A new EU platform designed to support innovators and startups across Europe launched at the European Innovation Summit in Brussels last month. Developed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the EU Innovation Platform is a central entry point for innovators seeking support to bring their ideas closer to the market.

Developed in the context of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, which aims to streamline existing EU innovation support services and digital tools, the EU Innovation Platform also contributes to the broader ambition of creating a more connected European innovation ecosystem. It seeks to bring resources together in one place through a more streamlined and user-friendly approach.

The key feature of the EU innovation Platform is an intelligent recommendation engine which is based on EU innovations' needs, sector, geographical location and maturity level. It connects registered users with relevant available services, news, events, or funding opportunities.

For the time being, the EU Innovation Platform is targeted at EU-funded innovators that have benefitted from EU funding support, and that have an ambition to successfully go to market, create jobs and ultimately contribute to improving EU’s competitiveness. In the coming months the Platform will open to EU innovators, business advisory services, investors, corporates, to name a few.

The European Commission has announced 117 new Horizon Europe Cluster 6 projects that will receive a combined €742.5 million in EU funding to drive research and innovation for a greener, more resilient, and sustainable Europe.

Funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 6 – "Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment", these projects will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal by addressing biodiversity loss, improving natural resource management, enhancing food and water security, and accelerating Europe's transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy.

The selected projects have officially signed their Grant Agreements with the European Commission. While some projects have already begun, others will start in the coming months.

Funding Overview

The 117 funded projects, worth a total of €742.53 million, are distributed across seven key research areas:

• 19 projects on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (€128.9 million)
• 24 projects on Fair, Healthy and Environmentally Friendly Food Systems (€139.2 million)
• 27 projects on Circular Economy and Bioeconomy (€198.0 million)
• 10 projects on Clean Environment and Zero Pollution (€55.8 million)
• 9 projects on Land, Ocean and Water for Climate Action (€53.3 million)
• 6 projects on Resilient Rural, Coastal and Urban Communities (€37.5 million)
• 22 projects on Innovative Governance, Environmental Observation and Digital Solutions (€129.9 million)

Research Areas Supported

The newly funded projects will focus on a wide range of sustainability challenges, including:

• Protecting biodiversity and ecosystems through improved monitoring, species identification, ecosystem modelling, and citizen science initiatives.
• Building sustainable food systems by improving farming, fisheries, aquaculture, plant health, crop breeding, and food preparedness for future crises.
• Accelerating the circular bioeconomy through innovative business models, sustainable product design, bio-based innovation, and reconstruction of conflict-affected regions.
• Reducing pollution with advanced monitoring technologies, biotechnology-based environmental clean-up, digital solutions for agriculture, and improved industrial sustainability.
• Supporting climate action by advancing marine carbon removal research, monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, protecting oceans, and strengthening climate-resilient agriculture.
• Strengthening rural and coastal communities through innovative solutions addressing demographic change, housing challenges, accessibility, and climate adaptation.
• Advancing governance and digital innovation by improving environmental observation systems, strengthening bioeconomy cooperation, supporting farmers, and developing next-generation Earth intelligence capabilities.

Project Selection

The projects were selected through competitive single-stage Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls, which were open between May and September 2025. Independent experts evaluated proposals based on scientific excellence, impact, and implementation quality, with the highest-ranked proposals receiving funding.

Why It Matters

These investments reinforce the European Union's commitment to delivering the goals of the European Green Deal while strengthening Europe's research and innovation ecosystem. The funded projects will generate new knowledge, technologies, and collaborative solutions that support environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and the transition to a greener economy.

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25th International Gene Forum – international conference on genetics and genomics

The Institute of Genomics of the University of Tartu and the Estonian Genome Foundation are organising the 25th International Gene Forum on 25–26 August 2026 at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu, Estonia.

Gene Forum is one of the leading scientific conferences in the Baltic region in the field of genetics and genomics. The 2026 anniversary edition will provide a broad perspective on the development of genomic science and genomics-based healthcare in Europe, with a focus on the future of European genomics, biobanking, disease prevention, personalised medicine, and innovative applications in health risk prediction.

The programme will feature contributions from renowned international experts, as well as scientific sessions dedicated to human genome complexity, single-cell genomics, the microbiome, and population genomics.

Dates: 25–26 August 2026
Location: Estonian National Museum, Tartu, Estonia
Target audience: researchers, health-technology developers, health-sector decision-makers, experts, stakeholders and clinicians

Further information: www.geneforum.ee

The Hop-On Facility call allows organisations from Widening countries to join already funded Horizon Europe projects, in particular Pillar II actions and collaborative EIC Pathfinder projects.

The instrument aims to increase inclusiveness in Horizon Europe and offers eligible institutions the opportunity to become partners in existing consortia. Participation requires identifying a funded project that does not already include partners from Widening countries.

Thus, the call offers research organisations, universities and other relevant actors the opportunity to contribute to European projects already under implementation and to expand their international collaborations.

Deadline: 24 september 2026

Details here.

The Research Management Facility call aims to establish a European facility that will provide tailored support to institutions in Widening countries for the development or modernisation of their research management capacities.

The support may include the assessment of institutional needs, the development of implementation plans, training activities, exchange of good practices, and networking opportunities for research managers.

Proposals must be submitted by a consortium, and the coordinator must be a legal entity established in a Widening county. The consortium must include at least three independent entities from Member States or Associated Countries, of which two must be established in Member States.

Deadline: 24 september 2026

Details here.