Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for regulated plant pests to support safe international trade

The EU research program “Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for regulated plant pests to support safe international trade” supports companies, educational institutions, non-profit, and public organizations across the entire EU as well as associated countries. With a total budget of €5.9 million and a project duration of 36 months, the program offers a grant with a funding rate of 100%. The objective is the development of innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly post-harvest treatments against regulated plant pests. Supported activities include testing, validation, the creation of scientifically based guidelines, and scaling of the developed procedures. Eligible applicants are consortia of at least three independent partners representing different EU or associated countries. Experience in research & development of phytosanitary treatments and compliance with EU Regulation 2016/2031 are prerequisites. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, material and travel costs, as well as subcontractor costs; in contrast, retrospective costs, debt settlement, and real estate acquisitions are excluded.

The call targets participants from agriculture & rural development, research & innovation, environmental/nature conservation, as well as energy efficiency & climate protection. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, environmental and health aspects, technical and economic feasibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Application documents comprise project description, work and financing plan, CVs of project leaders, ethics self-assessment, and proof of legal capacity. The deadline for submission of applications is 14.04.2026. The European Commission aims for an accelerated evaluation to bring innovative procedures promptly into international trade, thereby sustainably strengthening plant health, global supply security, and environmental protection.