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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must position small-scale aquatic food producers and recreational fisheries not as marginal actors, but as central drivers of local economic resilience, coastal/riparian stewardship, and sustainable dietary shifts. The strategic core lies in deploying multi-actor living labs that deliver validated, market-ready Nature-based Solutions and digital tools (achieving TRL 7) across fresh, brackish, and marine waters, tightly integrating Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and gender-sensitive business models.
TRL 4 → 7
Advance knowledge and develop tools, including Nature-based Solutions, for managing and further developing small-scale aquatic food production, integrating natural science, technical know-how, and social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines (including cultural elements such as local traditions) across fresh, brackish, and marine waters.
Develop innovative methodologies to assess environmental and socio-economic contributions of relevant small-scale actors to the prosperity of local communities within the broader aquatic food system, taking into account a gender-sensitive approach and the specific needs of vulnerable groups, leveraging diverse data sources and advanced data analytics (e.g. AI, machine learning, big data).
Address the effects of climate change on small-scale aquatic food production and explore its potential contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation, provision of environmental services, improvement of ecological footprints, and aquatic animal welfare issues where relevant.
Engage relevant stakeholders and end-users from design through development and implementation to produce readily applicable outputs, with special attention to knowledge transfer, training, and capacity-building activities for small-scale actors and policymakers.
economic prosperity is fostered in coastal, rural and urban communities through improved business models, value chain integration and market access for small scale producers that can contribute offering attractive jobs;
consumers benefit from the availability of locally produced, nutritious, and safe aquatic food following high environmental and social standards;
more resilient and empowered communities at local and regional levels by fostering innovation in aquatic food value chain and addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource management;
a more competitive and sustainable aquatic food sector by advancing ecosystem-based management practices, digitalization and technological innovation based on the latest scientific research.
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 Common Fisheries Policy
highThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) aims to ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by managing fish stocks at maximum sustainable yield, minimizing environmental impacts, and supporting the economic viability of the sector. It also promotes the integration of climate considerations into fisheries management.
Evaluators will expect proposals to demonstrate how their solutions align with CFP objectives, particularly in terms of sustainable stock management, reducing environmental impacts, and supporting small-scale fisheries. Proposals should also show how they will contribute to the CFP's climate adaptation and mitigation goals.
EU Fisheries Control Regulation
highThe EU Fisheries Control Regulation establishes a harmonized system of monitoring, inspection, and enforcement across the entire seafood value chain. It includes modernized provisions for tracking fishing vessels, reporting catches electronically, and monitoring recreational and small-scale fisheries to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Evaluators expect proposals to address practical, cost-effective compliance and monitoring solutions adapted to small-scale and recreational operators. Methodologies should demonstrate how catch data, traceability, and digital reporting can be implemented without overburdening local communities.
Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture with a 2040 perspective
highThe Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture with a 2040 perspective outlines long-term strategic pathways for achieving climate neutrality, ecosystem resilience, and socio-economic viability across European aquatic sectors. It focuses on energy transition, digitalization, generational renewal, and fair living standards for coastal and rural communities.
Evaluators expect projects to showcase future-proof business models, decarbonization pathways, and social innovation that empower small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers, supporting long-term community attractiveness and generational renewal up to 2040.
Strategic guidelines for sustainable and competitive aquaculture
highThese strategic guidelines provide a roadmap to expand sustainable, resilient, and competitive EU aquaculture from 2021 to 2030. They prioritize environmental performance, animal welfare, spatial planning, knowledge sharing, and regulatory simplification.
Evaluators look for proposals demonstrating low-impact aquaculture techniques, circular economy integration (such as multitrophic systems), diversification for small-scale coastal producers, and improved social acceptance of local aquatic food production.
Farm to Fork Strategy
highThe Farm to Fork Strategy is a key component of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. It includes targets for reducing the environmental footprint of food production, improving animal welfare, and ensuring food security.
Proposals should show how they will contribute to the Farm to Fork Strategy's goals, particularly in terms of sustainable fisheries, reducing pollution, and ensuring safe and healthy seafood for consumers. Evaluators will look for solutions that enhance the resilience and sustainability of food systems.
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
highAs 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 aquatic and coastal ecosystems. Specific attention to mitigating the impact of fishing techniques and preserving marine protected areas is crucial.
European Ocean Pact
mediumThe Pact aims to protect and restore marine ecosystems, including through sustainable fisheries and pollution reduction. The project must address marine species decline and propose solutions for ocean health.
Focus on marine biodiversity, particularly for species affected by overfishing, pollution, or climate change. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions contribute to the Pact’s objectives.
EU algae initiative
mediumThe EU Algae Initiative (Towards a Strong and Sustainable EU Algae Sector) establishes actions to unlock the potential of macro- and microalgae for food, feed, and bioproducts. It aims to scale regenerative ocean farming while reducing environmental pressures associated with terrestrial agriculture and traditional seafood harvesting.
Evaluators look for proposals exploring restorative aquaculture opportunities, including small-scale seaweed cultivation and integration into local value chains, emphasizing sustainable harvesting and positive impacts on marine ecosystems.
Food 2030 policy framework
mediumThe Food 2030 policy framework is the EU's research and innovation initiative to transform food systems to become sustainable, resilient, responsible, and inclusive. It is structured around four key priorities: nutrition for sustainable healthy diets, climate smartness and environmental sustainability, circularity and resource efficiency, and innovation and community empowerment.
Evaluators expect proposals to adopt a holistic food systems approach, demonstrating how small-scale aquatic production enhances dietary diversity, supports territorial development, and engages local communities and consumers through participatory research and open innovation.
Specific requirements
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).
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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.
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 strictly assess the balance between technological innovation (AI/data analytics, TRL 7 demonstration) and deep socio-economic integration (SSH disciplines, local cultural traditions, gender-sensitive methodologies). They will scrutinize whether the consortium meaningfully engages small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers directly in co-design, rather than treating them merely as survey subjects. Proposals that clearly address the full continuum of waters (marine, brackish, freshwater) and articulate concrete pathways under lump-sum delivery will score highest.
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 | |||
| SC1Advance knowledge and develop tools, including Nature-based Solutions, for managing and further developing small-scale aquatic food production, integrating natural science, technical know-how, and social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines (including cultural elements such as local traditions) across fresh, brackish, and marine waters. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Develop innovative methodologies to assess environmental and socio-economic contributions of relevant small-scale actors to the prosperity of local communities within the broader aquatic food system, taking into account a gender-sensitive approach and the specific needs of vulnerable groups, leveraging diverse data sources and advanced data analytics (e.g. AI, machine learning, big data). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Address the effects of climate change on small-scale aquatic food production and explore its potential contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation, provision of environmental services, improvement of ecological footprints, and aquatic animal welfare issues where relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Engage relevant stakeholders and end-users from design through development and implementation to produce readily applicable outputs, with special attention to knowledge transfer, training, and capacity-building activities for small-scale actors and policymakers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1economic prosperity is fostered in coastal, rural and urban communities through improved business models, value chain integration and market access for small scale producers that can contribute offering attractive jobs; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2consumers benefit from the availability of locally produced, nutritious, and safe aquatic food following high environmental and social standards; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3more resilient and empowered communities at local and regional levels by fostering innovation in aquatic food value chain and addressing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource management; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4a more competitive and sustainable aquatic food sector by advancing ecosystem-based management practices, digitalization and technological innovation based on the latest scientific research. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Direct involvement of stakeholders and end-users from design to implementationSelected proposals should include relevant stakeholders and end-users from design throughout development and implementation, ensuring outputs are readily applicable and emphasizing knowledge transfer, training, and capacity building. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH) and cultural traditionsProposals should integrate natural science, technical know-how, and social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines, including local cultural traditions linked to aquatic food production and consumption. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Gender-sensitive approach and consideration of vulnerable groupsInnovative assessment methodologies must take into account a gender-sensitive approach and address the specific needs of groups in vulnerable situations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Consideration of aquatic animal welfareAquatic animal welfare issues should be considered where relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Unlocking R&I potential of EU outermost regionsThe destination supports unlocking the unique assets for research and innovation of the EU outermost regions, in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions. | · | · | 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 common fisheries policyThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) aims to ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by managing fish stocks at maximum sustainable yield, minimizing environmental impacts, and supporting the economic viability of the sector. It also promotes the integration of climate considerations into fisheries management. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu fisheries control regulationThe EU Fisheries Control Regulation establishes a harmonized system of monitoring, inspection, and enforcement across the entire seafood value chain. It includes modernized provisions for tracking fishing vessels, reporting catches electronically, and monitoring recreational and small-scale fisheries to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3vision for fisheries and aquaculture with a 2040 perspectiveThe Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture with a 2040 perspective outlines long-term strategic pathways for achieving climate neutrality, ecosystem resilience, and socio-economic viability across European aquatic sectors. It focuses on energy transition, digitalization, generational renewal, and fair living standards for coastal and rural communities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4strategic guidelines for sustainable and competitive aquacultureThese strategic guidelines provide a roadmap to expand sustainable, resilient, and competitive EU aquaculture from 2021 to 2030. They prioritize environmental performance, animal welfare, spatial planning, knowledge sharing, and regulatory simplification. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5farm to fork strategyThe Farm to Fork Strategy is a key component of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly. It includes targets for reducing the environmental footprint of food production, improving animal welfare, and ensuring food security. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6eu biodiversity strategy for 2030As 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. | · | · | 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.
Because this is a lump-sum grant, evaluators are explicitly instructed to reward proposals that articulate concrete delivery pathways tied to the funding model. Consortia must structure their work packages to reflect clear, verifiable milestones that trigger payments, ensuring that the TRL 7 demonstration activities are financially de-risked and logically sequenced.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
A proposal will lose critical evaluation points if it focuses solely on marine environments. Evaluators will strictly check that the project addresses the full continuum of marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems. Consortia must recruit pilot sites and small-scale actors representing all three aquatic environments to remain competitive.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Evaluators will penalize proposals that treat small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers merely as survey subjects. The consortium must embed these actors directly into the co-design process and deeply integrate Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), specifically addressing local cultural traditions and gender-sensitive methodologies alongside the technological AI components.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The call text explicitly requires contributions to all four expected outcomes, making them eliminating criteria rather than a menu of options. A winning proposal must balance economic prosperity models, consumer nutrition benefits, community resilience, and ecosystem-based management practices without neglecting any single dimension.
Source: Scope / Expected Outcomes
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