Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage
Objective of the call
This call aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU agricultural sector by improving the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural production factors.
It addresses the slowdown in total factor productivity (TFP) in EU agriculture and supports innovations that increase productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection.
The topic aligns with the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food.
Scope of activities
Proposals must address all of the following activities:
- Develop prototypes of innovations and farming practices that improve the efficient and sustainable use of production factors, or provide sustainable alternatives, and test them in large-scale operational environments
- Design cost-effective and sustainable business models and assess environmental (including biodiversity), social and economic impacts to support market deployment and commercialisation
- Identify barriers and enablers for adoption and large-scale deployment and propose solutions
- Develop a clear communication, dissemination and exploitation strategy, including training for relevant actors
Projects may provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) to test, develop or demonstrate innovations or prototypes.
Proposals must implement a multi-actor approach involving farmers, advisors, researchers, social scientists, SMEs and start-ups.
The effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), particularly behavioural sciences related to technology uptake, 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:
- Farmers and farmers’ organisations
- Agricultural advisors and extension services
- Universities and agricultural research organisations
- Social scientists and behavioural research experts
- SMEs and agri-tech start-ups
- Innovation actors involved in farming practices and technology deployment
Applicants must form multi-actor consortia.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs follow standard Horizon Europe Innovation Action (IA) rules and include:
- Personnel costs
- Prototype development and demonstration activities
- Large-scale testing and validation
- Business model development and impact assessment
- Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)
- Communication, dissemination, training and exploitation activitie
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 4.5 million
Number of funded projects:
3 projects
Project duration:
Typically 36 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL):
Projects are expected to reach TRL 7–8 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