PRIMA 2026 | Topic 1.2.1 (IA): Next Generation of Sustainable and Alternative Animal Feeds for Circular and Resilient Mediterranean Farming Systems

PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) has opened a call under its 2026 Annual Work Programme for Topic 1.2.1  - an Innovation Action (IA) focused on developing and validating the next generation of sustainable, circular, and regionally adapted animal feed solutions for Mediterranean livestock and aquaculture farming systems.

This call sits within Thematic Area 2: Farming Systems in the Nexus, contributing to PRIMA's Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Operational Objectives 4 (Smart and Sustainable Farming) and 7 (Reduce Losses and Waste). It aligns directly with the European Green Deal, the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Climate Law, and the Vision for Agriculture and Food.

Funding & Budget

• Total Indicative Budget: EUR 10.815 million
• Expected EU Contribution per Project: approximately EUR 2.7 million (proposals requesting different amounts may still be submitted and selected)
• Funding Rate: 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities; up to 100% for non-profit legal entities
• Indirect Costs: 25% flat rate applied to total eligible direct costs
• Project Duration: 36 months (other durations may be considered)
• Type of Action: Innovation Action (IA)

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

Projects must validate feed solutions at TRL 6–7 at the start and are expected to achieve TRL 7–8 by the end of the project. Applicants must clearly state the starting and end TRLs in their proposal and are encouraged to use PRIMA's TRL self-assessment tool.

Key Dates

Call Publication & Opening

20 March 2026

Stage 1 Submission Deadline

15 May 2026

Stage 1 Evaluation Results

30 June 2026

Stage 2 Submission Deadline

18 September 2026

Stage 2 Evaluation Results

11 December 2026

Objectives & Expected Outcomes

The overarching aim is to develop and validate sustainable, economically viable, and regionally adapted alternative animal feed solutions derived from locally available biomass and agri-food waste streams in the Mediterranean region — reducing the region's dependence on costly, environmentally damaging imported feedstocks such as cereals and fishmeal.

Projects funded under this topic are expected to deliver on all four of the following outcomes:

1. Reduced import dependency — development and adoption of regionally sourced alternative feeds, supported by demonstration activities, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and policy engagement.
2. Reduced environmental impact — including lower methane emissions from feed production and use, improved resource-use efficiency, and enhanced ecosystem benefits in alignment with circular economy principles and the Global Methane Pledge.
3. Effective waste valorisation — turning food and agricultural waste into feed inputs, closing nutrient loops and reducing the embedded loss of water, energy, and nutrients in organic waste.
4. Improved animal health and productivity — through nutritionally balanced, safe, and affordable feed formulations that meet regulatory standards.

Scope & Eligible Activities

Projects must address at least three of the following five activities:

1. Co-develop and optimise alternative feed formulations — based on regionally available biomass, legume crops, and agri-food waste streams (e.g. processing residues, by-products, bakery waste), ensuring nutritional adequacy, digestibility, safety, and compliance with EU and national regulations.
2. Test and validate feed solutions in near-operational environments — at TRL 6–7, including livestock and/or aquaculture demonstration sites and Living Labs, assessing technical performance and adaptability across different production systems.
3. Assess effects on animal health, welfare, and product quality — including the safety and quality of animal-derived products, in conformity with relevant regulatory standards.
4. Conduct environmental and economic performance assessments — including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) covering carbon footprint, water use, land use, and biodiversity; cost–benefit and competitiveness analysis versus conventional feed chains; and evaluation of contributions to circularity and resource-use efficiency.
5. Develop strategies for scalability and commercialisation — including business and financing models, integration into local feed value chains, investment-readiness assessments, and engagement with market actors and potential investors.

Eligibility & Who Can Apply

This is a transnational call requiring a minimum consortium of four independent legal entities.

Consortium Composition Requirements (mandatory):

• At least three independent legal entities, each established in a different PRIMA Participating State, of which:
  • At least one must be established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe-associated country that is NOT a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC)
  • At least one must be established in a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC)
• An additional legal entity from a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC) must also be included (bringing the minimum to four)
• At least one participating entity must be a for-profit legal entity (including SMEs) established in a PRIMA Participating State

PRIMA Participating States at the time of this AWP:

• EU Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain (including Overseas Countries and Territories)
• Third Countries Associated to Horizon Europe (funded on equal terms): Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, Türkiye
• Third Countries not Associated to Horizon Europe (eligible under specific conditions): Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco*, Algeria*

*Morocco's and Algeria's eligibility remains subject to the conclusion of relevant international agreements with the European Union. Applicants are strongly advised to verify current status on the PRIMA website before submission.

Important Exclusions:

• Entities established in Russia, Belarus, or non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
• Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions.
• Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are not eligible.
• Hungarian entities that are public interest trusts established under Act IX of 2021 are not eligible for funded roles while Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506 remains in effect.

Participants from non-PRIMA countries may participate as associated partners but are not eligible for funding and must submit a letter confirming they have sufficient funds to cover their participation.

Gender Equality Plan (GEP) — Eligibility Requirement

Public bodies, research organisations, and higher education establishments established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries that apply as beneficiaries must have a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) in place at the time of grant agreement signature and maintained throughout the project.

Key Cross-Cutting Requirements

Applicants should note the following mandatory methodological expectations:

• Multi-Actor Approach (MAA): All key actors — end users, farmers, practitioners, SMEs, technology providers, researchers, and competent authorities — must be meaningfully involved throughout the entire project lifecycle, from co-design through to policy recommendations.
• Living Labs: Encouraged to ensure real-world testing relevance and feasibility under operational conditions (aligned with the ENOLL Living Labs definition).
• Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) Integration: Proposals must integrate SSH to analyse socio-economic drivers, governance, market acceptance, cultural perceptions, and behavioural factors. The SSH contribution must be clearly reflected in the work plan, stakeholder engagement, and impact pathways.
• Synergies with Prior Work: Proposals should build on and advance knowledge from existing EU and PRIMA-funded projects, including the NUTRIFEED project, and should consider complementarity with Horizon Europe calls HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-05 and HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02.
• Impact Pathways: Proposals will be assessed on the credibility of their pathways to impact, including SME involvement, economic viability, scalability, and evidence of investment-readiness.

Relevant SDGs

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

How to Apply

Proposals must be submitted through the PRIMA Foundation portal. Registration in the EC Participant Register to obtain a PIC (Participant Identification Code) is strongly recommended prior to submission.

For the most current information on participating state eligibility, national funding rules, and submission guidelines, visit: https://prima-med.org

Click HERE to visit the official website.