Regional nitrogen and phosphorus load reduction approach within safe ecological boundaries

Code: 12751 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The scope of the topic is to develop a regional/river basin approach. The topic is targeted to stakeholders from regions/river basins or clusters of regions/river basins: local agencies of environmental protection, local administrators, scientists and experts in environmental impacts models. A cluster may be formed by two or more regions/river basins, in the EU and Associated Countries, with very similar characteristics in terms of territorial conditions or being neighbouring regions/river basins.

Key oceanic and polar processes driving regional & global climate change

Code: 12747 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call aim to contribute to strengthening the ocean – climate nexus and our understanding of the ocean and polar regions, as an integral part of the Earth’s climate system. Also,  proposals aim to promote the science for understanding key processes that link the ocean to climate and people, allowing for a better understanding of the nature and magnitude of these processes, and the impact of human activity on them.

Demonstration network on climate-smart farming – linking pilot farms

Code: 12742 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The topic of this Call focuses on the commercial farms, which leds by sustainability-oriented farmers who are eager to pilot existing or new ready-for-practice techniques and demonstrate them to other farmers.

European Partnership Water Security for the Planet (Water4All)

Code: 12725 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Achieving good status of Europe’s surface waters and providing enough water for all, is not only important for the implementation of EU water related policies, it is also an essential element for achieving other EU related policies, such biodiversity, agriculture, climate and energy related policies. Water is also central to all components of the European Green Deal. There is, therefore, a need to produce science-based knowledge to support the European Green Deal and other EU policies by monitoring problems related to water and developing feasible technical and managerial solutions.

Improved understanding, observation and monitoring of water resources availability.

Code: 12720 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Freshwater resources are under increasing stress as a consequence of overuse and climate change with wide-ranging consequences for human societies and ecosystems. To reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems, society and water consuming economic sectors (agriculture, energy, industry) to climate change, it is necessary to enhance the knowledge on water resource availability and use, on future changes to climate and hydrological systems and on risks of extreme weather events.

Unlocking the potential of algae for a thriving European blue bioeconomy

Code: 12718 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call will support the development of algae-based greener aquatic industrial products/processes and/or environmental services sustaining the health of aquatic ecosystems for a healthy planet and people.

Mainstreaming inclusive small-scale bio-based solutions in European rural areas

Code: 12713 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

There are barriers to the adoption and implementation of research results and cooperation between research, advisory services, farmers, foresters and other actors in the supply chain is not adequately supported. Thus this Call focuses on the need of regional platforms for innovation support services in order to help European regions develop their bio-based economies and to increase awareness and knowledge about emerging opportunities as well as the environmental and socio-economic impacts relating to the valorisation of locally or regionally available biomass.

Environmental impacts and trade-offs of alternative fertilising products at global/local scale.

Code: 12708 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The scope of this topic is the assessment of environmental impacts and trade-offs of the production and application of a range of fertilising products derived from secondary raw materials which could replace nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilisers produced from conventional processes (including mining and fossil-based processes) in a life cycle perspective. Examples of alternative fertilising products within the scope include products made from secondary raw materials such as:

• recycled nutrients from urban and industrial waste water and sewage sludge
• organic fertilising products from bio-waste, from any biological residue
• by-products from digestate and from treated manure.

International and EU sustainability certification schemes for bio-based systems

Code: 12706 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Activities under this topic should assess scope, potential and requirements of international and EU sustainability certification schemes and business-to-business labels applicable to biological resources including primary biomass resources and bio-waste and residues intended for bio-based industrial value-chains and to bio-based materials and products, also in complementarity with actions on bio-based innovation and market measures. Relevant initiatives in the field of assessment and certification of environmental sustainability arising from EU policies in the bioeconomy sectors should be taken into account. Traceability of biological resources and bio-based materials and products on a business-to-business level, at the EU and the global scale, should be part of certification, including aspects on primary and secondary biomass and bio-based intermediates in global trade flows and imports into the EU.

Environmental sustainability criteria for biological resources production and trade in bio-based systems: impacts and trade-offs

Code: 12703 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Assessment of environmental sustainability of biological resources production and trades in the bio-based systems is still a challenge. Indicators of such sustainability should build on dynamic perspectives at scales ranging, in space, from planetary to local ecosystems and, in time, from next decade to the end of century and beyond.

Optimisation of nutrient budget in agriculture

Code: 12700 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

There are substantial knowledge gaps regarding the measurement and understanding of the impacts of nutrients flow in different farming practices (conventional, agro-ecological and organic systems, specialised and mix farming systems) at various scales, from local to global, and the capacity to model those impacts.
Therefore, proposals will support the limit and reduction of pollution due to the excess of nutrients and nutrient losses (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) in the environment, stemming from excess use in agriculture. It will contribute with new and enhance knowledge to the development of integrated nutrient management plan.

Promote Europe's availability, affordability, sustainability and security of supply of essential chemicals and materials (IA)

Code: 12693 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Building on the experience gained from flexible production units it would be possible to equip base chemicals production containers with modular and standardised units capable to facilitate a swift shift in the final production outcome. The focus on the proposals under this topic should thus be the development of adaptable chemical plants with flexible outputs.

Establishing EU led international community on safe- and sustainable-by-design materials to support embedding sustainability criteria over the life cycle of products and processes (CSA)

Code: 12690 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The Call focuses on the development of a common understanding of the principles of sustainable-by-design when applied to materials, both products and processes. The challenge is to identify the key dimensions that need to be integrated in a product sustainability performance assessment and enhance a systems approach based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework. The transition to sustainable-by-design is a societal urgency. Thus it is important to establish an inclusive and self-sustained international gender balanced and inclusive network of experts and stakeholders in the materials community to enable multidisciplinary design processes, map skills mismatches and competence gaps, to enable transition towards an overarching framework in which sustainability is the essential entry point into markets. 

Identifying future availability of secondary raw materials (RIA)

Code: 12687 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

A successful transition to a climate-neutral, circular and digitised EU economy relies heavily on a secure supply of raw materials. In order to strengthen EU autonomy and reduce over-dependency, it is necessary to boost domestic sourcing, both for primary and secondary raw materials.

Building innovative value chains from raw materials to sustainable products (IA)

Code: 12682 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Actions under this Call, should develop innovative, sustainable technology and business solutions finishing at the level of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for new high value added and sustainable products with enhanced functional properties based on the EU produced raw materials. The focus is on raw materials necessary for the e-mobility and renewable energy ecosystems including battery raw materials; strategic sectors, such as aero-space and dual-use applications; or on critical raw materials, such as rare earths elements for highly performant permanent magnets.

Innovation for responsible EU sourcing of primary raw materials, the foundation of the Green Deal (RIA)

Code: 12679 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to:

• improve knowledge base of EU and third country critical raw materials to identify new areas for exploration and resource estimation;
• promote the utilisation of UNFC (United Nations Framework Classification for Resources) and UNRMS (United Nations Resource Management System) reporting standards in the raw materials sector;
• accelerate development of EU domestic raw materials exploration projects integrating innovative technologies that can form the basis for new EU SMEs.

Building EU-Africa partnerships on sustainable raw materials value chains (CSA)

Code: 12677 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects aim to steer the development of strategic partnerships for EU-Africa industrial value chains’ integration, improving sustainability (especially environmental and social aspects) in the mining and metal recycling sectors in Africa, including its impacts on biodiversity. Additionallly, have the goal to contribute to eradicating illegal and ethically doubtful supply chains and activities, develop knowledge on raw materials potential in Africa that will facilitate investment and business decisions as well as educe EU vulnerabilities in raw materials sourcing.

Developing climate-neutral and circular raw materials (IA)

Code: 12648 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Scale up promising raw materials recycling from end-of-life products technologies and urban mines, including efficient sorting technologies for separation and recycling.
• Develop demonstration pilot showing that raw materials can be produced in an innovative and sustainable way in order to make sure that research and innovation end up on the market.
• Strengthen the competitiveness of the EU raw materials industries, minimizing environmental impacts and risks, maximise circularity or resources and gain the trust of EU citizens in the raw materials sector.

Ensuring circularity of composite materials (Processes4Planet Partnership) (RIA)

Code: 12645 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Composites are difficult to reuse or recycle as available technologies such as high-temperature pyrolysis, and grinding (to be used as filler material) are either not environment friendly or economically unattractive. Thus it is imperative that technologies are found to reuse and recycle these materials in a useful and sustainable manner. Furthermore, new solutions should also be envisaged to allow their recycling with very few or no need to separate them without a compromise to downcycling.

Laser-based technologies for green manufacturing (Photonics - Made in Europe Partnerships) (RIA)

Code: 12638 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Machine tools include various laser-based technologies such as milling, turning, grinding, laser processing, surface treatment, sintering, forming and additive manufacturing. Projects funded under this topic should integrate state-of-the-art high-power lasers and tailored beams together with quality sensors and real time monitoring systems into advanced manufacturing and re-manufacturing tools.

Zero-defect manufacturing towards zero-waste (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA)

Code: 12636 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call must address the full production line or system, with an holistic approach, with the aim of reducing defects (e.g. rejected components or products) and manufacturing waste. The defect reduction and the overall quality control should be centred on such defects that reduce the yield, acceptance, or qualification of the final product, and enable a “first-time-right” production process.

AI enhanced robotics systems for smart manufacturing (AI, Data and Robotics - Made in Europe Partnerships) (IA)

Code: 12634 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

EU and Associated countries need to strengthen their capacity to manufacture and re-manufacture goods in a sustainable and competitive way to be ready to expand into new value chains. Projects should seize the opportunities arising from the latest state-of the art-developments in AI and robotics to deploy intelligent and autonomous systems for flexible production.

European Technological and Social Innovation Factory (RIA)

Code: 12632 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic concerns the generation of innovations that combine technological and social innovation and engage industry and society to serve the EU’s priorities. It will provide social innovators with financial and capacity building support to develop their ideas into concrete solutions enabling businesses to transform towards more resilience, sustainability and inclusion. It will also promote a new European culture of social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

'Innovate to transform' support for SME's sustainability transition (CSA)

Code: 12628 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Achieving European Green Deal objectives, and notably a climate neutral and resource efficient economy, requires the full mobilisation of SMEs. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to companies redesigning their supply chains and facing a new industrial revolution, brought on by a new generation of advanced technologies, which are underpinning the potential for competitive sustainability of SMEs.

Re-opening industrial sites preparatory action – Promoting a sustainable strategy for Europe’s industrial future (CSA)

Code: 12626 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The objective of this coordination and support action is to analyse the industrial ecosystem of more than 20 regions in Europe and how they could be influenced by comprehensive industrial policies, innovation programs, private investments accompanied with modern regional administration policies and public investment in infrastructures, both digital and transportation. Focus is both, on the growth of the digital industries, and on the transformation of traditional industries and the creation of new business opportunities that could offer the potential for a long term value creation and for new jobs.

Innovation Radar, Tech Due Diligence and Venture Building for strategic digital technologies (CSA)

Code: 12622 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to achieve a scaling up of capabilities in matching EU-funded technology solutions developed by highly innovative sustainable and digital startups with access to finance and growth opportunities including, but not limited to, other European funding instruments, innovation procurement, investors and corporate innovation ventures. Also, they aim to deliver, through tech due diligence and venture-building approaches, a step change in the number of new ventures created and ventures’ ability to attract funding for sustainable and digital innovations developed in EU-funded R&I.

Biomaterials database for Health Applications (CSA)

Code: 12610 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call focuses on the creation of a database of biomaterials, providing detailed information on the chemical-physical, biological and toxicological properties accessible to wide variety of end-users, for e.g. researchers, companies and clinicians for the purposes of evaluating the biological and clinical usefulness also in the areas beyond their intended primary applications. Processing of data should be done in accordance with GDPR provisions.

Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and Antifungal Nanocoatings (RIA)

Code: 12606 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Inorganic nanomaterials have demonstrated enhanced anti-microbial and anti-viral activity. Research areas should address new antiviral and antibacterial nanocoatings for a range of applications addressing use on both surfaces of so-called high-traffic objects (e.g. door and window handles in public places, public transport, hospitals, public buildings, schools, elderly homes etc.) and/or coatings for textiles (e.g. protective clothing in food processing plants, laboratory coats, face masks, etc.).

Advanced materials for hydrogen storage (RIA)

Code: 12604 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to provide commercially attractive and safe new technologies for long-term storage and transport of hydrogen, to enable efficient and safe hydrogen short term storage for example for fuel tanks for automobiles, rail vehicles, ships, airplanes, or stationary storage, etc., eliminating pollution caused by fossil fuels and facilitating the greening of transport. Also, this Call has the goal to achieve elimination of economic dependence for EU’s energy needs. 

Safe- and sustainable-by-design metallic coatings and engineered surfaces (RIA)

Code: 12593 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Metal coatings are applied, to enhance performance characteristics, such as corrosion resistance, colour, attractive appearance, wear resistance, optical properties, electrical resistance, or thermal protection. Applications range from building & construction and consumer goods to catalytic materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and fuel cells and proposals covering all above areas will be welcome.

Design and optimisation of energy flexible industrial processes (Processes4Planet Partnership) (IA)

Code: 12591 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

To support the change of energy supply, current processes, designed to run continuously at maximum capacity, have to be adapted. Besides, energy efficiency measures will help decreasing the overall process energy demand. To leverage the flexibility in process industries, digital process control systems that optimise the process while accounting for the value of flexibility need to be implemented. Digital tools need to be developed to attain the energy flexibility of the process, but also to exchange data with network operators and flexibility markets (through market operators, suppliers and/or aggregators), which will enable industries to provide flexibility services. Powerful digital twins based on suitable combinations of analytical models, physics-based AI or pure AI solutions need to be designed and applied. Moreover, the direct integration of renewable energy generation and the higher overall efficiencies will require further flexibility solutions in process industries.

Improvement of the yield of the iron and steel making (Clean Steel Partnership) (IA)

Code: 12589 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to:

• validate at industrial test scale technologies for impurity removal from scrap or the recovery of metal fractions contained in steel making process residues (that are today mainly landfilled) reaching high recycling rate of residues originated at the demo site up to 40% achieving a metal recovery efficiency up to 90% and a mineral recovery efficiency up to 80%;
• increase the uptake of low-quality scrap grades into high quality steel grades;
• replace the use of pre-consumer scrap grades with high quality clean scrap grades, as well as replace the use of solid pig iron produced by traditional BF process with post-consumer grades;
• reduce the environmental impact by minimizing CO2 emission up to 20% both, directly by internal recycling of the metal fraction derived from residues, or indirectly by increasing the use of scrap as raw material in steelmaking production processes.

Hubs for Circularity European Community of Practice (ECoP) platform (Processes4Planet Partnership) (CSA)

Code: 12587 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Circularity is an essential part of the industry transformation towards climate-neutrality and long-term competitiveness. H4C are defined as first-of-a-kind, lighthouse demonstrator plants of commercial size implementing industrial symbiosis or urban industrial symbiosis with the aim of achieving a step change in circular utilization of resources and GHG emission reductions, within a given representative geographical area. The common target is to collectively achieve and demonstrate at scale a leap towards circularity and carbon neutrality in the use of resources (feedstock, energy and water) in a profitable way.

Automated tools for the valorisation of construction waste (RIA)

Code: 12585 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Reusing and recycling CDW in new constructions, the sector would come closer to the targets of becoming fully circular and climate neutral. Precise quantitative and qualitative waste estimation is crucial for waste management. This could be achieved by utilising digital technologies for instance Building Information Modelling (BIM), material and component tracing, dedicated apps for construction/de-construction and optimize site management. Such tools could provide data about material type and composition (e.g. whether there are hazardous materials that require special care) and quantities, and thus an estimation of the logistics needs, cost, etc. and make waste separation easier and faster, e.g. by combining with automated equipment and robots.

Sustainable Industry Commons (RIA)

Code: 12567 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call is working on the development of tools for industry to enhance efficiency and contributing to less waste and emissions while improving material/product/process quality all along the lifecycle of a product/service system. The developed tools have to be compliant with existing standards, and the proposals should contribute to development and/or creation of new ones.

Creation of an innovation community for solar fuels and chemicals (CSA)

Code: 12565 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Creation of an innovation eco-system gathering the various elements necessary to accelerate the development in the area of introduction of solar fuels and chemicals. This will require a strict synergy of actions between all stakeholder components, from R&D to industry and society, in order to foster their introduction. In addition, the development of solar fuels and chemicals requires a full redesign of the current technologies and processes based on fossil fuels, and the technological gap is a main factor limiting their introduction.

Development of more energy efficient electrically heated catalytic reactors (IA)

Code: 12560 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• A breakthrough reduction in carbon footprint for a given reaction (CO₂ emission reduction > 40%, demonstrated by LCA or similar studies);
• Demonstrate a significant process intensification (a reactor size reduction of > 50% with respect to the state-of-the-art conventional approach) and industrial scalability;
• Environmental and techno-economic feasibility of novel catalytic reactor technologies and catalyst materials demonstrated and validated at suitable scale against current industrial processes to produce the same products;
• Integrated development methodology of catalysts and reactors for an optimized design up to pilot unit of novel catalytic reactors with significant carbon footprint reduction and allowing relevant process intensification, while maintaining cost competitiveness;
• Advanced catalytic reactor concepts to operate in synergy with alternative energy resources like e.g. non-thermal plasma.

Safe- and sustainable-by-design polymeric materials (RIA)

Code: 12558 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The proposals, activities and approaches under this Call, should cover both – specific considerations for the plastics under study, as well as developing overarching best practices that spans broader sectors of safe- and sustainable-by-design plastics.

Paving the way to an increased share of recycled plastics in added value products (RIA)

Code: 12556 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

To allow recycled plastics to be more promptly taken up as raw material for new products there is a need for reliable and standardised procedures to characterise, trace back origin and guarantee the safety of the recyclates.

Microbiomes for bio-based innovation and environmental applications

Code: 12544 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The scope includes developing the methods for molecular cartography, the quantitative determination of genes and metabolites and establishing the R&D resources (e.g. inventories, catalogues, “reference microbiomes”, databases etc.).
Marine microbiomes are excluded from the scope, in order to avoid overlaps with the parallel topic. 

Contained biomass solutions for sustainable and zero-Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) production systems for high value applications

Code: 12535 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The innovative bioeconomy sectors need to diversify and deliver technological and industrial solutions based on available and sustainably sourced biomass. This calls for identifying, optimising, screening and monitoring of the growing conditions in suitable systems such as bioreactors, from where they need to be efficiently processed, extracted and converted into industrial outputs of interest. The scope covers innovative multi-scale bioreactor designs, and related innovations such as hydroponics systems and phenotyping platforms for increased sustainability of biomass production, and its efficient, pathogen-free processing and use.

Novel, non-plant biomass feedstocks for industrial applications

Code: 12532 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The innovative bioeconomy sectors need to diversify and to deliver technological and industrial solutions based on available and sustainably accessible biomass. The scope therefore covers the production of key bio-based products such as food and feed ingredients, including proteins, lipids and fibres, antioxidants and other substances with biological activities, and key bio-based materials or chemicals, in a resource-efficient approac. This calls for identifying and optimising sources as microorganisms, insects, fungi or mixotrophic algae, which requires defining certain growing conditions in suitable systems such as biofermentors, where they need to be efficiently processed, extracted and converted into industrial outputs of interest.

Increasing the circularity in textiles, plastics and/or electronics value chains

Code: 12521 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Projects under this Call aims to contribute to the increase of the deployment and market uptake of new technological solutions to waste management and recycling, and the measurement of recycled content. Also, it aims to the enhancement of diffusion and demonstrated benefits of advanced digital solutions in circular businesses, the emergence of new value chains using upcycled, recycled and/or biobased resources, the increase upcycling and recycling rates for the targeted material streams as well as the increase of resource efficiency along and across value chains, causing a measurable reduction in GHG emissions.

Innovative solutions to over-packaging and single-use plastics, and related microplastic pollution

Code: 12519 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Projects under this Call aim to increase deployment and market uptake of innovative solutions, through better design, alternative materials, business models promoting reuse, deposit systems, smart labelling in support of and complying with the current relevant legal framework and, when scope would cover the food chain, the future EU framework for sustainability labelling, etc. Also, are aiming to increase reuse, recyclability and upcycling of packaging and single-use plastics, as well as to achieve the reduction in the over-packaging and single-use plastics in consumer goods, food packaging and humanitarian relief items, in packaging waste and single-use plastic waste etc.

Innovative solutions to over-packaging and single-use plastics, and related microplastic pollution

Code: 12503 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals aim to contribute to impacts related to consumers and industry, in particular to European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence by lowering the environmental footprint, enabling climate-neutrality and higher resource efficiency, through increased circularity and a resulting reduction in GHG and air pollution emissions.

Security research technologies driven by active civil society engagement: transdisciplinary methods for societal impact assessment and impact creation

Code: 12482 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 30/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/11/2021

Applied research derives its meaning, and therefore, its financial justification from its relevance to society, to society’s needs, to society’s values, to its aims, needs or ambitions. Applied research presupposes that a distinct societal need is identified and that a program of research is devised to provide the concrete knowledge required to meet that need as well as to better understand areas related to experience and requirements of technologies regarding vulnerable groups through universal design and common accessibility principles.

Innovative and customizable services for EOSC

Code: 12466 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The aim is to provide researchers with a set of highly innovative new services that would exploit, in a structural way, cloud-based EOSC technologies and European compute and data management capacities.

Deploying EOSC-Core components for FAIR

Code: 12463 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call enables the enforcement and implementation of the EOSC Persistent Identifier (PID) policy by developing tools, processes and additional infrastructure required to support use of PIDs to a maximal extent, for both the management and analysis of data, and also the publication, curation and tracking of research outputs. This should include a PID ‘meta resolver’ for EOSC or tools to support the alignment of PID infrastructure with the EOSC PID Policy. Proposals under this topic should also cover other research outputs, such as software, developing services based on open standards and common practices adopted by the different disciplines.

Supporting the development and coordination of activities of the EOSC Partnership

Code: 12460 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Proposals aim to support the development of an effective pan-European cooperation framework and a thriving EOSC ecosystem in which stakeholders from all parts of the European Research Area pull together in a strategic and coordinated manner to ensure the achievement of the EOSC Partnership objectives. Proposals should support the EOSC community at large by engaging and interacting with a large number of users and stakeholder communities, to monitor the uptake and (re)use of EOSC resources.

Supporting an EOSC-ready digitally skilled workforce

Code: 12451 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Development of new support material, curricula and learning pathways for researchers, data curators, and data stewards and new types of professionals. To ensure an efficient uptake and exploitation of data by Public Authorities (e.g. for evidence-based policy making), policy makers should also become skilled in data acquisition, management and analysis.

FAIR and open data sharing in support of cancer research

Code: 12449 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The overall objective of this topic is to accelerate research and innovation under this mission area through better access, management, interoperability and reuse of digital information, to be achieved by using and integrating EOSC resources ranging from EOSC federated infrastructures, services and data to guidelines, best practices, tools and metrics for the management of FAIR and open data. This should be achieved through cross-domain, strategic use cases of direct relevance to the mission areas and the European Partnerships supporting this mission area on cancer.

Enabling discovery and interoperability of federated research objects across scientific communities

Code: 12441 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call should align and support the development and implementation of common EOSC methodologies, open standards and frameworks to ensure wide uptake and coherent implementation of the FAIR principles, to support the FAIRness of the research digital objects made accessible through EOSC.

ERC ADVANCED GRANTS

Code: 12431 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Research Council (ERC) | Start submission calls: 20/05/2021 | End submission calls: 31/08/2021

ERC Advanced Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they are already established research leaders with a recognised track record of research achievements. Principal Investigators must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal.

ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS

Code: 12428 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Research Council (ERC) | Start submission calls: 11/03/2021 | End submission calls: 20/04/2021

The ERC Consolidator Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they may still be consolidating their own independent research team or program. Principal Investigators must demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal.

ERC Synergy Grants

Code: 12424 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Research Council (ERC) | Start submission calls: 15/07/2021 | End submission calls: 10/11/2021

The aim is to provide support for a small group of two to four Principal Investigators to jointly address ambitious research problems that could not be addressed by the individual Principal Investigators and their teams working alone.

ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS1

Code: 12416 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Research Council (ERC) | Start submission calls: 15/07/2021 | End submission calls: 14/10/2021

ERC Proof of Concept grants are intended to facilitate the exploration of the commercial and social potential and economics of ERC-funded research and are therefore only available to lead researchers whose proposals are essentially based on ERC funding.

Ensuring reliability and trust in quality of Research Ethics expertise in the context of new/emerging technologies

Code: 12406 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The first objective should be to identify the main ethics challenges resulting from the most impactful new and emerging technologies, including the specific challenges arising from research activities involving those new technologies in collaboration with non-EU partners and outside the EU.

The challenges of research ethics and integrity in response to crisis: the coronavirus pandemic and beyond

Code: 12403 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The first priority is to analyse what characterises, from an ethics perspective, a crisis of a global, sudden and unexpected nature of the type of the Covid-19 pandemic, and isolate what are the related ethics and integrity challenges as regards the production, sharing and use of scientific knowledge and data in designing and implementing responses as well as in anticipating future global urgencies. The scope should also cover the ethics of the scientific work on public health measures, including those aiming at an increased preparedness.
The objective of this Call is to cover emerging ethics issues related to new concepts like “immunisation certification” that are at the centre of vivid debates involving fundamental values.

Policy coordination to advance the implementation of the ERA gender equality and inclusiveness objectives within Member States

Code: 12401 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to achieve the development of a consistent and sustainable coordination network of national representatives on gender equality and inclusiveness in support of the implementation of the ERA Communication policy objectives, leading to better coordination of Member States’ efforts.

Centre of excellence on inclusive gender equality in Research & Innovation

Code: 12399 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call aim to achιeve the advancement of knowledge, policy and practice on inclusive gender equality in research and innovation institutions across Europe, with an intersectional, geographically inclusive, and multi-sectorial approach. Additionally, this Call has the goal to reduce disparities across Member States and strengthen the European Research Area and its gender equality and inclusiveness objective.

Developing a STE(A)M roadmap for Science Education in Horizon Europe

Code: 12359 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

In order to increase the uptake in science careers, to feed the talent pipeline, a plan of action is needed to encourage more interest in STE(A)M for young and old alike, with a focus on also increasing female participation and deconstructing gender stereotypes.

Supporting and giving recognition to citizen science in the European Research Area

Code: 12357 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This action will launch two calls for proposals through financial support to third parties:

Kick-starting: This will kick-start and provide support services to at least 100 citizen science activities that are at the conceptual or pilot stage and which show promise in terms of innovative theme or approach, collecting and analysing data, or generating other important benefits.

Sustaining: This will support at least 25 on-going or recent citizen science activities to find ways to sustain their activities; these will have shown their worth in terms of innovative theme or approach, collecting and analysing data, generating other important benefits, or have particular potential to scale up across member states or the ERA.

A capacity-building and brokering network to make citizen science an integral part of the European Research Area

Code: 12350 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this call aim to strengthen the links and collaboration between citizen science initiatives and other research and innovation actors, increased capacity to conduct excellent research and innovation through citizen science, while maximising other potential benefits of citizen science, to link data infrastructures with the needs of citizen science, and improved data practices.

Protection of Higher Education Institutions and research organisations against conventional and non-conventional threats

Code: 12344 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Proposals under this Call aim to analyse possible threats and identify mitigation measures, to increase awareness of threats within higher education institutions and research organisations as well as to promote networking and optimising of infrastructure and resources to ensure adequate preparedness and prevention at European level.

Support to changes in the assessment of research and researchers to reward the practice of open science

Code: 12341 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this call aim to consolidate information on initiatives for reforming the assessment of research and researchers, taking better account of open science practice. Also, aim to connect existing initiatives at European level, facilitating mutual learning, and stimulating consensus building among the stakeholders.

Societal trust in science, research and innovation

Code: 12339 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call are aiming to contribute to the recommendations for policy makers, research funding and performing organisations, higher education institutions and other research and innovation actors for tackling societal mistrust in science, research and innovation as well as as to the recommendations for strengthening the co-creation of R&I contents by society, and for the spreading of good practices and evidence of their effects.

Capacity-building for institutional open access publishing across Europe

Code: 12337 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This action aims to support institutional publishing initiatives across Europe to improve the quality of their non-technological services to researchers, and to overcome fragmentation.

Global cooperation on FAIR data policy and practice

Code: 12335 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Projects under this Call, aim to strengthened international cooperation in order to increase and mainstream FAIRness of data and digital objects. Also, aim to contribute to the connection of disconnected initiatives on data management, data stewardship and FAIR data practices, across borders and disciplines, as enablers of open science, increasing also FAIR data sharing within and across scientific disciplines and innovation sectors.

Modelling and quantifying the impacts of open science practice

Code: 12332 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The mainstreaming of open science practice is driven by expected impacts:
(i) on the research system
(ii) on the innovation system
(iii) on the interface between science and society

R&I intensive IP management: Scenarios for the future

Code: 12299 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic will look at ways to overcome the existing gaps researchers have to face when following unconventional discovery methods (e.g. artificial intelligence, computer inventions etc.).

Standardisation Booster for fostering exploitation of FP-funded research results

Code: 12297 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The Standardisation Booster will help these beneficiaries to engage with standardisation bodies and contribute to the preparation and elaboration of standardisation activities, such as participating in a focus group, setting up a new technical committee, drafting a technical specification or a technical report, participating in awareness events.

Implementation of a new macro-economic modelling concept

Code: 12294 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This action will implement a renovated macro-economic modelling concept to improve the treatment of R&I and R&I policies in macroeconomic models, by developing a modelling framework consistent with the most recent empirical evidence and the theoretical state of the art.

Towards a Europe-wide training and networking scheme for research managers

Code: 12292 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic aims at improving training and skills development of research management staff, to develop better research and innovation management capacity and guidance for researchers across the entire ERA, as well as pave the way towards institutional acknowledgement of the research management profession.

Support for policy makers – Programme level collaboration between national R&I programmes

Code: 12290 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The actions funded under this topic will coordinate national and regional R&I programmes by pooling national resources and contributing to the alignment of national research and innovation policies.

Twinning Western Balkans Special

Code: 12286 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 29/06/2021 | End submission calls: 05/10/2021

The purpose of the special Twinning call is to raise the bar for excellence of all R&I actors in these countries. This special Twinning aims to enhance networking activities between the research institutions of the Western Balkan countries and leading counterparts at EU level. It links the coordinator located in a Western Balkan country with at least two leading research institutions from two different Member States or Associated Countries in the role of the advanced partners. Therefore, it builds on the huge potential of networking for excellence through knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice between research institutions and partners.

Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) for Research and Education Networks

Code: 12282 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Interdisciplinary digital twins for modelling and simulating complex phenomena at the service of research infrastructure communities

Code: 12278 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Actions should develop digital twins that provide advanced modelling, simulation and prediction capabilities to RIs and their research communities through a convergent use of advanced digital technologies such as high performance computing, software, AI methods and big data analytics.

Research infrastructures services advancing frontier knowledge

Code: 12267 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic aims at providing trans-national access and/or virtual access to integrated and customised RI services for curiosity-driven research in wide scientific domains, offered by a wide range of complementary and interdisciplinary top level research infrastructures. Such scientific domains are identified on the basis of a Multi-Annual Priority Setting (MAPS) exercise aiming at achieving a balanced coverage of scientific disciplines addressed under the INFRASERV destination, ongoing grants offering access provision. Within identified domains, emerging areas of research can also be served. The MAPS follows the taxonomy used in the ESFRI Roadmap.

Enabling research infrastructure services for better use of imaging data to address challenges in thematic research areas

Code: 12264 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call aims to improve acquisition, quality, interoperability and analysis of imaging data from different disciplines (e.g.: health & food, climate and environmental research, digital transformation) as well as to promote the wider use of image analysis services based on AI in different scientific areas.

Research infrastructures services for sustainable and inclusive Global Value Chain and Europe recovery from socio-economic crises

Code: 12262 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call has a goal of establishing scientific evidence for developing the European Recovery Plan and the design of European policies for trade, production, employment and investments in relation to Global Value Chain. Also, aims of strengthening EU position on the global market.

Research infrastructures services enabling the development of materials for a circular economy

Code: 12260 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call aims to enhance and increase society’s long-term and consistent problem-solving capacity and evidence-based policy making in areas of sustainable materials and green transition, through the provision of innovative, customised and efficient RI services. Also, it aims to achieve the development of a world-class European research and technology ecosystem underpinning the development of materials and materials processing and the related value chains in order to cross-fertilisation and a wider sharing of knowledge and technologies across the various disciplines that contribute to materials for a circular economy.

Research infrastructures services for responding to climate-related risks on the environment

Code: 12257 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call aims to enhance and increase society’s long-term and consistent problem-solving capacity and evidence-based policy making in areas of climate-related risks, risk management, health and green transition, including a better understanding of socio economic implications, through the provision of innovative, customised and efficient RI services. Also it aims to achieve harmonisation of data policies and management of IPRs.

Research infrastructures services for a sustainable and resilient agriculture and agro-ecological transitions

Code: 12253 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Ερευνητικές Υποδομές (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic aims at integrating and providing trans-national and/or virtual access to a complementary and interdisciplinary research infrastructures services to support R&I in view of achieving a sustainable and resilient agriculture and support agro-ecological transitions, in line with the One-Health approach.

Research infrastructures services to support research addressing cancer

Code: 12244 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Proposals under this topic aim at integrating at EU level and providing access to a wide and inclusive portfolio of complementary research infrastructure services, including data services, and customised workflows supporting R&I projects along the development pipeline from discovery research to personalised treatment of cancer.

Support to the e-Infrastructure Reflection Group (e-IRG)

Code: 12238 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The e-Infrastructure Reflection Group (e-IRG) brings together representatives from policy makers, funding bodies and the scientific community from the Member States and Associated Countries to provide advice on policy-making towards inclusive, federated, user-driven and resilient e-Infrastructures and connected services.

Support to National Contact Points (NCPs) for Research Infrastructures

Code: 12236 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Proposals should aim to facilitate trans-national co-operation between National Contact Points (NCPs) with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to programme applicants.

Transition to digital/remote research infrastructure service provision: lessons learnt, needs and best practices

Code: 12229 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The provision of digital and remote research infrastructure services has proved its effectiveness during the COVID-19 emergency/lockdown. Such an approach would also contribute to a sustainable and effective ecosystem of research infrastructures, and, more in general, to a more sustainable society.

Strengthen the bilateral cooperation on research infrastructures with Africa: improving the knowledge base on climate change in Africa

Code: 12227 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic aims at fostering EU-Africa cooperation to enhance climate (including Green House Gas and Short Lived Climate Forcers – GHG and SLCF) observation capacity across Africa. EU-Africa cooperation in the field of GHG observation will also include sharing of good practices and experiences to facilitate the development of a strategic approach for structuring R&I capacities at pan-African level.

Support to the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures

Code: 12215 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Research Infrastructures (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) brings together policy makers, funding bodies and the scientific community to identify joint investment priorities for pan-European research infrastructures as well as foster their implementation, sustainability and impact. A comprehensive and efficient support structure is essential for the effective execution of ESFRI tasks and activities.

Inside and outside: educational innovation with nature-based solutions

Code: 12205 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will contribute to the EU’s goal of leading just digital, economic and ecological transitions that will leave no one behind, supporting in particular European Green Deal priorities such as the biodiversity strategy for 2030. It will support the empowerment of rural, coastal and urban communities to act for change and to contribute to the Green Deal objectives through education and upgraded skills regarding the design, implementation and benefits of nature-based solutions (NBS).

Integrated urban food system policies – how cities and towns can transform food systems for co-benefits

Code: 12203 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals this Call aim to support the development of policies, business models and market conditions contributing to the sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of urban and peri-urban areas and to the empowerment and resilience of their communities, who can access, afford and choose healthier, nutritious and environmental-friendly food.

Socio-economic empowerment of the users of the sea

Code: 12201 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, aims to contribute in fostering a sustainable, balanced and inclusive coastal development, supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal, incorporating a better understanding of the environmental, socio-economic, behavioural, cultural and demographic drivers of change. Conducted research activities and innovative results will empower people to act for change through education and upgraded skills, leading to positive long-term prospects, including jobs, for all including women, young people and vulnerable groups. Τhe proposal will ensure inclusion of tourism, recreational and leisure activity development in coastal areas to respect long-term environmental carrying capacity, and social goals.

Smart XG, last-mile and edge solutions for remote farming, forestry and rural areas

Code: 12193 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this project aim to contribute to:

• fostering a sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of rural areas thanks to the deployment of digital, nature-based, social and community-led innovations;
• empowering people to act for change and get prepared to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, adapt to climate change;
• turn digital and ecological transitions into increased resilience;
• equipping rural communities with innovative and smarter solutions that increase access to services, opportunities and adequate innovation ecosystems.

Expertise and training centre on rural innovation

Code: 12191 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this project, will contribute to fostering a sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of rural areas, supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal. It will do so by accelerating the deployment of digital, nature-based, social and community-led innovations in rural areas through capacity building and enhanced knowledge exchange, leading to rural communities that will be better equipped with innovative and smarter solutions that increase access to services, opportunities and adequate innovation ecosystems.

Grasping rural diversity and strengthening evidence for tailored policies enhancing the contribution of rural communities to ecological, digital and social transitions

Code: 12188 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call,  will contribute to fostering a sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of rural areas, supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal. It will do so by improving the understanding of the environmental, socio-economic, behavioural, cultural and demographic drivers of change in rural areas. Stronger evidence on which to build their strategies and initiatives will empower rural people to act for change and get prepared to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, adapt to climate change, and turn digital and ecological transitions into increased resilience, good health and positive long-term prospects, including jobs, for all including women, young people and vulnerable groups.

Deepening the functioning of innovation support

Code: 12178 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Projects under this Call, aim to develop sound, coherent and well-prepared innovation generation and support methods, which enable individual grassroots innovative ideas to come to fruition. It should help project coordinators to find methods to use the complementary knowledge of partners to develop ready-to-use solutions. Member States’ authorities and actors of the agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) need insights and tools to improve the interaction, connections and drafting skills for preparation of innovation project proposals.

Improving national AKIS organisation in a co-creative process across the EU

Code: 12168 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, aims to develop sound AKIS governance in Member States. Member States’ authorities and AKIS actors need insights and tools to advance knowledge exchange, build capacities. Innovative governance solutions should accelerate the transition to a more sustainable management and use of natural resources in farming and forestry. This will lead to better informed and engaged stakeholders and users of innovative project results thanks to effective AKIS and related platforms.

Supporting knowledge exchange between all AKIS actors in the Member States by means of an EU-wide interactive knowledge reservoir

Code: 12162 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Projects under this Call, aims to multiply use practice-oriented knowledge, to build capacities as well as to and demonstrate innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to a sustainable management and use of natural resources in farming and forestry. This will lead to more informed and engaged stakeholders and users of project results including primary producers and consumers thanks to effective platforms such as Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).

Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of thematic networks, compiling and sharing knowledge ready for practice

Code: 12156 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposal will focus on knowledge sharing in a language that is easy to understand and is targeted to farmers and foresters. 

Assessing the impacts of digital technologies in agriculture – cost, benefits and potential for sustainability gains

Code: 12153 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support the development of capacities for assessing and demonstrating environmental and socio-economic effects of digital technologies in agriculture. They will contribute to the enhancement of the sustainability performance and competitiveness in agriculture through further deployment of digital and data technologies as key enablers through research and innovation in the field of the assessment of impacts of digital technologies in agriculture.

Potential of drones as multi-purpose vehicle – risks and added values

Code: 12151 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

There is an increasing use of drones in the EU for sectoral and social purposes. Proposals under this call will support the effective development of drones. Will contribute:
(a) enhancing sustainability performance and competitiveness in agriculture, forestry and rural areas through the further development of digital and data technologies as key capabilities; and
(b) the development of innovative governance models that enable sustainability and resilience, in particular to achieve better informed decision-making processes through drone research and innovation.

Data economy in the field of agriculture – effects of data sharing and big data

Code: 12013 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic aims to contribute
a) to the enhancement of the sustainability performance and competitiveness in agriculture through further deployment of digital and data technologies as key enablers;
b) to the development of innovative governance models enabling sustainability and resilience notably to achieve better informed decision-making processes through research and innovation related to data economy in agriculture.

Development of the markets and use of digital technologies and infrastructure in agriculture – state of play and foresight: digital and data technologies for the agricultural sector in a fast changing regulatory, trade and technical environment

Code: 12011 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

• to the enhancement of the sustainability performance and competitiveness in agriculture through further deployment of digital and data technologies as key enablers;
• to the development of innovative governance models enabling sustainability and resilience notably to achieve better informed decision-making processes, and innovation through research in the field of digital technologies and infrastructure in agriculture.

Mapping and improving the data economy for food systems

Code: 12008 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This action will enhance the sustainability performance and competitiveness in the domains covered by Cluster 6 through further deployment of digital and data technologies as key enablers. It will help to achieve better informed decision-making processes, social engagement, governance and innovation. It will help deliver solutions to advance the European Green Deal priorities, the EU’s Climate ambition for 2030 and 2050 and the farm to fork strategy for a fair healthy and environmentally friendly food system. In particular, it will contribute to improving the data economy for food systems.

Common European Green Deal data space to provide more accessible and exploitable environmental observation data in support of the European Green Deal priority actions

Code: 12005 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Successful proposals are expected to contribute towards unleashing the potential of, environmental, biodiversity and climate data through dedicated European data spaces.

Tools to support the uptake and accessibility/exploitability of environmental observation information at European and global level

Code: 12002 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

A successful proposal will enhance access and usability of environmental observation information and promote pre-operational European services through global infrastructures in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European strategy for data and the European digital strategy, thus deploying and adding value to environmental observations and contributing to a strengthened Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Preparing for pre-commercial procurement (PCP) for end-user services based on environmental observation in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation

Code: 11997 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals should lead to the establishment of a critical mass of public and/or private procurers in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation, to overcome the fragmentation of demand for solutions and services and to lead to a more rapid market uptake of such solutions and their early deployment.

User-oriented solutions building on environmental observation to monitor critical ecosystems and biodiversity loss and vulnerability in the European Union

Code: 11992 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The projects are expected to further the harmonisation, mobilisation, and uptake of monitoring and environmental data to better characterise and understand the natural and anthropogenic pressures on biodiversity, the extent of the destruction of natural biological resources and its connection with ecosystem conditions within safe planetary boundaries. There is a need for knowledge of both better quantified and more precisely characterised changes in biodiversity and related ecosystem services (in coastal, marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems), and of ecosystem status and quantified impacts of the main direct drivers of changes (i.e. land and sea use changes, pollutions, climate change, invasive alien species and exploitation of natural resources) on European natural capital.

Modelling land use and land management in the context of climate change

Code: 11989 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Land use and management has a key role to play in Europe in terms of boosting carbon storage, producing biomass for the bioeconomy, reducing urban sprawl etc. To ensure the sustainable management of land resources in the long term there is a need for an integrated framework that addresses society’s objectives appropriately by understanding the trade-offs between uses and by incentivising actions / behaviours / investments contributing to desirable targets. There are substantial knowledge gaps regarding, the understanding of the impacts of farming / forestry practices at various scales, from local to global, and the capacity to model these impacts (economic and environmental). Work should include the analysis of land use dynamics and trends between arable land, permanent grassland, land abandonment / marginal lands, forest areas, for which quantifications and an identification of drivers and impacts should be done in an integrated manner.

EU agriculture within a safe and just operating space and planetary boundaries

Code: 11972 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Successful proposals will set out a credible pathway to contributing to innovative governance and sound decision making in policy for the transition of European agriculture required by the European Green Deal. In order to enable the transition to sustainable agriculture, it is crucial to establish the necessary policy framework and related monitoring and evaluation activities. This implies the development of appropriate tools for measurement and monitoring of socio-economic and biophysical data in order to model and project scenarios and derive the necessary targets, trajectories and relevant policy measures and the development of relevant analysis.

Education on the bioeconomy including bio-based sectors for young people in primary and secondary education in Europe

Code: 11969 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic should focus on the bioeconomy in general but with a specific focus on circular bio-based sectors and their potential, to prepare citizens for a future that should assume a sustainable and circular lifestyle (in terms of consumption, recycling, etc.) and to inspire young people to pursue education in life science, technology and bioeconomy related areas.

Raising awareness of circular and sustainable bioeconomy in support of Member States to develop bioeconomy strategies and/or action plans

Code: 11967 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic should support Member States to develop strategies and/or action plans by improving knowledge and raising awareness of a sustainable, circular bioeconomy, its challenges and opportunities as well as experiences made elsewhere. Moreover, it should help to bring together national stakeholders in deploying and fostering the bioeconomy related research and innovation developments by engaging local stakeholders into the participation in macro-regional and European thematic networks and into building the common European Research Area.

Revitalisation of European local communities with innovative bio-based business models and social innovation

Code: 11961 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The action advances the role and impact of bio-based innovation to accelerate the transition from a linear fossil-based economy, which leads to overuse and depletion of natural resources, into a resource-efficient and circular bio-based systems operating safely within planetary boundaries.

Improving understanding of and engagement in bio-based systems with training and skills development

Code: 11949 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This action should support the implementation of sustainable bio-based value chains, in the regional settings, by developing guidelines and creating feedback loops to the respective policy makers.

Regional governance models in the bioeconomy

Code: 11943 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This action should support the implementation of sustainable bio-based value chains, in regional settings (toolbox of instruments including strategies, plans and programmes, including the social dimension).

Environmental and social cross-compliance of marine policies

Code: 11937 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals should focus on implementation research on environmental and social cross-compliance of a broad range of marine and maritime policies to detect inconsistencies between different policies, legislation and regulations as barriers for the Green Deal and its strategies (EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, Climate Adaptation Strategy, the zero pollution ambition) in the marine domain.

Fostering strategic advice and synergies between national and EU research and innovation agendas, including SCAR foresight

Code: 11935 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The main focus of the successful proposal should be to support the work of the SCAR SWGs and CWGs (Collaborative Working Groups). This includes notably the organisation and facilitation of the activities, particularly meetings and workshops of SCAR SWGs, CWGs and potential ad hoc task forces, according to the initiatives taken by the Working Groups themselves.

Strengthening bioeconomy innovation and deployment across sectors and all governance levels

Code: 11881 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Innovation, the initiatives and structures that are part of it at EU, national, regional, and local level already contribute to the uptake and deployment of innovative solutions. However, more action is needed to: (1) address the fragmentation of this innovation ecosystem across food systems and bio based sectors, (2) to create linkages between the different levels of governance and (3) to improve the interfacing between the research communities, the innovation communities, investors and citizens. Actions that address these areas of improvement across the bioeconomy are to be preferred because their crosscutting nature and trans-disciplinarity might be a further source of innovation and system transformation, and because they enable sharing of best practices across sectors and actors.

Preparatory action for the Horizon Europe Food System Partnership

Code: 11876 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support the establishment of innovative governance models, to establish the EU Horizon Europe Partnership entitled “Safe and sustainable food systems for people planet and climate, to underpin the needed transition to sustainable food systems, provide solutions to the farm to fork strategy by connecting national, regional and European research and innovation programmes and food systems actors, to deliver co-benefits for nutrition and health, climate and biodiversity, circularity and communities.

Furthering food systems science and federating researchers across the European Research Area

Code: 11872 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic should support and strengthen the science, and the science-policy interface relevant to food systems, in particular in relation to delivering on farm to fork and Green Deal policy priorities.

Mobilising the network of national contact points in Cluster 6

Code: 11861 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals should aim to facilitate trans-national co-operation between national contact points in the areas covered by Horizon Europe Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’, with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that make up the constituency of this cluster. In addition, the action is expected to provide important feedback on issues relating to programme planning, design and evaluation. Close coordination and cooperation are key to achieve the objectives and impacts of the NCP networks.

Deepening the functioning of innovation support

Code: 11851 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will focus on how to discover innovative ideas and how to enable the relevant actors to work out these ideas in a co-creative way as from the very start of the making of the proposal. The expected outcome of this topic is to develop sound, coherent and well prepared innovation generation and support methods, which enable individual grassroots innovative ideas to come to fruition.

Developing EU advisory networks on consumer-producer chains

Code: 11849 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic focuses on the important role, advisors can play to exploit the potential of connecting consumers with producers through short supply chains, an upcoming issue in the more sustainable and diversified agriculture of the future.

Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI)’s circular systemic solutions

Code: 11813 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The topic will support the transition towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular economy at local and regional scale across regions of Europe. Proposals will form part of the demonstration projects for the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). In the context of this topic, a circular systemic solution is defined as a demonstration project for deploying a circular and climate-neutral economy at urban and/or regional scale, involving key stakeholders and, ideally, addressing more than one economic sector.

EU-China international cooperation on integrated pest management in agriculture

Code: 11810 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will help to promote a global transition to sustainable food systems. They will therefore help to ensure sustainability of agri-food systems, catering for the needs of a growing population and support the development and implementation of integrated pest management practices. They will strengthen international cooperation with actors from China in the areas of integrated pest management.

One Health approach for Food Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Code: 11806 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

There is a need to fill knowledge gap regarding interactions between human and animal and plant health and strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems to prevent the emergence and spread of pest and diseases with nature-based solutions. Proposals under this Call will provide a comprehensive and integrated response to current and future challenges benefiting people, nature and economic growth in Europe and in Africa.

Increasing the transparency of EU food systems to boost health, sustainability and safety of products, processes and diets

Code: 11802 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this project will support R&I which will upgrade transparency will provide multiple benefits relevant to improving food safety, fighting food fraud and addressing growing public concern in the EU as regards the climate, biodiversity and environmental impacts of food and diets in practice. 

Identification, assessment and management of existing and emerging food safety issues

Code: 11793 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support R&I on integrated approaches throughout the food system for detecting, assessing and mitigating relevant food safety risks. It will contribute to the transformation of food systems to deliver co-benefits for climate, environmental sustainability and circularity, dietary shift, sustainable healthy nutrition and safe food, food poverty reduction and empowerment of communities, and thriving businesses.

Transition to healthy and sustainable dietary behaviour

Code: 11790 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The main objective of this topic is to understand better, and measure, factors influencing dietary behaviour. It also seeks to support the development of innovative, effective tools and strategies to facilitate the transition towards healthy and sustainable dietary behaviour and self-management of dietary habits.

Microbes for healthy and sustainable food and diets

Code: 11788 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call,  will support R&I to foster advances in research related to microorganisms for safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly food processing. This is along with contributing to the transformation of food systems to deliver co-benefits for climate, biodiversity, environmental sustainability and circularity, dietary shift, sustainable healthy nutrition and safe food, food poverty reduction and empowerment of communities, and thriving businesses.

Evidence-based decision-making to change social norms towards zero food waste

Code: 11769 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support R&I to prevent and reduce food loss and waste, contributing to the transformation of food systems to deliver co-benefits for climate (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity, environmental sustainability and circularity, dietary shift, sustainable healthy nutrition and safe food, food poverty reduction and the empowerment of communities.

Filling knowledge gaps on the nutritional, safety, allergenicity and environmental assessment of alternative proteins and dietary shift

Code: 11765 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support R&I to promote the production, provision and safe consumption of alternative sources of protein, and dietary shifts towards sustainable healthy nutrition, contributing to the transformation of food systems to deliver co‑benefits for climate (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity, environmental sustainability and circularity, sustainable healthy nutrition and safe food, food poverty reduction, empowerment of communities, and thriving businesses.

Digital transition supporting inspection and control for sustainable fisheries

Code: 11763 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) aims to ensure that fisheries are environmentally, economically and socially sustainable and provide a source of healthy food for EU citizens. Proposals under this project will support better fisheries management through data and technological development.

Sea to fork transparency and consumer engagement

Code: 11759 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call,  will support consumer engagement to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, inclusive, safe and healthy seafood consumption through innovative information strategies and tools.

Towards an EU approach to assess and internalise positive and negative externalities of food for incentivising sustainable choices

Code: 11755 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, should help to speed up the transition to sustainable, biodiversity-friendly, zero pollution, climate-neutral and resilient farming and food systems on land and at sea. They should do so by supporting the development and implementation of policies, business models and market conditions that better internalise the external costs and benefits of food, thereby make the most sustainable food the most available and affordable for consumers, while generating fair economic returns in the supply chain, in particular for primary producers and SMEs.

Uncovering lock-ins and levers to encourage farmers to move to and stay in sustainable, climate-neutral and biodiversity-friendly farming systems: from experiments to systemic mechanisms

Code: 11739 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals should support the development of policies, business models and market conditions that enable sustainable, productive and climate-smart agricultural systems. The farming systems should provide consumers with healthy and sustainable food affordable for all, improving public health, minimising pressure on ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and generating fair economic returns for farmers.

Research & innovation roadmap for blockchain technologies in the agri-food sector

Code: 11719 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support increased traceability and transparency in food supply chains and support the implementation of sustainability schemes. They will contribute to the ambition of developing sustainable, productive and climate-neutral, biodiversity-friendly, and resilient farming systems providing consumers with affordable, safe, healthy and sustainable food, minimising pressure on ecosystems, improving public health and generating fair economic returns for farmers through the exploration and development potential of the use of blockchain in the agri-food sector.

Vaccines and diagnostics for priority animal diseases

Code: 11708 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support research and innovation (R&I) to help policy makers and economic operators reduce the burden of infectious animal diseases, thus contributing to a sustainable livestock industry and public health (food safety, zoonoses, anti-microbial resistance).

Animal welfare 2.0

Code: 11703 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The aim of this call is to support research and innovation (R&I) to help policy makers and other actors (e.g. economic operators) monitor and improve animal welfare in intensive and extensive systems, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Tackling outbreaks of plant pests

Code: 11689 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will support research and innovation (R&I) to help the agricultural / forestry sectors to remain productive and contribute to sustainable agriculture and/or forest health.

European partnership rescuing biodiversity to safeguard life on Earth

Code: 11685 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 22/07/2021

The European partnership on biodiversity ‘Rescuing biodiversity to safeguard life on Earth’ is one of the actions included in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. It should coordinate research programmes between EU and its Member States and associated countries and trigger combined action.

Digitalisation as an enabler of agroecological farming systems

Code: 11679 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

A successful proposal should support the farm to fork’s strategy objective of a transition to a fair, healthy and resilient European agriculture sector, in particular the goal of promoting agroecology, by improving understanding of the potential of digitalisation as an enabler of agroecology, a transformative, sustainable, healthy, resilient and inclusive approach to farming that can minimise farming pressure on ecosystems while generating fair economic returns for farmers. 

Developing sustainable and competitive land-based protein crop systems and value chains

Code: 11672 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

A successful proposal should support the farm to fork’s strategy objective of a transition to a fair, healthy and resilient EU agriculture sector, in particular the goal of fostering EU-grown plant proteins. Activities should support the transition to sustainable, productive, climate-neutral and resilient farming systems that minimise pressure on ecosystems, while ensuring fair economic returns for farmers and food consumption that is sustainable in terms of both health and the environment.

Reaching the farm to fork target: R&I scenarios for boosting organic farming and organic aquaculture in Europe

Code: 11670 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

A successful proposal should support the farm to fork’s strategy objective of a transition to fair, healthy, climate-resilient and climate- and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption, notably the target of at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 and a significant increase in organic aquaculture, by evaluating the conditions and proposing scenarios relating to knowledge and innovation for reaching this target.

Impact and dependence of business on biodiversity

Code: 11662 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The topic aims to support the development of policies, business decisions and knowledge generation, to tackle the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, and accelerate biodiversity-relevant transformative changes in businesses and our society.

Support to processes triggered by IPBES and IPCC

Code: 11660 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals under this Call, will step up EU support to processes triggered by IPBES (Europe and Central Asia form one region for IPBES purposes) and IPCC (Climate Science and Responses) to achieve targeted impacts on biodiversity-relevant policies, and to integrate structured policy input into the research cycle. This action delivers targeted support to areas of specific interest for European research policy by using IPBES outputs. It also helps European researchers play their role in IPBES assessments, in particular those from southern, central and eastern European countries, and those from the Western Balkans, Central Asia, and from Africa, who remain underrepresented, due to a lack of capacity to participate in meetings, networking or science input at global level.

A mechanism for science to inform implementation, monitoring, review and ratcheting up of the new EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 ('Science Service')

Code: 11649 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Τhe aim of this topic is to give support for developing and implementing this EU biodiversity strategy for 2030and other EU policies by generating knowledge generation, guiding biodiversity governance and ecosystem monitoring, and implementing the EU Green Deal.

Understanding the impacts of and the opportunities offered by digital transformation, new emerging technologies and social innovation on biodiversity

Code: 11646 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Projects under this Call are expected to help identify a safe operating space, in which digitalisation and new emerging technologies generate no unsustainable rebound effects, but instead can be a vehicle for accelerating and amplifying the transition to a safe and just world for humankind whilst protecting, restoring and sustainably using biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Policy mixes, governance (including financing) and decision-making tools for transformative action on biodiversity

Code: 11642 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This Call aims to develop policy mixes, governance (including financing) and decision-making tools to achieve the necessary ecological, climate, economic and social transition for biodiversity are not yet widely available.

Biodiversity, water, food, energy, transport, climate and health nexus in the context of transformative change

Code: 11626 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Proposals should work on transformation actions into policy making and governance (including financing) both under and above the scope of socio-economic and environmental agendas. Ιt is necessary for research and innovation together with the community outside academia (business, government organisations etc.) to demonstrate what transformative change could actually mean and achieve for biodiversity. Also, there is a need for practical guidance to policy makers and society on the impacts of the necessary structural, ecological, social and economic transformations. 

Quantify impacts of the trade in raw and processed biomass on ecosystems, for offering new leverage points for biodiversity conservation, along supply chains, to reduce leakage effects

Code: 11622 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Α successful proposal will develop knowledge and tools to understand the role of transformative change for biodiversity policy making, address the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, and initiate, accelerate and upscale biodiversity-relevant transformative changes in our society.

Fostering organic crop breeding

Code: 11600 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

A successful proposal should support the objectives of the EU biodiversity and farm to fork strategies to transition to fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption, notably the objective to increase organic farming. They should do so by increasing the availability of and access to suitable plant reproductive material for organic crops and by increasing the competitiveness of the organic crop breeding sector.

Breeding for resilience: focus on root-based traits

Code: 11596 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

In line with the objectives of the biodiversity and farm to fork strategies, a successful proposal will support the transition to more sustainable practices in agriculture by reducing the need for external inputs and supporting biodiversity in agroecosystems. With increasing effects of climate change and a shift towards low(er) input production systems, there is the need for crops that are capable of capturing resources more efficiently and are resilient to abiotic stresses.

Improved science based maritime spatial planning and identification of marine protected areas

Code: 11584 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Restored and properly protected coastal and marine ecosystems bring substantial health, social and economic benefits to coastal communities and the EU and Associated Countries as a whole. The need for stronger action is all the more acute as marine and coastal ecosystem biodiversity loss is severely exacerbated by global warming.

What else is out there? Exploring the connection between biodiversity, ecosystems services, pandemics and epidemic risk

Code: 11565 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This call aims to recover biodiversity and ecosystems services whilst predicting and preventing future pandemics and epidemic outbreaks, especially in tropical areas and biodiversity hotspots, through collaboration between environmental (including climate), ecological, biomedical and social sciences. 

Demonstration of measures and management for coastal and marine ecosystems restoration and resilience in simplified socio-ecological systems.

Code: 11519 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic aims at speeding up the identification, the development and integration of ad hoc measures and holistic ecosystem-based management approaches at larger scale, considering as well the land-sea interactions, especially connected inland waters, that will restore coastal and marine ecosystems and enable the sustainable delivery of services and resilience to rapid climate and environmental changes.

Assessing and consolidating recent scientific advances on freshwater ecosystem restoration.

Code: 11514 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The objective of this topic is to determine how to implement the restoration of freshwater ecosystems and remove hydromorphological barriers to ensure sustainable environmental flows and to support achievement of good status in both surface and ground waters, long-term water resource management, biodiversity and climate resilience.

Supporting the development of a coherent and resilient Trans-European Nature Network

Code: 11503 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The successful proposal should set up a strategic plan to support national authorities in identifying and selecting the relevant priority areas for EU land protection and the set-up of ecological corridors. It should be built on the existing EU network of protected areas and based on the EU Guidance to Member States, referred in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030.

Ecosystems and their services for an evidence-based policy and decision-making

Code: 11494 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Ensuring that ecosystems achieve or maintain a healthy state or a good condition aiming to secure the sustainability of human activities and human well-being.
The successful proposal should improve the assessment of the condition of ecosystems while providing uptake of the assessment’s outcomes in policy. It should develop the minimum criteria, reference levels and aggregation schemes to define good ecosystem condition. This definition should encompass forests, agroecosystems, urban areas, soil ecosystems, wetlands, fresh water and marine ecosystems. The proposal should addresses regional diversity and the corresponding decision level.

Adjustment of Steel process production to prepare for the transition towards climate neutrality (Clean Steel Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11489 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The proposals submitted under this topic are expected to provide concepts addressing the modifications of the existing installations of both primary and secondary steel production (BF/BOF, EAF, DRI) concerning the internal and external flows of energy and materials in order to re-use metallurgical gases (internal re-cycling) and to upgrade them with new sources (H2), e.g. by replacement of fossil carbon as reducing agent with hydrogen and biomass. This also includes the integrated preparation (reforming, separation, heating, compression) of external carbon-lean reducing gases or internally-recycled CO/CO2 streams for efficient injection in the BF or use in conventional plants.

Design and optimisation of energy flexible industrial processes (Processes4Planet Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11485 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Process flexibility and efficient energy storage are essential to account for the variable renewable energy production. To support the change of energy supply, current processes, designed to run continuously at maximum capacity, have to be adapted. Furthermore, digital tools need to be developed to attain the energy flexibility of the process, but also to exchange data with network operators and flexibility markets, which will enable industries to provide flexibility services. Powerful digital twins based on suitable combinations of analytical models, physics-based AI or pure AI solutions need to be designed and applied.

Reducing environmental footprint, improving circularity in extractive and processing value chains (IA)

Code: 11477 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This Call aims to enable the increase of access to primary raw materials and secondary raw materials, in particular critical raw materials for EU industrial value chains and strategic sectors.

Improvement of the yield of the iron and steel making (Clean Steel Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11468 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

One of the main goals of this Call is to reduce the environmental impact by minimizing CO2 emission up to 20% both, directly (and locally) by internal recycling of the metal fraction derived from residues, or indirectly by increasing the use of scrap as raw material in steelmaking production processes. Also, is aiming to validate at industrial test scale technologies for impurity removal from scrap or the recovery of metal fractions contained in steel making process residues reaching high recycling rate of residues originated at the demo site up to 40% achieving a metal recovery efficiency up to 90% and a mineral recovery efficiency up to 80%. 

Carbon Direct Avoidance in steel: Electricity and hydrogen-based metallurgy (Clean Steel Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11415 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic covers carbon direct avoidance technologies leading to significant CO₂ emission reduction in the steel sector.

Plastic waste as a circular carbon feedstock for industry (Processes4Planet Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11409 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The proposals submitted under this topic are expected to provide concepts for utilisation of unsorted plastic (and other) waste in cracking applications, including e.g. packaging, non-sorted polymers and single use items such as PPEs, for the production of material streams of wide industrial interest (e.g. hydrocarbons, olefins, syngas, hydrogen, etc.). The technologies proposed should be electrified to work efficiently in a renewable based energy system. They should also be able to cope with potential fluctuations in energy supply.

Hubs for Circularity European Community of Practice (ECoP) platform (Processes4Planet Partnership) (CSA)

Code: 11402 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Circularity is an essential part of the industry transformation towards climate-neutrality and long-term competitiveness.  H4C have strong technological focus and industrial dimension, but their implementation leverages elements well beyond R&I. Specific implementation (including funding) strategies will have to be designed, ensuring the participation of all stakeholders (Industry, SMEs, local authorities, educational institutions and civil society). The common target is to collectively achieve and demonstrate at scale a leap towards circularity and carbon neutrality in the use of resources (feedstock, energy and water) in a profitable way.

Deploying industrial-urban symbiosis solutions for the utilization of energy, water, industrial waste and by-products at regional scale (Processes4Planet Partnership) (RIA)

Code: 11397 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

In order to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, exemplary pilot solutions integrating industrial urban symbiosis need to be exploited. The solutions could cover the reduction of waste, virgin raw materials and energy and water consumption, mainly by transforming underused waste materials (both industrial waste, industrial side streams, by-products and end of life urban waste) into feedstock for the process industries (urban mining).

Breakthrough technologies supporting technological sovereignty in construction (RIA)

Code: 11395 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

There is a major need to ensure that construction activities in countries in Europe do not depend on breakthrough technologies the industry concerned needs to import from outside Europe to remain competitive. The use of technologies such as additive manufacturing, autonomous vehicles and human robot collaboration in a construction environment is crucial to increase the degree of digitalisation of the sector.
In addition, Member States are facing a shortage of skilled labour force in construction activities. Α higher degree of digitalisation would make the construction sector attractive for younger generations and construction sites a safer working environment. 

Automated tools for the valorisation of construction waste (RIA)

Code: 11393 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is the largest waste stream in the EU. The aim of this call is to reusing and recycling CDW in new constructions, the sector would come closer to the targets of becoming fully circular and climate neutral. This could be achieved by utilising digital technologies for instance Building Information Modelling (BIM), material and component tracing, dedicated apps for construction/de-construction and optimize site management.

Digital permits and compliance checks for buildings and infrastructure (IA)

Code: 11390 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

There is a need to develop, connect and align new technologies and digital tools for construction, including improved and automated methods of designing, building and authorising construction works. Information generated or imported into digital models during early design phases can potentially streamline the application and granting of digital administrative permits. This will in turn facilitate informed decision making including compliance checks later in the design and construction process and throughout the life cycle of the built asset.

Data-driven Distributed Industrial Environments (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11387 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The aim of this call is to build a flexible industrial Internet for distributed control and modular manufacturing while keeping the high-level of reliability and safety required by the manufacturing sector. Computing, storage and networking technologies will have to show also flexibility along the industrial value chains and promote the introduction of new business models, based on the availability of deep industrial data from different data sources and ontologies, within an agreed data governance, with mutual trust and adequate distribution of the value created by sharing data.

Nature-based solutions, prevention and reduction of risks and the insurance sector

Code: 11383 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

This topic aims to support the development of policies, business models and market conditions to scale up and speed up the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). It will contribute to the wider deployment of NBS and to fully reaping their economic, social and environmental benefits in order to build a competitive sustainability in Europe and to tackle climate change. 

The economics of nature-based solutions: cost-benefit analysis, market development and funding

Code: 11375 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The aim of this Call is to support the development of policies, business models and market conditions to scale up and speed up the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). Also, to contribute to the wider deployment of NBS and to fully reaping their economic, employment, social and environmental benefits in order to build a competitive sustainability in Europe and to tackle climate change, as well as to create green jobs and build resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

Assess and predict integrated impacts of cumulative direct and indirect stressors on coastal and marine biodiversity, ecosystems and their services

Code: 11363 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Pressures on marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystems are increasing at a faster rate than the efforts to protect them. Τhe aim of this call is to facilitate and speed up the development of measures and holistic ecosystem-based management approaches that promote the sustainability of coastal and marine ecosystems and enable them to deliver services and be resilient to rapid climate and environmental changes.

European Partnership on Innovative SMEs

Code: 11317 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 01/09/2021

The overall objective of the initiative is to implement a Co-funded European Partnership for Innovative SMEs to stimulate economic growth and job creation by enhancing the competitiveness of innovative SMEs while contributing to deliver a positive economic, societal and environmental impact in Europe and beyond.

Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors

Code: 11304 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) | Start submission calls: 06/07/2021 | End submission calls: 26/10/2021

The topic will allow national, regional and/or local authorities from Member States, Associated Countries and/or EU regions in charge of innovation policies and programmes, in cooperation with private and research and innovation actors, to prepare joint multi-annual programmes of activities (action plans) with the aim of strengthening their efficiency, capacities and interconnection and jointly tackle challenges at EU, national, regional and local level.
The topic will allow applicants to prepare and agree on a common programme of activities (action plans).

Understanding and valuing coastal and marine biodiversity and ecosystems services

Code: 11290 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

It is important to improve the knowledge, understand and model marine biodiversity as soon as possible.

Data and technologies for the inventory, fast identification and monitoring of endangered wildlife and other species groups

Code: 11282 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The EU biodiversity strategy contains concrete objectives to protect and restore biodiversity and to address the main pressures and threats to biodiversity. In order to achieve these objectives, basic research is needed to better understand, monitor, observe and manage biodiversity, including in protected areas. Such knowledge is also indispensable to support the protection and restoration of natural capital and ecosystems.

European participation in global biodiversity genomics endeavours aimed at identifying all biodiversity on Earth

Code: 11280 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) consortium has set up high-throughput barcoding infrastructure to barcode all biodiversity on Earth by 2045 with the help of the international community and several new infrastructures across the world.  Similarly, the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), aims to sequence and catalogue the genomes of all of Earth’s currently described eukaryotic species over a period of 10 years.
Successful proposals will help to create and maintain European nodes and networks integrated into global biodiversity genomics initiatives and help to better understand biodiversity decline, its main direct drivers and their interrelations.

Thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 11096 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 06/10/2021

Successful proposal will focus on knowledge sharing in a language that is easy to understand and is targeted to farmers and foresters. Achieve greater user acceptance of collected solutions and a more intensive dissemination of existing knowledge, by connecting actors, policies, projects and instruments to speed up innovation and promote the faster and wider co-creation and transposition of innovative solutions into practice.

Coordination of complementary actions for missions

Code: 11089 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 14/09/2021

The mission concept aims to deliver societal impact. This action aims to foster cooperation and coordination between EU-level actions and complementary national, regional and local actions in support of the implementation of missions. This action should also leverage opportunities raised by the digital transition. It should enhance the missions’ potential for rapid testing, piloting, demonstrating, scaling up and de-risking of large place-based R&I projects/initiatives, after the conclusions of their preparatory phase.

Artificial Intelligence for sustainable, agile manufacturing (AI, Data and Robotics - Made in Europe Partnerships) (IA)

Code: 11083 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

This topic focuses on manufacturing and process industries, addressing the entire lifecycle of products and services from design to remanufacturing and including all the aspects primarily relevant for industrial production. The objective is to exploit the potential of AI as a transformation tool to support circular production in the entire manufacturing and process industry, with due consideration for standardisation activities when relevant.

Manufacturing technologies for bio-based materials (Made in Europe Partnership) (RIA)

Code: 11081 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan aims at making sustainable products the norm in the EU. Twenty-first century manufacturing requires new materials and new techniques to produce them. Rapid progress in manufacturing technologies using new and alternative materials, such as biomaterials, is one of the drivers of this trend.
These technologies provide a valid alternative to conventional materials with a substantially lower environmental impact.

Laser-based technologies for green manufacturing (Photonics - Made in Europe Partnerships) (RIA)

Code: 11070 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

Machine tools include various laser-based technologies such as milling, turning, grinding, laser processing, surface treatment, sintering, forming and additive manufacturing. Projects funded under this topic should integrate state-of-the-art high-power lasers and tailored beams together with quality sensors and real time monitoring systems into advanced manufacturing and re-manufacturing tools.

Zero-defect manufacturing towards zero-waste (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA)

Code: 11044 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

The projects must address the full production line or system, with an holistic approach, with the aim of reducing defects (e.g. rejected components or products) and manufacturing waste. The defect reduction and the overall quality control should be centred on such defects that reduce the yield, acceptance, or qualification of the final product, and enable a “first-time-right” production process.

AI enhanced robotics systems for smart manufacturing (AI, Data and Robotics - Made in Europe Partnerships) (IA)

Code: 11042 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Digital, Industry & Space (Cluster 4)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 23/09/2021

EU and Associated countries need to strengthen their capacity to manufacture and re-manufacture goods in a sustainable and competitive way to be ready to expand into new value chains.
Projects should seize the opportunities arising from the latest state-of the art-developments in AI and robotics to deploy intelligent and autonomous systems for flexible production.

Promoting a trusted mHealth label in Europe: uptake of technical specifications for quality and reliability of health and wellness apps

Code: 11038 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Europe is experiencing a fast growing market for health and wellness apps. At the same time, concerns about the quality and reliability of apps have risen. The objective of the technical specification is to define quality and reliability criteria, which support app developers to design and users of apps to select better apps.

Development, procurement and responsible management of new antimicrobials

Code: 11036 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The aim of this topic is to prepare for the establishment of a pull incentive for new antimicrobials where there is an unmet public health need and a market failure.

Green pharmaceuticals

Code: 11032 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The EU needs to address the increasing problem of environmental pollution due to pharmaceuticals throughout their life cycle. This topic is part of an EU strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment and the Pharmaceutical strategy for Europe called for diversifying and secure supply chains and environmentally sustainable pharmaceuticals.
The purpose of this topic is twofold.

Innovative tools for use and re-use of health data (in particular of electronic health records and/or patient registries)

Code: 11025 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Health data exists in many forms and multiple fragmented repositories; there is still significant room for improvement in the way both structured and unstructured health data is stored, analysed and interpreted. Sharing and analysing data from multiple countries in a safe and legally compliant manner (in particular with regard to personal data protection) remains a challenge. Advances in AI and machine learning, however, have the potential to transform the way clinicians, providers and researchers use unstructured data.

Next generation advanced therapies to treat highly prevalent and high burden diseases with unmet medical needs

Code: 11020 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The recent development of advanced therapies has been hampered by the lack of robust research on certain key parameters e.g. safety, upscaling, immunity, potency assays, cost-effectiveness, and early on in development. This topic aims to ensure that the next wave of advanced therapies, based on either pluripotent stem cells, gene editing or RNA, are established in a timely fashion and in accordance with the appropriate regulatory standards for further clinical testing.

Smart medical devices and their surgical implantation for use in resource-constrained settings

Code: 11016 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Smart” technologies, i.e. micro-electronic sensor/actuator systems provide novel functionalities to surgically-implanted active medical devices.  There is a strong need for high-quality, affordable surgical interventions for implanting “smart” active medical devices suitable for resource-limited or -constrained clinical settings. 

Health care innovation procurement network

Code: 11004 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

This call aims to support the creation of a network of public and private procurers that are responsible for deploying health care innovations across the EU, in order to identify potential areas of interest for innovation procurement.

Data-driven decision-support tools for better health care delivery and policy-making with a focus on cancer

Code: 11000 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

This call topic will contribute to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan activities and other relevant initiatives such as the European Cancer Information System. For this reason, proposals must focus on one or more phases of the cycle of the disease, starting from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment and quality of life of patients and survivors. In this topic, research and innovation actions should aim at optimising and/or transforming health care delivery decision-making processes, supporting policy-making, and/or empowering citizens and cancer patients.

Enhancing quality of care and patient safety

Code: 10998 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Patient safety remains an issue of increasing concern for EU health systems. Overall, the most common types of in-hospital adverse effects are operative/surgical related, medication or drug related, and health care associated infections, half of them being preventable. Ιt is necessary to develop and implement coherent quality improvement and patient safety strategies in Europe. Harmonisation and standardisation of health care processes along the continuum of care contribute to improve quality and safety of health services, minimise the risk of errors and at the same time ensure the quality and comparability of health data. 

Building a European partnership for pandemic preparedness

Code: 10996 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated how unilateral research initiatives may lead to a fragmented research landscape, with substantial room for efficiency gains in the development of the highly needed evidence to guide policy actions when facing an emergency. The expected future European partnership for pandemic preparedness should aim to improve the EU’s preparedness to predict and respond to emerging infectious health threats by better coordinating funding for research and innovation at EU, national (and regional) level towards common objectives and an agreed Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.

A roadmap towards the creation of the European partnership on One Health antimicrobial resistance (OH AMR)

Code: 10975 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The increasing levels of AMR present a major threat to human health with serious consequences also to animal and environmental health. Tackling AMR in bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites requires a strong and coordinated response to protect citizens in Europe and beyond, as indicated in the European One Health Action Plan against AMR. This action plan provides the framework within which actions should be taken against this threat. It is recognised that combatting AMR requires a One Health approach, recognizing that human and animal health and the environment are interconnected. The challenge in the current situation is that the AMR research and innovation landscape is still too fragmented addressing human health, animal health, feed, food safety and environment in silos, and it is also fragmented across Member States. Therefore, there is the need to move towards the integration of the various disciplines to overcome this fragmentation, thus tackling the problem of AMR with a comprehensive One Health approach bringing the diverse actors together.

Personalised medicine and infectious diseases: understanding the individual host response to viruses (e.g. SARS-CoV-2)

Code: 10957 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Proposals are expected to characterize the host response and host-pathogen interaction to a virus (or viruses) at the level of genetic patterns, physiological mechanisms and molecular pathways involving different organs and systems to identify factors that predispose to different clinical symptoms, different progression of the viral disease and different clinical outcomes. The study should include patient follow-up to identify conditions (including long-term ones) that may appear after the patient has recovered from the viral disease.

Clinical validation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for treatment and care

Code: 10955 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Applying trustworthy-AI in healthcare contexts generate a multitude of benefits, including more effective disease management by optimised personalised treatments and assessment of health outcomes. Based on existing (pre)clinical evidence, proposals should focus on implementing clinical studies to validate AI-based solutions comparing their benefits versus standard-of-care treatments in non-communicable diseases. Proposals should pay special attention to the usability, performance and safety of the AI-based solutions developed, and above all to their clinical evaluation and (cost-)effectiveness in view of their inclusion into current clinical guidelines for personalised treatments following current EU regulatory framework.

Innovative approaches to enhance poverty-related diseases research in sub-Saharan Africa

Code: 10953 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) has established itself as the focal point of cooperation in clinical research on infectious disease between the EU and sub-Saharan Africa. Τhere is a need to further support research on the major infectious disease threats facing sub-Saharan Africa. Despite large-scale investments in product development for poverty-related infectious diseases (PRDs), progress in achieving public health gain is slow, while sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of these diseases. There is a need to support product development and to encourage the use of new, innovative approaches and emerging technologies in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve rapid progress and impact. 

Building a European innovation platform for the repurposing of medicinal products

Code: 10950 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Development of therapeutics is a lengthy process that requires a large amount of efforts, time and financial resources. It is often burdened by delays and barriers that account for an average of almost 15 years until a promising candidate molecule becomes an approved medicine. It is therefore of paramount importance to define strategies that facilitate the reduction of timeframes, decrease costs and improve the success rate of this complex and lengthy process.

Improved supportive, palliative, survivorship and end-of-life care of cancer patients

Code: 10948 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The complexity of health conditions related to cancer and late or long-term side effects as consequences of its treatments affect the quality of life of cancer patients and their families and pose a significant societal and economic burden. Τhere is a need to strengthen the evidence base for patient-centred, effective interventions improving the quality of life and outcomes of cancer patients and cancer survivors of all ages in the domains of supportive, palliative, survivorship and end-of-life care.

European partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals (PARC)

Code: 10940 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Chemicals risk assessors and managers are faced with data and knowledge gaps and lack of tools and methods, to speed up and prioritise risk assessments and capture risks from existing and emerging substances across regulatory domains. To enable risk assessors and risk managers to respond to current and future challenges, the Partnership should stimulate research and innovation in chemicals risk assessment by developing a collaborative network with public research entities.

Support for R&I policy making in the Western Balkans

Code: 10917 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 29/06/2021 | End submission calls: 29/09/2021

This action aligns with ERA and Widening objectives in that it aims to strengthen links with EU partners and opens up to EU networks.

Health impacts of climate change, costs and benefits of action and inaction

Code: 10910 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The aim of this topic is the identification, monitoring and quantification of direct and indirect impacts on human health, including in occupational settings, and related risk factors correlated to climate change, especially in vulnerable population groups such as children or in groups at risk such as workers. Innovative surveillance tools are further required to ensure a timely response to emerging threats, to feed and strengthen early warning systems, and to enable the design, monitoring and evaluation of interventions. This may include mathematical modelling with big data and artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, citizen science and biomarkers of exposure or virulence.

Indoor air quality and health

Code: 10906 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Air quality is primarily monitored in outdoor locations, often for regulatory targets compliance purposes. Ιmproving outdoor air quality leads to general improvements of indoor air quality as well, certain sources of air pollution not covered by ambient air quality standards can dominate in some indoor environments. In addition to identifying determinants for indoor air quality, it is important to assess their health impacts in the levels reached indoors to facilitate setting of purposeful indoor air quality standards. This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination 2 ‘Living and working in a health-promoting environment’.

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health

Code: 10904 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

There has been an exponential increase in the use of wireless personal communication devices (new generation radio-communication networks, e.g. 5G) and this has resulted in an increase in man-made electromagnetic radiation in our surroundings. Due to this, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection prepared guidelines for limiting exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields. Nevertheless, there is some concern over the possible impact on health and safety from potentially higher exposure to EMF. 
While digitalisation presents new opportunities, e.g. distance monitoring of air and water pollution and health outcomes, it also presents potential health risks. Europe needs a digital sector that puts sustainability at its heart: when deploying new technologies, the potential risks related to human health should also be assessed.

Mobilising a network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for the Health Cluster

Code: 10895 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Proposals should aim to facilitate trans-national co-operation between National Contact Points (NCPs) with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to programme applicants.

A roadmap for personalised prevention

Code: 10893 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

The progress in medicine over the past decades has been impressive. Additionally, personalised prevention, holds many promises and would allow a paradigm shift in the provision and management of health care if efforts are co-ordinated and concentrated at the European and global levels. However, more could be achieved while identifying individuals at higher risk of developing a particular condition early on and before symptoms occur. Specifically, more insight is needed on the underlying human biology, taking stock of the rich data accumulated from the biomedical sciences.

Healthy Citizens 2.0 - Supporting digital empowerment and health literacy of citizens

Code: 10884 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the value of digital health interventions and solutions for health promotion, disease prevention and treatment. However, in parallel, it is vital to ensure that online-based patient-centred programmes do not leave behind the very people they are primarily designed to empower. Moreover, citizen’s digital health literacy is essential for the successful transformation of health care systems.

Towards a molecular and neurobiological understanding of mental health and mental illness for the benefit of citizens and patients

Code: 10882 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: The Health (Cluster 1) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 21/09/2021

Mental illnesses represent a huge and growing burden for Europe, both at individual and societal level. There is a lack of evidence base on the optimal use of different pharmacological and non-pharmacological prevention strategies. A deeper molecular and neurobiological understanding of the interplay between genetic, epigenetic and environmental risk and resilience factors, including neural circuit alterations, is critical for the development of objective biomarkers and evidence-based interventions that will significantly improve mental health outcomes.

Upgrading Independent Knowledge on Contemporary China in Europe

Code: 10858 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Projects are expected to address the following:

• Further deepen European independent knowledge/understanding of China’s social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics, of the impact of its foreign policy, and of its compliance with international obligations/laws/norms.
• Analyse new global narratives and study how these compare and interact with European interests and values, while acknowledging and reflecting Europe’s diversity.
• Enhance the visibility of our independent expertise and mainstream knowledge on China to increase its appeal in learning/research institutions among students.
• Stimulate and support the creation of independent knowledge on contemporary China to increase the level of “knowledge autonomy/independence” through the creation of new connections and synergies between intra-European China knowledge nodes from across all relevant organizations and joint research projects.

Towards a new normal? Employment and social impacts of changing supply chains and declining trade intensities

Code: 10852 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Globalization has expanded the value and supply chains and shifted trade patterns and dynamics. Research should first conceptualise the actual global and sectoral trade patterns, value chains, supply chains and production networks including the labour market, income inequalities, decent work and social cohesion in urban and rural areas, in light of the EU’s long-term policy priorities of social resilience and competitive sustainability.

Integration of emerging new technologies into education and training

Code: 10849 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Proposals should support the purposeful and pedagogical use of emerging technologies, including applications of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and robotics in education and training, in order to foster 21^st century skills such as communication, collaboration, digital literacy, critical as well as design thinking and creativity.

Addressing poor learning outcomes in basic skills and early school leaving at national, regional and local level in Europe

Code: 10841 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Proposals under this Call should concentrate on the institutional, socio-economic, cognitive, cultural, linguistic gender, psycho-emotional and well-being determinants, as well as the root causes of underachievement and school dropout at primary, secondary and post-secondary levels of education.

Determining key drivers of inequality trends

Code: 10827 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

In the light of increasing economic and social inequalities and regional disparities in terms of both economic and other outcomes and opportunities, research should analyse the main reasons for the increasing inequalities reported in the last decades worldwide and, thereby, identify whether this is primarily policy driven and/or the result of different factors related to globalisation and technological innovations. More specifically, research should examine whether inequality dynamics are determined by different trends.

Providing support in a changing world of work and social protection

Code: 10809 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Innovative research is needed to explore and provide new insights into the impact of change on reducing socio-economic inequality, the consequences of growing poverty, protecting people from all forms of hardship, and the self-employed as needed to move towards more stable employment relationships in the European labor market and related welfare systems, in order to ensure that welfare systems are adapted accordingly and continue to fulfill the above roles.

Estimates of irregular migrants in Europe - stakeholder network

Code: 10802 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Irregular migrants are, by definition, difficult to capture in population statistics,  and so it remains unknown how many irregular migrants are in the EU and in the various EU Member States today. This is a challenge, for the policymakers as they have limited capacity to develop policies targeted to a group of people that is ill-defined. This is even more challenging in situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Proposals should comparatively assess legal frameworks across the EU that determine the irregular status of migrants, and comprehensively assess their impact.

Coordination of European cultural heritage research and innovation among Member States

Code: 10795 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

The European Union has provided funding through co-financing programs to coordinate national research and innovation activities on cultural heritage, the arts and to increase their impact, which should be assessed in order to agree further coordination and partnerships with Member States. and associated countries.
Proposals under this topic are expected to realise a mapping of national activities pertaining to cultural heritage, provenance research, architecture, as well as programmes and European ERA-Net Co-funding schemes on cultural heritage R&I.

Mobilising the network of National Contact Points in Cluster 2

Code: 10793 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Proposals should aim to facilitate trans-national co-operation between National Contact Points (NCPs) in the areas covered by Horizon Europe Cluster 2 ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’, with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to programme applicants. In addition, the action will provide important feedback on issues relating to programme planning, design and evaluation.

Preserving and enhancing cultural heritage with advanced digital technologies

Code: 10789 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Digital technologies, from 3D simulation to artificial intelligence and virtual/augmented reality, are being used to ensure preservation and wide access to cultural heritage and the arts. Τhere is a need to expand and further support the application of digital tools to preserve cultural heritage and to make it widely accessible. The relation between cultural heritage and its digitised format through the experience of audiences is of particular interest. 

Cultural and creative industries as a driver of innovation and competitiveness

Code: 10787 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

The cultural and creative industries (CCI) are an important source of growth and job creation in the European economy. The growth of this sector has raised interest at policy level for its innovation potential and for contributing to improved competitiveness. The challenge is to understand how to realise the full potential of CCIs as a driver for innovation, create stronger links with other sectors and contribute to strengthening the European economy, society and its sustainability.

New ways of participatory management and sustainable financing of museums and other cultural institutions

Code: 10785 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Museums and other cultural institutions (such as libraries, galleries, archives, memorial sites, etc.) play a key-role in social inclusion and cohesion. Nowadays, museums and other cultural institutions are facing several challenges such as scarce funding, new legal obligations with regard to their collections insufficient numbers of visitors or, to the other extreme, massive tourist crowds, which necessitate new and expensive conservation means and security tools. All these challenges are threatening the existence and efficient work of museums and other cultural institutions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to ensure methods of sustainable financing in order to help museums and other cultural institutions recover quickly, continue operate in a safe and viable way and widen as much as possible access to citizens.

Green technologies and materials for cultural heritage

Code: 10783 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Materials and methods for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage can often be energy consuming, not environmentally friendly or even harmful for the health of operators and curators. Moreover, many of these materials and methods prove to be neither durable nor sustainable, often leading to repetitive and costly restoration of artefacts, monuments and heritage sites. Research has already addressed this challenge to a certain extent; yet, the wide range of materials, types of buildings and monuments, and the specific needs of artefacts call for further investigation and tailored solutions.

Politics and governance in a post-pandemic world

Code: 10780 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

The COVID-19 crisis affects societies in multifaceted ways. Specifically, affects the public health threat, the economic dislocations, social disruptions and information disorder that test political processes and institutions.  In addition, the crisis also opens opportunities for positive change and innovative new solutions that research actions will help to identify and grasp. In this vein, research should examine the impact of the pandemic on populist and extremist discourses and proposals, and assess whether it has bolstered polarisation and the appeal of authoritarianism or whether, on the contrary, it has provided impetus and momentum for an effective uphold of democratic accountability and judicial control.
Moreover, a stocktaking exercise should allow identifying whether the political trend emerging from the crisis is a demand for greater and improved collaboration and concerted action amongst EU Member States and Associated Countries or, on the contrary, an overall “renationalisation” of the EU and international spheres.

Democratic politics in the EU’s neighbourhood

Code: 10772 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Despite the hopes raised by the ‘colour revolutions’ in Eastern Europe in the 2000s and the Arab Spring in 2011 as boosters of democratisation in the European neighbourhood, a more troubling reality persists: some democratic advances coexist with the continued persistence of authoritarian rule in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North African countries. Research should assess the EU’s actual role in promoting democracy. 

Feminisms for a new age of democracy

Code: 10768 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Societies (Cluster 2)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 07/10/2021

Gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union and lies at the core of European democracy. At the same time, however, there has been a societal and political backlash against feminism centred around traditionalist, masculinist and authoritarian discourses. Research is needed on the theory and practice of feminism(s), in the face of a changed and changing reality in the EU and beyond, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fostering balanced brain circulation – ERA Fellowships

Code: 10764 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 29/06/2021 | End submission calls: 12/10/2021

Fellowships should be provided to excellent researchers, undertaking cross-border mobility either to or between EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

Capacity building to strengthen networks of higher education institutions and cooperation with surrounding ecosystems

Code: 10761 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 29/06/2021 | End submission calls: 04/11/2021

Through the European Excellence Initiative, Horizon Europe’s support aims at the transformation of higher education sector and their surrounding ecosystems, including non-university research centres.

Collaborative local governance models to accelerate the emblematic transformation of urban environment and contribute to the New European Bauhaus initiative and the objectives of the European Green Deal

Code: 10756 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 14/09/2021

In order to contribute to the European Green Deal objectives of climate-neutrality, sustainability, prosperity and inclusiveness, cities will have to undergo a rapid and radical transformation and come up with creative, sustainable and collaborative solutions.  A well co-designed public space provides the unique opportunity to improve its climate-neutrality, while increasing their attractiveness and social inclusiveness. As promoted by the New European Bauhaus initiative, a systemic co-designed approach to ‘quality climate-neutral urban transformation’ can create living space, where the best technical performances meet citizens’ social, emotional, cultural and aesthetic needs and values.

Supporting national, regional and local authorities across Europe to prepare for the transition towards climate neutrality within cities

Code: 10754 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 14/09/2021

Specific national networks for these cities will support translating and tailoring the goals of the European Green Deal Strategy and all relevant initiatives launched within this framework to the local specificities in close collaboration with national and local authorities, stakeholders and citizens.

Preparing the ground for healthy soils: building capacities for engagement, outreach and knowledge

Code: 10747 | Programme name: Horizon Europe (2021-2027) | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 22/06/2021 | End submission calls: 20/10/2021