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

September 23, 2026

Approx. €5,000,000 total; 1 grant expected; lump sum; typical project duration not specified.

Supports improved soil health monitoring in the EU by equipping stakeholders with practical tools, training, and protocols to enhance soil data quality, integration, and interpretation.

--- ## Description This grant from the European Commission, under Horizon Europe, is designed to advance the objectives of the Mission Soil and the EU Soil Strategy for 2030. The action aims to improve soil management and environmental performance across the EU by: - Enhancing the reliability and accessibility of soil health data for laboratories, land managers, advisors, and policymakers. - Increasing understanding of the conditions, limitations, and uncertainties associated with soil data and outputs. - Encouraging collaboration and interaction among diverse stakeholders. - Supporting the development and promotion of standards, best practices, and reference frameworks for soil sampling, analysis, and monitoring. - Promoting integration of soil data from various sources and methodologies, including direct sampling, remote sensing, and innovative technologies. - Addressing imbalances in soil data availability across the EU. - Ensuring open access, longevity, and interoperability of outputs, in collaboration with bodies such as the European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO). Activities are expected to include capacity-building, development and dissemination of practical tools, standardization efforts, and piloting data-sharing platforms. Projects must ensure outputs are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable), and accessible to stakeholders, even those not directly involved in the project. --- ## Due Dates - September 23, 2026: Full application submission deadline (single-stage call) — 17:00:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total available: Approximately €5,000,000 - Expected number of grants: 1 - Funding mechanism: Lump sum grant under Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) - Typical project duration: Not specified (refer to call documents for details) --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities from eligible countries as defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. - Proposals must be submitted by consortia meeting the minimum participation requirements for Horizon Europe CSA actions (typically at least one legal entity from an EU Member State or Associated Country). - Entities from certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate if they secure their own funding (see [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)). - Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity. --- ## 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-2026-05-SOIL-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=8&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the [standard application form for Horizon Europe CSA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-csa_en.pdf). - Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout as described in the call documents and application form. - Evaluation criteria, process, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D and F of the General Annexes. - Only one project is expected to be funded. --- ## Additional Information - Collaborations with standardization bodies and relevant EU projects (e.g., Mission Soil, SoilWise, EUSO) are strongly encouraged. - Outputs should be publicly accessible and designed for long-term sustainability and interoperability. - All data produced should comply with FAIR principles. - For detailed rules, refer to the [Work Programme 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). --- ## External Links - [Call details and application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-01?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=8&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Mission Soil overview](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/soil-deal-europe_en) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [General Annexes to the Work Programme](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) - [European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO)](https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/euso) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Programme Guidance | [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/Portal Support | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | ---

Monitoring soil health in practice: equipping stakeholders to sample, analyse, and interpret soil health indicators - European Commission

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