About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
With a total funding envelope of €400,000, the programme will support eight sub-projects, each eligible to receive up to €50,000. The call targets researchers, innovators, and technology developers working on scalable and practical solutions for food system transformation.
The overarching objective is to enhance the sustainability and equity of food systems by enabling data-driven experimentation, tool development, and validation of innovative approaches.
Objectives of the Open Call
Applicants are invited to contribute to one of two strategic objectives:
Objective 1: Testing, validating, and improving existing business concepts and tools developed within the FCI4Africa Use Cases
Objective 2: Designing and developing new tools and solutions that respond to identified challenges within African food systems
All funded projects are expected to generate high-quality datasets that will contribute to refining methodologies, tools, and business models within the broader FCI4Africa framework.
Funding Structure and Implementation Timeline
The Open Call is structured to ensure phased implementation, enabling systematic development, testing, and validation of selected innovations.
Total funding available: €400,000
Funding per project: Up to €50,000
Number of projects supported: 8
Selected projects will run between November 2026 and October 2027, following a three-phase implementation model:
Phase 1: Design Phase
Duration: November 2026 – January 2027
Focus: Development of detailed activity plans
Output: Approved implementation roadmap
Phase 2: Development Phase
Duration: February 2027 – July 2027
Focus: Implementation and demonstration of project activities
Output: Verified results and technical outputs
Phase 3: Validation Phase
Duration: August 2027 – October 2027
Focus: Dissemination, evaluation, and knowledge sharing
Output: Final report including lessons learned and dissemination outcomes
Eligibility Criteria
The Open Call is structured as a single-applicant scheme, meaning consortium applications are not permitted. Eligible applicants include:
Universities and academic research institutions
Technology providers and research and development SMEs
Innovation-focused start-ups
Industrial actors developing new technologies
Multidisciplinary stakeholders engaged in food system innovation
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement research and innovation activities aligned with the objectives of the programme.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the official Open Call platform. All submissions are required to be completed in English and submitted before the deadline.
Submission deadline: 30 June 2026, 17:00 CEST (Brussels time)
Submission platform: Official Open Call portal (online submission only)
Applicants are required to comply fully with the terms and conditions outlined in the Open Call information package. Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of all programme requirements.
How to apply