Boosting agrobiodiversity for food security and sustainable competitiveness

Within the framework of the EU research and innovation program Horizon Europe, the European Commission is launching a single-stage call with a total funding amount of €6,000,000 for two selected research and innovation projects. The objective is to research and promote agrobiodiversity at field and farm levels as a key to stable yields, food security, increased incomes for farmers, and enhanced resilience against environmental stressors. Eligible applicants include companies of all sizes, non-profit organizations, public institutions, and start-ups from at least three legally independent participants from three EU Member States or associated countries. A multi-actor approach is mandatory, whereby farmers, land managers, agricultural SMEs, and policymakers collaboratively develop viable solution strategies in co-creative processes. Forestry enterprises and actors in sustainable environmental and climate research are also eligible to apply. Funding covers 100% of personnel costs, material costs, prototype construction, travel expenses, and subcontractor services over a project duration of 36 months.

The application deadline is September 17, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time; project start is possible from October 1, 2026. Required documents include the online completed Part A application, the project description Part B, a detailed financial plan, CVs of key personnel, and a declaration of compliance with ethical requirements. Evaluation criteria include the excellence of the research questions, the expected impact on food security and income, as well as the quality and efficiency of project implementation. Promising initiatives—such as quantifying the contribution of soil microbial diversity, developing scalable agrobiodiversity practices, or digital decision support tools—may qualify for full EU funding and thus make a decisive contribution to strengthening sustainable agricultural systems in Europe.