The European Union has received 1,132 research proposals under Horizon Europe Cluster 6, highlighting intense competition for up to €405.4m in funding to advance sustainable food systems, biodiversity protection, and the circular bioeconomy.

The submissions cover projects linked to agriculture, climate action, pollution reduction and environmental resilience.

The funding call is part of the EU’s broader Horizon Europe programme and supports research aligned with the European Green Deal, including the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Farm to Fork strategy.

The initiative is designed to accelerate scientific innovation while helping Europe transition toward a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy.

Early figures show the strongest interest came from food systems and biodiversity-related calls, suggesting that researchers and industry groups are prioritising climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and digital technologies for sustainability.

More funding opportunities linked to Horizon Europe Cluster 6 are expected later this year.

What Horizon Europe Cluster 6 supports

Horizon Europe Cluster 6 focuses on tackling some of Europe’s most pressing environmental and food-security challenges.

The programme supports research intended to reduce environmental degradation, restore biodiversity and improve management of land, oceans and natural resources.

The cluster also promotes innovation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and forestry through digitalisation and scientific research.

EU policymakers see these investments as central to achieving climate neutrality targets while ensuring long-term food and nutrition security.

Research funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is expected to contribute directly to several EU policy goals, including sustainable industry initiatives, pollution elimination measures and rural development strategies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Food systems and biodiversity attract highest interest

Among the seven research destinations within Horizon Europe Cluster 6, the largest number of submissions targeted sustainable food systems.

The research destination titled “Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption,” received 358 single-stage proposals, alongside 76 first-stage applications in two-stage calls.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services also generated significant attention, with 220 proposals submitted during the first stage of the two-step application process.

Other research destinations included:

• Innovative governance, environmental observations, and digital solutions supporting the Green Deal: 128 single-stage proposals and 56 first-stage submissions
• Land, oceans and water for climate action: 58 proposals
• Resilient, inclusive and green rural, coastal and urban communities: 75 proposals
• Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors: 59 first-stage proposals
• Clean environment and zero pollution: 102 first-stage proposals

The figures underline growing demand for EU-backed environmental research funding as governments, universities and private-sector innovators seek solutions to climate and sustainability challenges.

Strong competition expected for Funding

With more than 1,100 proposals competing for €405m, success rates under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 are expected to be highly competitive.

The programme 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 calls under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 are scheduled to open later in 2026, offering further opportunities for researchers and organisations across the bloc.