Collective projects

Plant protection and biocidal products (both covered under the term "pesticides") are used in agriculture in order to secure yield and food safety in plant production and animal husbandry. At the same time, pesticides may have effects on the environment, non-target organisms, animal and human health. In the EU they are regulated and assessed for pre-market approval but tools and methods need to be further developed to better understand the overall risks and impacts associated with their individual and combined use and possible side effects.

Extensive GNSS applications combined with other technologies require innovation as well as the establishment of standards and rules.

In order to secure the sustainable access to primary and secondary raw materials, including metals, industrial minerals, construction raw materials, wood, and particularly Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) for the EU economy, there is a need to tackle a number of specific non-technological challenges at local, regional, national, EU and global levels.

The EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling (COM(2015)285) states that raising awareness of the risks of smuggling and of irregular migration is crucial for preventing prospective migrants and asylum seekers, including people in more vulnerable situations such as children, from embarking on hazardous journeys towards the EU. The Action Plan foresees the launch of information and awareness raising campaigns in key countries of origin or transit for migrants.

Providing better access to and realising the rights of the victims of trafficking in human beings is a priority under the 2017 Communication on stepping up EU action to address trafficking in human beings.

In line with the Partnership Framework approach to promote a coordinated, systematic and structured approach to maximise the synergies and leverages of the Union's internal and external policies, in September 2017 the Commission launched the idea of legal migration pilot projects (Communication on the Delivery of the European Agenda on Migration, COM(2017) 558 final).

In May 2015 the European Commission adopted the European Agenda on Migration (EAM), which brings together the different steps the European Union should take now, and in the coming years, to build up a coherent and comprehensive approach to reap the benefits and address the challenges deriving from migration.

Resilience is critical to allow authorities to take proper measures in response to severe disasters, both natural (including climate-related extreme events) and man-made. Innovation for disaster-resilient societies may draw from novel technologies, provided that they are affordable, accepted by the citizens, and customized and implemented for the (cross-sectoral) needs of first responders.

Application deadline: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Reference letter deadline: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Notification of results to applicants: Monday, March 2, 2026