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

The main goal of this opportunity is to boost plant protein production within the European Union, making agricultural systems more resilient and reducing reliance on imported feed proteins. The focus is on increasing the local production of protein crops, such as grain legumes and mixed crops, which can help decrease environmental impacts and support sustainable rural development. Projects will address regional needs by tailoring strategies and tools to different EU climates and farming conditions. Efforts will also highlight biodiversity-friendly practices and climate-resilient crops. The initiative aims to strengthen knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the creation of self-sustaining value chains for plant proteins across EU regions.

• Projects must enhance plant protein production for animal feed to strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems and EU self-sufficiency.
• All types of farming approaches, including organic, are admissible.
• Proposals must use a multi-actor approach, involving key stakeholders from the plant protein feed value chain (e.g., farmers, advisors, industry, policy-makers).
• Effective knowledge exchange and co-creation between researchers and field actors is required.
• Projects must produce and disseminate practice-oriented materials through digital platforms.
• Collaboration with other related projects and coherence with ongoing EU initiatives is necessary.
• Proposals should leverage existing research and identify gaps and enablers for scaling up sustainable protein crops.
• Biodiversity-friendly management practices must be tested and showcased.
• Assessment of social, economic, and environmental impacts is required.
• Capacity-building materials and training tools should be tailored for different EU regions.

Examples:

• A project that brings together farmers, feed manufacturers, and researchers to develop new protein crop varieties adapted to local climates, and shares results via online platforms.
• An initiative that creates training materials for advisors and farmers in different EU regions, focusing on integrating legumes into existing crop rotations.
• A collaborative effort to assess the economic and environmental impacts of replacing imported soya with locally grown protein crops, involving policy-makers and industry representatives.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 11.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 7.500.000€

• Proposals must implement a multi-actor approach, engaging key stakeholders in the plant protein feed value chain (such as farmers, land managers, advisors, feed manufacturers, industry, SMEs, and policy-makers).
• Applicants must ensure effective knowledge exchange and co-creation between researchers and field actors.
• Projects should include plans for collaboration with other related EU-funded initiatives.
• Proposals must develop and disseminate practical materials using digital tools or platforms.
• Applicants should demonstrate how their project aligns with ongoing EU research and innovation activities in this area.
• Eligibility may depend on the involvement of networks or partnerships across relevant sectors.