Sustainable and healthy diets for cardiovascular diseases prevention with the support of digital applications

Opened

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

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.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-09

Call

Sustainable and healthy diets for cardiovascular diseases prevention with the support of digital applications

Summary

The topic is relevant to the EU policies related to the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative, the Commission Communication on the European Health Union and the Council conclusions on the improvement of cardiovascular health in the European Union, the R&I Food 2030 framework and the Strategy for European Life Sciences.

Detailed Call Description

Proposals should address all the following activities:

  • investigate the host-microbiota interactions, standardised biomarkers, involving inflammatory and metabolic pathways or other pathways to elucidate the relationship between changes in the diet, the gut microbiome and cardiovascular risk. Develop and test nutrition approaches based on microbiome profiles of different populations (based on gender, age, genetic background). Identify the effects of sustainable and healthy diets on the cardiovascular system using AI and digital tools by considering different groups of the population (based on gender, children, adults and older population);
  • map the existing digital health solutions (including existing hubs) related to the reduction of cardiovascular diseases linked to unhealthy diets and nutrition;
  • develop and provide user friendly digital solutions for authorities, national institutes, and healthcare and nutritional professionals which also consider the cost and the benefits also for the end-users. These solutions should also benefit patients in the monitoring of cardiovascular diseases and individuals identified at risk to develop the disease;
  • ensure that SMEs and start-ups should facilitate the successful deployment and commercialization of digital solutions and should be actively involved in expanding data integration across various healthcare systems and in analysing health data to provide insights on the link between diet and cardiovascular health.

Proposals should involve the effective contribution of SSH disciplines. Experts in behavioural sciences and psychology, for instance, might help better understanding the perception and uptake of digital solutions, the diet consumption aspect and the eating habits of different demographic groups.

The multi-actor approach is encouraged. Proposals should include industry and innovative SMEs in the consortia and ensure an early engagement of authorities, national institutes, healthcare and nutritional professionals, patients as well as experts on advanced digital tools for the co-design, testing and adoption of the digital solutions and tool.

Projects are encouraged to explore complementarities and exploit potential synergies with the projects funded under the topics HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11: Understanding of gender-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases: determinants, risk factors and pathways and HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-TOOL-01: Development of predictive biomarkers of disease progression and treatment response by using AI methodologies for chronic non-communicable diseases, once information on the funded projects is available.

Call Total Budget

€11.800.000

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

70%

Expected EU contribution per project: between €5.00 million and €6.00 million.

Thematic Categories

  • Health
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Information Technology
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation
  • Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
  • Social Affairs & Human Rights

Eligibility for Participation

  • Associations
  • Businesses
  • Central Government
  • Local Authorities
  • 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

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

14/01/2026

Call Closing Date

14/04/2026

National Contact Point(s)

Research and Innovation Foundation

29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Emailsupport@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/

Contact Person:
Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy