Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and Pump Priming: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 programme for 2026/2027. We understand from the European Commission that the funding opportunities will also be searchable in a few days’ time on the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal. However, it is likely to take the European Commission a couple of days to upload all of the call topics onto this system.

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.

The available topics in Cluster 6 are summarised below; We expect to see full information on eligibility and closing dates to be made easier to access in the coming weeks. In the meantime, a full list of calls under the work programme for Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment can be found here.

Theme and Destinations

This cluster aims at reducing environmental degradation, halting and reversing the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and sea and better managing natural resources through transformative changes of the economy and society in both urban and rural areas.

It will ensure food and nutrition security for all within planetary boundaries through knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food systems and steer and accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy, including forestry.

Research and innovation activities under cluster 6 will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal related to the Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Farm to Fork strategy, the European Climate Pact and initiatives under sustainable industry and eliminating pollution, as well as the long-term vision for rural areas, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The expected impacts of this cluster are contained in the Horizon Europe strategic plan.

Areas of intervention:

• fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
• biodiversity and ecosystem services
• circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
• clean environment and zero pollution
• land, ocean and water for climate action
• resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, costal and urban communities
• Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal

There are 7 specific Destinations for Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 programme, each with their own specific calls and deadlines. The indicative amount of EU funding contributions for most projects in this cluster ranges from €3m to €12m. This can cover up to 100% of costs depending on the call.

For more infomation on each destination and the calls within them, please visit the Horizon pdf with details. There is also lots of useful information on the UKRI Brussels Office website, with links to future events about calls and Brokerage visits.

Horizon Europe Pump Priming collaboration opportunities

Innovate UK and British Academy are pleased to announce funding schemes for Horizon Europe Pump Priming Grants, open to all disciplines. The fund is not currently open, but we may see future rounds.

The Horizon Europe Pump Priming funding schemes are aimed at enabling businesses, research organisations and other organisations to build partnerships and develop ideas that will have the potential significant market impact by going forward as a proposal to Horizon Europe.

Applications will be processed upon receipt and in the order that they are received, and the award of any grant is made subject to available funding.

Innovate UK are leading a scheme focused on supporting UK SMEs to develop proposals across a wide range of sectors under Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe (see below for details). Successful applicants will have access to grant funding of up to £10,000 (excluding VAT) and are advised to work with a UK National Contact Point in support of their project. Applicants are also given access to a highly experienced Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation and Growth Specialist (IGS) if they are not already a client, to further support their innovation and growth journey.

With the aim of developing a consortium and applying to Horizon Europe, Pump Priming can help with:

• Access to opportunities for collaborative research and innovation
• Explore networking and partnership opportunities
• Support with travel costs to meet with potential consortia and partners
• Develop your Horizon Europe proposal
• Fund consortium partners to travel to UK

Find out more about the opportunities, eligibility and how to apply, please visit the British Academy website.

You can see other open funding calls in our Funding Finder.