Monitoring soil health in practice: equipping stakeholders to sample, analyse, and interpret soil health indicators
EU-wide networked measures to empower soil laboratories, farmers, and advisors in the standardized sampling, analysis, and evaluation process of soil health indicators. Applications can be submitted until 23.09.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the mission "A Soil Deal for Europe" through the development and harmonization of protocols, methods, and digital tools for the collection, interoperability, and interpretation of soil health data, as well as capacity building for laboratories, farmers, advisors, and other stakeholders.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Travel and accommodation costs
- Material costs (consumables, equipment calibration)
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of real estate
- Retroactive costs
- Debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Eligible institution in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries
- Proof of capacities in the agricultural or environmental research sector
- Collaboration with relevant stakeholders (laboratories, agriculture, advisory services)
Documents required for application
- Project description (Part B)
- Detailed financial plan (budget table)
- Ethics self-assessment
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the method set
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
- Expected impact on soil health and policy advice
Description
This EU-funded project aims to train and network soil laboratories, farmers, and agricultural advisors across Europe in standardized procedures for sampling, analysis, and interpretation of soil health indicators. Over a period of 36 months, protocols, measurement technology, and digital tools will be developed and harmonized to enable interoperable collection and evaluation of soil data. The initiative contributes to the mission "A Soil Deal for Europe" by building capacities among laboratories and agricultural stakeholders as well as providing policymakers with reliable data. With a funding amount of €5 million and a 100% funding rate, personnel costs, travel and subsistence expenses, and consumables are financed. Retroactive costs, real estate acquisitions, and debt repayment are not eligible. Evaluation is based on innovation content, implementation quality, and expected impacts on soil health and policy advice.
Eligible applicants are public institutions, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries with demonstrated expertise in agricultural or environmental sciences. Applicants must submit a project outline, detailed financial plan, and ethics self-assessment by 23.09.2026. Approved projects are expected to establish best practices for soil health monitoring across Europe and to contribute long-term FAIR-stored data to the European Union Soil Observatory. Through interdisciplinary collaboration between laboratory staff, farmers, and advisors, reliable data will be generated to sustainably optimize soil-based decision-making processes and achieve the objectives of the EU Soil Deal.