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

September 30, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)

€600,000 total available; at least 10 subprojects funded; each project lasts 12 months

Supports innovative research and technology solutions to address key food safety challenges in Africa under the FS4Africa project.

Single-entity applications only; no consortia allowed.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity, part of the EU-funded Food Safety for Africa (FS4Africa) project, seeks innovative proposals from research and technology stakeholders to address major food safety challenges in Africa. The program aims to support sub-projects that develop, validate, and introduce new business concepts and tools to improve food safety, focusing on issues such as value chain organization, traceability, mycotoxin contamination, pesticide residues, microbial contamination, and food adulteration. Selected sub-projects will be implemented over 12 months in three distinct phases (Design, Development, Validation), each requiring a deliverable reviewed by the FS4Africa Advisory Board. --- ## Due Dates - Proposal submission deadline: **September 30, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)** --- ## Funding Amount - **Total funding available:** €600,000 - **Number of subprojects:** At least 10 will be funded across five challenge areas - **Project duration:** 12 months per subproject, divided into three phases: - Phase 1: Design (3 months; 30% of grant paid) - Phase 2: Development (6 months; 50% of grant paid) - Phase 3: Validation (3 months; 20% of grant paid) --- ## Eligibility - Only single entities may apply; **no consortia are allowed**. - Applicants must be research or technology stakeholders capable of addressing one or more of the following challenges: - Weak value chain organization, traceability, and authentication of safe food - Mycotoxin contamination in food/feed - Pesticide residues in grains and vegetables - Microbial contamination (especially coliforms such as _E. coli_) - Food adulteration - Applicants are expected to test, validate, and enhance business concepts/tools or develop new solutions aligned with FS4Africa’s objectives and suitable for market introduction. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted digitally via the [opencalls.fund platform](https://opencalls.fund/). - The FS4Africa Open Call Kit and all necessary documents are available at the [FS4Africa Open Call page](https://foodsafety4africa.eu/open-call/). - Submissions through any other channel will not be considered. - Only the latest version of a submitted application will be evaluated. - Proposals are evaluated remotely by two external reviewers on: - Concept and feasibility - Technology readiness and innovation - Impact and exploitation - Organizational capacity - Minimum score thresholds apply (3/5 per criterion, 12/20 total). --- ## Additional Information - The confidentiality of applicants and proposal content is strictly maintained. - Each phase of the project requires a deliverable; progress and payments are contingent on deliverable approval. - The program uses a cascade funding mechanism (Financial Support to Third Parties, FSTP) to maximize impact and accelerate network expansion. - Solutions do not have to be tied to existing FS4Africa topics but must align with the project’s broader goals. --- ## External Links - [FS4Africa Open Call 1 - EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/10926?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=4&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [FS4Africa Open Call information and documents](https://foodsafety4africa.eu/open-call/) - [opencalls.fund application portal](https://opencalls.fund/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Info | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

FS4Africa Open Call 1 (OC1) addressed to research and technology stakeholders

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