Grant

Living labs to enhance soil health in Continental, Black Sea, Pannonian and Steppic biogeographical regions

EU funding for the establishment and networking of Living Labs to improve soil health in continental, Black Sea, Pannonian, and steppe biogeoregions. Two phases, submission deadlines by 08.04.2027 (1st phase) and 14.09.2027 (2nd phase).

Environmental/Nature Protection Climate Action

Discover your potential with AI support

  • Find out if this grant matches your project
  • Develop your application together with AI
  • Get matched with many more suitable grants

Grant criteria

Application Deadline:
04.02. - 08.04.2027
Application level: Complex
Region: EU
Funding amount: €12,000,000 per project
Project duration: 48 months

Funding objective

Establishment and networking of Living Labs in selected biogeoregions for the co-creative development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable soil health-promoting solutions involving multiple stakeholders.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Materials
  • Equipment
  • Financial support for third parties (up to €60,000 per third party)

Eligible to apply

  • Companies
  • Educational Institutions
  • Public Institutions
  • Non-profit Organizations

Funding requirements

  • Consortium of at least three partners from three different EU member states or associated countries
  • Multi-actor approach (involvement of research, practice, and civil society)
  • Focus on a biogeoregion (continental or Black Sea, Pannonian, steppe)
  • Duration and capacity for long-term observation (approx. 4 years)

Documents required for application

  1. Application form (in the submission system)
  2. Project description
  3. Budget and financing plan
  4. CV of the key person(s)
  5. Proof of organizational and financial capacity
  6. Statement on the multi-stakeholder approach

Evaluation criteria

  • Excellence of research and innovation content
  • Added value of the multi-actor approach
  • Impact on soil health and environment
  • Dissemination and exploitation potential
  • Quality of consortium organization and governance

Description

The program supports the establishment and networking of Living Labs in the continental, Black Sea, Pannonian, and steppe biogeoregions of the EU to jointly develop, implement, and evaluate sustainable strategies for improving soil health. Interest-free grants of €12 million per project will be awarded in two phases; the first deadline is 08.04.2027, the second 14.09.2027. Eligible applicants include companies, educational institutions, public bodies, and non-profit organizations collaborating in a consortium with at least three partners from three different EU Member States or associated countries. The objective is the co-creative and long-term exchange of research, practice, and civil society in selected biogeoregions with a duration of 48 months and capacities for long-term monitoring.

The multi-actor approach relies on interdisciplinary teams from research institutions, farmers, forestry enterprises, SMEs, and civil society organizations. Funding covers personnel costs, travel expenses, consumables, equipment, as well as financial support for third parties up to €60,000 per recipient. Selection criteria include excellence of research and innovation content, added value of the multi-actor approach, environmental impact, exploitation and dissemination potential, as well as the quality of consortium organization and governance. Project results are expected to deliver practical solutions, standardized soil monitoring data, and stronger involvement of local stakeholders to support the objectives of the EU Soil Deal and the European biodiversity and climate protection strategies.

Start application →

Ready to secure your funding?

Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.