Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation framework programme, is the main funding instrument for the implementation of the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ (Mission Soil). The goal of the Mission is to create 100 living labs and lighthouses. The co-creation of solutions on the ground, together with an ambitious research and innovation programme, soil monitoring and citizen engagement will ensure the long-term health and functions of soils. The Mission is also contributing to mitigating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of soil degradation.
Since 2021, the European Commission has launched four dedicated Mission Soil calls for proposals, two joint calls for EU Missions Climate, Oceans & waters and Soil, and evaluated over 250 proposals, resulting in 50 projects with a total EU contribution of €333.9 million.
The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 was published on 17 April 2024. The Mission Soil Work Programme 2024 included nine calls for proposals and a total indicative budget of EUR 134.5 million. The calls closed on 8 October 2024. Applicants will be informed during the first quarter of 2025.
New calls for proposals will open in 2025. Meanwhile do not miss the Horizon Europe Info Days!
20-21 May 2025, Cluster 6 - Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
22-23 May 2025, EU Missions
Living Labs
Two opportunities are currently open for submission:
LivingSoiLL Open Call seeking applications to co-develop and implement innovative soil health solutions within the Loire Valley & Beaujolais and Grójec Living Labs.
Deadline: 5 May 2025
LILAS4SOILS Open Call to select 50 farmers to participate in the project, co-creating and implementing CFPs, measuring the impact on SOC; and designing sustainable business models.
Deadline: 16 May 2025
Fostering Collective Dialogue on Soil Health
The SOILCRATES project is launching an Open Call for Proposals on April 7th, 2025, to foster a collective dialogue on soil health between academia and local actors. This initiative will support at least 40 local projects across France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain, each lasting 1 to 2 years as part of the 4 SOILCRATES Living Labs. The selection committee will begin reviewing applications in June 2025, with subsequent evaluations every three months until July 2026. Check the Open Call text here for all intermediary deadlines.
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)
SOILSCAPE will be providing Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) through an extensive open call launching in June 2025. The call aims to incentivise the integration of arts and creative approaches to raise awareness and engagement with soils and their preservation.
There are two distinct categories:
SOILSCAPE FSTP: Applicants will be able to select the scale of their project (local, national, transnational) and the duration (6, 12, 18 months) within one of three distinct thematic strands: (1) Developing innovative communication campaigns; (2) Organising and promoting artistic-soil related activities; (3) Deploying innovative, creative, and participatory methodologies to engage citizens with soil protection and preservation.
SOILSCAPE Orchestra FSTP: An additional 24 sub-projects will be funded in the 8 countries hosting the SOILSCAPE Orchestras, with specific criteria designed to address their unique needs.
To enhance the impact of the Path4Med project and further the goals of reducing water and soil pollution across the Mediterranean and associated regions, Path4Med will launch an Open Call. Through the Open Call 5 additional projects will be funded, designed to accelerate the uptake of innovative nutrient management solutions, particularly in areas with ecosystems that can benefit from their implementation, application, use and/or less developed regions. Proposals will be submitted through the Open Call Hub. Further details and application guidelines will be available soon.
The SEACURE project aims to launch an Open Call to finance activities that promote the implementation of holistic strategies related to the prevention, minimisation, reduction, and remediation of nutrient pollution. This Open Call will enhance and maximise the impact of the SEACURE project and drive progress in reducing water and soil pollution throughout the Mediterranean and its Associated Regions. Selected projects will be implemented over a period of 12 to 15 months. Proposals will be submitted through the Open Call Hub. Further details and application guidelines will be available soon.
Further funding opportunities are also available under Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment’, within Horizon Europe. This cluster aims to fund research and innovation projects that tackle challenges and seize opportunities encountered by farmers, foresters, and rural communities and produce innovative solutions, thus showing strong linkages to Mission Soil. The goal is to foster a circular and sustainable approach to agriculture and resource management while addressing environmental and societal concerns. Cluster 6 calls for proposals for 2024 closed. The next calls for proposals are expected to launch soon in 2025.
For more information on the calls, please visit the European Research Executive Agency website and the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders portal.