Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Funding for collaborative research and innovation that supports sustainable food systems, protects nature and makes better use of natural resources.

At a glance

Calls:: Calls open from January 2026 onwards, with closing dates between April 2026 and September 2027.
Opportunity type:: Collaboration, funding
Award:: Most projects receive between €3 million and €8 million, with the largest projects offering up to €60 million. Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible costs for most projects, while Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) cover 100%, Innovation Actions (IAs) generally cover 70% for for-profit entities (though still 100% for non-profits).
Sectors:: Agrifood, biotechnology, chemistry, digital, geospatial, global, infrastructure, robotics and artificial intelligence, sensors, sustainability, water

Overview

Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment is one of the 6 clusters within Horizon Europe’s Pillar 2: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.

It supports research and innovation that protects biodiversity, improves food and water security, develops sustainable agriculture and strengthens the circular economy and bioeconomy.

Projects often bring together organisations from research, agriculture, food production, forestry, fisheries, environmental management, industry, technology and the public sector.

What Cluster 6 funds

Cluster 6 funding is grouped into 7 main areas.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services

Protecting and restoring biodiversity, ecosystems and the services they provide.

This includes research on threatened species and habitats, pollinators, wetlands, forests and marine and freshwater environments. Projects may focus on developing better monitoring methods, understanding the links between biodiversity and human health, or testing nature-based solutions that deliver benefits for both ecosystems and people.

Read on the European Commissions website how work under this area supports the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and may contribute to the EU Mission to restore our ocean and waters.

Food systems

Developing fair, healthy, sustainable and resilient food systems from primary production to consumption.

This covers sustainable farming and fishing practices, reducing food loss and waste, improving nutrition, supporting plant-based and alternative proteins, and making supply chains more transparent and equitable. Projects may address food safety, consumer behaviour, dietary change or the economic viability of sustainable food production for farmers and producers.

Work under this area supports implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Circular economy and bioeconomy

Supporting circular production, sustainable use of natural resources and bio-based products and processes.

This includes developing bio-based materials, chemicals and fuels from sustainable biomass, improving industrial processes to reduce waste and resource use, and testing new business models based on reuse, repair and recycling. Projects may work on cascading use of resources, industrial symbiosis or sustainable forest-based and marine bio-industries.

Read on the European Commissions website how work under this area supports the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and contributes to reducing dependence on fossil-based materials.

Clean environment and zero pollution

Reducing pollution and improving the health of air, water, soil and ecosystems.

This covers chemical, plastic, microplastic, noise and light pollution, as well as research into safe and sustainable chemicals. Projects may focus on monitoring pollution levels, understanding cumulative effects on health and ecosystems, developing remediation approaches, or identifying safer alternatives to harmful substances.

Read on the European Commissions website how work under this area supports the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan, and contributes to improved environmental and public health outcomes.

Land, ocean and water for climate action

Supporting climate mitigation and adaptation across agriculture, forestry, oceans and water systems.

This includes improving soil carbon sequestration, sustainable forest management, blue carbon ecosystems, ocean observation and freshwater management. Projects may address drought and flood resilience, the role of peatlands and wetlands in the carbon cycle, or the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity, fisheries and coastal communities.

Read on the European Commissions website on how work under this area is closely connected to the EU Mission on soil health and food, and to international commitments on climate and nature.

Rural, coastal and urban communities

Helping communities become more resilient, inclusive, healthy and environmentally sustainable.

This includes research on rural development and smart villages, social innovation, access to services, green infrastructure and urban food growing. Projects may focus on improving health and wellbeing in rural or coastal areas, supporting community-led approaches to sustainability, or addressing inequalities in access to food, green spaces and environmental resources.

Work under this area often involves local authorities, communities and citizens as active participants in project activities.

Governance, environmental observation and digital solutions

Developing better policy, data, monitoring and digital tools to support environmental and sustainability goals.

This includes earth observation, digital twins of natural systems, artificial intelligence for environmental monitoring, citizen science and data-sharing platforms. Projects may support more effective environmental regulation, develop tools for tracking progress on biodiversity or pollution targets, or improve how environmental knowledge is used by decision-makers at local, national and European level.

Read on the European Commissions website on how work under this area often links with the Copernicus environmental monitoring programme, and other EU digital and data initiatives.

Who this is for

Cluster 6 funding is mainly for organisations working together in international consortia.

It may be relevant for:

universities and research organisations
farmers, growers and agricultural organisations
food producers, processors and retailers
fisheries and aquaculture organisations
forestry and land management organisations
businesses, start-ups and SMEs
biotechnology and bio-based industries
water and environmental services organisations
digital, geospatial, data and artificial intelligence organisations
local and national public authorities
rural, coastal and community organisations
charities and environmental organisations

The partners and expertise needed will depend on the individual topic. Some calls may require farmers, food businesses, public authorities, environmental organisations, technology providers or local communities to be involved.

Many calls focus on practical testing, demonstration, living labs, environmental observation or the use of digital tools and data.

Most calls are not intended for individuals applying alone.

Eligibility

Most Cluster 6 calls require an international consortium.

Unless the topic states otherwise, the consortium usually needs at least 3 independent legal entities:

at least one established in an EU Member State
at least 2 others established in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries

The UK is associated to Horizon Europe, so UK organisations can take part and receive funding as members of an eligible consortium.

Individual topics may include additional requirements relating to:

the types of organisations involved
farmer, business or community participation
access to land, water, infrastructure or environmental data
living labs, pilot projects or demonstration activities
international cooperation
links to European partnerships or EU Missions
social sciences and humanities expertise
the type of action and funding rate

Always check the full topic conditions before applying.

Check your eligibility for Horizon Europe funding

European Partnerships

European Partnerships provide another way to access research and innovation funding linked to this cluster. They bring together the European Commission with national authorities, industry and other organisations to support shared research and innovation priorities.

Partnerships may offer funding opportunities through Horizon Europe calls or through calls and programmes managed by the partnerships themselves.

Explore European Partnerships and find out how they work.

Next steps

Read the Cluster 6 Work Programme 2026–2027 (PDF) and the relevant call topic for the latest priorities, eligibility rules, budgets and deadlines.
Read the Horizon Europe Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment guidance for more information on how to plan and prepare your proposal on their website.
Build or join an eligible international consortium, find partners and build a consortium and agree partner roles, activities, responsibilities and eligible costs & budgets.
Contact the Cluster 6 NCP for further guidance and support with your application.

Find current Cluster 6 calls

Open and upcoming Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment calls, official call documents and submission deadlines are listed on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Find and apply for Cluster 6 calls on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

To apply for funding through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, you need an EU Login account. If you do not already have one, register for an EU Login account on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.

Your organisation also needs a Participant Identification Code (PIC) to be included as a participant in a funding application and to manage the grant if the application is successful. If your organisation does not yet have one, find out how to register your organisation and get a PIC on the EU Funding and Tenders portal.

Last updated: 9 September 2026