Enhancing plant protein production to bolster the resilience of agricultural systems and EU self-sufficiency in plant protein used as feed

The EU grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04 focuses on enhancing self-sufficiency in plant protein production for animal feed through research and innovation. It is part of the Horizon Europe Programme and has a single-stage application process, open from May 6, 2025, to September 16, 2025.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises involved in agricultural R&D, public-private partnerships, NGOs, and agricultural cooperatives. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant under the Horizon Europe framework.

A consortium is required as per typical Horizon Europe norms, which necessitate at least three independent entities from different EU member states. The grant primarily targets the agriculture sector, focusing on crop production—particularly resilient legume crops—and animal feed value chains.

The beneficiary scope includes EU member states and Horizon Europe-associated countries but does not specify exact countries, reflecting the broader EU focus. The funding amount is variable based on project scope, with indicative amounts ranging significantly from previous calls.

The application process involves submitting a full proposal in a single stage, with success rates generally varying from 10% to 39%. There is no co-funding requirement for this grant, as it operates under a lump sum model.

Projects funded under this grant must demonstrate scalability and integration into EU agricultural systems, supporting the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy aimed at enhancing food security and sustainability. This initiative seeks to reduce reliance on imported protein by bolstering domestic production capabilities within the EU agricultural sector.

The EU is offering funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Cluster 6, Call 02, for a single-stage submission process. The call, identified as HORIZON-CL6-2025-02, encompasses a range of topics related to climate, communities, and farm-to-fork initiatives, all aimed at fostering sustainable and resilient agricultural systems, enhancing food security, and promoting the green transition. The call opens on May 6, 2025, and closes on September 16, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The funding is provided through various action types, including HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (COFUND). Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Here's a breakdown of the topics and their respective budgets and indicative grant numbers:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 19,500,000, Indicative number of grants: 3

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 10,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-05: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, Budget: EUR 24,000,000 (2025), EUR 23,000,000 (2026), EUR 23,000,000 (2027), Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 13,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 6,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-03: HORIZON Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 6,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, Budget: EUR 30,000,000 (2025), EUR 30,000,000 (2026), EUR 30,000,000 (2027), Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, Budget: EUR 40,000,000 (2025), EUR 40,000,000 (2026), EUR 40,000,000 (2027), Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03: HORIZON Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 11,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 16,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-07: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-08: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 6,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-09: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, Budget: EUR 3,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-10: HORIZON Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-11: HORIZON Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-12: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 10,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-13: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, Budget: EUR 2,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-14: HORIZON Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 12,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-15: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, Budget: EUR 50,000,000 (2025), EUR 45,000,000 (2026), EUR 35,000,000 (2027), Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-16: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 6,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 1

HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-17: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, Budget: EUR 8,000,000, Indicative number of grants: 2

These opportunities aim to address critical challenges and promote sustainable solutions across various sectors, including climate action, community development, and food systems.

The general conditions for participation are detailed in Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are outlined within each topic description. Proposals must adhere to the multi-actor approach, ensuring the involvement of relevant stakeholders.

To apply, applicants should use the application form templates available in the Submission System and consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and Online Manual for detailed guidance.

In summary, this Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Call 02 offers a wide array of funding opportunities for projects that contribute to climate action, community resilience, and sustainable food systems. It emphasizes the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve the EU's ambitious goals for a green, resilient, and food-secure future. The call encourages projects that not only address specific challenges but also foster knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the development of practical tools for farmers and other actors in the agri-food value chain.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, based on the context, eligible applicants could include farmers, other land managers, advisors, feed manufacturers, industry (including small and medium enterprises), policy-makers, research organizations, and other actors relevant to the domestic plant protein feed value chain. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND). The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum. There are also HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium, as evidenced by the emphasis on the 'multi-actor approach' and the need for adequate involvement of various actors in the domestic plant protein feed value chain. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on the EU, as the proposals should support the reduction of the EU's import dependency and boost EU plant proteins production. However, a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The program targets the agriculture and food sector, specifically focusing on enhancing plant protein production for animal feed, increasing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems, and fostering food and nutrition security. It also touches on climate action, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on the European Union (EU). A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to encompass a range from research and development to demonstration and validation, with an emphasis on scaling up sustainable practices. The HORIZON-RIA action type suggests a focus on research and innovation, while the HORIZON-IA action type suggests a focus on innovation and deployment.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €2,000,000 to €50,000,000. The indicative grant amounts for each topic are specified in the budget overview.

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 is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is provided, which can be used to estimate the potential success rate based on the number of expected applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND) imply a co-funding requirement, where the EU provides funding to support projects that are co-funded by national or regional programs.

Summary: This Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call focuses on enhancing plant protein production within the EU to reduce import dependency, bolster agricultural system resilience, and improve food security. The call encompasses various topics related to climate, communities, and the farm-to-fork strategy, with a particular emphasis on promoting sustainable practices, fostering innovation, and supporting the development of regional value chains. Eligible applicants include a wide range of actors in the agricultural and food sectors, and projects are expected to implement a multi-actor approach, ensuring collaboration and knowledge exchange between researchers, farmers, industry, and policymakers. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call aims to contribute to the EU's strategic autonomy, the Green Deal objectives, and the long-term vision for rural areas by promoting sustainable and competitive agri-food systems.