Boosting the attractiveness of agriculture and the connection between the farming community and society

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-03 aims to enhance the attractiveness of agriculture and improve connections between farming communities and society. It seeks collaborative proposals that address challenges facing the EU farming sector, such as declining workforce numbers, misconceptions of agriculture, and the need for innovative practices. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, farmers, NGOs, and public administrations. The funding type is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, and applicants must form a consortium of at least three partners from different EU countries.

The grant is under the Horizon Europe framework and targets EU member states and associated countries, with a particular emphasis on diverse biogeographical regions. Primary sectors include agriculture, social sciences, education, and digital innovation. The project stage is designated for research and innovation (RIA), and while funding amounts are variable, similar grants suggest a range of €4 million to €60 million. The application process is single-stage, with a submission deadline set for September 24, 2025.

Successful proposals should highlight inclusivity, multi-actor collaboration, and the use of modern tools to address the socio-economic dynamics affecting the agriculture sector. While no specific co-funding is required, projects may employ third-party sub-grants. The average success rate for Horizon Europe grants is competitive, estimated between 10 and 39%. The initiative aims to foster generational renewal among farmers and improve societal perceptions by integrating social sciences and cultural industries in farming practices.

In summary, this grant opportunity focuses on innovative governance and sustainable agricultural practices, encouraging interdisciplinary research that links farming with societal engagement and the use of digital media. Applications are strongly encouraged to explore socio-economic influences and enhance agricultural education and perception within communities.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically Cluster 6 Call 03, designed as a single-stage application process. The call focuses on "Boosting the attractiveness of agriculture and the connection between the farming community and society." It includes various topics, each with its own budget, type of action (Research and Innovation Actions RIA, Innovation Actions IA, or Coordination and Support Actions CSA), and indicative number of grants. The call aims to support generational renewal, promote fair jobs, and foster social inclusion for farmers, aligning with the objectives of the Vision for Agriculture and food and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The overall goal is to develop innovative governance models by providing evidence-informed knowledge and analytical capacity to support the development and implementation of effective policies, particularly for the CAP post-2027.

The call addresses the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, new working patterns, and changing consumer behaviors, which necessitate more innovative and sustainable farming practices in the EU. It acknowledges the steady decline of the agricultural workforce and the aging farming population, emphasizing the need to attract and support young and new farmers. The call also recognizes that farming is often poorly understood by society, leading to myths and misconceptions.

To enhance the attractiveness of the farming sector, proposals should improve the understanding of socio-economic factors influencing farming as an economic activity and profession. They should examine factors influencing decisions to enter or leave farming, analyse farmers' interactions within their community and broader society, assess societal perceptions of farming, map agricultural education and training programs, and improve societal perception through cultural and creative industries.

Proposals should support collaborative and interdisciplinary work, involving Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines such as sociology, geography, demography, communication, behavioral science, anthropology, or education. The use of digital media, traditional media, arts, marketing, and cultural disciplines is encouraged, as are participatory foresight methods.

The call includes 14 topics:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-02: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-05: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 9,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-06: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 4,400,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-07: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 4,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-08: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-09: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) with a budget of 15,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-10: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 16,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-11: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, aiming for 2 grants.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-12: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-13: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-14: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR, aiming for 1 grant.

The opening date for submissions is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 24, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum, as defined in the relevant Horizon Europe decision.

Applicants are advised to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and the FAQs for detailed guidance on proposal submission, evaluation, and grant management. National Contact Points (NCPs) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) are available to provide support and assistance.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to address the declining attractiveness of the farming sector by funding research and innovation projects that explore socio-economic factors, improve communication, and develop effective policies to support generational renewal and enhance the connection between farming communities and society. It encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and the involvement of cultural and creative industries to create a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future in the EU.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, eligible applicants can include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, non-profit organizations, and other legal entities capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The call encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary work, suggesting that consortia are welcome.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The call encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary work, indicating that a consortium of multiple applicants is preferred, although not explicitly required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility is for entities located in the EU and associated countries. However, the documentation mentions that non-EU/non-associated countries may have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is agriculture and food, with a focus on enhancing the attractiveness of the farming sector, promoting generational renewal, and improving the connection between the farming community and society. It also involves social sciences, humanities, and cultural and creative industries to improve communication and perception of agriculture.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity explicitly mentions the EU and refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific action type. HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) typically supports projects from research to demonstration, excluding direct commercialization. HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) focuses on demonstration, piloting, and validation, closer to commercialization. HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) focuses on networking, coordination, and dissemination activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-01: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-02: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-03: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-04: around €4,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-05: around €4,500,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-06: around €4,400,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-07: around €4,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-08: around €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-09: around €7,500,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-10: around €8,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-11: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-12: around €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-13: around €10,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2025-03-GOVERNANCE-14: around €8,000,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but Horizon Europe calls typically have success rates below 10% due to high competition.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:
This Horizon Europe call, part of Cluster 6, aims to boost the attractiveness of agriculture and strengthen the connection between the farming community and society. The call seeks proposals that address the declining workforce in the EU farming sector, the misconceptions surrounding farming, and the need for innovative and sustainable farming practices. It encourages interdisciplinary projects involving social sciences, humanities, and cultural and creative industries to improve the perception and communication of agriculture. The call is structured around several topics, each with a specific focus and budget, ranging from €3 million to €16 million. The funding mechanism is a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a single stage. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities from the EU and associated countries, with potential provisions for non-EU participants. The call targets projects from research to demonstration, with an emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance the attractiveness and sustainability of the farming sector. The call opens on May 6, 2025, and closes on September 24, 2025.