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Boosting the competitiveness of protein crops in Europe

This Horizon Europe grant aims to increase the competitive production of protein crops across Europe by developing and testing sustainable and cost-effective innovations tailored to diverse regions, farming systems, and contexts. The grant supports boosting farmer profitability through integration of protein crops into diversified farming systems, local value chains, and valorisation of protein crops’ by-products. Projects should contribute to greater economic and environmental sustainability, agrobiodiversity, and European food and feed autonomy. The programme invites proposals that develop innovative solutions to key barriers hindering the adoption of protein crops, promote circular bioeconomy, demonstrate innovative conversion of by-products to food and feed, test and adapt pest and weed management strategies, and support farmer adoption through practical knowledge dissemination.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, House union, Other
Start date	14 Jan 2026
End date	14 Apr 2026
Max funding	Up to 6,000,000 EUR per grant; the maximum financial support for third parties is 60,000 EUR per third party.
Budget	12,000,000 EUR planned for this topic call (2 grants expected at 6,000,000 EUR each, 2026).
Coverage	Funding in the form of lump sum as per Horizon Europe rules. Eligible costs and contributions follow EU lump sum standards.

Grant application conditions

Eligible Applicants	Applicants must be legal entities (companies, NGOs, government organizations, consortia, etc.) established in eligible countries as described in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Multi-actor approach required.
Geographic Scope	Applicants must be based in EU Member States or eligible Associated Countries. Certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate with own funding provisions.
Application Format	Proposals must obey page limits and layout guidelines described in the Horizon Europe Application Form (Annex A and E).
Multi-actor Approach	Proposals must implement a multi-actor approach, including active participation of farmers, retailers, SMEs, consumers, and various value chain actors.
Financial and Operational Capacity	Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity criteria as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe General Annexes.
Transfer of Results	Up to 4 years after project end, the granting authority may object to the exclusive licensing or transfer of project results.
Eligible Costs	Costs are covered on a lump sum basis as per Horizon Europe lump sum regulations. Financial support to third parties is allowed only in the form of grants, up to a maximum of 60,000 EUR per third party.
Specific Activities Required	Develop innovative, tailored solutions for integrating protein crops into diverse European farming systems. Promote circular bioeconomy practices by valorising protein crop by-products into feed and food value chains. Adapt and demonstrate integrated pest and weed management strategies for protein crops. Test and adapt agricultural machinery (including digital/AI tools) suitable for protein crop production. Disseminate practical knowledge using audiovisuals, brochures, digital platforms, and capacity-building programmes. Include a dedicated plan and resources to collaborate with other relevant projects, particularly those on diversified crops and value chains.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-03

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements