HORIZON-JU-CBE-2024-RIA-03 Sustainable, bio-based alternatives for crop protection
Updated on 22.05.2024
Proposals are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:
- increased availability of widely accessible and cost-efficient alternatives for prevention and (bio)control of plant pests with improved environmental performance (e.g. reduced effects on non-target organisms, natural resources, humans and the environment);
- reduced reliance on hazardous plant protection products favouring low-risk plant protection solutions to sustain crop productivity and food security while contributing to sustainable agriculture and/or forestry;
- minimised pesticide impact on human and animal health, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, drinking water, soils and the food chain.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
The call is relevant for cities and regions that are looking to develop a CSS that is focused on agricultural practices. In specific, those that are looking into the development of new and sustainable bio-based alternatives to replace the chemical synthetic pesticides that are currently used for crop protection. Projects should implement a participatory and multi-actor approach, cooperating with farms and bio-based industries to foster the exchange of knowledge and education activities to enable the adoption of solutions that reduce the use and risk of chemical synthetical products for crop protection.
Applicant criteria
All stakeholders of the bio-based industries ecosystem including public authorities can apply for CBE JU funding. CBE JU calls for project proposals are open to any legal entity, be it private or public, for-profit or not-for-profit organisation, including:
- large companies;
- small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs);
- research and technology organisations (RTOs);
- universities;
- associations.
Eligible projects/themes
Proposals should develop and test new innovative processes for obtaining safe and sustainable bio-based alternatives for the protection of crops that consider the impact on food and feed safety as well as human health aspects. The alternatives and selected crops should cover a variety of climatic and soil conditions. The development of fertilisers and bio stimulants is out of the scope of the call; however, synergetic strategies for employing both can be explored.
Amount of funding
Total indicative budget is EUR 10 million. It is estimated that a contribution of EUR 5 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
Application process
Cities and regions can apply for funding through the following steps. Cities and regions have to select the relevant call and draft a proposal with the required details. With the CBE JU networking platform, cities and regions can find partners to build a consortium. The proposal can be submitted using the funding and tender opportunities portal using an EU login. All the members of the consortium must have a nine-digit Participant Identification Code (PIC) to apply for funding. Draft your project proposal in the submission service section of your topic page. This link becomes available when the call opens. Fill in all the required information and submit the proposal before the call deadline.
Deadlines
Call launch: 24 April 2024
Call deadline: 18 September 2024 17:00 CET
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial
