[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 30, 2025 (single-stage)

€6,000,000 total; typically 1 project funded

Supports development of frameworks, tools, and actions to reduce the EU's global soil footprint from bio-based product demand, in line with the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’.

International collaboration (especially with Latin America, Caribbean, and Africa) is strongly encouraged.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe call aims to fund a project that will develop, test, and demonstrate a robust framework or tool for assessing and reducing the EU's global soil footprint, particularly from the demand for bio-based products (food, feed, fibre, wood, biomass). The initiative is part of the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ and targets improved understanding and reduction of the negative impacts of EU consumption and production on global soil health and associated socio-economic issues. The funded project should: - Enhance access to data and knowledge about the impact of EU demand for bio-based products on non-EU soils. - Increase awareness among policymakers, businesses, stakeholders, and citizens regarding the global effects of EU consumption patterns on soil health and related social issues. - Accelerate the adoption of innovative, integrated management practices to reduce the EU's global soil footprint. - Develop policy recommendations and identify incentives and obstacles for reducing the EU’s soil footprint. - Communicate and demonstrate effective measures, in cooperation with international organizations (e.g., UNCCD, FAO, UNEP). - Engage a global network of experts, particularly involving partners from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Collaboration with ongoing EU soil initiatives and observatories is required, and open access, sustainability, and interoperability of outputs must be ensured. --- ## Due Dates - Proposal submission deadline: **September 30, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time** - Call opening: May 6, 2025 --- ## Funding Amount - Total available: **€6,000,000** - Expected number of grants: **1** - Type of action: Horizon Research and Innovation Action (RIA) - Funding covers multi-year, collaborative research and demonstration activities --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - International partners, especially from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, are encouraged. - Multi-actor, multi-disciplinary consortia are expected (including researchers, practitioners, businesses, NGOs, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders). - See [Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) for full eligibility details. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2025-05-SOIL-05?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the standard [HE RIA application form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf). - Proposals must address all expected outcomes and include dedicated tasks for coordination with other Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ projects. - Follow the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) and [HE Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - Projects should ensure open access to results and data, as well as interoperability and sustainability of outputs. - Coordination with the European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO) and relevant EU soil initiatives is mandatory. - Multi-actor engagement must be demonstrated throughout the project lifecycle. - Further details on award criteria, financial and operational capacity, and legal setup are available in the [Work Programme General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Call Topic and Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2025-05-SOIL-05?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EU Missions: A Soil Deal for Europe](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe_en) - [EU Consumption Footprint Platform](https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ConsumptionFootprintPlatform.html) - [European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO)](https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/euso) - [SoilWise Project](https://soilwise-he.eu/) - [Mission Soil Implementation Plan](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1517488e-767a-4f47-94a0-bd22197d18fa_en?filename=soil_mission_implementation_plan_final.pdf) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Funder | [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) | | General Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiries | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contacts | [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT/Portal Support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

EU global footprint on soils

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