Contact
Katrin Saar
Senior Adviser (EU Missions, NordForsk); Cooperation with Taiwan and JSPS; ERA-NET CHANSE
The 2026 Call is open and majority of the deadlines are in September-October
The 2026-2027 Work Programme is available here
Information about the cascade funding calls can be found on the Funding & Tenders portal
2026 Mission Calls Deadlines
| Missions | Opening date | Deadline | Link to call topic texts | ||
 |
Cancer | 10th February | 15th September | Cancer mission topics here. | |
 |
Adaptation to climate change | 4th February | 23rd September | Climate mission topics here | |
 |
Restoring our ocean and water | 4th February | 23rd September | Ocean mission topics here | |
 |
A Soil Deal for Europe | 1-stage call | 4th February | 23rd September | Soil mission 1-stage topics here |
| 2-stage call pre-proposals | 12 February | 14th April | Soil mission 2-stage topics here | ||
| 2-stage call full proposals | 15th September | ||||
 |
Climate-neutral and smart cities | 4th February | 8th October | Cities mission topics here | |
EVENTS
The recordings and slides of the European Commission Mission 2026 Infodays can be found here.
What are missions?
EU Missions represent a new approach within the Horizon Europe (HEU) research and innovation program for 2021-2027. Established in September 2021, the five EU Missions are the result of a collaborative process in which Mission Boards—comprising thematic experts—engaged with stakeholders and citizens to gather their expectations and needs through various events across EU countries.
These Missions are large-scale initiatives aimed at addressing some of the EU´s most significant challenges, such as climate change, cancer, ocean restoration, soil health, and the development of climate-neutral and smart cities. Each Mission has clear, time-bound goals to drive focused efforts toward these issues.
Citizen engagement is a crucial component of the EU Missions. Broad public participation is essential to ensure that the Missions are relevant and can truly make a difference in our lives. By uniting researchers, policymakers, citizens, and stakeholders, EU Missions pool the necessary resources to drive innovation and deliver concrete solutions that benefit society.
Learn more about the EU Missions here.
A short video introducing the EU Missions here.
How EU Missions work and who can participate?
EU Missions operate under the same conditions as consortium projects funded within Pillar II of HEU. These projects typically require the involvement of large consortia, often with more than ten partners. The minimum requirement for the consortia is three independent organizations from at least three different EU Member States or associated countries. At least one of these organizations must be based in an EU Member State. Funding is available to institutions that are registered in the EU or in an associated country. Additionally, organizations from various low- and middle-income countries (e.g. Africa) may also receive support.
Some Calls within Missions are specifically targeted at regions. While the project’s core activities should address challenges in that region, partners from other regions or countries may also participate in the project.
All types of organizations are welcome to participate in HEU projects. In addition to academia and research institutions, for example, policymakers, industry, SMEs, public bodies, local governments, museums and education institutions, hospitals and clinics, patient advocacy organizations, professional associations, NGOs etc. Each partner must have a financial capacity, a clear role in the project, and the ability to fulfil that role.
Solutions developed within Mission projects must be adapted to local conditions, emphasizing the importance of citizen and community engagement. This can occur through a multi-actor approach (MAA), citizen science, or cascade funding.
Unless otherwise specified in the Call description, projects typically last three to four years, though they may be longer.
The Call topics are outlined in each Mission’s Work Programme (WP). Occasionally, Joint Calls between Missions or cross-cutting topics across different thematic areas are also organized. The WP is a document that compiles the Call topics for a thematic area over one or several years, presenting the topics in relation to each other and in the context of the objectives of the thematic cluster. The WP is the best document to get the best overall overview. This document provides the best overall overview. The Work Programme for 2026–2027 Calls is available here.
Some topics require that a specific portion of the project budget must be allocated to engagement with a specific targeted group. This means that certain HEU projects are given the opportunity to organize their own smaller funding Calls (often referred to as Cascade Funding or Calls for third parties). These smaller Calls have simpler conditions than the Pillar II Calls. Information about Cascade Funding Calls can be found on the respective project websites as well as in the designated section of the Funding & Tenders Portal. To search for these Calls, go to the field “Calls for proposals” and select “Calls for funding in Cascade” under the “All filters” option.
Some information about the Cascade funding Calls can be found on different mission platforms. Links to these platforms can be found under each mission description below.
How to find partners?
Each year, the network of Mission National Contact Points, NCPs (NCP4Missions) organizes a brokerage event. The event for the 2026 Mission Calls was on 28–29 January 2026.
The partner search profiles are available and can be found here.
You can also add your own partner search under each topic in the Funding & Tenders Portal, where you can also view partner searches submitted by others.
Guidelines for partner search can be found here. A guide on how to finding the right (i.e. winning) consortium partners can be found here.
Experience testimonials in multi-actor approach projects by project PREMIERE.
Estonia’s participation in the Horizon Europe Programme
Estonia has been very successful in the EU’s research and innovation HEU. In strong competition, Estonian applicants have secured 286 million euros in research funding, which has supported participation or coordination of nearly 600 international projects since 2022. The success rate for Estonian institutions applying for funding is 18.1%, slightly below the EU27 average of 19.1% but higher than the EU13 average of 17.0%. Notably, funding from the Missions represents 7% of the total support received.
As of autumn 2025, Calls under the Missions have brought 45 projects and 21 million euros to Estonia, involving a total of 32 different organizations.
With each Call, the diversity of participating institutions has increased. In addition to research institutes and universities, successful projects have also involved hospitals, professional associations, civil society organizations (NGOs), local governments, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) etc. In the Missions, the most successful applicants were primarily higher education and research institutions, which represented 60% of applicants. This was followed by the public sector and other organizations at 26%, and companies at 15%.
More about Estonia´s participation in HEU in this overview (in Estonian).
Previously funded projects can be viewed in the CORDIS database or on the Horizon Dashboard. If you are starting to write your proposal or if you are a new applicant, it would be useful to see what projects have already been funded in HEU under similar topics.
The results of Horizon projects can also be explored through several platforms created by the European Commission (EC) to facilitate the dissemination of project outcomes. For this thematic area, the most relevant are the Horizon Results Platform and Open Research Europe (ORE), which functions as a scientific journal.
Missions
Contacts in ETAG:
Maria Habicht maria.habicht@etag.ee
Priit Kilgas priit.kilgas@etag.ee
Katrin Saar katrin.saar@etag.ee
The NetZeroCities Portal Finance Guidance Tool assists cities in identifying suitable funding.
2026 Call opened on the 4th February, with a deadline on 8th October 2026. The 2026-2027 Missions Call Work Programme can be found here.
The EC 2026 Infodays recording and slides are available for the Cities Mission.
The Cities Mission supports cities in their path towards climate neutrality by providing strong, targeted assistance to those committed to achieving this goal by 2030. This support helps cities implement their climate action plans and speeds up their progress toward becoming climate neutral. The cities involved in these initiatives will act as hubs for experimentation and innovation hubs for other European cities aiming to become climate-neutral by 2050.
A total of 112 cities have been selected to participate in the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. Among these, 100 cities are from the 27 EU Member States, while 12 are from countries associated with HEU. These cities will receive customized advice and support through the Mission Platform. From Estonia, Tartu has been chosen as one of the Mission Cities.
The green and digital transformations needed to achieve climate neutrality bring many co-benefits and improve urban life. These advantages include reduced air and noise pollution, more sustainable transportation options, improved health and well-being, lower environmental footprints, increased urban greening, more efficient use of energy and infrastructure, as well as better waste and water management. Additionally, these transformations promote greater policy coherence across various sectors and encourage participatory and inclusive decision-making.
Project proposals should clearly demonstrate (according to their scope and scale) how they incorporate the core principles of the Cities Mission:
- contributing to a comprehensive strategy for achieving urban climate neutrality
- applying a holistic and cross-sectoral approach
- ensuring diversity in terms of city size and geographical location, including participation from less developed areas and more remote regions
The Capital Hub is an innovative initiative aimed at helping cities secure both public and private financing for sustainable urban development, supporting Europe’s transition to climate neutrality. It collaborates closely with Mission Cities to assist them in moving from climate action planning to tangible implementation, offering a wide range of tools and support services.
More information about the Cities Mission here.
Cities Mission implementation Platform can be found here and the Implementation Plan here.
Successful Estonian applicants in the Cities Mission:
2024 Call
- Tartu City (699 625 €)
CORESPACES „COdesign urban REalm & dynamic Spaces management for cognitive & socially connected cities“
- Road Engineering Centre (510 037,5 €)
CORESPACES „COdesign urban REalm & dynamic Spaces management for cognitive & socially connected cities“
- Tallinn University of Technology (573 687,5 €)
CORESPACES „COdesign urban REalm & dynamic Spaces management for cognitive & socially connected cities“
2023 Call
- FAB City Foundation (201 000 €)
GreenInCities „GreenInCities“
- DigioTouch OÜ (224 306,25 €)
ReGreeneration „The next generation of green, resilient and socially inclusive smart cities“
- Tallinn University of Technology (503 250 €)
PI: Lill Sarv URBREATH „Systemic Integration of Transformative Technical and Nature-based Solutions to Improve Climate Neutrality of European Cities and Regions and tackle Climate Change: the URBreath Approach“
- Tallinn City (677 500 €)
URBREATH „Systemic Integration of Transformative Technical and Nature-based Solutions to Improve Climate Neutrality of European Cities and Regions and tackle Climate Change: the URBreath Approach“
- Tartu City (793 750 €)
ClimaGen „Climate-resilient reGeneration and renaturing for, by and with vulnerable neighbourhoods, striving towards net-zero“
- Tallinn University of Technology (188 625 €)
PI: Ivar Annus ClimaGen „Climate-resilient reGeneration and renaturing for, by and with vulnerable neighbourhoods, striving towards net-zero“
- Institute of Baltic Studies (310 625 €)
PI: Merit Tatar ClimaGen „Climate-resilient reGeneration and renaturing for, by and with vulnerable neighbourhoods, striving towards net-zero“
2022 Call no successful applicants
2021 Call
- Tallinn City (582 750 €)
SPINE „Smart Public Transport Initiatives for Climate-neutral Cities in Europe“
- Tallinn University of Technology (124 500 €)
FPA-NZC „Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) for the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Platform Scaling Netzerocities“
Contacts in ETAG:
Argo Soon argo.soon@etag.ee
Katrin Saar katrin.saar@etag.ee
2026 Call opened on 10th February and the deadline is 15th September 2026.
The 2026 Missions Call Work Programme can be found here.
The EC 2026 Infodays recording and slides are available for the Cancer Mission.
European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) manages a list of open calls for proposals (grants) on the topic of cancer.
The EU Cancer Mission addresses all types of cancer, including those that are still not well understood. It covers cancers affecting men, women, children, adolescents, young adults (CAYA), older people, and socio-economically vulnerable groups, regardless of whether they live in urban, rural, or remote regions. The Mission is implemented using a health-in-all-policies approach. This strategy includes supporting research infrastructure, engaging communities and regions, making targeted investments, and securing commitments from both public and private stakeholders.
The Cancer Mission is closely aligned with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and contributes directly to its implementation such as several of its flagship actions.
This mission proposes research, innovation, and policy priorities aimed at developing and implementing effective cancer prevention strategies, particularly concerning environmental factors such as exposure to carcinogens, air pollution, unhealthy diets, nutrition, and low physical activity.
Additionally, it promotes the expansion and digitalization of cancer-related services and the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments. These initiatives support industry and SMEs in delivering solutions that improve citizens’ health. Potential opportunities are in fields such as cancer biomarkers, cloud computing, digital applications, and smart apps or sensors.
The Mission also encourages the integration of AI, machine and deep learning to improve our understanding of cancer. This focus aims to enhance prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, clinical decision-making, combination therapy management, and long-term patient care.
ECHoS is a HEU project that aims to support the implementation of Cancer Mission activities across all Member States and Associated Countries (MS/AC) by establishing and developing National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs) at national, regional, and local levels. In Estonia, the University of Tartu and Tartu University Hospital are participating in this HUB.
Cancer Mission Implementation Platform can be found here.
More information about the Mission here.
Successful Estonian applicants in the Cancer Mission:
2024 Call
- NGO Civitta Foundation (153 187,5 €)
PredictAYA „Prediction and prevention of late effects in AYA cancer survivors – An effort to understand, predict and prevent late effects in AYAs 15-39 years of age, with a focus on fertility and gonadal toxicity“
- University of Tartu (266 218,75 €)
PI: Andres Salumets
PredictAYA „Prediction and prevention of late effects in AYA cancer survivors – An effort to understand, predict and prevent late effects in AYAs 15-39 years of age, with a focus on fertility and gonadal toxicity“
- University of Tartu (1 366 250 €)
Coordinator: Kadi-Liis Veiman
UNCAN-CONNECT „Decentralized Collaborative Network for Advancing Cancer Research and Innovation“
- Tallinn University of Technology (404 124 €)
PI: Pirjo Spuul
UNCAN-CONNECT „Decentralized Collaborative Network for Advancing Cancer Research and Innovation“
- The National Institute of Health Development (336 250 €)
UNCAN-CONNECT „Decentralized Collaborative Network for Advancing Cancer Research and Innovation“
- University of Tartu (49 625 €)
PI: Liis Leitsalu
PERIFORMANCE „Public Engagement in Research Infrastructures for Mission Cancer: Managing Complexity of Emerging Technologies“
2023 Call
- ARINIMI ON BRIDG OÜ (432 500 €)
SUNRISE „SUstaiNable inteRventions and healthy behaviors for adoleScent primary prEvention of cancer with digital tools“
- SporeData OÜ (388 167,50 €)
- iBeCHANGE „Addressing Phychosocial and Lifestyle Risk Factors to Promote Primary Cancer Prevention: An Integrated Platform to Promote Behavioural Change“
2022 Call
- University of Tartu (38 455 €)
PI: Jana Taal
ECHoS „Establishing of Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies“
- University of Tartu Hospital (38 455 €)
ECHoS „Establishing of Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies“
- SporeData OÜ (400 000 €)
Sagittarius „A Precision Medicine Trial Leveraging Blood-based Tumor Genomics to Optimize Treatment in Operable Stage III and High-risk Stage II Colon Cancer Patients – The Sagittaurius Trial“
- University of Tartu Hospital (0 €)
PRIME-ROSE „PRecisIon Cancer MEdicine RepurpOsing SystEm Using Pragmatic Clinical Trials“
2021 Call
- University of Tartu Hospital (71 750 €)
CCI4EU „Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures 4 Europe“
- University of Tartu (245 466 €)
PI: Elin Org
DISCERN „Discovering the causes of three poorly understood cancers in Europe“
- SporeData OÜ (145 831,25 €)
EUonQoL „Quality of Life in Oncology: measuring what matters for cancer patients and survivors in Europe“
- University of Tartu (10 000 €)
PI: Neeme Tõnisson
4.UNCAN.eu „A Coordination and Support Action to prepare UNCAN.eu platform“
Contacts in ETAG:
Priit Kilgas priit.kilgas@etag.ee
Maria Habicht maria.habicht@etag.ee
Katrin Saar katrin.saar@etag.ee
The 2026 Call opened on 10th February and the deadline is 15th September 2026. The 2026 Missions Call Work Programme can be found here.
The EC 2026 Infodays recording and slides are available for the Climate Mission.
The EU has launched the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change to help at least 150 regions and local authorities become climate-resilient by 2030. Regional and local authorities are the main participants in this Mission. By signing the Mission Charter, over 325 regional and local authorities have committed to collaborating on accelerating Europe’s transition to climate resilience. From Estonia, the following local authorities have signed the Mission Charter: Pärnu City, Saue Municipality, Tallinn City, Tartu City, and Viimsi Municipality.
Across Europe, some regions are already well-prepared for climate change, while others are still searching for effective ways to address their climate risks. Consequently, the Mission prioritizes support for less developed and more vulnerable regions that have limited capacity to adapt. Through the Mission Implementation Platform and its Community of Practice, the Mission encourages the exchange of experiences and lessons learned, helping regions identify solutions that fits their specific climate conditions and socio-economic contexts, as well as adapt successful approaches from other areas.
Research and innovation (R&I) support is provided in several ways:
- helping regional and local authorities understand and manage climate risks and opportunities, responding to the strong need identified in the early stages of the Mission
- accelerating the transformation of at least 150 authorities toward climate resilience, by supporting them in co-creating innovative pathways and testing adaptation solutions
- demonstrating systemic transformations, by delivering at least 75 large-scale demonstration projects showcasing climate-resilient approaches across European regions
The Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) assists regional and local authorities in developing and planning their pathways to achieve climate resilience.
More information about the mission here.
Successful Estonian applicants in the Climate Mission:
2024 Call
- Estonian Fund for Nature (68 312,5 €)
AdaptationHubs „National Adaptation Hubs“
2023 Call
- EDENTIFY FOUNDATION NGO (368 750 €)
ISMED-CLIM „Innovative Solutions across the MEDiterranean for mitigation of Climate change-related heaLth rIsks and enhancing health systeM resilience“
- Tallinn University of Technology (228 270 €)
PI: Ivar Annus AURORA „Demonstrating trAnsformative solUtions to empower climate Resilience tOwards impRoved public health stAtus in the EU Boreal Region“
- Tallinn City (205 770 €)
AURORA „Demonstrating trAnsformative solUtions to empower climate Resilience tOwards impRoved public health stAtus in the EU Boreal Region“
- State Forest Management Centre (0 €)
Precilience „Precision climate resilience for agriculture and forestry sectors in the European boreal regions“
- Estonian Private Forest Union (35 625 €)
Precilience „Precision climate resilience for agriculture and forestry sectors in the European boreal regions“
- NGO Soil Innovation Cluster (135 393,75 €)
Precilience „Precision climate resilience for agriculture and forestry sectors in the European boreal regions“
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (1 050 000 €)
PI: Rein Drenkhan Precilience „Precision climate resilience for agriculture and forestry sectors in the European boreal regions“
2022 Call
- University of Tartu (325 000 €)
PI: Lea Hallik SpongeBoost „Upscaling the natural sponge functions of freshwater ecosystems to deliver multi-benefit green deal solutions“
2021 Call
- Pärnu City (289 343,1 €)
R4C „Regions4Climate“
- Pärnu County Development Centre (357 820,1 €)
R4C „Regions4Climate“
- Estonian Environmental Research Centre OÜ (291 352,67 €)
R4C „Regions4Climate“
- SEI Tallinn (782 740,7 €)
R4C „Regions4Climate“
- SEI Tallinn (75 062,50 €)
AGORA „A Gathering place to cO-design and co-cReate Adaptation“
Contact in ETAG:
Katrin Saar katrin.saar@etag.ee
2026 Call opened on 4th February and the deadline is 23rd September 2026.
The 2026 Missions Call Work Programme can be found here.
The EC 2026 Infodays recording and slides are available for the Ocean Mission.
Mission Ocean and Waters service portal can be used to explore funding opportunities and initiatives for ocean and water related topics.
The Ocean Mission takes a comprehensive approach to protect, restore, and preserve the health of Europe’s seas, oceans and waterbodies.
The Mission actions focus on three main objectives aligned with the Mission’s 2030 targets:
- Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems: protect 30% of EU sea area, with 10% designated as strictly protected. Additionally, restore degraded marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and ensure that 25,000 km of rivers are free-flowing.
- Preventing and Eliminating Pollution: reduce plastic litter by 50%, decrease the release of microplastics by 30%, and cut nutrient losses and pesticide use by 50%.
- Decarbonizing the Blue Economy: achieve net-zero emissions in maritime activities and aquaculture, while promoting a circular, climate-neutral blue economy
These actions also support cross-cutting stakeholders, such as enhancing digital knowledge through the Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) and engaging the public in the co-design and delivery of solutions.
The proposed activities will provide essential knowledge and solutions for restoring seas, coasts, and rivers across the EU. They will specifically support national, regional, and local authorities, as well as communities that rely on healthy waters, including coastal cities, islands, river catchments, and maritime stakeholders.
Mission Lighthouses are hubs for the development and deployment of innovative solutions across various areas, including technology, social systems, business models, and governance. They aim to accelerate progress towards the Mission’s objectives while creating a positive societal impact in inland water bodies and sea basins.
Each Lighthouse pilots’ activities across EU sea and river basins, integrating both existing and new knowledge. These initiatives are co-designed with citizens, stakeholders, and local businesses. Lighthouses provide access to solutions, services, and advice not only for their specific sea basin but also for other regions, facilitating scaling up and replication across the EU.
More information about Ocean Mission Lighthouses can be found here.
The Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal acts as a comprehensive hub for stakeholders providing tools, contacts, knowledge, matchmaking opportunities, financing, and other support to facilitate the Mission’s implementation.
The Mission Charter brings together stakeholders to coordinate efforts, enhance cooperation, and generate momentum for the transformative changes needed to restore Europe’s oceans and waters. An interactive map shows who has signed the Charter from Estonia.
More information about the Mission here.
Successful Estonian applicants in the Ocean Mission:
2024 Call
- University of Tartu (109 500 €)
PI: Marge Simo BAB „BlueActionBANOS“
2023 Call
- Võiste Sadama OÜ (261 131,85 €)
SEAGLOW „Sustainable Energy Applications for Green and Low-impact Operation of small-scale fishing boats in the Baltic and North Sea basins“
- SEI Tallinn (228 750 €)
H2-SEAS „Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell“
- EDENTIFY FOUNDATION NGO (421 375 €)
SUNDANSE „Innovative sediment management framework for a SUstainNable DANube black SEa system“
- University of Tartu (438 587,5 €)
PI: Jonne Kotta BLUE CONNECT „Strict protection, restoration and co-management of Marine Protected Areas to ensure effective ecosystem conservation and improved connectivity of Blue Corridors“
2022 Call
- University of Tartu (0 €)
PI: Jonne Kotta COOL BLUE „Community Ocean farms and Local Business cLUstErs“
- Global Skills Network (140 000 €)
SHORE „SHORE: EmpOweR Students as the agents of cHangE“
- NGO Civitta Foundation (199 812,5 €)
LOCALITY „Nature-positive aLgae-based fOod, agriCulture, AquacuLture and textile producTs made in North and Baltic Sea ecosYstems“
- Vetik OÜ (198 625 €)
AlgaePro BANOS „Accelerating algae product developments in Baltic and North Sea“
- University of Tartu (381 340 €)
PI: Jonne Kotta, Anneliis Kõivupuu AlgaePro BANOS „Accelerating algae product developments in Baltic and North Sea“
- Power Algae OÜ (408 187,5 €)
AlgaePro BANOS „Accelerating algae product developments in Baltic and North Sea“
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (179 875 €)
PI: Timo Kikas AlgaePro BANOS „Accelerating algae product developments in Baltic and North Sea“
- University of Tartu (944 492 €)
PI: Georg Martin PROTECT BALTIC „Enabling comprehensive effective and efficient protection and restoration measures for a resilient Baltic Sea ecosystem“
- Ministry of Climate (83 350 €)
PROTECT BALTIC „Enabling comprehensive effective and efficient protection and restoration measures for a resilient Baltic Sea ecosystem“
2021 Call
- University of Tartu (129 062,5 €)
PI: Jonne Kotta
BlueMissionBANOS „BlueMissionBANOS – supporting the Mission Ocean Lighthouse in the Baltic and North Sea basins“
- Ösel Aquafarms OÜ (99 050 €)
OLAMUR „Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use Scenario Realisation“
- University of Tartu (503 750 €)
PI: Georg Martin OLAMUR „Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use Scenario Realisation“
- Redstorm OÜ (100 800 €)
OLAMUR „Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use Scenario Realisation“
- University of Tartu (537 000 €)
PI: Francisco Rafael Barboza Gonzalez BLUE4All „Blueprint demonstration for co-created effective, efficient and resilient networks of MPAs“
- Environmental Board (200 000 €)
BLUE4All „Blueprint demonstration for co-created effective, efficient and resilient networks of MPAs“
Contact in ETAG: Katrin Saar katrin.saar@etag.ee
The 2026 1-stage Call opened on 4. February 2026 with a deadline of 23. September 2026.
The 2-stage Call opens on 12. February 2026, with a pre-proposal deadline on 14. April and a full proposal deadline on 15. September 2026.
The 2026 Missions Call Work Programme can be found here.
The EC 2026 Infodays recording and slides are available for the Soil Mission.
Information about cascade funding calls regarding the soil mission can be found on the Mission Platform.
The Soil Mission aims to establish 100 Living Labs and Lighthouses as an unprecedented resource to support farmers in improving soil health in a challenging geopolitical and environmental context.
The Mission drives the transition to healthy soils by funding an ambitious research and innovation programme. It includes a significant social science component and creates a network of Living Labs and Lighthouses to co-create knowledge, test solutions in real-life conditions, develop a harmonized framework for soil monitoring in Europe, and raise awareness of the vital importance of soils.
Living Labs (LLs) are user-centered, location-based, and transdisciplinary ecosystems for research and innovation. They bring together various partners to collaboratively design, test, monitor, and evaluate solutions aimed at improving soil health in real-world settings. LLs are crucial for addressing specific soil challenges and promoting sustainable soil practices. They foster collaboration among land managers, scientists, businesses, and citizens.
LLs can focus on various land-use types, including:
- agriculture
- forestry
- (post-)industrial sites
- (semi-)natural areas
- (peri-)urban areas
Key features of LLs include:
- active involvement of end users
- co-creation, co-design, and co-development of solutions
- testing and experimentation in real-life conditions
- participation of multiple stakeholders
- use of diverse methods and tools from different disciplines
Each LLs includes several experimentation sites, which are local areas such as a single farm, forest, industrial site, or urban green space. These sites can be inside or outside the main LLs area.
When an experimentation site demonstrates outstanding improvements in soil health, it can become a Lighthouse.
Each LLs comprises several experimentation sites, which are local areas such as a farm, forest, industrial site, or urban green space. These sites can be located both inside and outside the main LLs area. When an experimentation site demonstrates outstanding improvements in soil health, it can become a Lighthouse.
Lighthouses serve as models for effective soil management. They showcase best practices, offer training, facilitate peer-to-peer learning, and promote communication about solutions for soil health.
Together, LLS and Lighthouses accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices and aid in the development of solutions tailored to local conditions.
More about Living Labs and Lighthouses here.
The Mission Soil Platform serves as a comprehensive tool for learning about the Mission and exploring participation opportunities.
More information about the Soil Mission here.
Successful Estonian applicants in the Soil Mission:
2024 Call
- University of Tartu (628 500 €)
PI: Kuno Kasak ForPeat „FORest PEATtland ecosystem assessment and targeted management for enhanced carbon sequestration, biodiversity and water quality“
- University of Tartu (420 125 €)
PI: Leho Tedersoo MultiSoil „Multifunctional Soil Biodiversity: Unlocking Potential for Healthy Cropping Systems“
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (550 000 €)
PI: Kaire Loit MultiSoil „Multifunctional Soil Biodiversity: Unlocking Potential for Healthy Cropping Systems“
- Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (644 445 €)
PI: Liina Jakobson MultiSoil „Multifunctional Soil Biodiversity: Unlocking Potential for Healthy Cropping Systems“ (
- NGO Soil Innovation Cluster (257 933,31 €)
NitroScope „Scoping European N fluxes for sustainable N management and conservation practices“
- University of Tartu (407 750 €)
PI: Kuno Kasak NitroScope „Scoping European N fluxes for sustainable N management and conservation practices”
2023 Call
- NGO Soil Innovation Cluster (315 887,5 €)
WHEATWATCHER „Safe Wheat Agriculture Towards Sustainable Health: Innovative Sensing Techniques, and Holistic Spectroscopy Traceability for Improved Soil, Plant Health and Safe Wheat Grain“
2022 Call
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (198 875 €)
PI: Alar Astover MARVIC „Developing and testing a framework for the design of harmonized, context-specific Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems for soil Carbon and greenhouse gas balances by Agricultural activities“
2021 Call
- Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (352 500 €)
PI: Kalvi Tamm NOVASOIL „Innovative Business Models for Soil Health“
What is multi-actor approach (MAA)?
To be successful, the Missions need to engage all relevant actors including research institutes, industry, investors, civil society, and citizens.
The multi-actor approach (MAA), which is a form of responsible research and innovation, aims to enhance reliability, relevance, and societal impact of research results in relevant projects. MAA project ensures the genuine and adequate involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders.
These can include, for example, researchers, farmers, foresters and their professional association representatives, advisors, land managers and owners, spatial planners, food and bioeconomy businesses, consumer associations, local communities, educators, cultural and creative industries, citizens, civil society organizations (including NGOs), and government representatives. The selection of key stakeholders depends on the Call topic objectives.
It is essential to engage end-users throughout the entire project lifecycle—from inception and planning to implementation, dissemination, and potential exploitation of results—promoting co-creation between scientific and practical expertise. This approach helps accelerate the acceptance and adoption of new ideas, solutions, and innovations.
Project PREMIERE is a HEU funded project that aims to strengthen the MAA by supporting the development of more relevant, coherent, and well-prepared project proposals.
The project has developed a practical online Toolbox that provides different tools, guidelines, and methods to assist partners and coordinators. For useful materials, please see the project’s webinar recordings.
Support measures for Estonian applicants participating in Horizon Europe
Preparation assistance is designed to enhance the quality of project applications for HEU and COST funding in Estonia, while also promoting cooperation among the three Baltic States. This initiative is financed through state budget funds.
The person or institution applying for support is the main applicant of the project (consortium coordinator). In the case of framework program projects, in which in addition to the Estonian partner(s), partners from Latvia or From Lithuania also participate, the so-called Baltic Bonus, in the amount of 1000 euros, is added to the preparation support.
The main applicant for this support is the project coordinator or main applicant. For projects that involve Estonian partners along with partners from Latvia or Lithuania, an additional “Baltic Bonus” of 1,000 euros will be added to the preparation support.
The amount of support available for HEU Pillar II consortium coordinator is 7,000 euros if the proposalexceeds the evaluation threshold.
More information about the project preparation assistance here.
The aim of this grant is to enhance the participation of Estonian institutions in the HEU framework program. Funding is available to reimburse travel expenses for attending brokerage events organized under Pillar II of the HEU, as well as missions and EU partnership Calls. The maximum reimbursement is 1,000 euros per participant.
More information about the support measure here.
The aim of this support measure is to provide applicants from Widening countries with a complimentary pre-check of their proposals conducted by experts. These experts will provide recommendations on how to improve the quality of the proposals and improve the likelihood of receiving funding.
More information about the support measure here.
Initial advice and recommendations on how to select a Call topic, plan your proposal writing or get feedback to the proposal at all stages – you can contact the National Contact Points (NCP). ETAG offers these services to Estonian applicants free of charge!
PS! You can also find useful materials under each Mission on ETAG’s website or next to each Call topic in the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Materials on Participation Conditions
Participation in EU Missions follows the same rules as projects within the HEU Pillar II clusters.
Applicants must follow the HEU rules when applying for or implementing the projects. All guidelines and forms are available in the Reference Documents section of the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Supporting materials for applicants and project PIs can be found on the NCP4Missions website. You can also watch a recording of the EC webinars on participation conditions.
More guidance materials for applicants and project PIs:
Annotated RIA and IA application form
General Annexes– includes eligibility, admissibility, financial and operational capacity criteria, description of the evaluation procedure, and the list of countries eligible for HEU funding
Horizon Europe Programme Guide – includes gender mainstreaming, ethics, security, dissemination and exploitation of results, communication, “do no significant harm” principles, and open science guidelines
Online Manual(including IT How To) – practical step-by-step instructions from finding a Call and submitting a proposal to reporting and audits
PS: the Online Manual covers more than just Horizon Europe.
Lump sum funding in Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe salary calculation guide
Check list for applicants – very useful for proposal writers. Prepared by the European Research Executive Agency, which organizes proposal evaluations
