Unlocking Horizon Europe Funding: A Guide for UK AgriFood Innovators

Cluster 6 of Horizon Europe focuses on Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment. It supports innovation that contributes to the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy, and wider sustainability goals. The 2025 work programme addresses major global challenges such as food security, environmental resilience, and climate change adaptation.

The 2025 Cluster 6 work programme is structured around seven thematic “Destinations” (see Glossary), several of which are highly relevant to the UK agri-food community: 

• Destination 2: Fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food systems – focuses on alternative proteins, agroecology, circular water use, and food safety. 

• Destination 3: Circular and sustainable bioeconomy – supports bioprospecting, composting systems, and environmental biotechnology. 

• Destination 4: Clean environment and zero pollution – addresses monitoring systems and pollution reduction. 

• Destination 5: Land, ocean and water for climate action – supports climate adaptation in agriculture and ecosystems. 

• Destination 6: Resilient, inclusive, and green communities – aims to balance rural and urban innovation. 

• Destination 7: Innovative governance and digital solutions – focuses on digital environmental tools and better decision-making. 

The funding priorities have evolved to emphasise economic competitiveness, digital transformation, and market-ready innovation in sectors like agriculture, food, and the bioeconomy. 

Cluster 6 is funded by the European Commission as part of “Pillar II” (see Glossary) of Horizon Europe, which supports collaborative research and innovation (R&I) to address global challenges. 

The UK is an associated country, so UK organisations (including SMEs, universities, and tech companies) can fully participate and receive funding. 

Over €9 billion is allocated to Cluster 6 for the full Horizon Europe period (2021-2027). For 2025 alone, hundreds of millions of euros are available through competitive calls for proposals. Compared to the 2023-2025 work programme, the 2025 edition introduces several important changes: 

• Reduced budget: The total Cluster 6 budget has been cut to €967.7 million (from over €1.1 billion). 

• Shift toward competitiveness: Greater emphasis is now placed on innovation with commercial potential and economic impact. 

• Streamlined application process: More calls use simplified, lump-sum funding and two-stage applications. 

• Less focus on some topics: Fewer calls address insect decline and biodiversity restoration in detail than in previous cycles. 

Cluster 6 offers funding for: 

• Research & Innovation Actions (RIAs) – for new ideas and early-stage research (typically 100% funded) 

• Innovation Actions (IAs) – to test and demonstrate solutions close to market (typically 70% funded for businesses) 

• Coordination & Support Actions (CSAs) – for networking, policy support, and knowledge sharing 

UK innovators need to approach Horizon Europe not just as a research programme, but as a platform to scale and commercialise impactful solutions. 

This means: 

• Building consortia with commercial partners to bring innovations to market. 

• Combining academic excellence with applied know-how (e.g. product development, field testing). 

• Clearly articulating economic and policy impact in proposals. 

• Involving stakeholders early – including regulators, end users, farmers, and industry. 

A winning proposal should show how your innovation will improve sustainability and competitiveness across the EU. 

A wide range of UK organisations are eligible and encouraged to participate: 

Below shows ‘[Type of Organisation to Collaborate With]/ [What they could bring]’ 

• Agri-food SMEs and start-ups/ Offer disruptive technologies and commercialisation pathways 

• Tech companies (AI, IoT, robotics)/ Provide enabling tools for digital and sustainable transitions 

• Large food producers and processors/ Bring scalability and supply chain reach 

• Universities and research institutes/ Lead scientific design, trials, and policy insight 

• NGOs and nonprofits/ Deliver community engagement and co-creation 

• Public authorities or policy bodies/ Offer real-world testing grounds and support uptake 

Here are some essential tips for navigating the application process: 

Do: 

• Start early – identifying partners and aligning goals takes time. 

• Align with the call scope – read the topic carefully and respond clearly to the expected outcomes. 

• Build a balanced consortium – with a good mix of geographies, sectors, and skills. One of the UK National Contact Points has prepared a LinkedIn article with hints and tips on finding the right consortium partners. 

• Plan for impact – outline how your innovation will benefit the EU, scale up, and contribute to policy. 

• Use available support – including Innovate UK, UK National Contact Points (NCPs), and brokerage events. 

Don’t: 

• Go it alone – Horizon Europe is for collaborative projects. 

• Reuse old content – write proposals tailored to each call. 

• Ignore economic or social impact – this is a key evaluation criterion. 

• Miss deadlines – submissions must be made via the EU Portal on time. 

How to get started 

1. Check eligibility – UK organisations can participate and receive funding as the UK is now fully associated with Horizon Europe. 

1. Explore open calls – Visit the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and download the 2025 Cluster 6 Work Programme. 

1. Find partners – Join info days, brokerage events, and use support from Innovate UK Business Connect and UK National Contact Points (NCPs). 

1. Develop a concept – Align your project idea with EU priorities and address the specific call objectives. 

UK AgriFood SMEs looking to break into Horizon Europe have a unique support opportunity through Innovate UK’s Pump Priming for Horizon Europe initiative. This targeted scheme helps small businesses build the right partnerships, prepare strong proposals, and access early-stage support to lead or join European collaborative R&I projects. Horizon Europe can be transformative for AgriFood innovation – offering access to large-scale funding, European markets, and strategic partners. But getting started can be daunting. The Pump Priming grant is a practical and accessible way to lower the barriers and move your organisation closer to participation in one of the world’s largest research and innovation programmes. 

If you’re an SME working in agriculture, food systems, bioeconomy, or sustainability and want to join the Horizon Europe community, this fund is for you. 

Below, we break down the key elements of the scheme, how it works, and why it matters for AgriFood innovators preparing for 2025 Horizon Europe calls. 

This programme offers small grants of up to £5,000 (excl. VAT) to help UK-registered SMEs explore and prepare for participation in Horizon Europe Pillar 2 or 3 funding calls. It aims to reduce the barriers to entry for businesses new to the programme and to accelerate the formation of international consortia for impactful research and innovation proposals. 

The funding is part of a wider effort by Innovate UK to ensure that UK businesses benefit fully from Horizon Europe following the UK’s association. 

Pump Priming grants can be used to cover essential costs that strengthen a business’s readiness to apply for Horizon Europe funding. These include: 

• Travel to meet potential European project partners 

• Participation in European brokerage and info-day events 

• Membership in relevant European research and innovation networks 

• External support for bid writing or proposal development 

Grant value: Up to £5,000 (excluding VAT)
Closing date: 15 July 2025
Decision timeline: Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so early submission is encouraged. 

For early-stage or scaling AgriFood innovators, forming strong consortia and navigating Horizon Europe’s complex funding environment can be a challenge. This programme is designed to: 

• Open doors to international collaboration in key areas such as sustainable farming, bioeconomy, food systems, and climate resilience 

• Level the playing field by funding upfront costs that SMEs often struggle to cover 

• Provide direct support from Innovate UK specialists and the National Contact Point for Horizon Europe 

If your organisation is developing climate-smart technologies, improving food system resilience, or advancing sustainable bio-based innovation, this funding can help position you for success in Horizon Europe’s competitive funding landscape.  

The Pump Priming fund is open to UK-registered SMEs that: 

– Fewer than 250 employees and £50m turnover or less 

– Actively trading (not dormant or holding companies) 

– Planning to participate in an eligible Horizon Europe call 

– Open to all sectors – but highly relevant to AgriFood innovators 

The programme is particularly useful for start-ups, spin-outs, and first-time Horizon Europe applicants looking to get ‘bid ready’. 

• Use it to build real partnerships – partner meetings and info days are often the start of winning collaborations
• Focus on strategic opportunities – look for Horizon calls that align with your innovation and impact goals
• Don’t wait too long – the grant operates on a first-come, first-served basis
• Get help – support is available from Innovate UK Business Connect, including 1:1 advice

• Visit the opportunity page: Pump Priming for Horizon Europe 2025 

• Check the eligibility criteria and funding terms 

• Submit a simple online application outlining your planned activities and the Horizon Europe call you’re targeting 

Applications are light-touch but must show how the activity will strengthen your Horizon Europe proposal and participation. 

In the Horizon Europe Info Day for Cluster 6 held on May 20, 2025, Dr. John Bell, Director for Healthy Planet at the European Commission and Chair of the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), highlighted the critical role of the CBE JU in advancing Europe’s transition to a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. Dr. Bell encouraged innovators, particularly those from the UK, to engage with the CBE JU, noting that the UK is an associated country under Horizon Europe and can fully participate in its initiatives. 

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE-JU) is a major EU partnership that funds projects turning biological resources (like crops, food waste, or algae) into sustainable products-such as packaging, chemicals, feed, or materials. 

It’s about replacing fossil-based materials with greener, bio-based alternatives, while creating jobs and reducing waste. 

CBE-JU is co-funded by: 

• The European Union, and 

• The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), which represents companies and industry stakeholders. 

From 2021 to 2031, CBE-JU has a budget of €2 billion, half from the EU and half from industry contributions. 

Each annual call (including 2025) offers hundreds of millions of euros to fund collaborative R&I projects. 

CBE-JU supports: 

• Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) – for early-stage ideas and technologies. 

• Innovation Actions (IAs) – for pilots, demonstrations, and near-market solutions. 

• Flagship Projects – large-scale demonstrations of bio-based solutions at industrial scale. 

Funding is mostly grants and typically covers 70-100% of project costs, depending on the type of organisation and activity. 

For a more detailed overview of the CBE JU’s activities and funding opportunities, you can visit their official website: Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking. Some of the AgriFood relevant calls are outlined below…closing date for all is 18 September 2025 17:00 CET. 

Innovation actions – flagship (IA-flagship) 

Circular-by-design fibre-based packaging with improved properties – €20 million 

Retrofitting of (bio)refineries industrial plants towards higher-value bio-based products – €20 million 

Innovation actions (IA) 

Sustainable macroalgae systems for innovative, added-value applications: cultivation and optimised production systems – €14 million 

Scaling-up nutritional proteins from alternative sources – €14 million 

Cost-effective and robust continuous biotech bio-based processes – €14 million 

SSbD bio-based polymers/copolymers unlocking new market applications – €14 million 

Research and innovation actions (RIA) 

Valorisation of untapped forest biomass – €7 million 

Bio-based and biodegradable delivery systems for fertilising products to reduce microplastics pollution & promote soil health – €7 million 

Horizon Europe Missions are large-scale European initiatives tackling big societal challenges by setting clear, ambitious goals-like improving soil health or restoring oceans. 

Each mission brings together research, innovation, policy, and community action to deliver measurable results by 2030. 

There are five Horizon Europe Missions: 

1. Soil Deal for Europe – Improve soil health on 75% of Europe’s land by 2030. (Especially relevant for farming and food systems.) 
2. Climate Adaptation – Help at least 150 regions and communities become climate-resilient. 
3. Restore Our Oceans and Waters – Clean and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems. 
4. Cancer – Improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 
5. Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities – Make 100 EU cities climate-neutral by 2030. 

Missions are funded by the EU through Horizon Europe and often involve co–funding from national governments, local authorities, and industry partners. 

Missions are backed by billions of euros across multiple years. For example, the Soil Mission alone has over €500 million allocated across different calls from 2021–2025. 

Missions support: 

• Collaborative research projects 

• Living labs and lighthouse projects (real-world trials) 

• Policy and community engagement 

• Demonstration and scaling activities 

Funding is typically through grants, with open calls published in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Looking ahead, stakeholders should get involved in Missions via actions presented in the Horizon Europe Missions work programme. Call deadlines vary per mission, earliest being in September 2025. 

Click here to view the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s official call which is looking for:  

• A large-scale research funding opportunity launched by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

• Focused on fundamental, mechanistic research (TRL 1–3) into how biological processes influence soil health and resilience, particularly under climate stress. It is not intended for technology development or implementation, but rather to produce insights that lay the groundwork for future agri‑biotech solutions. 

• Aimed at interdisciplinary consortia combining ecology, agronomy, data science, soil sciences, etc. 

• Fully funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a leading Danish philanthropic foundation with a strong focus on biotechnology and environmental sustainability. 

• The programme supports European research ecosystems, including the United Kingdom, as part of its geographic eligibility. 

• Total budget: up to DKK 150 million (≈ €20 million). 

• Individual grants: between DKK 40 million and 75 million (≈ €5.4 million–€10 million) per 6‑year project. 

• The call is open to UK-based researchers and consortia, provided the main applicant is based in the UK or another eligible European country, and at least one consortium member is affiliated with a Danish research institution. 

• For UK agrifood innovators, this means: 

• Ability to lead or join high-impact, long-term research projects in a globally strategic area. 

• Access to substantial funding (up to €10 million) for ambitious foundational research. 

• Opportunities for strong collaboration with Danish institutions, aligning with a major European philanthropic fund, and complementing domestic UK initiatives (e.g., UKRI’s Transforming Food Production challenge). 

• Call opens: 28 April 2025 

• Call closes: 8 October 2025 2pm (Copenhagen time) 

• Stage 1 results: December 2025 

• Stage 2 results: June 2026  

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, aiming to transform the food system to make it more sustainable, healthy, and trusted. Through various programmes and open calls, EIT Food supports agrifood innovators, including those based in the UK, by providing funding, mentorship, and access to a vast network of partners. 

EIT Food can help UK companies to: 

• Access a network of Europe’s leading agrifood businesses, start-ups, universities, and research organisations 

• Learn about the agrifood sector through online courses, education programmes, and professional development opportunities 

• Take your ideas from concept to market so you can launch innovative products, ingredients, and solutions 

• Engage in a dialogue with the food industry and co-create the future food system through access to innovative events, digital platforms, and public engagement activities 

• Benefit from expert mentoring, tailor-made entrepreneurship programmes, and easy-to-access funding to enable you to launch, accelerate, and scale your agrifood business 

EIT Food regularly announces open calls for funding and participation in various programmes. These opportunities are designed to support startups, SMEs, and other innovators in the agrifood sector. For the most up-to-date information on current open calls, please visit the EIT Food Open Calls page. 

• Impact Funding Framework: A call for proposals aiming to promote ambitious, long-term collaboration that leads to food systems change. Consortia-based proposals are encouraged, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. There is a submission deadline for applications on 10 July and 11 December 2025. 

• Proof-of-Concept Co-Financing Instrument: Supports early-stage collaborations between agrifood startups and potential corporate clients by de-risking small-scale pilot projects. Up to €100,000 is available to fund proof-of-concept activities such as field trials, product testing, and functionality assessments. Applications close on 30 November 2025. 

• Visit the EIT Food Open Calls page: Regularly check the EIT Food Open Calls page for the latest opportunities. 

• Subscribe for Updates: Sign up for notifications to stay informed about new calls and programmes. 

• Prepare Your Application: Ensure that your project aligns with the specific criteria and objectives of the call. Tailor your application to highlight how your innovation contributes to a more sustainable and healthy food system. 

• Engage with the Community: Participate in EIT Food events and networking opportunities to connect with potential partners and collaborators. 

By engaging with EIT Food, UK innovators can access valuable resources and support to advance their projects and contribute to the transformation of the food system. 

Horizon Europe offers UK agri-food innovators the opportunity to be part of pan-European projects tackling the most urgent challenges facing our food systems, environment, and rural economies. With a stronger focus on market impact and digital innovation, it’s an excellent route to accelerate innovation, build international partnerships, and shape the future of sustainable agriculture. 

National and Contact Points (NCPs) are also available if you would like to speak to someone about any of these calls. Please contact your National and sectoral contact points if you would like to speak to someone about any of these calls. 

For more guidance, partnering help, or strategic support, contact Innovate UK Business Connect. 

Pillar: Horizon Europe is organised into three key Pillars (I, II, and III), each targeting different aspects of research and innovation. Pillar II includes Clusters, which focus on addressing global challenges.

Cluster: A thematic area within Pillar II that brings together related research and innovation topics. Cluster 6 focuses on Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

Destination: Sub-themes within each Cluster that define the key policy goals and funding priorities. For example, in Cluster 6, Destinations include topics like “Fair, healthy food systems” and “Clean environment”.

Call for Proposals: A funding opportunity that outlines the specific topics available for application, including objectives, budget, and deadlines. Innovators respond by submitting project proposals.

Topic: A specific funding area within a Destination. Each topic describes the scope, expected outcomes, and action types.

Work Programme: A document detailing all open and upcoming calls and funding opportunities for each Cluster. For example, the 2025 Cluster 6 Work Programme.

RIA (Research & Innovation Action): A type of Horizon Europe project focusing on early-stage research and development (e.g., new ideas or concepts). Typically funds 100% of eligible costs.

IA (Innovation Action): Supports activities closer to market, such as the development of prototypes, pilots, or demonstration projects. For-profit entities are funded at 70% of eligible costs.

CSA (Coordination and Support Action): Supports non-research activities like networking, policy coordination, and dissemination. Funded at 100% of eligible costs.

Consortium: A group of at least three organisations from different Horizon Europe-associated countries, collaborating to submit and implement a project proposal.

Lead Applicant / Coordinator: The organisation responsible for submitting the proposal, managing the project, and serving as the primary contact with the EU.

Participant Portal / EU Funding & Tenders Portal: The online platform where all Horizon Europe calls are published and proposals are submitted. EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Associated Country: A non-EU country, like the UK, that can fully participate in Horizon Europe, with the same rights and funding as EU Member States.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): A scale from 1 to 9 that measures the maturity of a technology. For Horizon Europe projects, the focus is typically on TRLs 5-7 (development and demonstration).

Exploitation: The process of using, commercialising, or further developing the results of a Horizon Europe project after its completion.

Dissemination: Sharing the project results with wider audiences to maximise impact, including through publications, workshops, or media outreach.

Impact Pathway: Describes the anticipated journey from the project’s outputs to its long-term societal, environmental, and economic impacts.