EIT Food Impact Funding Framework

The EIT Food Impact Funding Framework is a grant program under Horizon Europe, with a total budget of €30 million aimed at promoting innovation and sustainable practices in the agrifood sector. It is designed for collaborative projects that align with EIT Food's goals of fostering healthier lives through food, establishing a net-zero food system, and enhancing fairness and resilience in food systems. Eligible applicants include a range of organizations such as startups, SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutions, NGOs, and public-private partnerships. A key requirement is that proposals must originate from consortia comprising at least two organizations from different Horizon Europe-associated countries, specifically involving one business or social enterprise and one research or university entity. The funding model operates on a co-funding basis, where awarded projects receive financial support covering up to 70% of their eligible costs. Participants are expected to contribute the remaining 30% through cash or in-kind contributions. The program supports various project stages, including research and development, commercialization, market demonstration, and scaling up, with a focus on innovative solutions that can reach the market within 12-18 months. Geographic eligibility is defined by the Horizon Europe framework, encompassing EU member states, EEA countries, and associated third countries, with particular emphasis on modest innovators in countries like Poland and Spain through Regional Innovation Scheme activities. The application process is managed through an open call approach, featuring multiple submission deadlines including July, November 2024, and March, July, and November 2025. Applicants must submit a detailed proposal that includes a Business Model Canvas, a Launch Plan outlining commercial strategies, and where applicable, a Success Sharing Mechanism and proof of the current Technology Readiness Level. Proposals will be assessed based on criteria including excellence, impact, quality and efficiency, strategic alignment, and financial sustainability, with minimum quality thresholds for funding consideration. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and seeks projects that drive systemic change across the food value chain, reflecting EIT Food's strategic priorities and supporting diverse stakeholder engagement. The overall goal is to catalyze impactful, innovative solutions that effectively address critical challenges in the agrifood sector, enhancing food security and sustainability while ensuring alignment with community health and nutrition principles.

The EIT Food Impact Funding Framework is a funding opportunity under the HORIZON-EIT topic, specifically the EIT Food Business Plan 2023-2025. The grant agreement number is 101101912. The total funding available is €30,000,000.00. The project acronym is EITFood BP23-25. The full name of the EU funded project is EIT Food Business Plan 2023-2025. The expected duration of participation is 18 months.

The opening date for submissions was 21 June 2024. The deadline model is multiple cut-off, with the following deadline dates, all at 12:00 Brussels time: 11 July 2024, 14 November 2024, 13 March 2025, 10 July 2025, and 13 November 2025. The opportunity is currently open for submission.

The Impact Funding Framework consists of two distinct calls:the Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity and the Collaborative Missions Programmes. Each call operates under its specific guidelines. All proposals must be submitted via an application form on the portal.

For all projects, the following must also be submitted for evaluation:A Business Model Canvas, a Launch Plan (outlining strength of the commercial case and/or strategy to drive adoption by intended users with supporting evidence and research). Where applicable, a Success Sharing Mechanism (for commercial projects) and Proof of current TRL (for technology-based ideas) must be submitted.

EIT Food will evaluate each proposal based on its own merits. Applicants must provide sufficient information and evidence to support claims or statements made in their application. At least 3 external evaluators and 1 internal evaluator will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria: Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation, KIC Portfolio strategic fit, compliance with the financial sustainability principles, and knowledge triangle integration.

The quality threshold is 3.5 for the Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity and 3.0 for the Collaborative Missions Programmes.

This funding opportunity invites proposals from all sides of the knowledge triangle:innovation, education, and entrepreneurship, but in combination with a key fourth element, citizen/public engagement. All funded projects are collaborative and require a minimum of two organisations working together. At least one of these should be a company or social enterprise directly involved with key communities, and at least one other should be a research or university organisation. These organisations should be from at least two different countries eligible to Horizon Europe.

The Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity is flexible in what it funds. While new R&D and commercialisation projects with good prospects of getting to market within 12-18 months are of interest, funding can also be provided to: Existing research project teams who have a commercialisation or impact plan that needs follow-on funding to get to market. These do not have to be previous EIT Food projects and can include projects previously funded by other EIT organisations, EU programmes and third-party funders, but cannot “double fund” other current EU funded projects. Projects that develop and market new applications and business models for existing technology, including transferring proven technology from other sectors into the food industry. Projects that run market demonstration and scale-up activities for high impact products or services that already have promising results. Projects that demonstrate and expand impact from existing innovative social enterprise, dietary health or education programmes and interventions leading to behaviour change or better consumer outcomes. Consortia based around lead organisations which have the capabilities to move quickly and effectively in creating impact from co-investment, supported by high-quality research, communications and impact assessment expertise are encouraged.

The Collaborative Programmes seek to fund and co-resource alliances and collaborative programmes which aim to produce multiple results and high-impact outcomes. These programmes involve connected activities and workstreams across economic, industry and social value chains. Examples of actions that could be supported to achieve Mission Targets include: co-funding open competitions aimed at accelerating new business, products and processes; jointly funding, co-resourcing and/or co-delivering programmes of activities with other funders, NGOs or charities with shared impact goals; co-ordinating consortia across whole value-chains to scale-up, demonstrate and/or accelerate impact of innovation solutions from the EIT Food project portfolio; jointly supporting innovation and knowledge exchange clusters that deliver new programmes in citizen engagement, business, skills and agri-food innovation in cities/ regions or specialist sectors; co-funding social enterprise or education programmes that will scale-up interventions, leading to improved outcomes for populations at risk of poor health or food security outcomes; supporting the development of networks to test production/manufacturing capabilities for key markets, test farms/services and “living labs” delivering programmes; and collaborative programmes resolving sector-relevant strategic issues to enable stronger progress towards meeting Mission Targets. This may include intersecting areas such as: standards setting and data management; fundraising for systems change; citizen engagement in innovation; consumer behaviour change and improving public understanding of the benefits of innovation in agri-food.

In summary, the EIT Food Impact Funding Framework is a €30 million funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the EIT Food Business Plan. It aims to support innovative projects and collaborative programs that drive impact in the food sector. The framework consists of two distinct calls: Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity, which supports individual projects focused on R&D, commercialization, and scaling up existing technologies and solutions; and Collaborative Missions Programmes, which supports alliances and collaborative initiatives aimed at achieving high-impact outcomes across the food value chain. The funding opportunity emphasizes collaboration, requiring projects to involve at least two organizations from different Horizon Europe eligible countries, including a company or social enterprise and a research or university organization. The evaluation process considers excellence, impact, quality of implementation, strategic fit with the EIT Food portfolio, financial sustainability, and knowledge triangle integration. The framework seeks to foster innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and citizen engagement to address key challenges and opportunities in the food industry.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types include companies, social enterprises, research organizations, and universities. The program requires a minimum of two organizations working together in a consortium. At least one organization must be a company or social enterprise directly involved with key communities, and at least one other must be a research or university organization.

Funding Type:The primary financial mechanism is co-funding, as indicated by the "Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity" and the description of funding collaborative programs. This suggests a grant-based mechanism where EIT Food contributes funding alongside other sources.

Consortium Requirement:A consortium is required. All funded projects are collaborative and must involve a minimum of two organizations.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The organizations should be from at least two different countries eligible to Horizon Europe. This implies that the geographic eligibility aligns with the Horizon Europe program, which includes EU member states and associated countries.

Target Sector:The program targets the agri-food sector, encompassing innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and citizen/public engagement within the food value chain. Specific areas of interest include R&D, commercialization, new applications and business models for existing technology, market demonstration and scale-up activities, and social enterprise, dietary health, and education programs.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned, but eligibility is tied to countries eligible for Horizon Europe funding.

Project Stage:The program targets a range of project stages, including existing research projects with commercialization plans, development and marketing of new applications, market demonstration and scale-up activities, and demonstration and expansion of impact from existing programs. The Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity is interested in funding new R&D and commercialization projects with good prospects of getting to market within 12-18 months.

Funding Amount:The total funding available is 30,000,000.00 €. The specific funding range for individual projects or collaborative programs is not explicitly stated but will vary depending on the scope and nature of the proposal.

Application Type:The application type is an open call, as indicated by "EIT Food Impact Funding FrameworkEIT Food Impact Funding FrameworkEITFood BP23-25GrantCascade fundingInternal navigationGeneral informationSubmission & evaluation processFurther informationTask descriptionGeneral InformationOpening date 21 June 2024 Deadline model multiple cut-off Deadline dates 11 July 2024 12:00 (Brussels time) 14 November 2024 12:00 (Brussels time) 13 March 2025 12:00 (Brussels time) 10 July 2025 12:00 (Brussels time) 13 November 2025 12:00 (Brussels time)Open For Submission". There are multiple cut-off dates for submissions.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money through co-funding arrangements. The program also mentions co-resourcing, suggesting potential non-monetary support such as access to networks, expertise, or infrastructure.

Application Stages:The application process involves submitting a proposal via an online portal, including a Business Model Canvas, a Launch Plan, and, where applicable, a Success Sharing Mechanism and proof of current Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The proposals are evaluated by at least 3 external evaluators and 1 internal evaluator based on criteria such as Excellence, Impact, Quality and efficiency of implementation, KIC Portfolio strategic fit, compliance with financial sustainability principles, and knowledge triangle integration. The quality threshold is 3.5 for the Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity and 3.0 for the Collaborative Missions Programmes.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes, co-funding is required, as indicated by the "Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity" and the emphasis on co-resourcing collaborative programs.

The EIT Food Impact Funding Framework is a funding opportunity designed to support innovation, education, and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector, with a strong emphasis on citizen engagement. It consists of two distinct calls: the Single Projects Co-funding Opportunity and the Collaborative Missions Programmes. The program seeks to fund projects that can demonstrate impact within 12-18 months, including R&D, commercialization, and scaling up existing solutions. Collaborative projects are prioritized, requiring consortia of at least two organizations from different Horizon Europe eligible countries, including a company or social enterprise and a research or university organization. The funding aims to address strategic issues in the agri-food sector, improve consumer outcomes, and promote sustainable practices. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal with supporting documents, which will be evaluated based on excellence, impact, quality, and strategic fit. The total funding available is €30 millioneuros, and the program operates with multiple cut-off dates for submissions.