Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Build the European food safety knowledge ecosystem, ensuring safe food as the basis for healthy diets and sustainable food systems.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
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.
Detailed Call Description
The main objective of this Lot is to understand 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. Infections caused by X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ST1 in Apulia, the major European production region for table grapes, highlight the urgency of generating primary data to inform effective management strategies. Critical knowledge gaps remain in understanding the vector– pathogen–host interactions within vineyard ecosystems typical of Mediterranean climates.
Furthermore, although vector control is a cornerstone of X. fastidiosa management in other crops, its effectiveness and practical implementation in table grape vineyards—often managed with systems such as “tendone” training and plastic coverings—have not yet been evaluated. A deeper understanding of vector biology, pathogen transmission, and vineyard-specific control practices is essential to safeguard European viticulture against future incursions.
Specific objectives – The specific objectives are:
- Specific objective 1: to investigate the behaviour and ecology of potential insect vectors active in table grapes vineyards in the EU outbreak areas, including their host plant preferences, population dynamics, and seasonal patterns.
- Specific objective 2: to assess the ability of these potential insect vectors to acquire and transmit X. fastidiosa to grapevines under environmental and agricultural conditions specific to European table grape production systems.
- Specific objective 3: to communicate and disseminate the results of the project to scientists and stakeholders.
EFSA has been actively addressing the risk for the EU territory posed by the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa since its first outbreak in olive orchards in South Italy (EFSA, 2013; EFSA Plant health Panel et al., 2015). This bacterium has quickly emerged as a major plant health threat in Europe.
To better understand the likelihood of exotic plant pests establishing, spreading, and causing economic and environmental impacts in the European Union, EFSA applies quantitative risk assessment methodologies, including a range of mathematical and statistical models that quantify the risks associated with different introduction and spread scenarios (EFSA PLH Panel et al., 2018). The results of these assessments inform risk managers and decision-makers at the European Commission and in Member States, helping to guide eradication, containment and surveillance strategies for X. fastidiosa (EFSA PLH Panel et al. 2019; EFSA et al. 2020).
Since its introduction to Europe, this pathogen has caused extensive damage to perennial cropping systems, particularly in the Mediterranean region. While olive trees have been most affected and have drawn significant attention due to widespread decline, the expanding host range of X. fastidiosa (EFSA et al., 2025) poses a growing threat to other agroecosystems.
Infected grapevines exhibit symptoms such as leaf scorch, reduced fruit yield, and eventual vine death, leading to substantial economic losses (Alston et al., 2013).In Europe, in addition to the above-mentioned Apulian outbreak, X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ST1 was previously reported also from Spain and Portugal (EFSA et al., 2025).
Although in Europe native spittlebugs have been identified as vectors of X. fastidiosa, data on their population dynamics, transmission potential, and interactions with host plants remain still incomplete (Di Serio et al., 2019; López-Mercadal et al., 2021). The recent survey in Apulian vineyards by Perfetto et al. (2025) suggests a potential role of Neophilaenus campestris in almondto-grapevine transmission and Philaenus spumarius in secondary grape-to-grape spread. However, the study’s limited temporal and spatial scope emphasizes the need for comprehensive, long-term research to accurately assess risk and guide intervention.
Hence, the role of local xylem-feeding insect vectors requires further investigation in EU grapegrowing areas. The infections by X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa ST1 in Apulia, one of the major European production regions for table grapes, highlight particularly the urgency of generating primary data to inform effective management strategies. Critical knowledge gaps remain in understanding vector–pathogen–host interactions within vineyard agro-ecosystems typical of Mediterranean climates.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Maximum budget available: €350.000.00 for a maximum duration of 48 months from kick off meeting.
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Farming - Forestry
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Rural development
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- International Organisations
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
To be eligible, applicants must be on the list of competent organisations designated by the Member States in accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EC) 178/2002 and Commission Regulation (EC) 2230/2004. This list is regularly updated by EFSA Management Board and is available for consultation using this link https://efsa.force.com/competentorganisations/s/.
In order to achieve the main objective of the call, proposals can be submitted by one eligible organisation or by a consortium of eligible organisations. In case of a consortium, one of the partners must be identified in the proposal as the consortium leader. The applicant (consortium leader) is responsible for identifying consortium partners.
If you are searching for consortium partners, please contact your Focal Point at the following address: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/partnersnetworks/eumembers
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: For proper understanding of this call it is important to have clarity on the terminology regarding involved organisations and their roles.
Proposals submitted by a sole applicant:
The Applicant submits the proposal to EFSA. There can be only one applicant in the proposal.
As soon as the grant agreement is signed, the applicant becomes the beneficiary. The beneficiary is liable for the technical implementation of the project as described in the proposal which becomes Annex 1 of the grant agreement.
The beneficiary:
- Communicates with EFSA;
- Receives and answers all claims EFSA might have in relation to the implementation of the project;
- Requests and reviews any documents or information required by EFSA and verifies their completeness and correctness before passing them to EFSA;
- Informs EFSA of any event that is likely to substantially affect the implementation of the project;
- Submits the deliverables and reports to EFSA;
- Requests and receives payments from EFSA.
Proposals submitted by consortium:
- The Applicant submits the proposal to EFSA on behalf of the consortium. The applicant is the leading entity of the consortium.
- The Partner is the other entity in the consortium. There can be a minimum of one partner or more partners.
Once the grant is awarded, the grant agreement is signed between EFSA and the applicant (leading entity of the consortium).
Partners do not sign the grant agreement directly but instead sign a mandate (template provided by EFSA) authorising the applicant to sign the grant agreement and any future amendments on their behalf.
As soon as the grant agreement is signed, the applicant becomes the Coordinator and partner/s become co beneficiary/ies. The coordinator and co-beneficiary/ies are referred to as the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are jointly and severally liable for the technical implementation of the project as described in the proposal. If a beneficiary fails to implement its part of the project, the other beneficiaries become responsible for implementing that part.
The coordinator has the following important roles:
- Takes part in implementing the project;
- Monitors the action is implemented properly;
- Act as intermediary for communication between the consortium and EFSA;
- Receives and answers all claims EFSA might have in relation to implementation of the project;
- Requests and reviews any documents or information required by EFSA and verifies their completeness and correctness before passing them to EFSA;
- Informs EFSA and the partner/s of any event that is likely to substantially affect implementation of the project;
- Submits the deliverables and reports to EFSA;
- Requests and receives payments from EFSA and distributes the funds to partner/s without unjustified delays.
The coordinator may not delegate the above-mentioned tasks to the co-beneficiary/ies or subcontract them to any third party.
The other beneficiary/ies:
- Take part in implementing the project;
- Forward to the coordinator the data needed to draw up reports, financial statements and other documents required under the grant agreement;
- Inform the coordinator of any event or circumstances likely to substantially affect or delay the implementation of the project.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
For help related to this call, please contact: EFSAProcurement@efsa.europa.eu