The European Union has received 1,132 research proposals under Horizon Europe Cluster 6, highlighting intense competition for up to €405.4 million in funding to promote sustainable food systems, biodiversity protection and the circular bioeconomy.
Entries include projects related to agriculture, climate action, pollution reduction, and environmental resilience.
The funding is part of the EU’s broader Horizon Europe programme, which supports research in line with the European Green Deal, including the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
The initiative aims to accelerate scientific innovation while supporting Europe’s transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy.
Early figures suggest the strongest interest has come from calls related to food systems and biodiversity, with researchers and industry groups prioritizing digital technologies for climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration and sustainability.
Further funding opportunities related to Horizon Europe Cluster 6 are expected later this year.
Support for Horizon Europe Cluster 6
Horizon Europe Cluster 6 focuses on addressing Europe’s most pressing environmental and food security challenges.
The program supports research aimed at reducing environmental degradation, restoring biodiversity, and improving the management of land, oceans, and natural resources.
The cluster will also foster innovation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry through digitalization and scientific research.
EU policymakers see these investments as central to achieving the goal of climate neutrality while ensuring long-term food and nutrition security.
Research funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is expected to directly contribute to several EU policy objectives, including sustainable industry initiatives, pollution cleanup measures and rural development strategies in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Food systems and biodiversity receive the highest attention
Among the seven research destinations within Horizon Europe Cluster 6, the most applications focused on sustainable food systems.
The research objective, entitled ‘Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption’, received 76 first-stage applications and 358 first-stage proposals in a two-stage call.
Biodiversity and ecosystem services also received significant attention, with 220 proposals submitted in the first stage of a two-stage application process.
Other research destinations include:
Innovative governance, environmental monitoring and digital solutions to support the Green Deal: 128 single-stage proposals and 56 first-stage proposals Land, ocean and water for climate action: 58 proposals Resilient, inclusive and green rural, coastal and urban communities: 75 proposals Circular economy and bioeconomy sector: 59 first-stage proposals Clean environment and zero pollution: 102 first-stage proposals
The figures highlight the growing demand for EU-supported environmental research funding as governments, universities and private innovators seek solutions to climate and sustainability challenges.
Intense competition is expected for funding
With over 1,100 proposals in contention for €405 million, the success rate in Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is expected to be very competitive.
The program remains one of the EU’s flagship research funding mechanisms and plays a central role in shaping Europe’s environmental and agricultural innovation agenda.
Additional recruitment under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is expected to begin in late 2026, providing further opportunities for researchers and organizations across the bloc.
Source link
