PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area is the most ambitious joint programme to be undertaken in the frame of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

The overall objective of the PRIMA programme is to build research and innovation capacities and to develop knowledge and common innovative solutions for agro-food systems, to make them sustainable, and for integrated water provision and management in the Mediterranean area, to make those systems and that provision and management more climate resilient, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally and socially sustainable, and to contribute to solving water scarcity, food security, nutrition, health, well-being and migration problems upstream.

Aligned with the priorities of the European Green Deal, including the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, as well as the EU climate adaptation and mitigation ambitions for 2030 and 2050, successful proposals will focus on scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NBS). These solutions will enhance water security and improve the management of water-related risks amidst a changing climate, emphasising principles such as green, blue, and circular approaches (e.g., Natural Water Retention Measures, NWRMs) to mitigate the impacts of extreme events and water pollution.

The funding rate is up to 70%, except for non-profit legal entities in which case the funding rate is 100%.

PRIMA estimates that a contribution of around €2.725.000 and with a duration of 36 months would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

• Environment and Climate Change
• Research, Technological Development and Innovation
• Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
• Water - Management of Water Resources

• Businesses
• International Organisations
• Legal Entities
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Other Beneficiaries
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
• State-owned Enterprises

Legal entities established in the following countries and territories will be eligible to receive funding through PRIMA grants (Participating States): Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Tunisia and Turkey.

In addition, the following entities are eligible to receive funding through PRIMA grants:

• European Research and Innovation Organisations (ERIOs)

Any European Research and Innovation Organisations (ERIOs), as defined in Article 22 of the Horizon Europe Regulation (EU) 2021/695, are eligible for funding, regardless of where they are established.

•  International European Interest Organisations

Any international European interest organisation, as defined in Article 2(1), point (12), of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013, or Entities outside Participating States is eligible for funding for activities under Article 3(1), point (a), of Decision (EU) 2024/1167. The place of establishment for these organisations does not affect their eligibility for funding.

In the case of a participating international organisation or of a participating legal entity established in a country that is not a Participating State, neither of which is eligible for funding, funding by PRIMA-IS may be granted provided that at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

• participation of the international organisation or legal entity concerned is deemed to be essential by PRIMA-IS for implementing the action. An applicant from such an organisation may be eligible for funding if their involvement provides distinct benefits to the consortium, including but not limited to: access to unique know-how or expertise; specialized research infrastructures; specific geographical environments relevant to the research; involvement of key partners in emerging markets; access to exclusive data or resources;
• participation of such entities is foreseen in the Work Programme and the possibility of such funding is provided for under a bilateral scientific and technological agreement or under any other arrangement that ensures the protection of the financial interests of the Union, which is concluded between the Union and the international organisation or, for an entity established in a country that is not a Participating State, the country in which that legal entity is established.

Participants from countries not listed above can participate, but they must fund their participation.

Consortium composition

At least 4 legal entities established in at least 3 different countries considered as Participating States. Each of the three must be established in a different country considered to be PRIMA Participating State by submission deadline under the relevant call, out of which:

• at least 1 must be established in an EU Member State or a third country associated to Horizon Europe and not being a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC); and
• at least 2 must be established in a third country bordering the Mediterranean Sea (MPC).

All legal entities must be independent of each other.

MPC countries: Algeria, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey.

Research and Innovation Foundation

Competent RIF Officer:
Savvia Alexandraki
Email: salexandraki@research.org.cy
Τelephone: +357 22205070

For questions related to this call for proposals, please contact Marco Orlando: marco.orlando@prima-med.org.

• PRIMA website
• Call Text
• Guide for Applicants
• PRIMA Annual Work Plan for 2025