Enhancing the competitiveness of organic crop breeding: focus on intercropping adapted varieties

Overview

Supports research and innovation projects aimed at enhancing organic crop breeding for intercropping systems, focusing on developing varieties adapted to multi-species farming. Targets researchers, breeders, and consortia working to improve agrobiodiversity, pest/weed management, and resource efficiency in organic agriculture.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., research institutions, universities, SMEs, breeders) from eligible countries. Third-party financial support (e.g., for testing or demonstration) is permitted under specific conditions.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €8,000,000 per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Financial support to third parties (FSTP) is allowed, with a maximum of €60,000 per third party.

What Is Funded

• Development of organic breeding approaches for intercropping, emphasizing competition, complementarity, and facilitation mechanisms.
• Advancement of plant traits and eco-physiological processes for improved intercrop performance.
• Identification of high-performing crop and variety combinations for intercropping.
• Tools and methods for evaluating genotypes in intercropping conditions, including frameworks for Organic Heterogeneous Material (OHM) and Organic Varieties Suitable for Organic Production (OVSOP).
• Collaboration with existing Horizon 2020/Europe projects and European research infrastructures.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must target Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-04-19
• Deadline: 2027-09-21

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage application process. Proposals must be submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Geographic Scope & Language

Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland. Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must align with EU policies on organic production, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture.
• Particular attention must be given to regulations for OHM and OVSOP.
• Projects are encouraged to leverage existing research and infrastructure.