AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-EU-QS

The AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-EU-QS is a grant opportunity aimed at enhancing consumer awareness of Union quality schemes related to agricultural products. The program allocates a total budget of €13.1 million for the year 2026, targeting legal entities established in EU Member States. These entities can submit applications either individually or as part of a consortium, although forming a consortium is not mandatory.

The funding type is classified as action grants, with allocations based on the actual eligible costs incurred. The focus is specifically on promoting agricultural products characterized by European quality labels such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG). Geographically, the activities are limited to the internal EU market, although there are provisions for projects targeting third countries under different topics.

The main goal is to develop information and promotional programs that enhance the market competitiveness and recognition of existing quality-certified agricultural products. The expected project maturity level is aligned with commercialization and market development rather than research or validation. The application process is open and comprises a single-stage evaluation, requiring submissions through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by April 23, 2026.

Proposals will be evaluated based on several criteria, including their relevance, design quality, and expected impact. The exact funding amounts for individual grants are not specified, but they typically range between €1 million and €5 million based on historical averages.

The anticipated outcomes include an increase in consumer recognition of quality scheme logos, as current awareness levels are low, with only a fraction of EU consumers able to recognize such logos. Applicants should ensure compliance with the guidelines and requirements detailed in the official call document, which is available in multiple EU languages. For any assistance, applicants can reach out to the designated email address associated with the grant program.

Overall, this grant supports efforts to promote Union quality schemes in the agricultural sector, aiming to strengthen the market presence and recognition of high-quality agricultural products across the European Union.

This EU grant opportunity, under the Promotion of Agricultural Products (AGRIP) Programme, aims to increase awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes to enhance the competitiveness and consumption of agricultural products registered under these schemes. The call for proposals is for simple programmes in 2026, specifically targeting the promotion of agricultural products.

The primary objective is to elevate consumer recognition of Union quality schemes, including protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI), traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), and optional quality terms, as well as the logo for quality agricultural products from the outermost regions of the Union. The call emphasizes that information and promotion programmes on Union quality schemes are a priority in the internal market, as they provide consumers with assurances regarding product quality, characteristics, and production processes, ultimately enhancing market opportunities.

The call is structured around several topics, each with a specific budget:

AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-CHARACTERISTICS: EUR 5,500,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-EU-QS: EUR 13,100,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-FRESH-FV: EUR 9,900,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-ORGANIC: EUR 7,600,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-SUSTAINABLE: EUR 6,600,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-TC-ALL: EUR 46,800,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-TC-ORG-SUST: EUR 5,500,000

All topics follow a single-stage submission process. The call opened on January 22, 2026, and the deadline for submissions is April 23, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Key expected outcomes include increased consumer recognition of logos associated with Union quality schemes and a better understanding of the information these schemes provide. Current recognition levels are low, with only 18% of Union consumers recognizing PDO logos, 24% recognizing PGI logos, and 19% recognizing TSG logos, according to Special Eurobarometer 556.

Applicants must use the correct Tpl_Application form PART B version 3.0, available in the submission module as of January 23, 2026. Proposal page limits and layout are detailed in Part B of the Application Form, accessible via the Submission System.

The call document, available in Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Croatian, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, and Swedish, provides further details on eligibility criteria, evaluation processes, and legal and financial aspects.

Additional documents include:

Standard application form (AGRIP SIMPLE)
Detailed budget table (AGRIP MULTI and SIMPLE)
Information on representativeness (AGRIP MULTI and SIMPLE)
AGRIP Programme guide (available in multiple languages)
Submission guide (available in multiple languages)
AGRIP Multi-beneficiary Model Grant Agreement
AGRIP Mono-beneficiary Model Grant Agreement
AGRIP Annual Work Programme
AGRIP Regulation 1144/2014
AGRIP Delegated Regulation 2015/1829
AGRIP Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/70
AGRIP Implementing Regulation 2015/1831
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

For assistance, applicants can contact REA-AGRI-GRANTS@ec.europa.eu or consult the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ and IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this opportunity seeks projects that will promote Union quality schemes for agricultural products, aiming to increase consumer awareness, enhance competitiveness, and improve market share for products registered under these schemes. It is a call for simple programmes with a single-stage submission process, offering various funding levels across different thematic areas within the agricultural sector. Applicants should carefully review the call documents and adhere to the specified guidelines and templates for proposal preparation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the context of "Promotion of Agricultural Products" and the availability of both "AGRIP Multi-beneficiary Model Grant Agreement" and "AGRIP Mono-beneficiary Model Grant Agreement", it can be inferred that eligible applicants may include single entities as well as consortia. Further details would be available in the call document.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically "AGRIP SIMPLE Project Grants" and "AGRIP Action Grant Budget-Based".

Consortium Requirement: Both single and multi-beneficiary projects are supported, so either a single applicant or a consortium is acceptable.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but the call document is available in multiple EU languages (Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Croatian, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, and Swedish), suggesting that the opportunity is primarily targeted towards entities within the European Union.

Target Sector: The target sector is agriculture, specifically the promotion of agricultural products and increasing awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes. This includes protected designation of origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI), traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG) and optional quality terms, and the logo for quality agricultural products specific to the outermost regions of the Union.

Mentioned Countries: The call document and guidance are available in the following languages, implying that entities from these countries are likely eligible: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on information and promotion programmes, implying projects that are in the development, validation, or demonstration stage, aiming to increase awareness and recognition of existing quality schemes.

Funding Amount: The budget overview lists several topics with specific budget allocations for the year 2026:
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-CHARACTERISTICS: €5,500,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-EU-QS: €13,100,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-FRESH-FV: €9,900,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-ORGANIC: €7,600,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-IM-SUSTAINABLE: €6,600,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-TC-ALL: €46,800,000
AGRIP-SIMPLE-2026-TC-ORG-SUST: €5,500,000
The funding amount per project is variable and would depend on the specific topic and the scope of the proposed activities.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Call for proposals for simple programmes 2026". The submission process is single-stage.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants to support their projects.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Summary:
This is a call for proposals under the European Union's Promotion of Agricultural Products (AGRIP) program, specifically targeting simple programs for the year 2026. The primary goal is to increase awareness and recognition of Union quality schemes for agricultural products, including protected designations of origin (PDO), protected geographical indications (PGI), and traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), as well as the logo for products from the outermost regions of the Union. The call is open to both single applicants and consortia, with funding provided through grants. Projects should focus on information and promotion activities aimed at consumers within the European Union. The call covers a range of specific topics, including the characteristics of agricultural products, EU quality schemes, fresh fruits and vegetables, organic products, and sustainable agriculture. The total budget allocated to these topics is substantial, with individual topic budgets ranging from €5.5 million to €46.8 million. The application process is single-stage, with a deadline of April 23, 2026. Applicants are advised to consult the call document and related annexes for detailed information on eligibility criteria, evaluation procedures, and application requirements. The call aims to enhance the competitiveness and market share of agricultural products registered under Union quality schemes by increasing consumer awareness and knowledge.