Innovative biotechnologies to restore soil health and improve agricultural competitiveness and resilience

Overview

Funding for the development, validation, and market readiness of innovative biotechnologies—particularly those leveraging soil microbiome—to restore soil health, remediate pollution, and enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. Targets consortia of researchers, SMEs, farmers, and industry partners to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions.

Who Can Apply

Consortia comprising academia, research-technology organizations, SMEs (including startups), investors, product developers, legal advisors, manufacturers, distributors, and end-users (e.g., farmers). Proposals must implement a "multi-actor approach" with active involvement from all relevant value chain actors.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €12,000,000
• Funding form: Lump sum
• Co-funding: Not specified (assumed 100% funding for eligible costs under Horizon Europe lump-sum rules)

What Is Funded

• Development, upscaling, piloting, and validation of biotechnology solutions (e.g., bio-based fertilizers, microbial inoculants) to:

- Remediate contaminated soils (e.g., heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, PFAS) - Increase soil organic carbon stocks and improve soil structure - Enhance soil biodiversity, water retention, and nutrient availability - Boost crop quality, productivity, and resilience

• Socio-economic feasibility assessments, market-readiness pathways, and stakeholder collaboration
• Circular economy integration and sustainability evaluations
• Regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and policy foresight activities

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Target TRL at project end: 5–6 (system/subsystem validation in relevant environment)
• Expected TRL at application: 7–9 (proposals must demonstrate prior advancement to ensure progression to TRL 5–6 by project completion)

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-02-03
• Deadline: 2027-04-07T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the [Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal)
• Evaluation criteria: Excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation (detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes)
• Indicative timeline: Evaluation results expected ~5 months post-deadline; grant agreement signature ~8 months post-deadline

Post-Award Obligations

• Collaboration with other projects funded under this topic (joint activities, workshops, dissemination)
• Dedicated budget and plan for cross-project coordination
• Reporting on progress, outcomes, and socio-economic/environmental impacts
• Compliance with Horizon Europe lump-sum rules and financial audits

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries (Norway, Iceland, UK, Switzerland), and select non-associated countries with specific funding provisions
• Application language: English

Notes

• Proposals must align with the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, Zero Pollution Action Plan, and Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive.
• Excludes solutions not leveraging biotechnology or failing to address soil health, pollution remediation, or agricultural productivity.
• Budget must account for multi-actor collaboration and cross-project activities.