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

September 23, 2027

Total budget €10,000,000; expected grant size around €5,000,000; 2 grants anticipated; single-stage application.

Supports innovation and sustainability in small-scale aquatic food production and recreational fisheries to enhance the prosperity and resilience of local communities.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe Innovation Action aims to foster economic prosperity in coastal, rural, and urban communities by supporting sustainable, small-scale aquatic food production and recreational fisheries. The grant focuses on improving business models, value chain integration, and market access for small-scale producers—including fisheries, aquaculture, and recreational fishing—across fresh, brackish, and marine waters. Projects should integrate natural and social sciences, address climate change impacts, and develop innovative tools and methodologies (including Nature-based Solutions) for ecosystem-based management. Emphasis is placed on stakeholder engagement, knowledge transfer, capacity-building, and ensuring research results are actionable for local actors, with special attention to cultural traditions, gender sensitivity, and vulnerable groups. --- ## Due Dates - September 23, 2027: Full application submission deadline (17:00:00 Brussels time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total call budget: €10,000,000 - Expected grant size: around €5,000,000 per project - Number of grants: 2 anticipated - Funding type: Lump sum (Horizon Europe Lump Sum Grant) - Duration: Typically 3–5 years (project-specific) --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities from EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe (see [Annex B of 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)) - Proposals must include a consortium of at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries - Small and family-owned enterprises, research organizations, NGOs, and public bodies are eligible - Proposals must address both natural and social science aspects and include stakeholder engagement --- ## 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-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-06?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - Application portal opens: April 20, 2027 - Required documents: Application form (Part B), budget table, and supporting documents as per the call guidelines - Proposals must follow the page limits and layout specified in the call documents ([Annex A & E](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)) - Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in [Annex D](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) - Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Additional Information - Projects should address climate change impacts, ecosystem-based management, and the role of small-scale aquatic food production in climate mitigation/adaptation. - Proposals must demonstrate capacity for knowledge transfer, training, and practical implementation. - Gender-sensitive approaches and the needs of vulnerable groups should be considered. - Aquatic animal welfare issues should be addressed where relevant. - See the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) for further details. --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-06?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=2&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 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) - [Online Manual for Applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [Eligibility of Countries](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) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points | [Find NCPs](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) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

Unleashing the Potential of Sustainable Small-Scale Aquatic Food Production and Recreational Fisheries for Prosperous Local Communities - European Commission

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