Reducing pollution from the food and drink industries

The main goal of this opportunity is to support research and innovation that reduces pollution from food systems, especially in the food and drink industries. The program aims to achieve zero pollution, contribute to climate action, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable and healthy nutrition. It encourages projects that understand pollution sources, develop ways to measure and reduce emissions, and address new types of pollutants. International cooperation is encouraged to protect ecosystems, water, and health, with a primary focus on Europe but also open to some non-EU countries.

• Projects must follow the page limit and layout requirements as specified in the application guidelines.
• Proposals should use a multi-actor approach, involving different food system stakeholders and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Eligible applicants must be from countries listed in the program's eligibility annex; international partnerships are encouraged.
• Projects must focus on food and drink industry processes and pollutants, and develop or improve analytical and monitoring methods.
• Applicants need to budget for joint activities, workshops, and sharing of results with other projects under this topic.
• Applicants must show they have the financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.

Example Projects:

• A partnership between universities and food manufacturers to develop new methods for detecting and reducing microplastics in processed foods.
• A project led by a consortium of European and international partners to test innovative water treatment technologies in beverage production facilities.
• A collaboration between research centers and local governments to monitor and remediate soil pollution from food processing waste in rural areas.

• 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: 12.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget value per project: 6.000.000€

• Proposals must use a multi-actor approach, involving various stakeholders in the food system.
• Applicants must be from countries eligible under the program, with specific rules for non-EU and non-Associated Countries.
• Applicants must demonstrate both financial and operational capacity to deliver the project.
• International cooperation is encouraged, especially for projects protecting oceans, inland waters, and biodiversity.
• Projects should involve multidisciplinary research and practical collaboration between partners.

Refer to the official program guide and annexes for detailed eligibility requirements.