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

April 14, 2026

Lump sum grant; approx. €2,000,000 total; 1 project expected to be funded; 100% funding rate (CSA).

Supports a central EU hub to coordinate, monitor, and advance microbiome research and innovation, fostering collaboration and policy integration under a One Health perspective.

Lump sum funding; single-stage call; strict eligibility and page limits apply.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) aims to establish a central hub serving as a resource and monitoring body for microbiome research and innovation (R&I) across the EU. The initiative will map ongoing and past EU-based microbiome projects, research infrastructures, and initiatives to identify overlaps, synergies, and gaps, thereby informing future funding and policy. The hub will foster collaboration among stakeholders, harmonise regulatory efforts, and enhance integration and coordination between EU Member States and associated countries within a One Health context. It will also monitor and assess the impact of microbiome R&I on human health, the environment, biodiversity, the EU economy, and competitiveness, providing actionable guidance for policymakers and supporting the alignment of national and EU microbiome initiatives. --- ## Due Dates - April 14, 2026: Full application submission deadline (single-stage call, 17:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget: approximately €2,000,000 (lump sum) - Number of projects funded: 1 expected - Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs (Coordination and Support Action) - Lump sum funding: budget is fixed at proposal stage based on detailed cost estimation; actual costs are not reported post-award --- ## Eligibility - **Consortium composition**: At least one legal entity established in an EU Member State or an Associated Country. For CSAs, proposals may be submitted by a single entity or a consortium. - **Eligible countries**: EU Member States, countries associated to Horizon Europe, and (in specific cases) entities from certain low- and middle-income countries. See [Annex B of the General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) for details. - **Entities**: Any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment, may participate. To receive funding, must be established in an eligible country. - **Gender Equality Plan**: Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments from Member States and Associated Countries must have a Gender Equality Plan in place at grant signature. - **Exclusions**: Entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are excluded. - **Other**: Projects must have an exclusive focus on civil applications. --- ## Application Process - **Submission**: Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-12) before the deadline. - **Single-stage call**: Only full proposals are submitted and evaluated. - **Application materials**: - Part A: Administrative forms (completed online) - Part B: Technical description (uploaded PDF, max 28 pages for lump sum CSA topics) - Detailed lump sum budget table (Excel, required upload) - **Templates and guidance**: - [Standard application form (HE CSA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf) - [Detailed budget table (HE LS)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_he-ls-euratom_en.xlsm) - [Lump sum guidance](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_en.pdf) - **Evaluation**: Proposals are evaluated on Excellence, Impact, and Quality & Efficiency of Implementation. Thresholds: 3/5 per criterion, overall 10/15. - **Page limit**: 28 pages for lump sum CSA proposals. Excess pages will not be evaluated. - **Notification**: Results typically communicated ~5 months after deadline; grant agreement signature ~8 months after deadline. --- ## Additional Information - **Lump sum funding**: The grant is paid based on completion of work packages and deliverables, not on actual costs incurred. Budget must be justified in detail at proposal stage. - **Expected activities**: - Establish a microbiome R&I hub/resource centre and monitoring body - Map and analyse EU microbiome projects, infrastructures, and initiatives - Foster collaboration and synergies, align EU and national efforts - Monitor microbiome R&I impacts with specific indicators - Provide policy guidance and support regulatory harmonisation - **One Health focus**: Integration across human, animal, environmental, and agri-food systems is required. - **Open science and dissemination**: Strong emphasis on open access, stakeholder engagement, and communication of results. - **Ethics and security**: Proposals must include an ethics self-assessment and address any relevant security issues. - **Partner search**: The Funding & Tenders Portal offers a [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). --- ## External Links - [Official call page and topic details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-12) - [Horizon Europe General Annexes 2026-2027](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2026-2027/wp-15-general-annexes_horizon-2026-2027_en.pdf) - [HE Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [EU Grants AGA – Annotated Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/aga_en.pdf) - [Lump Sum MGA (Model Grant Agreement)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf) - [National Contact Points directory](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact / Link | |----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC contact | +32 2 299 11 11 | | EC general contact page | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk (Portal support) | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | ---

Leveraging R&I knowledge on microbiome

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