Strengthening the EU crop breeding research and innovation ecosystem for competitive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem for crop breeding in the European Union. It aims to support agriculture that is competitive, resilient, and sustainable, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting circular, efficient, and profitable farming systems. The focus is on enhancing plant breeding research, addressing the needs of minor and underutilized crops, and encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors, research institutions, and infrastructure providers. The geographic scope includes all EU Member States, outermost regions, and Central and Eastern European countries, with an emphasis on international cooperation, especially with Africa. This opportunity is designed for research and innovation projects under the Horizon Europe Programme.

• Projects must align with the objectives of strengthening crop breeding research and innovation for sustainable agriculture.
• Proposals should promote collaboration between public and private sectors, research institutions, and infrastructure providers.
• Projects should address the needs of minor or underutilized crops or foster sustainable, efficient, and low greenhouse gas-emitting farming systems.
• Proposals must follow the page limits and layout specified in the official Application Form.
• Applicants must adhere to the admissibility conditions as outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
• Projects involving non-EU or non-Associated Countries must meet specific eligibility provisions.

Examples:

• A research consortium developing climate-resilient wheat varieties in collaboration with European and African partners.
• A public-private partnership focused on breeding and commercializing underutilized legumes for sustainable food systems.
• A project connecting research infrastructures across several EU countries to advance innovative plant breeding technologies.

• Personnel costs for researchers and technical staff
• Costs for laboratory materials and consumables
• Equipment purchases or leases needed for project activities
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and fieldwork
• Subcontracting of specialized services
• Costs related to data collection and analysis
• Project management and coordination expenses
• Communication, dissemination, and outreach activities
• Training and capacity-building actions
• Networking and partnership-building events

Restrictions: All costs must fit within the lump sum model and be directly related to the project objectives. Further details and specific rules can be found in the Horizon Europe guidance on lump sum contributions.

• Budget for this Call: 3.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• Applicants must be established in an EU Member State, an EU outermost region, or a country in Central or Eastern Europe covered by the call.
• International cooperation is encouraged, especially with African partners under relevant initiatives.
• Applicants must follow the eligibility conditions outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
• Specific provisions apply to organizations from non-EU and non-Associated Countries; they may need to meet additional requirements.
• Proposals must be submitted through the official Submission System and use the required application format.
• Networks or partnerships involving research institutions, public and private sector actors, and infrastructure providers are encouraged.
• Applicants should ensure their project addresses the thematic scope of sustainable crop breeding and innovation.