Unleashing the potential of sustainable small-scale aquatic food production and recreational fisheries for prosperous local communities

Overview

Funding for projects that enhance the sustainability, innovation, and economic viability of small-scale aquatic food production—including fisheries, recreational fisheries, and aquaculture—while supporting local communities, environmental resilience, and digitalization. Targets SMEs, research institutions, and stakeholders in the aquatic food value chain.

Who Can Apply

Legal entities from EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and specified third countries. Consortia of at least three independent entities from three different eligible countries are required. Small-scale producers, research organizations, NGOs, public bodies, and industry partners are encouraged to apply.

Funding Details

Maximum grant amount: 11,000,000 EUR per project. Funding is provided as a lump sum, with eligible costs determined by the Horizon Europe lump sum model. No specified co-funding requirement, but proposals must demonstrate value for money and financial sustainability.

What Is Funded

Projects must advance sustainable small-scale aquatic food production through:

• Development of innovative business models, value chain integration, and market access for small-scale producers.
• Tools and methodologies (e.g., AI, machine learning, citizen science) to assess environmental and socio-economic contributions of small-scale actors.
• Nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based management, and digitalization to improve productivity and resilience.
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, including ecological footprint reduction and aquatic animal welfare.
• Social sciences and humanities research, including gender-sensitive approaches and cultural traditions related to aquatic food.
• Knowledge transfer, capacity-building, and stakeholder engagement to ensure practical implementation of innovations.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

Projects must start at TRL 4–5 and achieve TRL 6–7 by completion. Activities may begin at any TRL within this range.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-04-19
• Deadline: 2027-09-22T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

Single-stage application process. Proposals must be submitted via the Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal. Standard evaluation criteria (excellence, impact, implementation) apply, with thresholds outlined in the Work Programme General Annexes.

Post-Award Obligations

Lump sum grant agreements require adherence to Horizon Europe reporting standards, including financial and technical progress reports. Dissemination of results and knowledge transfer to stakeholders and policymakers is expected.

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 integrate natural and social sciences, with a focus on gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches.
• Stakeholder and end-user involvement is mandatory from design through implementation.
• Recreational fisheries may not market or sell catches but must demonstrate contributions to conservation and community development.
• Projects should align with EU policies, including the Common Fisheries Policy, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Biodiversity Strategy 2030.