Developing a joint AU-EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) supporting the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity focuses on fostering collaboration between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) in agricultural innovation. The primary aim is to enhance food and nutrition security, sustainability, and climate resilience through the development of a joint Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). The call, identified as HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-16, integrates objectives aligned with the European Green Deal and the African Union-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Eligible applicants for the grant include legal entities from EU member states, associated countries, and all African Union member states, with a specific requirement that consortia must contain at least three independent legal entities established within an African Union member state. The funding type is primarily grant-based, specifically utilizing a lump-sum approach under the Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) framework.

The project focuses on several key sectors, including agriculture, food security, climate change, and sustainable energy. It encourages a multi-actor approach involving public authorities, advisory services, and farmer organizations to ensure that projects integrate local knowledge with scientific expertise.

Funding amounts are variable, commonly ranging from €2 million to €50 million depending on the specific project topic, but the exact budget allocation for this call has not been specified in detail. The application process consists of a single-stage submission, which opens on May 6, 2025, and closes on September 16, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

While detailed success rates are not provided, similar competitive funding calls typically exhibit rates ranging from 10% to 25%. Co-funding requirements vary; while lump-sum models usually do not mandate co-funding, some specific actions may.

The expected outcomes include enhanced understanding and cooperation among agricultural stakeholders, improved channels for knowledge sharing, and the establishment of effective interfaces between scientific research and policy-making. The overall objective is to translate research and innovation into tangible benefits for both Africa and Europe, supporting sustainable agriculture and addressing pressing challenges related to climate change and food security.

For prospective applicants, guidance documents, including application forms and evaluation criteria, are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the application process.

The EU is offering funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Cluster 6, Call 02, for single-stage projects. The call, identified as HORIZON-CL6-2025-02, focuses on various aspects of climate, communities, and farm-to-fork initiatives. The opening date for submissions is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The funding takes the form of HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, utilizing a lump sum grant approach.

The specific call HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-16, titled "Developing a joint AU-EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) supporting the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership," aims to support the European Green Deal priorities and contribute to the African Union-EU High Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation. It also seeks to align with the climate objectives of both the African Union and the EU, as well as the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. The project aims to develop innovative tools and approaches to improve the resilience, adaptation to climate change, and sustainability of agriculture and food systems in Africa.

Expected outcomes include strengthened understanding, sharing of experiences, and science-policy interfaces for agri-food system actors, improved knowledge flows, and the development of an effective AU-EU AKIS, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the FNSSA roadmap. It also aims to better inform and integrate R&I actors in both the AU and EU within a well-functioning joint AKIS, supporting the climate transition and the implementation of agroecological approaches.

The scope of the projects should include identifying, mapping, and studying the main AKIS actors and structures at different levels in the African context, exploring enhanced cooperation and knowledge flows between AKIS actors, developing relevant models and operational recommendations for a joint AU-EU AKIS, and piloting a bi-continental networking and knowledge-sharing platform.

Additional eligibility criteria include the mandatory application of the multi-actor approach and the inclusion of at least three independent legal entities established in an African Union member state within the consortia. Legal entities from all African Union member states are exceptionally eligible for Union funding.

The general conditions for participation are detailed in Annex A, Annex E, and Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C. Evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, and the indicative timeline are described in Annex D and Annex F. The legal and financial setup of the grants is detailed in Annex G, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Application forms, evaluation templates, model grant agreements, and additional guidance documents are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Other funding opportunities under this call include:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-01: Climate-related research and innovation actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-02: Climate-related research and innovation actions with a budget of 19,500,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-03: Climate-related research and innovation actions with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-04: Climate-related research and innovation actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-05: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions with a budget of 24,000,000 EUR in 2025, 23,000,000 EUR in 2026 and 23,000,000 EUR in 2027.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-01: Research and innovation actions related to communities with a budget of 13,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-02: Research and innovation actions related to communities with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-03: Innovation actions related to communities with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-04: Research and innovation actions related to communities with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions with a budget of 30,000,000 EUR in 2025, 30,000,000 EUR in 2026 and 30,000,000 EUR in 2027.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions with a budget of 40,000,000 EUR in 2025, 40,000,000 EUR in 2026 and 40,000,000 EUR in 2027.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03: Innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 11,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 16,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-07: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-08: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-09: Coordination and support actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-10: Innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-11: Innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-12: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-13: Coordination and support actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-14: Innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-15: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions with a budget of 50,000,000 EUR in 2025, 45,000,000 EUR in 2026 and 35,000,000 EUR in 2027.
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-17: Research and innovation actions related to farm to fork with a budget of 8,000,000 EUR.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster collaboration between the EU and African Union to enhance food and nutrition security and promote sustainable agriculture by developing a joint Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System. It emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change, supporting the European Green Deal, and integrating local and indigenous knowledge with scientific expertise. The call encourages proposals that implement a multi-actor approach and involve a consortium with significant African participation. Funding is provided as a lump sum, and detailed guidance is available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include legal entities established in EU Member States, associated countries, and African Union member states. International organizations with headquarters in a Member State or Associated Country are also exceptionally eligible. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium. The proposals must apply the multi-actor approach, involving public authorities, advisory services, and farmer organizations.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND). Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. In addition to the minimum number of participants set out in the General Annexes, consortia must include at least three independent legal entities established in an African Union member state.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, associated countries, and African Union member states. Legal entities established in all African Union member states are exceptionally eligible for Union funding.

Target Sector: The target sector is agriculture, food and nutrition security, climate change, sustainable energy, and environment, specifically focusing on developing a joint AU-EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) supporting the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership.

Mentioned Countries: African Union member states, European Union member states.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on research and innovation actions, as well as innovation actions, suggesting a focus on development, validation, and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic, ranging from €2,000,000 to €50,000,000.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The indicative number of grants and the budget allocated per topic suggest that the success rates may vary, but it is not possible to determine the exact success rates from the provided information.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is required for HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND).

Summary:

This opportunity is a Horizon Europe call under Cluster 6, focusing on "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment". The call aims to foster collaboration between the African Union and the European Union in the area of agriculture, food and nutrition security, and climate change. The primary goal is to develop a joint AU-EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) to improve the resilience, adaptation, and sustainability of agriculture and food systems in Africa, while also contributing to the European Green Deal priorities and the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The call includes various topics, each with a specific focus and budget, ranging from research and innovation actions (RIA) to coordination and support actions (CSA) and innovation actions (IA). Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, associated countries, and African Union member states. Consortia must include at least three independent legal entities from African Union member states.

Projects should implement a multi-actor approach, involving public authorities, advisory services, and farmer organizations, and adopt an inclusive approach that integrates local knowledge and practices with technological and scientific expertise. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process is a single-stage submission.

The call seeks to strengthen knowledge flows, improve science-policy interfaces, and integrate R&I actors within a well-functioning joint AU-EU AKIS. It also aims to translate R&I efforts into tangible business, products, services, development, and employment opportunities in Africa and Europe, aligning with the AU-EU Innovation Agenda and supporting the African Free Trade Area.