Open Call for the Selection of Providers of Innovative MRV technologies

TRAILS4SOIL (Horizon Europe) open call seeks private technology providers to develop and test innovative MRV technologies for soil health across five European Living Labs. Total call budget is €250,000 with maximum support of €200,000 per provider and €50,000 per technology, funding activities through June 2030 and requiring monitoring across at least two agricultural seasons. Eligible applicants are legally registered private technology providers and collaborating entities and must submit a single PDF application (maximum 8 pages) including company registration, debt clearance, CVs, technical and testing plans and a detailed budget. The call opens 30 June 2026 and closes 31 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST, queries to trails4soil@uco.es and full details at trails4soil.eu.

Summary

What is funded

Financial support for selection and on‑farm deployment of innovative MRV (measurement, reporting, verification) technologies to monitor soil health across five Living Labs. Funded activities include technology development and implementation, installation and maintenance at experimentation sites, farmer and Living Lab team training, two-season data collection and analysis, and active farmer engagement and cross‑Lab harmonization (standardized protocols, interoperability, cross‑LL calibration).

Who can apply:Private technology providers, environmental monitoring technology companies and collaborating entities offering viable MRV solutions adapted to Living Lab conditions; each applicant may submit one application ¹.

1. 1Applications must describe technical specifications, testing plan across multiple Living Labs, team CVs, proof of company registration and absence of public debt, and a detailed budget (PDF, max 8 pages).
2. 2Evaluation criteria: technological innovation, technical feasibility, scalability/replicability, contribution to project objectives, and provider experience (scored and weighted).
3. 3Selection stages: eligibility check, expert evaluation and scoring, possible interviews, final ranking and contracting.

Apply via the TRAILS4SOIL open call page and follow the application checklist; shortlisted providers may be interviewed before final selection. For full call text and application link see the project website TRAILS4SOIL Open MRV Call ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call information, application form and FAQs are published on the TRAILS4SOIL open call page: trails4soil.eu.

Call overview

Call title:Open Call for the Selection of Providers of Innovative MRV technologies. Project: Transformative Living Labs for Soil Health: Advancing Regenerative and Conservation Agriculture Across Europe (TRAILS4SOIL). Objective: select private technology providers to implement, test and demonstrate innovative Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) technologies for soil health indicators across five Living Labs (LLs) covering multiple European regions and agricultural systems, and to harmonize MRV approaches across LLs.

Call identifier and programme:HORIZON-MISS. Framework Programme period: Horizon Europe 2021-2027. Project acronym: TRAILS4SOIL. Project Id: 101218949.

Budget and funding per award:Total available budget for this open call process: €250,000. Maximum financial support per third party (applicant) is €200,000. Maximum funding per individual technology is €50,000. The total budget allocation and per-technology caps are strict eligibility constraints for awarded providers.

Duration and temporal requirements:Funding covers activities from contract signature until the end of the project (June 2030), with the obligation to provide monitoring data covering at least two agricultural seasons. Project start date listed as 30 June 2026; testing and reporting must cover two seasonal cycles.

Eligible Applicant Types

Primary eligible applicants:private technology providers offering innovative solutions for soil health monitoring and technological companies specialized in environmental indicator measurement. Collaborating entities that align with TRAILS4SOIL objectives and can deliver viable soil monitoring technologies are also eligible. The call emphasizes private providers and technological companies; academic institutions, non-profits or public bodies are not listed as primary target recipients but may participate as partners within submitting entities if they meet the applicant requirements. Each applicant (legal entity) may submit only one application.

Funding Type and Nature of Support

Primary funding mechanism:grant (financial support awarded to third party providers). Nature of support: monetary funding to cover eligible costs related to development, installation, testing, training and data reporting for MRV technologies. There is also an expectation of non-monetary engagement (training of farmers and Living Lab teams, collaboration and feedback loops) but the formal award is a grant.

Consortium Requirement and Project Structure

Submission model:single-stage open call. Applicants can apply as single legal entities (individual technology providers). The call does not require a consortium; single applicants are permitted. Collaboration with other entities is allowed (collaborating entities are mentioned), but there is no mandatory multi-partner consortium requirement. The selection and allocation will consider strategic balance across Living Labs.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

Living Lab deployment locations specified in the call cover multiple European countries and regions: Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Slovenia. The scope therefore includes EU Member States and also EEA/European countries outside the EU (Switzerland) and a non-EU country (Ukraine) as deployment sites. Eligibility of applicant legal entities is framed principally for private technology providers without explicit restriction to a single country in the scraped text; applicants should check the full call guidelines and the TRAILS4SOIL open call web page for any legal-entity nationality or place-of-establishment conditions. For deployment, solutions must be tested in multiple Living Labs across the regions listed.

Target Sector and Thematic Focus

Thematic sector:agriculture, environment and climate with a strong technology/ICT dimension for monitoring and data interoperability. Specific target areas: soil health monitoring (soil organic carbon, microbial biodiversity/activity, water retention and related soil health indicators), MRV technologies, sensors and interoperability platforms, data analytics and calibration/validation systems. Cross-cutting: farmer engagement, Living Lab methodologies, regenerative and conservation agriculture practices (ReCAP).

Project Stage and Technology Readiness

Expected project/technology maturity:demonstration, validation and field testing stages (real-world on-farm testing across at least two agricultural seasons). The call evaluates Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and previous implementation experience; therefore technologies at mid-to-high TRL that are deployable and adaptable to different agronomic conditions (feasible for implementation at experimentation sites) are preferred. The selection criteria explicitly consider TRL in the Provider Experience evaluation.

Application Type, Submission and Deadlines

Application type:open call, single-stage submission. Applications must be submitted electronically via the provided APPLY NOW link on the TRAILS4SOIL call page. Call opens: 30 June 2026. Call closes: 31 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Announcement of shortlisted applicants: 30 September 2026. Interviews scheduled: 14 to 18 September 2026. Confirmation of selected companies: 30 October 2026. Agreements signed: 2 to 6 November 2026. All questions on the Open Call must be sent to trails4soil@uco.es and FAQs will be published on the project website TRAILS4SOIL Open MRV call ¹.

1. 1Submission deadline: 31 August 2026 (23:59 CEST).
2. 2Submission channel: online APPLY NOW link on call webpage; application form may be completed in English.
3. 3Application pack must be a single PDF not exceeding 8 pages.

Eligible Activities and Costs

Activities eligible for financial support include but are not limited to:development and implementation of technologies measuring soil health indicators (water retention, organic matter, microbial biodiversity, etc.); installation and maintenance of innovative equipment at experimentation sites; training of farmers and Living Lab teams on technology use; data collection, reporting and analysis across at least two agricultural seasons; on-farm testing, training sessions and stakeholder engagement to ensure solutions are usable and effective in real-world conditions; participation in MRV harmonization activities (standardized protocols, interoperability and cross-Lab calibration/validation).

Selection Process and Application Stages

The selection process comprises a formal eligibility check, a scored evaluation by an Expert Committee, and a clarification/verification stage leading to final selection based on ranking, available budget and strategic LL balance.

1. 1Stage 1: Eligibility check – formal compliance with submission and eligibility rules.
2. 2Stage 2: Evaluation and scoring – independent Expert Committee scores applications against predefined criteria; ranking list created.
3. 3Stage 3: Clarification and verification – shortlisted applicants may be invited to interviews to verify feasibility and suitability.
4. 4Final selection: based on ranking, budget constraints and strategic balance across Living Labs; announcements made in writing.

Evaluation and Scoring Criteria

Applications are assessed using five weighted criteria. Each criterion is scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) and combined using a weighted formula: P = 20% A + 25% B + 20% C + 20% D + 15% E. Minimum acceptable scores per listed criterion are defined (min score 3 for each criterion). The five criteria are:

1. 1A Technological Innovation: novelty and degree of innovation (weight 20%).
2. 2B Technical Feasibility: viability for implementation and adaptability to different agronomic conditions (weight 25%).
3. 3C Scalability and Replicability: potential to replicate or scale across hectares or crops (weight 20%).
4. 4D Contribution to Project Objectives: clear contribution to monitoring benefits of regenerative and conservation agricultural practices (ReCAP) (weight 20%).
5. 5E Provider Experience: prior experience in environmental monitoring implementations and TRL considerations (weight 15%).

Eligibility Criteria and Applicant Requirements

Mandatory eligibility and documentation requirements (applications failing to meet these will be rejected):

1. 1Proof of company registration (legal entity documentation).
2. 2Documents demonstrating absence of debt to finance and social security authorities or equivalent in the applicant's country (supporting documents).
3. 3Contact person details and company website (if available).
4. 4CV of lead solution developer.
5. 5Brief overview of the team composition.
6. 6Methodological approach and technical specifications of the solution, including a brief summary of results obtained so far.
7. 7Testing plan: what will be tested, in which Living Labs, and in which agricultural systems, with a proposed timeline; solutions should be tested in multiple Living Labs.
8. 8Impact description: how testing within TRAILS4SOIL supports solution development and scalability potential.
9. 9Detailed economic budget.
10. 10Declaration of absence of conflict of interest that could affect impartial implementation.

Application Template Guidance

Applicants must compile a single PDF not exceeding 8 pages containing the requested documentation and structured information. Recommended structure to meet the call requirements:

1. 11 Executive summary (1 paragraph): brief description of the technology, TRL, and target soil health indicators.
2. 22 Company identification and legal status: registration proof and contact details.
3. 33 Team and expertise: CV of lead developer and brief team overview with roles.
4. 44 Technical description: methodological approach, technical specifications, sensors/platforms/software used, data formats and interoperability capabilities.
5. 55 Demonstration and testing plan: targeted Living Labs (at least two), agricultural systems, detailed timeline across two seasons, installation and maintenance plan.
6. 66 MRV harmonization and data management: description of how data collection adheres to standardized protocols, interoperability features (APIs, data formats), and proposed calibration/validation procedures across LLs.
7. 77 Expected impact and scalability: potential for replication, expected indicators to be measured, and pathway to commercialization or scale-up.
8. 88 Budget and cost breakdown: itemised eligible costs, requested funding (respecting caps), and justification.

Co-funding, Eligible Costs and Financial Conditions

The call text does not explicitly state a co-funding (cost-sharing) requirement for applicants. Maximum amounts are defined (per-third-party €200,000; per-technology €50,000; total call budget €250,000). Applicants should provide a detailed economic budget. Financial checks include proof of absence of debt to public finance and social security authorities. Applicants must also declare absence of conflicts of interest. Final terms and eligible cost categories should be verified in the detailed call guidelines available on the TRAILS4SOIL website.

Success Rates and Competition

The call does not publish explicit success rate figures. Selection is competitive and dependent on ranking, available budget and strategic LL balance. Given the limited total budget and per-technology caps, applicants should expect a competitive selection environment. No numerical success rate is provided in the scraped information.

Application Evaluation Timeline and Decision Process

MRV Harmonization and Technical Requirements

A core objective of the call is harmonization of MRV across Living Labs. Required strategies and expectations for awarded providers include: adherence to standardized data collection protocols for core soil health indicators (soil organic carbon, microbial activity, water retention etc.); interoperability and data-sharing capabilities (solutions should integrate into a unified data analysis framework and provide APIs/data export formats); participation in cross-Living Lab calibration and validation exercises to ensure comparability across regions and experimental conditions; active engagement with farmers and Living Lab stakeholders for on-farm testing, training and feedback loops to refine usability in real-world conditions.

Mentioned Countries and Living Lab Locations

Explicitly mentioned Living Lab countries and regions:Spain, Portugal (LL1 Mediterranean Southern Europe); Austria and Switzerland (LL2 Central Europe); Germany (LL3 national Living Lab); Moldova, Romania and Ukraine (LL4 Continental Eastern Europe); Slovenia (LL5 national Living Lab). These are the concrete deployment locations where selected providers must plan testing and demonstration.

How to Get Further Information

All application-related queries must be addressed to the central contact trails4soil@uco.es. The TRAILS4SOIL open call website contains the information and guidelines and will host FAQs; applicants are encouraged to consult it prior to contacting the helpdesk TRAILS4SOIL Open MRV call ¹.

Summary and Practical Advice

This open call seeks private technology providers with deployable MRV solutions that measure key soil health indicators and can be tested across multiple Living Labs covering diverse European agro-climatic regions. Applicants must prepare a concise 8-page PDF application in English, meeting formal documentation requirements. Funding is provided as grants with strict per-technology and per-applier caps. The selection emphasizes technological innovation, technical feasibility, scalability, contribution to monitoring ReCAP benefits, and provider experience/TRL. Harmonization, interoperability and farmer engagement are central conditions. Timeline and stages are defined; shortlisted candidates may be interviewed. Applicants should ensure clear technical specifications, a multi-Living Lab testing plan covering two agricultural seasons, interoperability/data management approaches and a detailed budget aligned with funding caps. For rules, document templates and final legal provisions, consult the official call page and contact the central help address.

Footnotes

1. 1Official TRAILS4SOIL open MRV call webpage and guidance: trails4soil.eu.

Opportunity Overview

This open call seeks private technology providers to develop and test innovative Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) technologies for measuring soil health indicators across five European Living Labs ¹. The initiative is part of the EU Horizon Europe project TRAILS4SOIL (Transformative Living Labs for Soil Health), which aims to advance regenerative and conservation agriculture practices (ReCAP) across nine countries ².

Key Deadlines:Call opens: 30 June 2026; Application deadline: 31 August 2026 at 23:59 CET; Shortlist announcement: 30 September 2026 ³.

Who Should Apply

Eligible applicants include private technology providers, technological companies specializing in environmental indicator measurement, and collaborating entities offering viable soil monitoring solutions ⁴. Applicants must be legally registered companies with no debt to financial or social security authorities and must submit only one application per call ⁵.

1. 1Private technology providers offering innovative soil health monitoring solutions
2. 2Companies specializing in environmental indicator measurement adaptable to Living Lab sites
3. 3Collaborating entities aligned with TRAILS4SOIL objectives

Funding Details

Financial support covers technology development, equipment installation, maintenance, farmer training, data analysis over two seasons, and collaboration activities within Living Labs ⁶.

Eligible Technologies & Activities

Qualified technologies must measure soil health indicators such as water retention, organic matter, microbial biodiversity, and soil organic carbon ⁷. Activities include on-farm testing in multiple Living Labs, training farmers and Living Lab teams, and ensuring data interoperability and harmonization across regions ⁸.

Required MRV Harmonization:Providers must adhere to standardized data collection protocols, ensure interoperability for seamless data integration, and participate in cross-Living Lab calibration exercises ⁹.

Selection Criteria

Applications are scored on a 1–5 scale across five criteria:Technological Innovation (20%), Technical Feasibility (25%), Scalability and Replicability (20%), Contribution to Project Objectives (20%), and Provider Experience (15%) ¹⁰. Minimum score per criterion is 3; top-ranked applicants based on weighted total score are selected ¹¹.

1. 1Technological Innovation: Novelty of soil health measurement solutions
2. 2Technical Feasibility: Viability at experimentation sites across agronomic conditions
3. 3Scalability: Potential for replication across hectares or crops
4. 4Contribution: Alignment with ReCAP monitoring benefits
5. 5Provider Experience: Previous environmental monitoring implementation and TRL level

Application Requirements

Submit a PDF (max 8 pages) including company registration proof, debt clearance documents, contact details, CV of lead developer, team overview, technical specifications, testing plan across multiple Living Labs, impact/scalability description, and detailed budget ¹².

Living Labs Coverage

Technologies will be tested across five Living Labs:LL1 (Spain/Portugal, Mediterranean cropping), LL2 (Austria/Switzerland, organic farming), LL3 (Germany, climate change), LL4 (Moldova/Romania/Ukraine, black soil conservation), and LL5 (Slovenia, crop-livestock integration) ¹³.

Contact & Further Information

All queries must be directed to trails4soil@uco.es; individual contact with Living Lab leaders is discouraged during the application phase ¹⁴. Additional details are available at TRAILS4SOIL Open MRV Call and the official project site TRAILS4SOIL Project ¹⁵.

Footnotes

1. 1EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Open Call for MRV Technologies, Call ID 14722COMPETITIVE EU Portal.
2. 2CORDIS Project TRAILS4SOIL (Grant ID 101218949): Transformative Living Labs for Soil Health CORDIS.
3. 3DevelopmentAid: Open Call Details and Deadlines DevelopmentAid.
4. 4TRAILS4SOIL Eligibility Criteria: Private providers and collaborating entities TRAILS4SOIL Call Document.
5. 5One application per applicant; conflict of interest declaration required TRAILS4SOIL Eligibility.
6. 6Eligible Costs: €200,000 max per third party, €50,000 per technology TRAILS4SOIL Budget.
7. 7Soil health indicators: water retention, organic matter, microbial biodiversity TRAILS4SOIL Activities.
8. 8MRV Harmonization: Standardized protocols, interoperability, cross-Lab calibration TRAILS4SOIL MRV Harmonization.
9. 9Selection Criteria Scoring: Weighted formula P=20%A+25%B+20%C+20%D+15%E TRAILS4SOIL Selection.
10. 10Minimum score 3 per criterion; 1–5 scale TRAILS4SOIL Criteria.
11. 11Application PDF requirements: 8 pages max, includes testing plan across multiple Living Labs TRAILS4SOIL Submission.
12. 12Five Living Labs: LL1–LL5 across Spain, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, Moldova, Romania, Ukraine TRAILS4SOIL Destination.
13. 13Contact: trails4soil@uco.es; FAQ on project website TRAILS4SOIL Contact.
14. 14EU Mission Soil projects supporting Soil Monitoring Law: TRAILS4SOIL, EUROSION, TERRASAFE IEEP.
15. 15TRAILS4SOIL Project Website: trails4soil.eu TRAILS4SOIL Site.