to raise their profile both inside and outside the EU;
- increase the awareness and recognition of EU quality schemes;
- increase the market share of EU agricultural products and certain food products, specifically focusing on those markets in third countries that have the highest growth potential;
- restore normal market conditions in the event of serious market disturbance, loss of consumer confidence or other specific problems.
Information provision and promotion programmes targeting one or more of the following countries: Canada, USA or Mexico.
The objectives of these programmes shall comply with the general and specific objectives set out and the aims listed in Article 2 and 3, respectively of Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014 highlighting in particular the specific features of agricultural production methods in the Union, particularly in terms of food safety, traceability, authenticity, labelling, nutritional and health aspects, animal welfare, respect for the environment and sustainability (including climate benefits such as the greenhouse gas emissions reduction and/or increase in carbon removals), and the characteristics of agricultural and food products, particularly in terms of their quality, taste, diversity or traditions.
Support for simple programmes promoting Organic products under Union quality scheme OR Union sustainable agriculture and animal welfare in any third country/ies
Code: 35790 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-SIMPLE-2025-TC-ORG-SUST | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 22/01/2025 | End submission calls: 23/04/2025
The general objective of the AGRIP Programme is to enhance the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector.
The specific objectives of this Programme are to:
- increase awareness of the merits of EU agricultural products and of the high standards applicable to the production methods in the EU;
- increase the competitiveness and consumption of EU agricultural products and certain food products and to raise their profile both inside and outside the EU;
- increase the awareness and recognition of EU quality schemes;
- increase the market share of EU agricultural products and certain food products, specifically focusing on those markets in third countries that have the highest growth potential;
- restore normal market conditions in the event of serious market disturbance, loss of consumer confidence or other specific problems.
The objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality scheme on organic production as well as to highlight the sustainability of Union agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for the climate, the environment and animal welfare.
Organic products under Union quality scheme OR Union sustainable agriculture and animal welfare in any third country/ies
Code: 35776 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-MULTI-2025-TC-ORG-SUST | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 22/01/2025 | End submission calls: 23/04/2025
The general objective of the AGRIP Programme is to enhance the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector.
The specific objectives of this Programme are to:
- increase awareness of the merits of EU agricultural products and of the high standards applicable to the production methods in the EU;
- increase the competitiveness and consumption of EU agricultural products and certain food products and to raise their profile both inside and outside the EU;
- increase the awareness and recognition of EU quality schemes;
- increase the market share of EU agricultural products and certain food products, specifically focusing on those markets in third countries that have the highest growth potential;
- restore normal market conditions in the event of serious market disturbance, loss of consumer confidence or other specific problems.
The objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality scheme on organic production, as well as to highlight the sustainability of Union agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for the climate, the environment and animal welfare.
Union sustainable agriculture and animal welfare
Code: 35774 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-MULTI-2025-IM-SUSTAINABLE | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 22/01/2025 | End submission calls: 23/04/2025
The general objective of the AGRIP Programme is to enhance the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector.
The specific objectives of this Programme are to:
- increase awareness of the merits of EU agricultural products and of the high standards applicable to the production methods in the EU;
- increase the competitiveness and consumption of EU agricultural products and certain food products and to raise their profile both inside and outside the EU;
- increase the awareness and recognition of EU quality schemes;
- increase the market share of EU agricultural products and certain food products, specifically focusing on those markets in third countries that have the highest growth potential;
- restore normal market conditions in the event of serious market disturbance, loss of consumer confidence or other specific problems.
The objective is to highlight the sustainability of Union agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for the climate, the environment and animal welfare.
Support for information measures relating to the Common Agricultural Policy for 2025
Code: 35057 | Identifier Code: IMCAP-2025-INFOME | Programme name: Information Measures for the Common Agricultural Policy (IMCAP) | Start submission calls: 15/10/2024 | End submission calls: 16/01/2025
The general objective of the call is to raise awareness about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) within the EU, amongst all citizens, farmers and non-farmers alike and to disseminate information about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the key messaging should be fully consistent with the Commission’s legal requirement to carry out information measures on the CAP within the meaning of Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116.
The CAP plays a key role in supporting the EU’s farming sector and rural areas. It aims to ensure a competitive and sustainable agriculture model with respect to economic, social and environmental aspects.
The information measures should specifically focus on the role of the CAP and CAP Strategic Plans:
- in supporting a fair and sufficient income for farmers),
- in ensuring food security and the long-term competitiveness of EU agriculture,
- in the resilience and the transition to sustainable food production systems, including for the livestock sector,
- in supporting generational renewal and improving gender balance and participation of women, and
- in strengthening the position of farmers in the value chain and protecting them from unfair trading practices.
Pilots of long-term climate impact forest monitoring sites: Providing temporally resolved ecosystem-level information on the effects of climatic drivers on forest structure and function in near real-time
Code: 34620 | Identifier Code: FORWARDS - G-06-2024 | Programme name: Funding under projects | Start submission calls: 31/07/2024 | End submission calls: 31/10/2024
This call aims to set up pilots for long-term climate impact forest monitoring sites across Europe. Current long-term forest monitoring networks provide important information on the impact of climate change on forests. Still, most monitoring networks are not particularly focused on assessing climate change impacts. With this call, the aim is thus to increase the potential of existing forest monitoring sites – especially but not inclusively ICP Forests, ICOS or LTER sites (i.e., sites which already provide a basic set of monitoring data) – to assess the impact of climate and climatic extremes on trees and forests.
Supporting the CBE JU Deployment Group on Primary Producers
Code: 34512 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024-CSA-03 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 24/04/2024 | End submission calls: 18/09/2024
Primary producers are at the beginning of the circular bio-based value chains as biomass suppliers. They also play an important role as producers and end-users of bio-based products and innovations. As such, they have a critical role in the deployment of circular and bio-based innovations. However, do not always fully benefit from the opportunities that this can offer to them and are often not entirely integrated into the bio-based value chains together with other actors. The long-term economic viability of novel bio-based business models, from which the primary producers can benefit, is sometimes uncertain and affected by associated technical barriers but also by policy, regulatory & legal barriers as well as for other unpredictable climatic or global circumstances.
The CBE JU Deployment Groups are established in accordance with articles 22 and 56 of the Council regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings, taking also into consideration the CBE Impact Assessment and the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Under this framework, a specific Deployment Group of primary producers will be established to provide advice to CBE JU on critical issues encountered by primary producers with an impact on the deployment of circular bio-based solutions and innovations. In particular, the Deployment Group on primary producers will address opportunities and challenges faced by the primary sector which constitutes critical issues for the deployment of circular bio-based solutions and innovations and to ensure that primary producers benefit from their involvement in new and innovative circular and bio-based value chains.
The Deployment Group will be composed by a flexible and balanced group of stakeholders representing the primary sector, including the agricultural; forestry; and fisheries & aquaculture primary sectors. The proposal should engage primary producers from different regions and pedo-climatic zones in Europe.
Bio-based value chains for valorisation of sustainable natural fibre feedstock
Code: 34446 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024-IAFlag-03 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 24/04/2024 | End submission calls: 18/09/2024
Sustainable agricultural and forestry practices can deliver feedstock meeting industry requirements (such as fibre yield, quality) while ensuring all aspects of sustainability, thus offering significant opportunities not only for industrial competitiveness, but also for climate change mitigation, rural development, and transition to low carbon bioeconomy.
The scope covers the establishment of industrial fibre crop production systems, compatible with the biodiversity protection and enhancement, and soil health, not interfering with (and where applicable taking advantage of synergies with) with food value chains through sustainable cultivation practices as well as maintenance or enhancement of soil health, soil carbon sequestration potential, soil regeneration, contributing to environmental benefits.
The scope includes fibres from primary non-woody crops and/or wood-based fibres, as well as fibres from the respective residues and side streams. The scope excludes algae, while higher aquatic plants are included proven they have a starting TRL at least 6. Both long and short fibre applications are in scope. Natural fibres (including modified fibres) are in scope, while synthetic bio-based fibres are excluded. The scope also includes tackling bottlenecks in trait optimization and cultivation practice where applicable.
Managing forest peatsoils
Code: 34419 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01-08 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 08/10/2024
Peatlands can provide multiple ecosystem services such as timber production, climate regulation, water quality control, flood abatement, biodiversity conservation, as well as recreational benefits. However, this potential is compromised due to drainage. Alternative soil management practices for forest peat soils, in particular through the combination of rewetting techniques and forest management (with the exclusion of afforestation), have the potential to improve the environmental, climate and economic performance of peatlands, as well as reduce the impacts of forest harvesting on nutrient, sediment and dissolved organic carbon exports. In particular, practices are needed that effectively address trade-offs from forests multifunctionality and apply an integrated approach to their management (considering biodiversity, climate change challenges, bio-economy needs etc.).
This topic does not cover agricultural emissions.
Commodity risk assessment for ornamental plants and plant products
Code: 34278 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-PLANTS-2024-03 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 11/07/2024 | End submission calls: 01/10/2024
This call for proposals aims to identify organisations for which tasks falling within the plant health mission of the PLANTS unit can be entrusted by EFSA. In particular, these tasks regard the commodity risk assessment and/or assessment of commodity treatments for the evaluation of the technical dossiers sent by Third Countries for High Risk Plants or for request of derogation of import prohibitions.
Pathway to animal welfare quantitative risk assessment: piloting a standardised collection of Animal Based Measures in pigs
Code: 34127 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2024-BIOHAW-01 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 23/05/2024 | End submission calls: 14/11/2024
The scope of this call is to select (existing and new) animal-based measures (ABMs) and related management-, resources- and environmental-based (so called ‘context’) data from sows and piglets and from different housing systems and practices, including slaughter, to collect in the field on a large scale and in a harmonised way across EU MSs. These data are to be used for developing a freely accessible prototype Database for analysing the correlation between ABMs and related context data and enabling future quantitative risk assessment of the welfare on-farm of sows and piglets.
Soil health, pollinators and key ecosystem functions
Code: 34053 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2024-SOIL-01-05 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 08/10/2024
Pollination is a key ecosystem service for crops and food production. Therefore, a specific focus on pollinating insects is required. Many solitary wasps and 70% of wild bees nest below ground and require protection during this crucial period of their lifecycle.
Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:
- Improved knowledge and understanding of the biology and ecology of insect species spending part of their life cycle on or in the soil, with specific focus on ground-nesting pollinators.
- Better understanding of the major causes of the decline of these insects and the synergistic effects of various threats, including the quantitative and qualitative aspects related to the magnitude of their decline.
- More effective measures to tackle the loss of soil-dependent insects.
Animal Welfare: heat stress in livestock during transport
Code: 33826 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2024-BIOHAW-02 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 28/05/2024 | End submission calls: 31/07/2024
The aim is the identification of Article 36 organisations to develop and validate an algorithm or model that can predict the effective temperature in a livestock vehicle using the weather forecast and the effect of mitigating strategies such the use of mechanical ventilation and varying the space allowance given to livestock.
Citizen and Stakeholder Engagement in CSF and forest restoration
Code: 33645 | Identifier Code: FORWARDS | Programme name: Funding under projects | Start submission calls: 30/04/2024 | End submission calls: 01/09/2024
FORWARDS is a project funded by the European Union that will prototype the Forest-Ward Observatory, a pan-European monitoring and evaluation system that will help assess how European forests respond to the impacts of climate change. It will document current restoration activities concerning forests, biodiversity, carbon, and soils and explore various restoration options to guide decision-making processes towards climate-smart forest management.
This call will support activities that employ various levels of engagement ranging from local community initiatives to larger regional or national programmes in Europe.
European Partnerships – Accelerating farming systems transition (AGROECOLOGY)
Code: 33268 | Identifier Code: EP/AGROECOLOGY/0424 | Programme name: THALIA (2021-2027) – Cohesion Policy Funds | Start submission calls: 11/04/2024 | End submission calls: 26/09/2024
Participation in the “Accelerating farming systems transitions” (AGROECOLOGY) European Partnership, aims to encourage local enterprises and other organisations to participate in transnational research and development projects to support the agroecological transition of farming systems.
Section 1 – Farming Systems in the Nexus 2024 Topic 1.2.1-2024 (IA) – Transformative Adaptation of Mediterranean dry farming systems using water harvesting techniques to address extreme drought in arid and semi-arid environments
Code: 32505 | Identifier Code: Topic 1.2.1-2024 (IA) | Programme name: PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (2018 – 2028) | Start submission calls: 02/02/2024 | End submission calls: 25/09/2024
This call for proposals aims to address the challenges of dry-farming in arid Mediterranean areas by integrating traditional and modern hydro-technologies to create sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. The focus is on systems that prioritise the use of saline-resistant and drought-resistant species or underutilised species with minimal water requirements, adapted to seasonal rainfall variations, and tolerant to solar radiation and elevated temperatures, including halophytes, cacti, and similar plants.
Support for simple programmes promoting Organic products under Union quality scheme OR Union sustainable agriculture and animal welfare in any third country/ies
Code: 32351 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-SIMPLE-2024-TC-ORG-SUST | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 18/01/2024 | End submission calls: 14/05/2024
For Information provision and promotion programmes concerning the organic products under Union quality scheme the objective is to increase the awareness and recognition of the Union quality scheme on organic production.
Union sustainable agriculture and animal welfare
Code: 32338 | Identifier Code: AGRIP-SIMPLE-2024-IM-SUSTAINABLE | Programme name: Promotion of agricultural products | Start submission calls: 18/01/2024 | End submission calls: 14/05/2024
The objective is to highlight the sustainability of Union agriculture, stressing its beneficial role for the climate, the environment and animal welfare.
Establishing capacities for active surveillance of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in Europe
Code: 31773 | Identifier Code: EUBA-EFSA-2023-BIOHAW-06 | Programme name: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) | Start submission calls: 15/11/2023 | End submission calls: 21/02/2024
The objectives of the call are to
- establish a network of surveillance nodes across Europe
- build long-term capacities and partnerships for active surveillance of HPAI viruses in wild birds
- complement already existing (i.e. in wild birds found dead, injured or sick; in wild birds trapped or hunted with or without clinical signs, in sentinel wild birds) or planned surveillance activities
- provide a pipeline for rapid detection and identification of avian influenza viruses
- get a fuller picture of avian influenza viruses circulating in Europe and thereby increase the genetic pool available for further analyses
Topics under this Call:
Pilots of long-term climate impact forest monitoring sites
Code: 31443 | Identifier Code: FORWARDS | Programme name: Funding under projects | Start submission calls: 31/10/2023 | End submission calls: 15/01/2024
The primary aim of this call is to support additional measurements providing long-term data on forest functioning and forest disturbance impacts to better understand the impact of climate change on various time scales and to be able to link ground-based information to remotely sensed data. To achieve this aim, supported projects must address the following points:
- provide temporally resolved ecosystem-level information on the effects of climatic drivers on forest structure and function in near real-time.
- better link the ground-based monitoring information to satellite imagery for European forest monitoring
Thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice
Code: 31387 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-9 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
Successful proposals will focus on sharing knowledge in a language that is understandable and targeted at farmers and foresters. They will address primary producers’ need for unbiased and tailored knowledge about management options relevant to the needs, challenges or opportunities they face.
They will also accelerate innovation and acceptance of results and will be key to improving sustainability. They will contribute to effective Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
Research findings are often not incorporated into agricultural and forestry practice.
Land use change and local / regional climate
Code: 31369 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-4 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
The conservation and enhancement of Earth’s natural terrestrial carbon sinks such as soils and plants in forests, on farmed lands as well as peatlands and wetlands is crucial. The European Green Deal and EU sectoral policies such as the common agricultural policy give research and innovation (R&I) a significant role to play in supporting the design and implementation of policies that will ensure the achievement of the EU’s climate objectives.
Project implementation is expected to contribute to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and to help achieve climate-neutrality in the land-use sector by 2035 (combining net removals from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry with biogenic emissions from agriculture) and climate neutrality of all sectors by 2050.
Demonstrating Nature-based Solutions for the sustainable management of water resources in a changing climate, with special attention to reducing the impacts of extreme droughts
Code: 31364 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024
Due to the changing climate, many European regions are already facing more frequent, severe, and longer lasting droughts. Extreme droughts can have cascading effects; e.g., they reduce water levels in rivers and ground water, stunt tree and crop growth, increase pest attacks, favour the occurrence of sand drifts and storms and fuel wildfires. Moreover, impacts of extreme droughts accumulate over time across large areas, and the effect can linger for years. In areas with an intense demand for water supply, the impacts of droughts add up to the stress imposed to water systems by human activities.
Nature-based Solutions are highly adaptable to respond to changing local conditions and are often more cost and resource efficient than purely technological approaches in the longer term.
River basin management plans are still limited in the recognition of NBS capacity to contribute to drought resilience. Furthermore, we are still missing more and longer-term evidence of the combined effects of different designs and combinations of NBS operating in different contexts (urban, peri-urban and rural) and/or at different scales and/or different climatic zones, in what regards the sustainable management of water resources to reduce the impacts of extreme droughts. At the same time, the co-benefit that these NBS may bring to reduce hydrogeological risks such as flood peaking and stabilising hydrographs for both droughts and floods is still to be demonstrated.
Promoting pollinator friendly farming systems
Code: 31359 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-6 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
The production of many crops depends on pollinators. Different types of measures are needed to tackle the causes of pollinator decline, enhance crop pollination, and promote pollinators in agriculture. Many crops have specific traits, which have been identified to enhance crop–pollinator interactions. This could also improve crop yields, nutritional resources for pollinators and promote a pollinator-friendly agriculture.
Pollination activities are also impacted by variety (genotype), environment, and management practices (GxExM). Pollinator-specific planning needs to consider temporal and spatial crop management and other strategies of management (e.g., field margin composition and structure) to enhance pollination services.
Animal nutritional requirements and nutritional value of feed under different production management conditions
Code: 31339 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-5-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024
The proposed project will focus on existing or alternative source of nutrients using value chain approaches to maximize feed production and feed use efficiency, supporting the local environment and farm circularity.
The aim is to optimise the use of local feedstuffs, shorten supply chains and rely more on local resources. It is important to investigate content, availability and digestibility of nutrients in locally available feedstuffs in different pedo-climatic regions and livestock systems, without compromising feed safety and efficiency.
Increasing the availability and use of non-contentious inputs in organic farming
Code: 31265 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024
Promoting the use of more sustainable agricultural practices is a policy objective enshrined in the European Green Deal and its related strategies. Strengthening organic agriculture, one of the objectives of the EU’s farm-to-finish and biodiversity strategies, can go a long way towards achieving this ambition and, therefore, the climate ambition, as the organic farming contributes directly and significantly to the storage of carbon in soils and biomass. In addition, the Commission Communication “Ensuring food security and strengthening the resilience of food systems” highlights the role that organic agriculture can play in reducing the EU’s dependence on external inputs, as organic agriculture is recognized, among other things, for limiting the use of off-farm inputs.
Organic legislation allows the use of a specific set of products with less impact on the environment and soil. It is important to continue to explore ways to phase out and replace questionable inputs used in organic farming and to increase the availability, accessibility and use of alternatives to these products. In this way, due attention should be given to system approaches that take into account the entire agricultural system and its relationship to the soil and landscape levels. In addition, to address the needs of farmers in this sector, socially innovative solutions are required.
Paludiculture: large-scale demonstrations
Code: 31238 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-3 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
This topic will support the European Green Deal, notably its climate objectives and the EU proposal for a nature restoration law of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. Earth’s natural terrestrial carbon sinks, in particular peatlands and wetlands, are expected to play a crucial role in reaching EU climate objectives thanks to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems with large potential for carbon sequestration.
Improving irrigation practices and technologies in agriculture
Code: 30842 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-1 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Successful proposals will contribute to increasing the resilience of agriculture to drought with innovative irrigation systems that increase efficiency in water management.
From silos to diversity – small-scale bio-based demonstration pilots
Code: 30813 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-6-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024
The current economy system is based on an intensive consumption of fossil fuels in a way that severely compromise the future of the planet due to the severe consequences in climate change. Europe’s future economic growth and jobs will increasingly have to come from innovation in sustainable products based on renewable resources and in line with the climate and biodiversity objectives. This topic addresses innovative business models and technology options in primary production sectors to unlock the potential of the bioeconomy in rural areas and to efficiently use underutilised biomass, in particular side streams from agriculture and forestry, for high value applications in small-scale bio-based demonstration pilots.
Selective breeding programme for organic aquaculture
Code: 30802 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-9 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Breeding under organic conditions is essential to achieve the objectives of organic aquaculture and respect its principles. Breeding is at the same time essential to allow the farmers to reach good productive results and efficient use of the resources under organic production conditions.
Proposals should plan breeding programs under organic aquaculture for the main European aquaculture finfish species, i.e. seabass, seabream, trout and salmon. They should breed organic juveniles under organic production conditions respecting high animal welfare standards and should aim to improve species resilience, diseases resistances and feed efficiency satisfying nutritional needs using as much as possible alternative feed materials to increase production sustainability.
Tackling outbreaks of plant pests
Code: 30705 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-4-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Plant health is of global importance for agriculture, forestry, natural ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Plant health is threatened by species injurious to plants and plant products, which present a greater risk of being introduced into the Union territory due to globalisation, trade and climate change. The prevention of entry and, if arrived within the EU territory, early detection and eradication are part of the plant health policies to avoid significant impacts in agriculture, forestry and environment by plant pests.
Proposals should target one or more plant pest(s) that are either Union quarantine plant pests present in the EU or Union quarantine pests which are priority pests in the EU, and that are of concern for agriculture and/or forestry, with the exception of plant pests targeted in Horizon Europe. Research activities should improve methods for an effective implementation of the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), whilst reflecting the move towards innovative biological and other non-chemical control and resistance breeding.
Societal perceptions and benefits of rural life and jobs: will COVID 19 generate a long-lasting shift?
Code: 30685 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-2 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Rural areas are often described by the challenges they face: depopulation, demographic change, low income levels, limited access to services, low connectivity, discontent caused by the feeling of being overlooked and limited resilience. However, rural areas can be places of opportunities. Overall, there are increasing demands from the society that are putting pressure on rural areas and the Covid-19 crisis showed how important it is to keep essential services, e.g. the agri-food production that is an important part of the rural economies, active. To better respond to rural areas needs and challenges, and to revert the negative trends that affect the well-being of rural communities, it is important to better understand how rural life is perceived by urban and rural dwellers and to build a new narrative, based on facts, that highlight the opportunities of these places.
New sustainable business and production models for farmers and rural communities
Code: 30683 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
EU agri-food value chains are diverse and dynamic, enabling them to meet the various consumers’ expectations, potentially helping producers increase value added. At the same time agriculture is characterised by a stagnant and low share of value added in the value chain due to: high input costs, structure of the food value chains (concentration upstream and downstream), variation in production and incorporation of new services. Therefore, rural communities as well as farmers are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable business and production models that consider not only economic but also both social and environmental aspects. Moving towards more sustainable business and production systems requires adequate tools and measurement methods to assess and monitor the multi-performance of farms and rural businesses under different conditions.
This topic is focused on new sustainable business and production models for farmers and rural communities.
Successful proposals are expected to clearly address only one of the following areas: area A or area B.
Agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock systems and wildlife management
Code: 30661 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-1 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock farming systems, which include a large number traditional activities in Europe such as grazing systems, mountain livestock farming, transhumance, silvo-pastoral and agroforestry systems, offer beneficial effects to animal production and to habitat maintenance, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and soil protection.
The increased demand for natural resources by human population with the consequent fragmentation of wildlife habitat, together with the increased population of wild animals and the change in land use have often resulted in human-wildlife conflicts.
The implementation of a common and integrated approach at EU level is required to optimize the management of the co-existence of terrestrial wildlife (large carnivores, ungulates) and agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock systems at landscape level.
The successful proposal will help policy makers and other actors to monitor and improve the management of farming and terrestrial wildlife relationships, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services.
EU-African Union cooperation on agroforestry management for climate change adaptation and mitigation
Code: 30651 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-10 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Achieving sustainable agricultural production that fosters both climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity preservation and enhancement is a policy objective that implies finding a balance with farm productivity, socio-economic viability and wider sustainability goals. Agroforestry systems have the potential to increase ecosystem services – including soil carbon sequestration, water retention, erosion control, soil nutrients, pollination, pest- and disease-control – and biodiversity, while improving farming productivity, profitability and sustainability of farmers’ incomes. Implementation of agroforestry in the EU and the AU needs to be boosted in order to maximise this potential. The management of agroforestry systems is critical for their positive impact on climate and the environment as well as to ensure a balance with productivity and profitability for farmers. This is essential to promote the uptake and long-term sustainability of agroforestry.
Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice
Code: 30615 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-8 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
The successful proposals will focus on knowledge sharing in a language that is easy to understand and targeted to farmers and foresters. They will address the necessity of primary producers for impartial and tailored knowledge on the management choices related to the needs, challenges or opportunities they experience.
They will contribute to effective Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), thereby adding value to the knowledge and cost-effectiveness of innovative practices and techniques in and across primary production sectors, food and bioeconomy systems, and lead to more informed and engaged stakeholders and users of project results.
Enhancing working conditions and strengthening the work force through digital and data technologies – the potential of robotics and augmented reality in agriculture
Code: 30598 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-7 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
Digital and data technologies can facilitate the work in agriculture, enhance working conditions and mitigate the challenge of a lack of work force, by which some branches and regions are affected. They have the potential of making farm-related jobs more attractive, including for younger generations, and to make them safer. Digital and data technologies can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of applications, including for instance through a higher level of precision, and thus increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. Automation is increasingly used in agriculture; frequently, the cost-effectiveness of innovative digital and data technologies still presents a bottleneck to their use in the sector, particularly in fields where their application is not primarily relevant for increasing process efficiency and effectiveness. Technical solutions based on augmented reality approaches offer many opportunities to facilitate and enhance the use of digital technologies in agriculture, to enhance the performance of digital tools, and to provide remote assistance, which is important for remote businesses, particularly in rural areas.
A successful proposal will contribute to transition to a fair, healthy and resilient agriculture.
Developing EU advisory networks on sustainable livestock systems
Code: 30585 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-13 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
The successful proposal will focus on advisor exchanges across the EU in order to increase the speed of knowledge creation and sharing, capacity building, demonstration of innovative solutions, as well as helping to bring them into practice, which accelerates the necessary transitions. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), in which advisors play a central role, are key drivers to speed up innovation and the uptake of research results by farmers.
This specific topic focuses on the important role that advisors can play in relation to boosting sustainable livestock systems in the future.
Organic farming thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice
Code: 30583 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-10 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
Successful proposals will support the objectives of the European Green Deal, including on climate change, of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and of the farm to fork strategy, notably its target to reach at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. This topic addresses the necessity of organic farming producers for impartial and tailored knowledge on the management choices related to the needs, challenges or opportunities they experience. Successful proposals will speed up innovation and the uptake of results, and will contribute to effective Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
This topic aims at supporting the achievement of the farm to fork strategy target of at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, for which knowledge and best practice exchange among farmers and across the EU and Associated Countries are fundamental, as it is recognised in the action plan for the development of organic production[4]. In this respect, it also aims to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, including carbon farming uptake.
Demonstrating the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions
Code: 30577 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-7 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
This topic is focused on the demonstration of the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions.
Developing EU advisory networks on forestry
Code: 30572 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-12 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
This specific topic focuses on the important role advisors can play related to more sustainable forestry in the future.
Biodiversity thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice
Code: 30570 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-11 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024
This topic is focused on biodiversity thematic networks.
Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
- Support the implementation of the cross-cutting objective of modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture and rural areas, and encouraging their uptake.
- Collection and distribution of easily accessible practice-oriented knowledge on the thematic area chosen, in particular the existing best practices and research findings that are ready to be put into practice.
- Maintenance of the practical knowledge for the long-term – beyond the project period – in particular by using the main trusted dissemination channels that farmers/foresters most often consult.
- Increased flow of practical information between farmers/foresters in the EU in a geographically balanced way, creating spill-overs and taking account of the differences between territories.
Reintroduction of landscape features in intensive agricultural areas
Code: 30535 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-7 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
Successful proposals will contribute to develop and improve practices in agriculture to support and make sustainable use of biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystems services.
There is a need to reintroduce nature to improve the state of the environment by delivering ecosystem services and as a contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation. In particular it is needed to achieve ecological corridors, in conjunction with other multifunctional Nature-based Solutions.
This topic is focused on reintroduction of landscape features in intensive agricultural areas.
Socio-economic, climate and environmental aspects of paludiculture
Code: 30529 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-2 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024
This topic is focused on socio-economic, climate and environmental aspects of paludiculture.
The European Forest Institute (EFI) – Establishing Climate-Smart Forestry and forest restoration pilots in Europe G-04-2023
Code: 30292 | Identifier Code: G-04-2023 | Programme name: Funding under projects | Start submission calls: 31/07/2023 | End submission calls: 31/10/2023
The aim of this call for grants is to set up Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF) and forest restoration pilots across Europe as a basis for developing an evidence-based understanding of effective CSF and restoration management practices in supporting climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity.
Improved toolbox for evaluating the climate and environmental impacts of trade policies
Code: 30038 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL5-2024-D1-01-04 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Climate, Energy and Mobility (Cluster 5)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/09/2023 | End submission calls: 05/03/2024
Actions are expected to cover all of the following areas:
- Study and quantification of the effects of trade on the climate and the environment
- Study and quantification of the effects of trade policy on the climate and the environment
- Methodology and toolbox related aspects
Food Waste for Stakeholders 2023
Code: 29620 | Identifier Code: SMP-FOOD-2023-FW-STAKEHOLDERS-AG | Programme name: Single Market Programme (SMP) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 13/06/2023 | End submission calls: 21/09/2023
This call for proposals aims to support stakeholders in taking actions to address consumer food waste (both in- and out-of-home), covering types of actions such as behavioural change interventions, education and training, the elaboration and implementation of food waste prevention guidelines, food waste monitoring programs, awareness raising campaigns and communication materials, and development of new business models.
Optimised forest-based value chains for high value applications and improved forest management
Code: 29058 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-R-02 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
European forests are important providers of multiple feedstocks and services including biomass used for a wide variety of uses, where the assurance of sustainability plays a key role. However, they are presently facing increasing pressure from climate change and other environmental pressures.
Forest operators need to adapt to these fast-changing conditions to ensure the continued role of forests in providing biomass, enhancing biodiversity and absorbing atmospheric carbon. Sensing, data acquisition and predictive technologies can prove a key enabler for data-driven decision making in forest-based operations. These range from maintaining forest health through monitoring and corrective actions, to quality control of wood and non-wood biomass, to support decision making on the best application of each biomass (wood and non-wood, when applicable) component.
Selective, sustainable production routes towards bio-based alternatives to fossil-based chemical building blocks
Code: 28995 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IA-06 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
The production of a wider portfolio of bio-based platform chemicals is presently at low maturity, and CAPEX (and OPEX) investments are still needed to scale up production.
The bio-based platform chemicals portfolio remains relatively limited, with an approximate of 90% of the global bio-based production capacity accounted by a limited amount of platform chemicals. It is essential to progress further with the market penetration of bio-based chemicals, with a holistic consideration of sustainability across the value chain.
Optimised and integrated wood-based value chains
Code: 28991 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-IAFlag-01 | Programme name: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking | Start submission calls: 26/04/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
This topic aims to considerably increase resource efficiency by promoting cooperation of companies of different scales and other actors and move towards “zero waste, zero pollution” operations. The feedstock in scope of the topic are woody biomass from sustainably managed forests and wood industry side streams and residues.
For this purpose, seamless and efficient integration of processing technologies of main and side flows of woody biomass between various companies and other actors is needed, specialising manufacturing of diverse materials and products. This may be achieved by the creation of a symbiotic ecosystem with clusters of companies of different scale and technology providers using the residual streams of large-scale industrial plants, but also exploiting the technical opportunities from emerging manufacturing systems.
Nature & Biodiversity and Circular Economy & Quality of Life
Code: 28856 | Identifier Code: LIFE-2023-PLP-NAT-ENV | Programme name: LIFE: Environment & Climate Action | Start submission calls: 18/04/2023 | End submission calls: 07/09/2023
The proposed projects shall aim to address the following specific needs identified by the Member States in the sub-programme Circular Economy and Quality of LIFE in the sub-programme Nature and Biodiversity.
Circular Economy, resources from Waste, Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Chemicals, Bauhaus
Code: 28828 | Identifier Code: LIFE-2023-SAP-ENV-ENVIRONMENT | Programme name: LIFE: Environment & Climate Action | Start submission calls: 18/04/2023 | End submission calls: 06/09/2023
The aim is to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energyefficient/climate-resilient economy and toward a toxic-free environment as well as to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment.
The specific objective is to cover one or more of the following topics (the description is further detailed in the sections afterwards):
1. Circular Economy and Waste
2. Air
3. Water
4. Soil
5. Noise
6. Chemicals
7. A new European Bauhaus
Nature and Biodiversity
Code: 28818 | Identifier Code: LIFE-2023-SAP-NAT-NATURE | Programme name: LIFE: Environment & Climate Action | Start submission calls: 18/04/2023 | End submission calls: 06/09/2023
Projects should fall under at least one of the two areas of intervention:
Intervention area: “Space for Nature”
Any project aimed at improving the condition of species or habitats through areabased conservation or restoration measures falls within the eligible scope of the intervention area “Space for Nature”. This may include, for example, projects for restoring or improving natural or semi-natural habitats, or habitats of species, both within and outside existing protected areas. This may also include projects for creating additional protected areas (or improving the biodiversity focus and contribution of existing protected areas), ecological corridors or other green infrastructure, projects testing or demonstrating new site management approaches, projects acting on pressures, etc.
Intervention area: “Safeguarding our species”
Any project aimed at improving the condition of species (or, in the case of invasive alien species, reducing their impact) through any relevant activities other than area-based conservation or restoration measures falls within the scope of the intervention area “Safeguarding our species”. Considering the broad range of threats that may act on species in addition to the degradation of their habitats, such projects may apply to a wide range of relevant measures, spanning from hard infrastructural works to awareness raising of stakeholders.
Section 2 Multitopics 2023
Code: 27551 | Identifier Code: Section 2 | Programme name: PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (2018 – 2028) | Start submission calls: 23/01/2023 | End submission calls: 05/04/2023
The topics that have opened under the present call are the following:
- Thematic Area 1-Water management: Topic 2.1.1-2023 (RIA) New governance models to define best practices for sustainable water management and conflict mitigation.
- Thematic Area 2-Farming systems: Topic 2.2.1 (RIA) A step toward carbon-neutral farms: coupling renewable energy sources with circular farming systems.
- Thematic Area 3-Food value chain: Topic 2.3.1 (RIA) – Assessing novel antimicrobial food packaging and coating materials to reduce food waste to improve safety in the Mediterranean food supply chain.
The proposal must be submitted by the coordinator of the transnational project centrally to PRIMA and all the partners must submit the first stage pre-proposal to their National Funding Agency.
The deadline for the submission of stage 1 pre-proposals to PRIMA is 29 March 2023, 17h00 (Brussels time). The deadline for the submission of stage 2 full proposals to PRIMA is 13 September 2023, 17h00 (Brussels time).
The deadline for the submission of stage 1 pre-proposals to RIF is 05 April 2023, 13h00 (Cyprus time). The deadline for the submission of stage 2 full proposals to RIF is 20 September 2023, 13h00 (Cyprus time).
Innovations to prevent and combat desertification
Code: 27147 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2023-SOIL-01-04 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 17/01/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
In 2017, 25% of land in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe was estimated to be at high or very high risk of desertification. The risk is likely to have further increased since then, and to continue increasing because of accelerating climate change and continued pressures from land use and land-use change. Desertification leads to loss of biodiversity, of organic carbon and of other land-based ecosystem services, including reduced agricultural and forest productivity. Desertification further amplifies global warming through the release of CO2 and other greenhouse gases linked with the decrease in vegetation cover. Thus, it has severe environmental, social and economic consequences which need to be urgently tackled.
Carbon farming in living labs
Code: 27130 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2023-SOIL-01-09 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 17/01/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
Carbon farming can be defined as a green business model that rewards land managers for taking up improved land management practices, resulting in the increase of carbon sequestration in living biomass, dead organic matter and soils by enhancing carbon capture and/or reducing the release of carbon to the atmosphere, in respect of ecological principles favourable to biodiversity and the natural capital overall.
Living labs are collaborations between multiple partners that operate and undertake experiments on several sites at regional or sub-regional level. Individual sites could be e.g. farms, forest stands, urban green or industrial areas, enterprises and other entities, where the work is carried-out and monitored under real-life conditions, regardless of the land size, tenure (land ownerships) or the type of economic activity.
Lighthouses are individual, local sites (one farm, one forest exploitation, one industrial site, one urban city green area, etc.) that either can be part of a living lab or be situated outside a living lab.
Mission Climate adaptation, Mission Ocean & waters and Mission Soil Deal for Europe – Joint demonstration of an integrated approach to increasing landscape water retention capacity at regional scale
Code: 27082 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-OCEAN-SOIL-01-01 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 17/01/2023 | End submission calls: 20/09/2023
This joint topic aims to support at least 75 full-scale deep demonstrations of climate resilience, to the Mission Ocean & Waters’ objective 1, protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, and objective 2, prevent and eliminate pollution of marine and freshwaters. It also contributes to the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), as well as to the freshwater objectives of the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 on the re-naturalisation of rivers and the restoration of floodplains.
Landscape water retention capacity is understood as the ability of water bodies, soils and other ecosystems to retain water after it has fallen as precipitation; it is fundamental for the protection of biological diversity as life depends on water. High landscape water retention capacity prevents accelerated surface run-off, increases water content in soils and surface and ground water availability for vegetation, improves the quantity and quality of groundwater and aquifer recharge, reduces soil erosion and nutrient run off into surface water bodies, and improves local micro-climate by reducing local air and biomass temperature. As such, it has the potential to prevent and mitigate impacts of extreme hydrological events such as floods and to act as a buffer against heat extremes.
Projects should demonstrate socio-ecological approaches and nature-based solutions to increase landscape and soil water retention capacity, leading to improvement of quality and quantity of ground and surface waters in the area where they are deployed, and boosting resilience to climate change impacts.
Supporting the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions
Code: 27068 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-10 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023
Projects results are expected to contribute to the outline widespread best practices showing the economic, social and environmental opportunities and the challenges of transforming GHG-intensive economies, such as coal mining, intensive agriculture such as livestock or crop production, forestry, and fisheries, and peat production, towards circular bioeconomy model regions.
Monitoring the multi-functionality of European forests
Code: 27065 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-14 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023
To adequately manage forests and the services they provide, reliable, up-to-date, and coherent European forest information is more important.
This topic addresses the design of a comprehensive forest information system that aligns information on forest state, ecosystem services (including biomass) provision and socio-economic ecosystem services demand.