Making food systems more resilient to food safety risks through the deployment of technological solutions

The Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call Cluster 6 focuses on enhancing food systems' resilience against safety risks through technological solutions. This initiative aligns with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, seeking innovative digital and technological advancements to improve food safety and combat food fraud.

Eligible applicants include startups, SMEs, universities, research and technology organizations, governmental bodies, and regulatory authorities like EFSA. The funding type is primarily a grant under the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG) framework and requires collaboration within a consortium due to the emphasis on a multi-actor approach.

Geographic eligibility covers EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from international partners under specific conditions. The grant seeks projects focused on food safety, food fraud, agriculture, and bioeconomy, particularly targeting technological advancements in these sectors.

Proposals are expected to progress through a two-stage submission process, with the first stage due on September 4, 2025, and the second on February 18, 2026. The expected outcomes include deploying innovative solutions with high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) by project completion, achieving TRL 8 through development and implementation of existing technologies and addressing food safety hazards.

Funding amounts vary based on specific topics, with indicative project grants ranging from €4 million to €6 million. Co-funding is likely required, and successful proposals should consider commercialization strategies and synergies with preceding EU projects.

Evaluations will follow criteria specified in the Work Programme, emphasizing creativity and ambition in tackling food safety issues. Submissions must comply with proposal guidelines and relevant legal documentation, and proposals should incorporate collaborative efforts across research and innovation initiatives.

This grant aims to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness in food systems, and contribute to climate action by encouraging clean technologies in the food sector, establishing a more resilient and efficient food system.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call Cluster 6 Call 02, a two-stage process titled "Making food systems more resilient to food safety risks through the deployment of technological solutions" under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03-two-stage. This call seeks to enhance food safety and combat food fraud through innovative technological solutions, aligning with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

The type of action is HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement. The call is currently open for submission.

The opening date for submissions was May 6, 2025. The deadline for the first stage of submissions is September 4, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time, and the deadline for the second stage is February 18, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of successful proposals include:
Implementing a new level of ambition and creativity to tackle innovation creation, enhancing the deployment of solutions in the field of food safety and/or food fraud using existing knowledge, available technologies (such as molecular methods, genomic strategies, photonics, biotechnology, etc.) and the results achieved by European framework programmes projects. Translating the EU’s strong knowledge base into marketable results addressing the “innovation paradox”.
Making food systems more resilient to food safety risks through the use and exploitation of available knowledge and technologies.
Increasing food chain and food systems competitiveness by creating close-to-market impactful applications that will benefit and connect solutions for food systems actors (i.e., farming, raw materials and ingredients suppliers, food industry, etc.).
Increasing complementarities and results uptake in the field of food safety and/or food fraud with past and existing European framework programmes projects, and synergies with programmes and their associated project results from the European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Contributing to EU climate action by deploying clean technologies in the food industry to boost food manufacturing efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.

The scope of the proposals should include:
Further developing existing knowledge and technological results in food safety and food fraud to reach higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) aligned with user’s needs and estimating the potential impact on cost for the consumers.
Supporting innovation to foster advances along the food system by implementing digital and technological solutions in high TRLs covering existing food safety and/or food fraud gaps. Proposals should develop and implement innovative solutions close to the market, based on an initial food chain needs and technology gap analysis in the area of food safety hazards (including climate-related ones when applicable) and/or food fraud.
Favoring the most innovative clean technologies to reduce GHG emissions when selecting food safety and/or food fraud technologies.
Including preliminary plans for commercialization and deployment (feasibility study, business plan) indicating the possible funding sources to be potentially used in the exploitation plan.
Identifying existing regulations and giving recommendations about which technologies could use sandboxes to foster future commercialization.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 8 by the end of the project. Proposals should clearly define the TRL starting point for each involved technology and the plan to reach more advanced TRL.

Applicants should seek complementarities and leverage on the results of past and ongoing research and innovation projects (including projects under the same topic) in the areas of food safety and/or food fraud (i.e. HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-12, HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-3, HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-4 among others). Therefore, proposals should include a dedicated task, appropriate resources, and a plan on how they should collaborate with other ongoing projects under this theme. In the case of already finished projects applicants will define the best way to engage relevant stakeholders of such projects and the cooperation agreements (also in terms of technology transfer and intellectual property) that are needed.

Governmental and food safety regulatory authorities (i.e. EFSA) should, alongside with other stakeholders (startups, SMEs, investors, etc.) be involved. The multi-actor approach applies to this topic.

Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the services offered by European research infrastructures such as METROFOOD-RI (the infrastructure for promoting metrology in food and nutrition) or other relevant research infrastructures.

Proposals are also encouraged to consider citizens and societal engagement in their activities for the implementation of technological results better aligned with consumer’s needs.

To achieve the expected outcomes, international cooperation is encouraged.

General conditions for admissibility include adhering to proposal page limits and layout guidelines as described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Applicants submitting a proposal under the blind evaluation pilot must not disclose their organization names, acronyms, logos, or names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application.

Eligible countries are 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.

Other eligibility conditions include applying the multi-actor approach.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. This topic is part of the blind evaluation pilot under which first stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.

Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information includes:
Application form templates available in the Submission System: Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) and Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1).
Evaluation form templates that will be used with the necessary adaptations: Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) and Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1).
Guidance: HE Programme Guide.
Model Grant Agreements (MGA): HE MGA.

Additional documents include:
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
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

The budget overview for the year 2025 includes several topics:
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-01-two-stage - HORIZON-IA: EUR 18,000,000, indicative number of grants: 3
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 12,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage - HORIZON-IA: EUR 12,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03-two-stage - HORIZON-IA: EUR 12,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 8,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 12,000,000, indicative number of grants: 2

There are 16 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic.

To start the submission process, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service and select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

The call aims to bolster food systems against safety risks by deploying advanced technological solutions. It seeks to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to climate action within the food industry. The call encourages international cooperation and the involvement of various stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, startups, SMEs, and research infrastructures. By aligning with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, this initiative aims to create a more resilient, sustainable, and efficient food system for the future.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include startups, SMEs, investors, governmental and food safety regulatory authorities (i.e. EFSA), and other stakeholders. The multi-actor approach applies to this topic, indicating a preference for diverse partnerships.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. The call includes both HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, as the multi-actor approach is mandatory. This implies that multiple entities, including governmental bodies, startups, SMEs, and investors, should be involved in the proposal.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU and non-EU/non-Associated Countries. 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 target sector is agriculture/food, specifically focusing on food safety, food fraud, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment. The program aims to enhance the resilience of food systems, promote clean technologies in the food industry, and improve food manufacturing efficiency.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other non-EU/non-associated countries based on specific provisions.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is technology readiness level (TRL) 8 by the end of the project. Proposals should clearly define the TRL starting point for each involved technology and the plan to reach more advanced TRL. The focus is on developing and implementing innovative solutions close to the market.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-01-two-stage: EUR 18,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 3)
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage: EUR 12,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 2)
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage: EUR 12,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 2)
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-03-two-stage: EUR 12,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 2)
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04-two-stage: EUR 8,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 2)
HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05-two-stage: EUR 12,000,000 (indicative number of grants: 2)
The indicative grant size is around EUR 4,000,000 to EUR 6,000,000 per project, with some projects potentially receiving up to EUR 6,000,000.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to support research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves two stages.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on making food systems more resilient to food safety risks through the deployment of technological solutions. It aligns with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, aiming to create fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food systems. The call encourages projects that implement innovative digital and technological solutions to address food safety and fraud gaps, with a target TRL of 8 by the project's end. A multi-actor approach is mandatory, requiring the involvement of diverse stakeholders such as startups, SMEs, investors, governmental and food safety regulatory authorities. International cooperation is encouraged. The call is structured around several specific topics, each with its own budget and expected outcomes, ranging from climate action in the food industry to enhancing food chain competitiveness. The application process is a two-stage process, and applicants should consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual for detailed guidance.