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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must seamlessly bridge complex soil-plant-water biophysical dynamics with robust, low-cost digital tools validated across distinct European pedoclimatic zones. It is critical to genuinely implement the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), co-designing affordable, low-connectivity AI-driven Decision Support Systems (DSS) directly with farmers and agricultural advisors to ensure high adoption, tangible reduction in mineral fertiliser reliance, and compliance with open data FAIR principles.
TRL 4 → 5
improve knowledge on the complex interactions between plant, soil, water, air and nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus) in view of climate change in the EU and its impacts on crop production, farming systems (including crop protection use) and the environment, in a representative number of different pedoclimatic regions;
develop and test monitoring devices and systems that can take into account the findings on the interactions described in the previous point, considering their easy integration into other farm management information systems (FMIS) or decision support systems (DSS), and the affordability and accessibility to farmers (such as low connectivity in certain rural areas, digital knowledge, health impairments/disability, etc.);
develop and test AI-enabled decision support systems to better monitor and assess the effects of agricultural practices and land management measures in terms of water and nutrient use taking into account different pedoclimatic zones, local conditions and farm characteristics, their impact on pollution (water, soil) and benefits for biodiversity;
create sets of high-quality AI training data to support the development of DSS with the objective to improve water and nutrient resilience of different farming systems, and make them publicly available, considering legal clarity, sustainable access, transparent documentation and metadata, harmonised and standardised protocols;
identify potential barriers and enablers for translation of these R&I developments into practical and commercial digital tools and for the adoption by end-users (especially related to trust and transparency, and the needs of persons with disabilities such as accessibility of the information), as well as characterise remaining knowledge, training and/or advice gaps, and needs for policy feedback.
farmers have increased access to digital tools and advice to improve their resilience to water and nutrient scarcity;
farmers are better prepared for the Green Transition and EU’s new plan for sustainable prosperity and competitiveness;
biodiversity benefits from decreasing water, air and soil pollution while European dependency on mineral fertilisers is reduced.
agriculture and food systems contribute to ensuring a secure, safe, sustainable, nutritious, and affordable supply of healthy food in Europe and beyond by fostering its long-term competitiveness, resilience, scalability and sustainability within the boundaries of our planet with the One Health approach;
farmers are empowered to ensure the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the farming sector, through increasing knowledge, tools, innovative solutions, and advice that allow efficient productivity, working for and with nature, preserving and restoring biodiversity within agricultural ecosystems and helping to decarbonise the EU economy;
sustainable fisheries and aquaculture (in marine, brackish and freshwater) contribute to fair, healthy, resilient and environment-friendly food systems in healthy aquatic ecosystems with thriving diversity of species and habitats providing ecosystem and climate services and triggering growth and jobs’ creation in coastal and rural areas;
tools are provided so that citizens and communities are empowered to make the sustainable food choices and move towards safe, healthy, nutritious, accessible, affordable and sustainable diets. Insights and advances in life science and digital & data technologies are valorised to deploy solutions in practice across the EU;
food businesses, including food processing industries and SMEs, are supported to increase their resilience and competitiveness, while ensuring resource efficiency and sustainability, and human, animal and ecosystem health is preserved.
EU Vision for Agriculture and Food
highThis vision outlines the long-term direction for the EU's agricultural and food sectors, focusing on sustainability, resilience, food security, and fair income for farmers. It often emphasizes innovation, digital transformation, and adapting to climate change challenges while ensuring a robust food supply.
Proposals should demonstrate how their digital innovations contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and secure agricultural and food system, aligning with the long-term strategic goals for the sector. This includes addressing resource efficiency, climate adaptation, and the economic viability of farming.
Europe fit for the Digital Age
highThis overarching strategy aims to make Europe a global leader in the digital economy, focusing on digital skills, secure data infrastructure, fair competition, and the ethical application of AI. It seeks to leverage digital technologies to address societal challenges, including those in agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Proposals must clearly articulate how their digital innovations contribute to the digital transformation of agriculture, demonstrating the use of advanced digital technologies (AI, IoT, big data) to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Emphasis should be placed on secure data handling, interoperability, and the benefits for farmers and the wider agricultural sector.
Climate Adaptation Strategy
highDirectly aligns with the call’s focus on climate-resilient irrigation and water management. Proposals must demonstrate how project outcomes contribute to EU climate adaptation goals.
Quantification of climate resilience benefits (e.g., reduced water stress, improved yields under extreme weather). Policy recommendations for adaptation strategies at EU, national, and regional levels are highly valued.
Zero Pollution Action Plan
highThe Zero Pollution Action Plan is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal, aiming to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems by 2050. It sets targets for 2030 to cut pollution from various sources, promoting a toxic-free environment.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to reducing pollution in soil and water, preventing contamination, and promoting cleaner practices in forest management. This includes addressing issues like nutrient runoff, pesticide residues, and other contaminants that can impact soil health.
European Water Resilience Strategy
highThe Strategy aims to improve water resilience, including through ecosystem restoration and pollution reduction. The project could address freshwater species decline and propose solutions for water quality and quantity.
Focus on freshwater biodiversity and the role of water management in species decline. Proposals should highlight how their solutions improve water resilience and ecosystem health.
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
mediumAs a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing ecological resilience, especially in the context of forest ecosystems and soil health. Specific attention to how living labs can support biodiversity monitoring and restoration in forests and natural lands is crucial.
EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production
lowThe Action Plan aims to boost organic farming, which is generally more biodiversity-friendly than conventional agriculture. The project could explore organic farming as a solution for species decline in agricultural landscapes.
Focus on organic farming as a biodiversity-friendly practice. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions align with the Action Plan’s objectives and promote organic agriculture.
Clean Air directives
lowThe EU's Clean Air Directives (e.g., Ambient Air Quality Directives) set limits for concentrations of key air pollutants to protect human health and the environment. While primarily focused on air quality, agricultural practices can contribute to air pollution (e.g., ammonia emissions from livestock and fertilizer use).
Proposals should demonstrate how digital innovations in agriculture can lead to reduced air pollutant emissions, particularly those originating from farming practices (e.g., precision application of fertilizers to reduce ammonia, improved manure management).
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described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: the proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. See definition of the multi-actor approach in this work programme part.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will critically examine whether the Multi-Actor Approach is deeply embedded from proposal inception rather than added cosmetically, checking for genuine inclusion of farmers and disabled user considerations. They will assess the balance between multi-pedoclimatic scientific rigor (plant-soil-water nexus) and pragmatic usability (interoperability with legacy FMIS, edge computing for low-connectivity rural zones, and open-access, standardised AI training datasets).
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1improve knowledge on the complex interactions between plant, soil, water, air and nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus) in view of climate change in the EU and its impacts on crop production, farming systems (including crop protection use) and the environment, in a representative number of different pedoclimatic regions; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2develop and test monitoring devices and systems that can take into account the findings on the interactions described in the previous point, considering their easy integration into other farm management information systems (FMIS) or decision support systems (DSS), and the affordability and accessibility to farmers (such as low connectivity in certain rural areas, digital knowledge, health impairments/disability, etc.); | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3develop and test AI-enabled decision support systems to better monitor and assess the effects of agricultural practices and land management measures in terms of water and nutrient use taking into account different pedoclimatic zones, local conditions and farm characteristics, their impact on pollution (water, soil) and benefits for biodiversity; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4create sets of high-quality AI training data to support the development of DSS with the objective to improve water and nutrient resilience of different farming systems, and make them publicly available, considering legal clarity, sustainable access, transparent documentation and metadata, harmonised and standardised protocols; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5identify potential barriers and enablers for translation of these R&I developments into practical and commercial digital tools and for the adoption by end-users (especially related to trust and transparency, and the needs of persons with disabilities such as accessibility of the information), as well as characterise remaining knowledge, training and/or advice gaps, and needs for policy feedback. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1farmers have increased access to digital tools and advice to improve their resilience to water and nutrient scarcity; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2farmers are better prepared for the Green Transition and EU’s new plan for sustainable prosperity and competitiveness; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3biodiversity benefits from decreasing water, air and soil pollution while European dependency on mineral fertilisers is reduced. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Implementation of the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)Proposals must implement the multi-actor approach, with a consortium based on a balanced mix of actors with complementary knowledge, including farmers, researchers, advisors, technology providers and business partners. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts and institutions, as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, to enhance the societal impact of research activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Synergies with Digital Europe Program and EU AI Factory infrastructuresWhere appropriate, proposals should use and complement capacities and infrastructures created under the Digital Europe Program (including European Data Spaces and EDIHs), as well as EURO HPC and EU AI Factory infrastructures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Alignment with Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS)Proposals should comply with existing EU frameworks and strategies and build upon concepts and solutions developed in initiatives aimed to facilitate data sharing, such as the Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Collaboration with PRIMA, Agriculture of Data, JRC, and EUSOProjects should build on results of relevant Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects and ensure collaboration with relevant ongoing and forthcoming projects under the PRIMA and Agriculture of Data partnerships, the JRC, and the European Soil Observatory (EUSO). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6International cooperationProposals are encouraged to engage in international cooperation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Public availability and FAIR compliance of AI training datasetsSets of high-quality AI training data created to support DSS development must be made publicly available, considering legal clarity, sustainable access, transparent documentation, metadata, and harmonised and standardised protocols. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Integration of organic farming systemsProposals should address various farming systems and approaches, one of which should specifically be organic farming. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Unlocking potential of EU outermost regionsIn line with the EU strategy for outermost regions, the Destination supports unlocking their unique research and innovation assets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1agriculture and food systems contribute to ensuring a secure, safe, sustainable, nutritious, and affordable supply of healthy food in Europe and beyond by fostering its long-term competitiveness, resilience, scalability and sustainability within the boundaries of our planet with the One Health approach; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2farmers are empowered to ensure the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the farming sector, through increasing knowledge, tools, innovative solutions, and advice that allow efficient productivity, working for and with nature, preserving and restoring biodiversity within agricultural ecosystems and helping to decarbonise the EU economy; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3sustainable fisheries and aquaculture (in marine, brackish and freshwater) contribute to fair, healthy, resilient and environment-friendly food systems in healthy aquatic ecosystems with thriving diversity of species and habitats providing ecosystem and climate services and triggering growth and jobs’ creation in coastal and rural areas; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4tools are provided so that citizens and communities are empowered to make the sustainable food choices and move towards safe, healthy, nutritious, accessible, affordable and sustainable diets. Insights and advances in life science and digital & data technologies are valorised to deploy solutions in practice across the EU; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5food businesses, including food processing industries and SMEs, are supported to increase their resilience and competitiveness, while ensuring resource efficiency and sustainability, and human, animal and ecosystem health is preserved. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu vision for agriculture and foodThis vision outlines the long-term direction for the EU's agricultural and food sectors, focusing on sustainability, resilience, food security, and fair income for farmers. It often emphasizes innovation, digital transformation, and adapting to climate change challenges while ensuring a robust food supply. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2europe fit for the digital ageThis overarching strategy aims to make Europe a global leader in the digital economy, focusing on digital skills, secure data infrastructure, fair competition, and the ethical application of AI. It seeks to leverage digital technologies to address societal challenges, including those in agriculture and environmental sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3climate adaptation strategyDirectly aligns with the call’s focus on climate-resilient irrigation and water management . Proposals must demonstrate how project outcomes contribute to EU climate adaptation goals . | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4zero pollution action planThe Zero Pollution Action Plan is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal, aiming to reduce air, water, and soil pollution to levels no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems by 2050. It sets targets for 2030 to cut pollution from various sources, promoting a toxic-free environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5european water resilience strategyThe Strategy aims to improve water resilience, including through ecosystem restoration and pollution reduction. The project could address freshwater species decline and propose solutions for water quality and quantity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A proposal that fails to formally integrate the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA) will be rejected at the eligibility check before any scoring occurs. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to penalise cosmetic inclusions and will look for genuine co-design with farmers and agricultural advisors from the very inception of the project.
Source: Eligibility rules
To score highly on pragmatic usability, the proposed Decision Support Systems (DSS) must explicitly address rural infrastructure and user limitations. Evaluators will specifically check for edge computing capabilities for low-connectivity zones and accessible interfaces designed for users with health impairments or disabilities.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The scope mandates the creation and public release of high-quality AI training data to improve water and nutrient resilience. Proposals must detail a robust data governance strategy that ensures FAIR compliance, transparent metadata, and legal clarity across different pedoclimatic zones to satisfy this requirement.
Source: Scope
Because this call uses a Lump Sum funding model, cash flow depends entirely on the approval of work packages. Applicants must carefully align their major deliverable milestones with the successful deployment and validation of monitoring devices across the required representative pedoclimatic regions to avoid severe financial bottlenecks.
Source: Eligibility rules
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Lack of integrated empirical models that quantify how extreme weather events and soil heterogeneity govern Nitrogen and Phosphorus availability and losses at the micro-catchment scale.
Commercial precision farming sensors often suffer from high purchase costs, vendor lock-in, poor accessibility for operators with impairments, and failure under intermittent connectivity.
Decision-support algorithms frequently act as 'black boxes' lacking actionable agronomic explanations, resulting in low farmer confidence, uncalibrated risk perceptions, and stagnant adoption rates.
Agri-environmental data remain locked in proprietary silos without harmonised ontologies or metadata, hindering cross-validation and the training of generalisable AI models across regions.
Primary end-users managing arable and mixed farming systems in water- and nutrient-scarce regions across distinct EU pedoclimatic zones, including smallholders and operators with accessibility/connectivity constraints.
Agronomic consultants, extension services, and farm advisory bodies responsible for translating digital insights into day-to-day farm management guidance.
Digital agriculture developers, IoT sensor manufacturers, and software vendors integrating AI algorithms and APIs into commercial solutions.
European researchers and academic institutions in precision farming, soil ecology, hydrology, and agricultural data science leveraging open datasets and foundational interaction models.
Public bodies, water catchments managers, and policy makers overseeing the Nitrates Directive, Water Framework Directive, and regional climate adaptation plans.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Optimised precision irrigation driven by AI DSS reduces freshwater withdrawals while sustaining crop yield stability under drought conditions.
Targeted variable-rate fertilisation based on real-time soil-plant dynamics decreases Nitrogen and Phosphorus leaching into groundwater and surface aquatic ecosystems.
Deployment of low-cost, accessible, and interoperable digital tools facilitates widespread adoption of resource-efficient practices among diverse farming cohorts.
Reduced synthetic mineral fertiliser dependency and avoided over-application significantly cut field nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and upstream embodied carbon.