Overview

This webinar aims to inform potential applicants about the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Cluster 6 funding calls and related missions.

The webinar will give an overview of key topics, call deadlines and where to find the opportunities across three different Horizon Europe Work Programmes, as well as considerations when developing a proposal and the support we can offer. Follow up webinars are planned going into more detail of the topics covered.

About the event

This webinar aims to prepare organisations for the launch of the 2026-2027 European Commission calls in the following areas including Cluster 6 (Sustainable food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and the environment)

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.

Now that all the 2026 calls are now closed, details on the 2027 topics can be found in the Cluster 6 Work Programme. The first calls will open in February 2027 with deadlines ranging from March to September 2027.

There will be funding opportunities across these seven thematic areas:

• biodiversity and ecosystem services focuses on understanding biodiversity decline, protecting habitats, and delivering nature-based solutions
• fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems covers the entire food chain from primary production to consumption, including sustainable agriculture and food security
• circular economy and bioeconomy sectors promotes sustainable bio-based systems, industrial symbiosis, and circular resource use
• clean environment and zero pollution tackles air, water, and soil pollution prevention and remediation
• land, ocean and water for climate action supports climate change mitigation and adaptation via sustainable land and water management
• resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities addresses sustainable territorial development and smart community initiatives
• innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal

The calls provide an opportunity to develop collaborative projects at European scale. Many topics require strong stakeholder engagement and an interdisciplinary approach.UK organisations are eligible to participatein and lead Horizon Europe projects making these calls an opportunity to build international partnerships and secure funding for biodiversity-focused innovation.

Horizon Europe Missions

The 2027 calls can be found in the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme.

A soil deal for Europe mission

The ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ Mission is a large-scale initiative focused on protecting as well as restoring soils, and promoting sustainable management practices in urban and rural areas. The Mission aims to raise awareness and ensure the long-term health and productivity of soils on all types of land. Moreover, it aims to advance and share knowledge with stakeholders and the general public about sustainable practices related to spatial planning, soil conservation and agricultural techniques, aimed at reducing the use of chemical inputs. The Mission Soil pioneers, showcases, and accelerates the transition to healthy soils through ambitious actions in 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses within territorial settings.

This is a large-scale initiative focused on protecting as well as restoring soils, and promoting sustainable management practices in urban and rural areas with an emphasis on citizen engagement. The call will open in February 2027 with first deadlines for the five topics in April 2027.

Restore our ocean and waters mission

The ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030’ Mission has three core objectives: to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; to prevent and eliminate pollution; and to make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular. It supports major EU policy priorities and delivery is organised through area-based “lighthouses” across the Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea and Danube-Black Sea basins

The call opening in April and closing in September 2027 will provide €100 million funding across five topics.

NATURE

The NATURE calls can be found in the NATURE calls Horizontal Activities Work Programme.

Part of Horizon Europe’s wider biodiversity portfolio, alongside the established Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment work programme, the NATURE call aims to increase biodiversity investment across Horizon Europe by supporting additional research and innovation activities that contribute to the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU’s longer-term vision for nature recovery

The calls focus on accelerating the transition towards a nature-positive economy and society, supporting projects that improve our understanding of biodiversity loss, protect and restore ecosystems, and help translate knowledge into practical action and policy impact. Topics require collaboration and a clear pathway to real-world impact.

This additional funding will launch mid October, with calls will providing €230 million funding and significant opportunities for organisations working in biodiversity, conservation, environmental monitoring, nature restoration, sustainable business, and policy innovation. The majority of the call deadlines are in January 2027.

Contact us

If you are already developing a proposal contact the Innovate UK Cluster 6 NCP on ncp-food-bio-marine@iuk.ukri.org for support.