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Horizon Europe · European Union

Optimising the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA)

Opens 4 Feb 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 2 awards of €6 million each, from a total budget of €12 million. Applications close on 8 Apr 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Expected outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• agricultural actors implement sustainable practices for resource-efficient and climate-smart and biodiversity-friendly farming in diverse African agro-ecosystems;

• integrated water, nutrient and energy management systems are available to smallholder farms in Africa.

Scope

A nexus approach that identifies and develops mutually beneficial knowledge, practices and tools in agriculture can enable sustainable, biodiversity-friendly and climate-smart agriculture in African agro-ecosystems. The needs for water, energy, and nutrients in agriculture are crucial for smallholder farms to sustain predictable and stable productions and support livelihoods. Making available innovative solutions based on circular and sustainable approaches, can enable new business opportunities in African agriculture.

Proposals should:

• assess needs and opportunities (economic, environmental and social) for sustainable water, nutrient and energy management in agriculture for food and/or non-food uses;

• improve existing and develop new knowledge, practices and tools for on farm sustainable management of agricultural resources at the nexus of water, nutrient and energy inputs and outputs;

• evaluate the impact of the proposed practices and tools in terms of water, energy and nutrient balances but also their economic feasibility, environmental/climate footprint and social effects;

Who can apply

Consortium: at least three independent legal entities established in an African Union member state* (as stated in the topic).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Agricultural engineering Agricultural products Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries Agrobiodiversity Agroecology Agronomy Animal watering equipment Farm economics Farm equipment Farm structures Horticulture, viticulture Irrigation equipment Organic farming Plant nutrition Plant water relations Africa African Union FNSSA Food Security Sustainable Agriculture

Timing

Two-stage call. Next deadline 2027-04-08; later stage/cut-off 2027-09-14. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium: at least three independent legal entities established in an African Union member state* (as stated in the topic).
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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