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

September 16, 2025 (Full application)

€10,000,000 total | Typical project: ~€5,000,000; up to 2 projects funded; duration typically 3-4 years

Supports research on the links between nutrition, dietary patterns, and mental health to inform evidence-based interventions and policies in Europe.

Multi-actor, interdisciplinary consortia required; single-stage call; lump sum grant.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation actions that advance scientific understanding of how nutrition and diet impact mental health across the lifespan and social contexts in Europe. Projects are expected to identify specific dietary factors (food groups, macro- and micronutrients) influencing the onset and progression of mental health disorders, explore underlying mechanisms (including the gut microbiome), and develop science-based communication materials and recommendations for policymakers, health professionals, and the public. The initiative aims to standardize metrics for assessing the impact of nutrition on mental health, address gender-specific dietary patterns and vulnerable groups, and ensure that data produced are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable). Proposals must be interdisciplinary and actively involve a broad range of stakeholders (including industry, nutritionists, healthcare professionals, scientists, patients, and civil society) using a multi-actor approach and co-creation methodologies. --- ## Due Dates - September 16, 2025: Full application submission deadline (17:00 Brussels time) Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in January 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget for this topic: €10,000,000 - Indicative number of grants: 2 - Typical EU contribution per project: ~€5,000,000 - Funding is provided as a lump sum grant covering all eligible costs - Project duration is typically 36–48 months --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium composition**: At least three independent legal entities from three different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. - **Eligible applicants**: Universities, research organizations, SMEs, industry, public authorities, civil society organizations, and others. - **Geographic eligibility**: EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe; some non-EU countries may participate under specific conditions. - **Multi-actor approach**: Proposals must demonstrate the involvement and active engagement of relevant stakeholders (including industry, nutritionists, health professionals, patients, civil society, etc.) throughout the project. - **Gender equality plan**: Public bodies, research organizations, and higher education institutions in EU/Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place. - **Exclusions**: Entities from Russia, Belarus, and non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are ineligible. --- ## Application Process - **Submission**: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-12?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Call type**: Single-stage (full proposal only). - **Application format**: Use the standard Horizon Europe RIA application forms; page limit is 45 pages for topics using lump sum funding. - **Required documents**: Application Form Parts A & B, detailed budget table (lump sum), ethics self-assessment, and any call-specific annexes. - **Evaluation criteria**: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (each scored 0–5; overall threshold 10/15). - **Award notification**: Approximately 5 months after the deadline; grant agreements expected within 8 months of deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Research scope**: Projects must address all required activities, including mapping dietary factors and mental health, elucidating diet-gut-brain mechanisms, developing communication materials, and providing recommendations for policy and practice. - **FAIR data**: All data generated must comply with FAIR principles. - **Ethics**: Proposals must comply with EU ethical standards; clinical trials are not expected for this topic. - **Open science**: Open access to publications and data is required. - **SSH integration**: Social sciences and humanities expertise should be integrated as appropriate. - **Synergies**: Applicants are encouraged to consider complementarities with other EU and international initiatives (e.g., ERA4Health, JPND, EIT Food). --- ## External Links - [Call Topic Details & Application Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-12?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=11&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Work Programme 2025 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [General Annexes 2025](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Online Manual (Application Guidance)](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [Model Grant Agreement (Lump Sum)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research-specific queries| [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT/helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Nutrition and Mental Health

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