Advanced (nano and bio-based) materials for sustainable agriculture (RIA)

Closed

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

Programme Description

Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-CL4-2023-RESILIENCE-01-34

Call

Advanced (nano and bio-based) materials for sustainable agriculture (RIA)

Summary

This topic refers to the innovation market for sustainable agriculture. The next generation of fertilisers, biocides and plant protection products for agriculture should need to be based on new delivery systems made from advanced (nano)materials (nanosubstances and nanoformulations of conventional substances) or and/or bio-based materials, to enable target-specific, precise and slow release of the product, reduction of load of active substances, ease of application, reduced risk for non-target organisms and operator exposure, reduced wash-off, reduced costs for farmers, etc.

Detailed Call Description

Proposals should address at least four of the following activities, the second bullet point being compulsory:

  • Develop advanced (nano)material-based delivery systems and/or bio-based materials for agriculture. The new agrochemicals should exhibit less GHGs emissions, improved efficiency, improved toxicity and ecotoxicity profile and biodegradability to overcome the problems of traditional agrochemicals (e.g., pest resistance, bioaccumulation in non-target fauna or flora, soil, groundwater, as well as bioaccumulation and bioconcentration in the food chain due to release to the environment).
  • Each proposal should identify and address one or more (nano)active substances or delivery systems for (nano)formulations and/or bio-based materials (including biopolymers and biodegradable polymers) for which they will provide a sound risk and safety assessment including toxicity evaluation for non-target organisms, and humans and environment, and sustainability assessment along their entire life-cycle, including a holistic assessment of the short-, medium- and long-term impact (environmental, economic, social) of all substances/materials of the proposed solution. The safety and sustainability assessment should be done according to the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework. This activity needs to be addressed by all proposals.
  • Undertake a proof of concept of the efficiency of the selected delivery systems in real-life case studies. The justification for the selection of materials for new agrochemicals as well as case studies (e.g., type of crop for agrochemicals testing, etc.) should include environmental and socio-economic aspects.
  • The proposals should build on existing standards for production and risk assessment, when available and relevant, and should consider the requirements laid down in the specific guidance for risk assessment of the selected delivery systems (e.g., the EFSA Guidance on risk assessment of nanomaterials to be applied in the food and feed chain or the EFSA guidance on specific protection goal and ecosystem services for environmental assessment and sustainability).
  • Data produced during the development of new agrochemicals should be FAIR and the FAIRness should also be demonstrated and shared through available platforms.
  • Proposals should build on or seek collaboration with existing projects and develop synergies with other relevant European, national or regional initiatives, funding programmes, clusters (e.g., EU Nanosafety Cluster) and platforms, in particular with the European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EPLCA).

Call Total Budget

€31,00 million

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

100%

EU Contribution: between €6,00 and €8,00 million

Thematic Categories

  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation
  • Rural development

Eligibility for Participation

  • Farmers Unions
  • Farmers, Agriculturalists
  • Producer Associations
  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions

Call Opening Date

08/12/2022

Call Closing Date

07/03/2023

National Contact Point(s)

Research and Innovation Foundation

29a Andrea Michalakopoulou Street, 1075 Nicosia
T.Th. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
+357 22205000
Email: support@research.org.cy

Dr Angelos Ntantos
Scientific Officer
Telephone: 35722205033
Email: antantos@research.org.cy

Dr Ioannis Theodorou

Scientific Officer
Telephone: 35722205038
Email: itheodorou@research.org.cy

(Publish Date: 03/01/2023-for internal use only)

EU Contact Point

Εuropean Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/research-and-innovation_en#contact