Official call identifier: HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-07
Objective of the call
The objective of this call is to accelerate the commercialization and market deployment of microbiome-based solutions supporting resilient, competitive, and sustainable food systems. The call aims to address barriers to scaling microbiome technologies and support their adoption across organic, circular, and conventional food systems
Scope of activities
Projects should support the market access and deployment of innovative microbiome solutions, including technologies and products leveraging microbial communities and their interactions with hosts and environments. Activities should include development of scalable production technologies, methodologies, and standards enabling reliable and cost-effective deployment. Proposals should also develop business models supporting commercialization by companies, SMEs, and startups. Projects must apply a multi-actor approach and involve co-development, testing, validation, and adoption processes with researchers, businesses, policymakers, public authorities, and consumer organisations.
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
- Participation is limited to legal entities established in Member States, Iceland and Norway, associated countries, OECD countries and MERCOSUR 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:
Consortia should include microbiome researchers, biotechnology companies, food and bioeconomy businesses, startups, SMEs, public authorities, policy makers, advisors, and consumer associations. Participation of actors involved in scaling production, market deployment, regulatory alignment, and commercialization is expected under the mandatory multi-actor approach.
Eligible costs
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum contribution under the Horizon Europe Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement. Activities may include:
- Research and development of advanced photonic devices and circuits
- Integration of novel materials and architectures
- Prototype fabrication and testing
- System-level validation in representative application domains
- Performance benchmarking and optimisation
- Dissemination and exploitation activities
Funding conditions
Type of action:
Innovation Actions (IA)
Funding rate:
Up to 70% of total eligible costs (100% for non-profit legal entities)
EU contribution per project:
Around EUR 7,000,000 - 8,000,000
Number of funded projects:
Up to 2 projects
Project duration:
Typically 36 months
Technology Readiness Level (TRL):
Activities are expected to start from TRL 5 and achieve 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
23 September 2027