In the field of research and innovation, Horizon Europe has positioned itself as one of the most important programs for obtaining funding in the areas of agri-food, bioeconomy, natural resources, and environment. However, this year has seen a notable absence of calls from February in cluster 6, which has left many researchers and entities seeking alternatives to fund their proposals and innovations.
Despite this pause in calls for cluster 6, Horizon Europe continues to offer funding opportunities through other mechanisms and calls that have been active in recent months. In fact, cascading funding, calls initiated by partnerships, or by the European Institutes of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have kept their programs open, providing relief to those seeking financial resources for their initiatives. Moreover, other programs outside of Horizon Europe also have or are having open calls during this period
Cascading funding
Horizon Europe continues to offer funding opportunities through other mechanisms and calls. For example, the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism, better known as “cascading funding,” allows entities benefiting from European projects to redistribute part of the funds received to finance third parties, such as startups, SMEs, universities, or research centres (Open Calls for Cascading Funding).
Horizon Europe Partnerships
To reduce the fragmentation of research efforts in Europe, European Partnerships emerge. All partnerships are based on their own Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas accepted by all participants in each partnership. Ultimately, these are initiatives in which the EU, along with private and/or public partners, commit to jointly support the development and implementation of a program of research and innovation activities.
Some of the partnerships that have had calls in recent months include BIODIVERSA+, AGROECOLOGY, or WATER4ALL. The latter is dedicated to the sustainable management of water. This program seeks innovative solutions to address water-related challenges, from its efficient use to the protection of water resources. WATER4ALL offers an ideal platform for projects focusing on sustainability and natural resource management, areas that are also relevant to cluster 6 destinations.
Another partnership offering funding opportunities is FUTUREFOODS, focused on innovation in the food production chain. This program promotes the development of technologies and practices that improve the quality and sustainability of food, encompassing everything from agricultural production to distribution and consumption. FUTUREFOODS is an excellent alternative for projects seeking to align with the food security and sustainable development objectives present in cluster 6.
EIT Calls
EIT calls have also provided funding opportunities in recent months. EIT is known for its focus on education, research, and innovation in Europe, and its programs often overlap with cluster 6 themes. Projects focused on energy transition, sustainable urban mobility, digital technologies, and food systems (EIT Food Mission) find a favourable space in EIT calls to obtain resources and advance their developments.
Territorial cooperation programs
Beyond Horizon Europe, there are other European, regional, and national programs that have had calls in recent months and address similar themes to cluster 6 destinations. Among these, territorial cooperation programs such as INTERREG and EUREKA stand out, although they are not the only ones.
INTERREG is a program that promotes cooperation between regions of different European countries. Its objective is to address common challenges and promote sustainable development through cross-border projects. INTERREG calls are an excellent option for projects requiring international collaboration and seeking shared solutions in areas such as the environment, mobility, and technological innovation.
EUREKA, on the other hand, is an intergovernmental network that supports cooperation in research and development between companies and organizations from different countries. Projects funded by EUREKA open calls often focus on technology and innovation, and their calls have also been active in recent months, offering a solid alternative for initiatives seeking funding in topics related to cluster 6.
Conclusion
Despite the absence of February calls in cluster 6 of Horizon Europe, there are various funding alternatives available for innovative projects. Partnerships, cascading funding, EIT calls, and other European, regional, and national programs such as INTERREG and EUREKA offer valuable opportunities to continue developing initiatives that contribute to technological and sustainable advancement.
It is crucial for researchers and entities to stay informed about the various funding options and explore these alternatives to ensure the continuity and success of their projects. The diversity of programs and mechanisms available shows that, in the field of innovation, there are always open paths for those seeking to transform their ideas into reality.