Enabling user-centred and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine

The grant opportunity titled HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-03 is designed to enhance soil health in Ukraine through user-centered and open innovation initiatives. This initiative falls under the HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a total budget of €5,000,000 and aims to fund a single project. The opening date for proposals is February 4, 2026, and the deadline is September 23, 2026.

Eligible applicants encompass a wide range of entities including public and private companies, research institutions, educational bodies, organizations, and associations involved in soil management and agricultural practices. The funding mechanism is structured as a lump sum grant, enabling beneficiaries to receive a predetermined amount to implement their proposed activities without the burden of expenditure reimbursement.

While traditionally CSAs allow multiple participants, this grant anticipates a single lead applicant but encourages collaboration with various stakeholders for effective implementation. The geographic focus is strictly on Ukraine, underscoring the EU's commitment to supporting the nation’s post-conflict reconstruction and sustainable development.

The opportunity emphasizes soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management, addressing issues related to soil degradation exacerbated by conflict and other pressures. Projects will include activities like stakeholder mapping, capacity building, knowledge transfer, development of training programs, and establishment of regional knowledge hubs. The aim is to create a participatory research and innovation ecosystem that effectively connects researchers, farmers, and policymakers to tackle soil health challenges in a sustainable manner.

The application process is open and single-stage, allowing eligible applicants to submit complete proposals directly to the funding portal. The expectation is for substantial engagement in developing collaborative initiatives that align with broader EU soil health strategies and sustainability goals.

In conclusion, this grant opportunity represents a strategic investment aimed at fostering innovation and cooperation in addressing soil health issues in Ukraine, while contributing to the country’s recovery and integration into the European research and innovation landscape.

This is a summary of a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focused on soil health in Ukraine, specifically addressing the degradation caused by the war and promoting sustainable management practices. The call, HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-03, aims to enable user-centered and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine. It falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the "Supporting the implementation of the Soil Deal for Europe Mission" call. It is a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of 04 February 2026 and a deadline of 23 September 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The budget for the topic is 5,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that around 1 grant will be awarded.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call are: strengthened regional R&I ecosystems and enhanced capacities for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, allowing for effective cooperation between research, practice and policy to tackle soil health challenges in Ukraine arising from military actions and other indirect pressures; increased uptake and application of soil related and practice-oriented knowledge by farmers, land managers, foresters, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders for improved soil health and related ecosystem services; deepened awareness among policymakers of local needs and constraints regarding soil health, sustainable management practices and innovative technologies to address soil degradation, including those arising from military actions, supports effective and tailored policy design.

The scope of the proposals should include: mapping and identifying relevant stakeholders (e.g. researchers, innovators, farmers, foresters, land managers, spatial planners, local authorities, citizens, civil society organisations, policymakers) and existing relevant EU initiatives, projects, and knowledge and innovation systems (e.g. thematic networks, AKIS, participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches) in Ukraine; identifying and analysing R&I ecosystem challenges, potential gaps in knowledge, skills and competences needed for user-centred, place-based transdisciplinary R&I ecosystems, in particular for those dealing with soil degradation and soil health issues arising from the impact of military actions and explore potential synergies, collaborations and exchange of experiences and good practices with identified initiatives, projects and knowledge innovation systems; based on the mapping and analysis, provide a skills development and knowledge transfer strategy focusing on skills and knowledge for two main areas: enhancing the ability of stakeholders to engage in, and contribute to participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, and transferring soil-related knowledge, in particular generated under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’; support relevant actors with capacity building and knowledge transfer activities following the defined strategy, through for example twining, trainings, workshops, networking activities, conferences, field trips and events; create regional knowledge hubs that serve as platforms for networking, collaboration and further exchange of soil related knowledge and practices, as well as skills, for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, while, ensuring synergies and making effective use of other existing similar initiatives in Ukraine; provide recommendations on sustainable management practices and innovative technologies to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, to improve soil health. This should consider all relevant degradation processes, including those resulting from military actions, as well as the impact(s) of climate change and the need for resilient farming systems.

All activities should take place in areas without ongoing or active military actions to ensure the safety of all participants. Collaboration with other relevant Horizon Europe projects is strongly encouraged.

The general conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, evaluation and award criteria, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, and additional documents such as the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the EU Financial Regulation are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited on the portal.

In essence, this grant opportunity seeks to foster collaboration, knowledge transfer, and capacity building to address soil degradation in Ukraine, aligning with the European Green Deal and supporting the country's long-term reconstruction efforts. It emphasizes a participatory, interdisciplinary approach and encourages projects to create regional knowledge hubs and provide policy recommendations for sustainable soil management.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls and the activities described, eligible applicants could include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, NGOs, governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders involved in research, innovation, and soil management. The call encourages collaboration between various stakeholders, suggesting that a mix of applicant types is welcome.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The call includes HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), and HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), all of which are types of grants under the Horizon Europe program.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required, but the emphasis on collaboration with various stakeholders, EU initiatives, projects, and knowledge and innovation systems suggests that a consortium approach is preferred. The call aims to strengthen regional R&I ecosystems, which implies the involvement of multiple entities. Partner search announcements are available, further indicating that consortia are expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): While the primary focus is on activities within Ukraine, the call is part of the Horizon Europe program, which generally includes entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries under specific provisions. The activities should support EU's efforts towards Ukraine's long-term reconstruction.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is environment, specifically focusing on soil health, sustainable soil management, and restoration of degraded soils. It also touches upon agriculture/food, climate, and innovation, as the projects should consider the impacts of climate change and promote resilient farming systems. The call also aims to enhance the innovation landscape in Ukraine, so innovation and technology transfer are also target sectors.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine is the primary country mentioned, as the activities are focused on enhancing soil health and supporting reconstruction efforts in the country. The call is part of the Horizon Europe program, implying eligibility for EU member states and associated countries.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the specific type of action. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) typically focus on mapping, analysis, strategy development, capacity building, and knowledge transfer, suggesting a development and validation stage. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) involve research activities, indicating a research and development stage. Innovation Actions (IA) focus on implementing innovative solutions, suggesting a demonstration and commercialization stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic:
HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-01 (CSA): around €5,000,000
HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-02 (RIA): around €7,000,000
HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-03 (CSA): around €5,000,000
HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-04 (IA): around €9,000,000

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process. The planned opening date is 04 February 2026, and the deadline is 23 September 2026.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is specified, allowing applicants to gauge the competition level. For example, HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-03 aims to award 1 grant with a budget of 5,000,000 EUR.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. However, Horizon Europe grants often encourage or require some level of co-funding, which would be detailed in the specific call conditions.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the mission "A Soil Deal for Europe," focuses on enabling user-centered and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine. The call aims to address soil degradation issues exacerbated by the war, aligning with the European Green Deal and supporting Ukraine's long-term reconstruction. It seeks to strengthen regional R&I ecosystems, increase the uptake of soil-related knowledge, and deepen awareness among policymakers. The call includes various actions: Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) for mapping, analysis, and strategy development; Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) for research activities; and Innovation Actions (IA) for implementing innovative solutions. The geographic focus is primarily on Ukraine, but eligibility extends to entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other countries under specific provisions. The funding amounts vary from around €5 million to €9 million depending on the type of action. Applicants are encouraged to form consortia and collaborate with existing EU initiatives and projects. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of 23 September 2026. The support is provided in the form of lump sum grants.