Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems

Overview

A comprehensive EU grant opportunity titled "Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems" is available under the HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11 call. This grant is part of the Horizon Europe program and falls under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) category, specifically utilizing a lump sum grant mechanism. The program is currently forthcoming, with the opening date set for January 14, 2026, and a submission deadline of April 14, 2026. A total budget of €11 million is allocated for this call, with an expected funding range of €5 million to €6 million per project, intending to award two grants.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of stakeholders such as research organizations, private companies (including SMEs and startups), public authorities, policymakers, research infrastructures, and civil society organizations. The call mandates a multi-actor approach, requiring diverse stakeholders to collaborate in developing solutions to advance microbiome research related to food systems.

The funding type is categorized as a lump sum grant, which simplifies the funding process by providing a fixed amount instead of reimbursements based on incurred costs. There is a single-stage submission process, meaning that all proposals are evaluated against assessment criteria without an initial filtering phase.

Projects funded under this initiative should focus on a systems-level understanding of microbiome interactions within food systems environments and contribute to developing innovative applications that promote sustainability in food systems. This includes activities such as establishing holistic approaches to study microbiomes, investigating advanced technologies (like multi-omics and AI), and creating synergies among existing European research infrastructures.

Geographic eligibility spans EU member states and associated countries, and specific provisions may apply to non-EU/non-associated countries. The initiative aims to unlock the functional diversity of microbiomes in food production while aligning with broader EU policies on climate action, biodiversity, and digital transition. Applicants are encouraged to address inter and trans-disciplinary fields of science in their research proposals effectively.

Success rates are anticipated to be low, with historical data suggesting an estimated success rate of below 10% for similar calls. There are no mandatory co-funding requirements for this opportunity, allowing full funding through the lump sum grant model.

The call is significant not only for its expected project results but also for its contribution to several EU strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy. The collaborative nature of the grant aims to foster resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability in food systems through an integrative approach to microbiome research.

Detail

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11, titled "Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems." It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

The call is a single-stage submission process with a planned opening date of January 14, 2026, and a deadline of April 14, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The call aims to unlock the functional diversity of food microbiomes to help develop innovative applications, requiring a systems approach.

Expected Outcomes:

The project results are expected to contribute to:

A better systems-level understanding through a One Health approach of the complex interactions and functional impacts of microbiomes across different hosts (plants, humans, animals), environments (water, food matrices), and interconnected ecosystems.
Solutions for resilient, competitive, and sustainable food systems that cover food security, agrifood systems durability and resilience, industrial applications, nutrition, health, and relevant aspects of biodiversity, climate change and the environment.
Synergies between existing European research infrastructures for sample biobanking and data-gathering/gathering/sharing to facilitate the exchange, pooling and integrated analysis of integrated microbiome (meta)-data, promoting inter and trans-disciplinary collaboration among different stakeholders under the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) principles.

Scope:

The scope of this call emphasizes the immense potential of microbiomes for food systems applications, noting that current research often studies them in isolation. A systems approach is needed to unlock the functional diversity of food microbiomes and develop innovative applications. The topic aligns with EU policies related to:

Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU
The Life Science Strategy
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
The Zero Pollution Action Plan
The EU strategy on research and technology infrastructure
The R&I Food 2030 Framework
Policies related to the digital transition (e.g. AI Act, etc.)
The call contributes to climate action and biodiversity goals.

Activities to be Addressed:

Proposals should address the following activities:

Establish a holistic system approach to study the microbiome, its interaction with its host and/or environment, its function and contribution to ecosystem(s) functions, connecting inter and trans-disciplinary fields of science (e.g. microbiology, ecology, AI and bioinformatics, biotechnology, synthetic/molecular biology, agronomy, plant sciences, etc.).
Investigate existing and new supporting technologies such as multi-omics technologies, high-throughput sampling/phenotyping systems, predictive models, AI, federated learning, cultivation methods and/or in-vitro validated models (e.g. organoids, organ-on-a-chip, genetic and metabolic engineering) for application in integrated microbiome studies.
Establish further synergies between existing infrastructures (for instance, ELIXIR, MIRRI, BBMRI-ERIC, EOSC, etc.) to enhance their capacity to integrate and valorise integrated microbiome data (integrating samples and associated (meta)-data from diverse sources) as well as considering the integration of other environmental, agricultural, nutritional or climate datasets.
Provide references strains and/or samples (e.g. for food safety or holobiont selection), standard protocols, operating procedures and quality control measures through the existing biobanks and data-repositories to support and facilitate further microbiome studies.

The proposals must follow a multi-actor approach, engaging researchers, businesses (including SMEs and startups), public authorities and policy makers, research infrastructures and civil society to co-develop solutions.

General Conditions:

Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Eligible Countries: Described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions may apply to non-EU/non-Associated Countries; refer to the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Other Eligible Conditions: Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: Described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: Described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application and Evaluation:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System. A standard application form (HE RIA, IA) will be used.
Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, using a standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).
Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.
Call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums are available.

Additional Documents:

HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Budget Overview:

The call includes several topics with varying budgets and indicative numbers of grants. The opening date is January 14, 2026, and the deadline is April 14, 2026.

Partner Search:

LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile.

Support:

Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and Partner Search are available for support.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call focuses on microbiome research within food systems, emphasizing a holistic, systems-level approach. It encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, the use of advanced technologies, and the integration of existing research infrastructures. The call aims to identify solutions for resilient, competitive, and sustainable food systems, aligning with various EU policies related to biotechnology, biodiversity, climate change, and digital transition. Applicants must adhere to a multi-actor approach, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the co-development of solutions. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and detailed guidance and support are available through various resources and contact points.

Find a Consultant to Support You

Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include researchers, businesses (including SMEs and startups), public authorities and policy makers, research infrastructures, and civil society. The call emphasizes a multi-actor approach, requiring engagement from a diverse range of stakeholders to co-develop solutions.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, as the call mandates a multi-actor approach. This implies that multiple applicants, representing different types of organizations, must collaborate to form a consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: food systems, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, life science, biodiversity, environment, climate, digital technologies (AI), agriculture, and research and innovation. The focus is on microbiome research and its application to create resilient, competitive, and sustainable food systems.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but eligibility extends to EU member states and associated countries, as well as potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding provisions.

Project Stage: The project stage can vary. The call includes both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), suggesting that projects can range from research and development to demonstration and validation. The inclusion of Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) indicates that projects focused on networking, coordination, and dissemination are also relevant.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-CLIMATE-01: EUR 6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-CLIMATE-02: EUR 10,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-COMMUNITIES-01: EUR 11,800,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01: EUR 11,800,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-03: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-04: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-05: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-06: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-07: EUR 3,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-08: EUR 14,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-09: EUR 11,800,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-10: EUR 2,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11: EUR 11,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-12: EUR 2,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-13: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-14: EUR 11,000,000

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive funding 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 in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11) focuses on "Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems." It aims to unlock the potential of microbiomes in food systems by promoting a systems-level understanding and the development of innovative applications. The call encourages a multi-actor approach, bringing together researchers, businesses, public authorities, and civil society to co-develop solutions. Projects should establish a holistic system approach to study the microbiome, investigate supporting technologies, establish synergies between existing infrastructures, and provide reference materials to support further microbiome studies. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process is a single-stage open call. The call is relevant to EU policies related to biotechnology, biodiversity, the environment, and the digital transition, contributing to climate action and biodiversity goals.

Short Summary

Impact
This funding aims to integrate a holistic perspective in microbiome research to develop resilient, competitive, and sustainable food systems.
Applicant
Applicants should possess expertise in microbiome research, biotechnology, agriculture, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Developments
The funding will support projects focusing on microbiome applications in agriculture, food systems, and environmental sustainability.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for a broad range of applicants, including researchers, businesses (SMEs and startups), public authorities, and civil society organizations.
Consortium
A consortium of multiple applicants is required, emphasizing a multi-actor approach.
Funding Amount
Funding amounts range from €5,000,000 to €6,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €11,000,000 for this topic.
Countries
The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, with potential provisions for non-EU countries.
Industry
This funding targets the agriculture, food systems, and biotechnology sectors under the Horizon Europe initiative.

Update Log

No updates recorded yet.

Discover with AI

Let our intelligent agent help you find the perfect funding opportunities tailored to your needs.

Try AI Agent →

EU Grant Database

Explore European funding opportunities in our comprehensive, up-to-date collection.

Browse Database →

Stay Informed

Get notified when grants change, deadlines approach, or new opportunities match your interests.

Configure Notifications →

Track Your Favorites

Follow grants you're interested in and keep them organized in one place. Get updates on changes and deadlines.

Use the Follow button above ↑

Towards commercialization of food systems microbiome solutions

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe funding opportunity titled "Towards commercialization of food systems microbiome solutions" (HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-07) is set to open on April 20, 2027, with a deadline for...

September 23rd, 2027

Microbiome for terrestrial livestock sustainability and health within a One Health approach

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-03 focuses on microbiome research aimed at enhancing terrestrial livestock sustainability and health through a One Health approach. It is an...

September 23rd, 2027

Boosting agrobiodiversity for food security and sustainable competitiveness

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call titled "Boosting Agrobiodiversity for Food Security and Sustainable Competitiveness" (HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-06) offers a total budget of €12 million to support two...

September 17th, 2026

Fostering common farmland birds and mammals for resilient food production systems

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08 call, titled "Fostering Common Farmland Birds and Mammals for Resilient Food Production Systems," is a forthcoming funding opportunity under Horizon Europe, focusing...

September 22nd, 2027

Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic biosynthesis in soils: developing key understanding and counteractive strategies using a One-Health approach

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call, titled "Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic biosynthesis in soils: developing key understanding and counteractive strategies using a One-Health approach," is part of the...

September 23rd, 2026

Balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity objectives to unlock sustainable value chains

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity identified as HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-09 focuses on balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate, and biodiversity objectives through sustainable value...

September 17th, 2026

Boosting circularity and diversification strategies of terrestrial livestock production systems

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-05 aims to boost circularity and diversification strategies in terrestrial livestock production systems through funding of innovative projects....

April 14th, 2026

Emerging and future risks to plant health

Call for ProposalOpen

The European Union is offering a funding opportunity through Horizon Europe focused on emerging and future risks to plant health, specifically under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01, which...

February 17th, 2026

Reducing soil sealing through sustainable urban and territorial design in the New European Bauhaus

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The grant opportunity titled "Reducing soil sealing through sustainable urban and territorial design in the New European Bauhaus" is identified as HORIZON-NEB-2027-02-NEB-SOIL-01 under the Horizon...

September 15th, 2027

Optimising the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage" focuses on optimizing the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Africa....

April 8th, 2027

Understanding and tackling the decline of insects

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01 is focused on "Understanding and tackling the decline of insects," with an opening date of April 17, 2026, and a submission deadline of September...

September 17th, 2026

Health of ecosystems and wild species, predictions and impacts on human health, in the face of existing and emerging stressors, from a One Health approach

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07: Health of ecosystems and wild species, predictions and impacts on human health, in the face of existing and emerging stressors, from a One...

September 22nd, 2027