Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage
Objective of the call
This call aims to strengthen the organic farming sector in Europe by addressing remaining research and innovation needs.
It supports the development of safe, viable and cost-effective innovations that enhance the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of organic farming systems.
The topic aligns with the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Common Agricultural Policy, and EU biodiversity, zero pollution and climate policies.
Scope of activities
Proposals must:
- Develop innovations addressing land-based organic crop and livestock production across diverse pedo-climatic conditions in the EU and Associated Countries
- Demonstrate how innovations facilitate the uptake and implementation of organic production methods by farmers and other stakeholders
- Establish sites in different pedo-climatic conditions to co-create, test, validate and upscale innovations
- Set up a network connecting these sites and promote knowledge exchange among organic farmers and other relevant actors
- Address agronomic, sustainability (economic, environmental, biodiversity, climate, social), value chain and/or market-related challenges
- Collaborate with relevant Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, EU Mission Soil and Partnership projects, avoiding duplication
- Include a dedicated task and resources for collaboration with other projects funded under this topic and with the Horizon Europe Partnership “Agroecology”
Projects may provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) to support value chain actors in co-creation, testing, validation and upscaling of innovations.
Proposals must implement the multi-actor approach and ensure effective involvement of farmers and relevant agri-food value chain stakeholders, applying a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach.
The effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines is required.
Eligible applicants
- Innovative SMEs, startups and enterprises aiming to scale and strengthen competitiveness
- Public-sector organisations driving transformation and societal impact
- Research and academic institutions commercialising knowledge
- Non-profit organisations delivering purpose-driven innovation
- Organisations based in EU Member States, EFTA/EEA, or Associated Countries (described in General Annex A, General Annex B, General Annex C)
- Minimum 3 independent partners from 3 eligible countries
Specific consortium we are looking for:
- Organic farmers and farmers’ organisations
- Agricultural advisors and extension services
- Universities and research organisations specialised in organic production
- SMEs and innovation providers in organic agriculture
- Agri-food value chain operators
- Social sciences and humanities experts
Applicants must form multi-actor consortia.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs follow standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA) rules and include:
- Personnel costs
- Innovation development and demonstration activities
- Establishment and operation of pilot sites and networks
- Impact assessment and monitoring activities
- Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)
- Communication, knowledge exchange and collaboration activities
Funding conditions
Type of action:
Innovation Action (IA)
Funding rate:
70% of eligible costs (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of up to 100% applies)
EU contribution per project:
Around EUR 6 million
Number of funded projects:
2 projects
Project duration:
Typically 36 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL):
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6–8 by the end of the project
*Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) describe the maturity of a technology, from basic research (TRL 1) to fully deployed, market-ready solutions (TRL 9).
Deadline for submission
14 April 2026