Deadline: 04-Feb-2026
The iCOSHELLs Open Call provides up to €75,000 in lump-sum funding for innovators, stakeholders, and organizations to participate in Living Labs focused on improving soil health across Europe. Funded under Horizon Europe, the call supports co-creation, testing, and validation of innovative soil health solutions aligned with the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.” A total budget of €900,000 will support at least two new stakeholders in each of six European Living Labs.
Program Overview
The iCOSHELLs project has launched an Open Call to attract new stakeholders and innovative solutions to participate in Living Labs dedicated to improving soil health across Europe.
The initiative is funded under the Horizon Europe Programme as a Research and Innovation Action and directly contributes to the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe,” which aims to restore healthy soils by 2030.
Through this Open Call, selected applicants will become active participants in Living Labs, working alongside local actors to co-create, test, and validate practical soil health solutions in real-life environments.
About the iCOSHELLs Project
iCOSHELLs started in September 2024 and will run for 48 months.
The project operates through six Living Labs located in:
Each Living Lab brings together local stakeholders to design, pilot, and scale solutions that address region-specific soil health challenges while contributing to broader European objectives.
Key Focus Areas of the Open Call
Proposals must align with one or more of the following focus areas:
- Reducing soil pollution and supporting soil restoration
- Improving soil structure, fertility, and biodiversity
- Increasing soil literacy and awareness within society
- Strengthening stakeholder engagement through Living Labs
- Co-creation, testing, and validation of innovative soil health prototypes
- Developing scalable and replicable solutions aligned with the EU Mission Soil
Projects are expected to deliver practical, field-tested outcomes that contribute to healthier and more resilient soils.
Structure of the Open Call: Six Sub-Calls
The Open Call is divided into six sub-calls, one for each Living Lab.
Each sub-call:
- Targets specific stakeholder profiles
- Defines prototype or solution needs based on local soil challenges
- Seeks innovations aligned with the priorities of the individual Living Lab
Applicants must apply to the sub-call that best matches their expertise, solution type, and geographic relevance.
What Selected Applicants Will Do
Successful applicants will become full actors within their assigned Living Lab.
Their role includes:
- Participating in Living Lab co-creation activities
- Testing and validating prototypes in real-life experimental settings
- Collaborating with farmers, researchers, public authorities, and other stakeholders
- Contributing data and insights to improve soil health outcomes
This hands-on approach ensures solutions are practical, context-specific, and scalable.
Funding Available
Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP)
The Open Call provides lump-sum Financial Support to Third Parties covering up to 100 percent of eligible costs.
Key funding details:
- Total budget: €900,000
- Maximum funding per beneficiary: €75,000
- At least two applications funded per Living Lab
Funding is designed to remove financial barriers and enable full participation in Living Lab activities.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility depends on the specific sub-call and Living Lab requirements.
In general, eligible applicants include:
- SMEs and startups
- Research and innovation organizations
- Universities and research institutes
- Civil society organizations and NGOs
- Farmers, land managers, and practitioner groups
- Public or private entities involved in soil management or innovation
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to actively engage in Living Lab activities and contribute to soil health improvements.
Why This Open Call Matters
Healthy soils are essential for food security, biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable land use.
The iCOSHELLs Open Call matters because it:
- Supports real-world testing of soil health innovations
- Embeds solutions in local contexts through Living Labs
- Accelerates progress toward the EU Mission Soil targets
- Builds long-term collaboration between science, policy, and practice
- Strengthens Europe’s capacity to restore and protect soils by 2030
How the Open Call Works: Step-by-Step
- Review the six sub-calls and identify the Living Lab that best fits your solution
- Ensure your proposal aligns with the focus areas and local needs of the selected Living Lab
- Prepare a clear description of your prototype or innovative solution
- Explain how you will participate in co-creation, testing, and validation activities
- Submit your application according to the Open Call guidelines
- If selected, join the Living Lab and begin implementation with consortium support
Support and Benefits for Selected Beneficiaries
Selected applicants will receive more than just funding.
Additional benefits include:
- Technical and scientific guidance in soil science and land restoration
- Support on circular systems and soil monitoring methodologies
- Increased visibility within the EU Mission Soil framework
- Access to strong European networks and future collaboration opportunities
- Hands-on experience in Living Lab-based innovation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting proposals that are not aligned with a specific Living Lab sub-call
- Proposing solutions without clear relevance to soil health improvement
- Underestimating the importance of stakeholder engagement and co-creation
- Treating the project as purely research-based rather than practice-oriented
- Failing to demonstrate scalability or broader applicability
Clear alignment with Living Lab needs and Mission Soil objectives is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum funding available per applicant?
Each selected applicant can receive up to €75,000 in lump-sum funding.
How much total funding is available under the Open Call?
A total of €900,000 will be distributed among beneficiaries.
What are Living Labs in the context of iCOSHELLs?
Living Labs are real-life, collaborative environments where stakeholders co-create, test, and validate solutions to improve soil health.
How many applicants will be selected per Living Lab?
At least two applications will be selected for each of the six Living Labs.
What type of costs are covered?
Funding covers up to 100 percent of eligible costs through lump-sum Financial Support to Third Parties.
Is the Open Call linked to EU Mission Soil?
Yes. The Open Call directly supports the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe.”
What happens after selection?
Selected beneficiaries will collaborate with the iCOSHELLs consortium, participate in Living Lab activities, and test their solutions in real-life settings.
Conclusion
The iCOSHELLs Open Call offers a significant opportunity for innovators and stakeholders to contribute to soil health improvement across Europe through Living Labs. With up to €75,000 in full-cost funding, strong technical support, and direct alignment with the EU Mission Soil, the initiative enables practical, scalable solutions that can help restore healthy soils by 2030 while building lasting European collaboration networks.
For more information, visit iCOSHELLs.