Deadline: 15-May-2026
The PRIMA Programme 2026 supports innovative projects that promote circular and sustainable animal feed systems across Mediterranean farming sectors. With a total budget of €10.814 million, the initiative focuses on low-input livestock farming, agroecological practices, and valorisation of agri-food waste, aiming to reduce environmental impact, improve resource efficiency, and enhance climate resilience.
Overview
This call aims to transform livestock and aquaculture sectors by developing alternative feed solutions using locally available biomass and agri-food waste streams. It is part of Thematic Area 2—Farming Systems in the Nexus—and encourages projects that integrate circular economy principles to strengthen sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in the Mediterranean region. The call opened on 20 March 2026, follows a two-stage submission process, and has a first-stage deadline of 15 May 2026.
Key highlights:
- Total indicative budget: €10.814 million
- Focus: Circular feed systems, low-input livestock, agroecological practices
- Application process: Two-stage submission
- Technology readiness: TRL 6–7 (near-operational validation)
- Target region: Mediterranean countries
Objectives and Scope
The PRIMA call addresses sustainability challenges in conventional feed systems that rely heavily on imported cereals and fishmeal. These dependencies contribute to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic vulnerability. Simultaneously, large quantities of agri-food by-products and biomass residues remain underutilized. The initiative aims to:
- Valorize agri-food waste and biomass residues
- Reduce dependence on imported feedstocks
- Lower environmental footprints and methane emissions
- Support climate change mitigation
- Enhance animal health, welfare, and productivity
- Improve resource-use efficiency and preserve ecosystems
- Strengthen sustainable and resilient livestock and aquaculture systems
Expected Project Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Develop and validate nutritionally balanced, safe, and environmentally sustainable feed formulations
- Test solutions in real farming systems and Living Labs (TRL 6–7)
- Demonstrate technical performance, adaptability, and economic competitiveness
- Evaluate environmental and economic performance using life cycle assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and circularity metrics
- Assess impacts on animal health, welfare, productivity, and product quality
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards
- Design scalable and commercially viable business and financing models
- Engage value chain actors, SMEs, and investors for broader adoption
Multi-Actor Approach and Social Sciences Integration
Applicants must adopt a Multi-Actor Approach to ensure active involvement of:
- Farmers and aquaculture producers
- Researchers and technology providers
- SMEs and industry stakeholders
- Authorities and governance actors
Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) is essential to address:
- Socio-economic drivers of adoption
- Governance and policy frameworks
- Market acceptance and consumer behavior
- Societal impact of sustainable feed systems
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include legal entities established in PRIMA Participating States:
- EU Member States: Selected countries participating in PRIMA
- Associated countries: Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, Türkiye
- Non-associated countries: Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Confirm eligibility in a PRIMA Participating State
- Align the project with circular feed systems, low-input livestock farming, or agroecological practices
- Develop proposals targeting TRL 6–7 validation in near-operational environments
- Integrate Multi-Actor Approach and SSH considerations
- Submit the first-stage proposal by 15 May 2026
- Prepare for second-stage submission following evaluation feedback
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring circularity or low-input farming focus
- Omitting integration of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Failing to engage stakeholders or value chain actors
- Proposing feed solutions without near-operational testing (TRL 6–7)
- Overlooking scalability, commercialization, or regulatory compliance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the total budget for this call?
The total indicative budget is €10.814 million. - Which countries are eligible?
Legal entities from PRIMA Participating States, including EU, associated, and select non-associated Mediterranean countries, are eligible. - What are the focus areas?
Circular feed systems, low-input livestock farming, agroecological practices, and valorisation of agri-food waste. - What technology readiness level is required?
TRL 6–7: near-operational validation in real farming systems or Living Labs. - Is stakeholder involvement mandatory?
Yes, projects must follow a Multi-Actor Approach with farmers, researchers, SMEs, and authorities. - Are Social Sciences and Humanities required?
Yes, SSH integration is essential to assess socio-economic, governance, and market aspects. - When is the first-stage submission deadline?
15 May 2026.
Conclusion
The PRIMA 2026 call offers an opportunity to advance sustainable, circular, and resilient livestock and aquaculture feed systems in the Mediterranean. By developing innovative, locally sourced feed solutions and integrating stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, applicants can contribute to climate-smart, resource-efficient, and commercially viable agri-food systems aligned with circular economy principles.
For more information, visit PRIMA.
