Horizon Europe 2026-27: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)

Horizon Europe 2026-27: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)

A Global Challenges theme

The European Commission has published all of the 2026-27 Horizon Europe Work Programmes, which list the funding opportunities under the 2026-27 call topics.

No matter your field – whether you’re a business, university, research institute, charity, or not-for-profit – you could be eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funding to advance your cutting-edge research and innovation, fostering lasting impact and meaningful change.

Our Innovate UK European Team and UK National Contact Points can support you with these exciting potential funding opportunities and help you get the most out of Horizon Europe.

Applying from the UK

UK organisations and businesses can apply for Horizon Europe funding, working as part of a consortium with at least three countries, one of which must be an EU Member State (see “Who can apply?” below). If you are interested in one of the calls and would like to find a collaboration partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s European Programmes team.

If you have formed a consortium and are ready to apply, you can do so via the Horizon Europe Funding and Tenders Portal. Click here to see all open Horizon Europe calls (you will need to search for the title of the call you are interested in).

Calls in cluster 6 will start to open from 14 Jan 2026; some will not open until 2027.

The Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Work Programme

Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme for Cluster 6, this Work Programme document outlines the expected impacts as set out by Pillar 2 of the strategic plan and details specific calls for proposals and their relevant conditions to apply.

The available topics in Cluster 6 are summarised below. For 2026-27, they have been subdivided into 7 Destinations:

  • Biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • Fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
  • Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
  • Clean environment and zero pollution
  • Land, ocean and water for climate action
  • Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities
  • Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal

For further details on each call, view the 2026-27 Cluster 6 Work Programme.

The calls in this cluster have opening dates varying from Jan 2026 to Apr 2027, with closing dates from Apr 2026 to Sep 2027: please check the details for each individual call before starting the application process.

Potential applicants may also be interested in the Horizon Europe 2026-27 Soil Deal For Europe EU Mission and the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission, which have funding calls running until Sep 2027.

Who can apply?

Unless otherwise provided for in the specific call/topic conditions, only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in Horizon Europe actions provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:

Our European team can help you find eligible partners to form a consortium.

There may be further eligibility conditions for specific topics. Please check the Work Programme and contact our team to ensure your eligibility before applying.

  • at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State;
  • and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries (this includes the UK).

Info Days

The Info Day for Cluster 6 was held on 22-23 January. Click here to view the programme and watch recordings.

Potential applicants may also find the Cluster 5 Info Days (Climate, Energy and Mobility) helpful, as these have significant topical overlap, especially with Climate: the Info Day for Cluster 5 was held on Thursday 15 January 2026 and recordings are now available.

Registration for the Cluster 6 brokerage event on 21 January is now closed; contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s European team if you would like help in finding a consortium partner.

Destination: Biodiversity and ecosystem services

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway contributing to “putting biodiversity on a path to recovery, and protecting and restoring ecosystems and their services”.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01: Understanding and tackling the decline of insects. c.€6.5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02: Developing methods to assess the presence, functions and sensitivity of groundwater ecosystems. c.€5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03: Pushing the frontier of knowledge and conservation action for deep sea ecosystems. c.€9m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04: Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss. c.€6.5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-05: Advancing integrated scenarios and prediction models for informing transition to a nature positive society. c.€5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-06: Boosting agrobiodiversity for food security and sustainable competitiveness. c.€6m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage: Living labs for co-creating solutions for the restoration of ecosystems. c.€7m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage: Open topic: Uncovering the causes of specific species’ rapid decline and exploring actionable solutions. c.€3m per project for 4 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage: Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration. c.€5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage: Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy. c.€6m per project for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01: Integrating Remote Sensing and in-situ observations of Biodiversity, towards a fully interoperable observation and data framework. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-02: Science-policy support to the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies. c.€7m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-03: Technical innovation to protect ecosystems and to scale up their restoration. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-04: Living Labs for the eradication and/or management of invasive alien species. c.€8m each for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-05: Accelerating the transition to a nature positive economy: Integrating biodiversity into the private sector. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-06: Living labs driving transformative change via knowledge integration and inclusive governance. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07: Health of ecosystems and wild species, predictions and impacts on human health, in the face of existing and emerging stressors, from a One Health approach. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08: Fostering common farmland birds and mammals for resilient food production systems. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09: Enhancing the competitiveness of organic crop breeding: focus on intercropping adapted varieties. c.€6m each for 2 projects.

Destination: Fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out credible paths to “ensuring healthy food and nutrition security by making agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food systems sustainable, resilient, inclusive and within planetary boundaries”.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01: Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for regulated plant pests to support safe international trade. c.€5.9m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02: Tackling pesticide resistance: early detection, management strategies, and foresight. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-03: Boosting the competitiveness of protein crops in Europe. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-04: Accelerating the development of breeding tools for perennial crops, specifically fruits and nuts. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-05: Boosting circularity and diversification strategies of terrestrial livestock production systems. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-06: Advanced innovative solutions for improved competitiveness and sustainability in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). c.€6m each for 2 projects
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-07: Strengthening the EU plant protection ecosystem for a future-proof agriculture. c.€3m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-08: Advancing basic knowledge and developing tools for sustainable management of key migratory fish species. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-09: Sustainable and healthy diets for cardiovascular diseases prevention with the support of digital applications. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-10: Sustainable and healthy diets based on health status and socio-economic risk factors of ageing population. c.€2m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11: Integrating a holistic perspective in microbiome research for resilient, competitive and sustainable food systems. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-12: Leveraging R&I knowledge on microbiome. c.€2m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-13: Boosting plant health and reducing losses on farm and during storage for sustainable growth in Africa (FNSSA). c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-14: Green Transition Food Processing Africa. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage: Open topic: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural production factors. c.€4.5m each for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage: Open topic: Boosting organic farming for a competitive, sustainable and resilient farming sector. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-01: Increasing the resilience of agriculture in water and nutrient-scarce environments through digital innovations. c.€6m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02: Increasing mitigation of GHG emissions and feed efficiency through feed additives. c.€6m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-03: Microbiome for terrestrial livestock sustainability and health within a One Health approach. c.€5m-€6m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-04: Improving understanding of the contribution of the organic farming sector to sustainability. c.€6m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-05: Enhancing farmer’s profitability and resilience through innovations for diversified crops and value chains. c.€6m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-06: Unleashing the potential of sustainable smallscale aquatic food production and recreational fisheries for prosperous local communities. c.€5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-07: Towards commercialization of food systems microbiome solutions. c.€7m-€8m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-08: AI-powered foodome characterization. c.€7.8m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-09: African Union – European Union Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). c.€6.5m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage: Strengthening plant health: addressing emerging plant pest risks. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage: Optimising the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA). c.€6m each for 2 projects.

Destination: Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway contributing to “achieving healthy soils and forests, as well as clean air, fresh and marine water, whilst ensuring water resilience and the transition to a clean, competitive and circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy”.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01: Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02: Advancing recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textiles waste from blended products. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-03: Advanced recovery of critical raw materials from Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-04: Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic). c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-05: Understanding biomass flows in Europe. c.€3m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-06: Bioeconomy policy support hub for Member States, regions and sectors. c.€3m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07: Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts. c.€4m each for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-08: Supporting pre-normative research for standardization of the bio-based products. c.€4m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-09: Balancing food security, bioeconomy, climate and biodiversity objectives to unlock sustainable value chains. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-10: Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living. c.€4m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-11: Harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to deliver sustainable blue bio-based products. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage: Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic). c.€5m per project for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage: Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal. c.€6m per project for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01: Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of consumer electronics. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02: Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03: Developing novel recycling technologies for complex plastic materials applying biotech solutions. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-04: Capacity building for extending product lifecycles through repair and refurbishment. c.€4m-€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05: Innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through collection, sorting and recycling. c.€4m-€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06: Towards a Europe of Bioeconomy Places. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07: Improving biomass flows for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. c.€7m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08: Biotechnology application for CCU. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09: Increasing the circularity of bio-based sector: upcycling and recycling for higher value and environmental benefits. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10: Strengthening forest research for the support of Ukraine. c.€6m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage: Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic). c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage: Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal. c.€6m each for 3 projects.

Destination: Clean environment and zero pollution

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to “achieve a clean environment, ensure water resilience, and enable the transformative change necessary to reduce air, water and soil pollution to levels no longer considered harmful to health and natural ecosystems, while respecting planetary boundaries“.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-01: Toward a comprehensive assessment of the disturbance of marine ecosystems by anthropogenic underwater noise. c.€10m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-02: Bioremediation of Ukraine’s ecosystems contaminated by conflicts. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-03: Developing managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR) in a rural context. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage: Decontaminate and bioremediate aquatic pollution. c.€7m-€8m each for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-01: Replacing hazardous substances in biocidal products. c.€4m each for 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-02: Developing effective air quality planning strategies through innovative multi-scale modelling. c.€4.9m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-03: Improve the capacity to monitor and reduce air pollution from agriculture. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-01- ZEROPOLLUTION-04: Europe-wide environmental benchmarking system of the industrial bioeconomy sectors. c.€3m for a single project.

Destination: Land, ocean and water for climate action

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway contributing to “Fostering mitigation of and adaptation to climate change in areas and sectors covered by Cluster 6”.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-CLIMATE-01: Towards more effective, fair and coherent policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture and forestry. c.€6m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-CLIMATE-02: Towards the water infrastructures of the future. c.€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-01: Governance, sustainable development and international politics of a future ice-free Arctic. c.€8m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-02: Strengthening evidence-based policies for the resilience of European agriculture and forestry and related supply chains against crises and systemic risks. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-03: Carbon farming innovation and scale-up. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-04: Unlocking a safe operating space for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. c.€11m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-01-two-stage: Open topic: Innovative solutions for the European Water Resilience Strategy. c.€5.5m each for 2 projects.

Destination: Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out credible paths to “sustainably developing rural, urban and coastal areas“.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-COMMUNITIES-01: Boosting sustainable competitiveness in rural areas through innovation. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-COMMUNITIES-01: Strengthening rural communities’ resilience to shocks. c.€5m each for 3 projects
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-COMMUNITIES-02: Empowering local urban food systems entrepreneurship and innovation. c.€6m each for 2 projects.

Destination: Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal

Proposals for topics under this destination should set out credible pathways to “developing innovative governance models and tools enabling sustainability and resilience“.

  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-01: Additional activities for the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP). c.€38m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-02: Improving analytical capacity and understanding of social drivers in agriculture to better assess social sustainability in the sector. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-03: Empowering the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. c.€3m each for up to 3 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-04: Supporting AllAtlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. c.€4.5m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-05: Coordinated European contribution to the WMO Global Greenhouse Gas Watch and its international governance. c.€7m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-06: A services and business incubator for geospatial open-source developments. c.€6m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-07: Interconnect Earth Observation research for addressing environmental policies. c.€5.4m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-08: Boosting data availability and AI solutions in food for consumers and food service professionals. c.€7.5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-09: Increasing knowledge flows to practice within AKIS via EU thematic knowledge hubs. c.€3.5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-10: Embracing innovation in agriculture by peer-to-peer learning via on farm demonstrations and cost-benefit analysis. c.€4m-€5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-04-GOVERNANCE-01: Additional activities for the European Partnership of Agriculture of Data. c.€60m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-01-two-stage: Open topic: Develop Earth Intelligence solutions using environmental observations and state-of-the-art AI for sustainable competitiveness and policy making. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01: Strengthening the resilience of European farmers through improved capacity in coping with risks and crises. c.€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-02: Improving analytical capacity for sustainable competitiveness of the agricultural sector. c.€6m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-03: International dimension of the circular biobased economy: seeking win-win opportunities. c.€3m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-04: AI supporting informed advice for farmers and foresters to improve competitiveness and sustainability. c.€5m-€6m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-05: Increasing knowledge flows to practice within AKIS via EU thematic knowledge hubs. c.€3.5m each for 2 projects.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06: Fostering generational renewal in agriculture via EU advisory network. c.€4.5m for a single project.
  • HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-07: Strengthening strategic advice and synergies between EU and national Research and Innovation agendas and investments. c.€4.75m for a single project.

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