Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Microbiomes hold immense potential for food systems applications, but microbiomes are often studied in siloes or one ecosystem at a time. Unlocking the functional diversity of food microbiomes to help develop innovative applications requires a systems approach.
The topic is relevant to the EU policies related to the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Life Science Strategy, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU strategy on research and technology infrastructure, the R&I Food 2030 Framework and the policies related to the digital transition (e.g. AI Act, etc) and contributes to climate action and biodiversity goals.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals should address all the following activities:
- establish a holistic system approach to study the microbiome, and its interaction with its host and/or environment, its function and contribution to ecosystem(s) functions, connecting inter and trans-disciplinary fields of science (e.g. microbiology, ecology, AI and bioinformatics, biotechnology, synthetic/molecular biology, agronomy, plant sciences, etc.);
- investigate existing and new supporting technologies such as multi-omics technologies, high-throughput sampling/phenotyping systems, predictive models, AI, federated learning, cultivation methods and/or in-vitro validated models (e.g. organoids, organ-on-a-chip, genetic and metabolic engineering) for application in integrated microbiome studies;
- establish further synergies between existing infrastructures (for instance, ELIXIR, MIRRI, BBMRI-ERIC, EOSC, etc.) to enhance their capacity to integrate and valorise integrated microbiome data (integrating samples and associated (meta)-data from diverse sources) as well as considering the integration of other environmental, agricultural, nutritional or climate datasets;
- provide references strains and/or samples (e.g. for food safety or holobiont selection), standard protocols, operating procedures and quality control measures through the existing biobanks and data-repositories to support and facilitate further microbiome studies.
Proposals must follow a multi-actor approach, engaging researchers, businesses (including SMEs and startups), public authorities and policy makers, research infrastructures and civil society to co-develop solutions.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
Expected EU contribution per project: between €5.00 million and €6.00 million.
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Food
- Environment and Climate Change
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Businesses
- Central Government
- Educational Institutions
- Natual person / Citizen / Individual
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Services Providers
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: the proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. See definition of the multi-actor approach in this work programme part.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Person:
Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy