ERDF (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional): Pruebas y validación de soluciones agrícolas preparadas para el futuro

The Dutch agro-ecological research coordinator Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is looking for European innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and startups to collaborate in an ERDF-funded Kansen voor West III project focused on future-proof agriculture. The project aims to increase the innovation capacity of the agricultural and horticultural sector and support a smarter and more sustainable economic transition in Europe. The opportunity is open on a rolling basis for expressions of interest, with the call remaining open until December 2027. Projects can run for up to 24 months.

The project offers two support routes:
- The first is an R&D voucher, which helps applicants cover external costs for developing and testing a prototype in a laboratory or other relevant controlled environment. This voucher reimburses 100% of accepted Wageningen Research costs, excluding VAT, up to 90,000 euros, and up to 50% of other accepted external costs, excluding VAT, up to 30,000 euros.
- The second is a practical test voucher, which supports the use of experts and facilities at the Farm of the Future and connected practice-oriented companies to test and demonstrate an innovation in a real operational environment. This voucher reimburses 100% of accepted Wageningen Research costs, excluding VAT, up to 30,000 euros.

The initiative is aimed at innovations that contribute to sustainable agriculture in Flevoland, especially in arable farming and vegetable cultivation. Main crops include potatoes, onions and carrots, supported by crop rotations with grass clover, winter wheat, summer faba bean and cover crops. Relevant innovation themes are agro-ecology, data and technology, energy, residual flows and circularity, and transition management. Links with other crop-related sectors may be possible when the focus remains on soil, cultivation and the farming system. Innovations in animal housing systems and indoor cultivation are not within scope.
Advantages and innovation
1. Validation and fewer risks of failure: too many products enter the market without a full assessment and testing.
2. Access to the best testing facilities: world class testing facilities of Wageningen Research become available for SME's and startups.
3. First contact with WUR-experts: with the program, you receive feedback on your innovation and/or technology from experts at Wageningen University & Research.
Even without the voucher, the intake of your application could give you very valuable feedback.
4. Availability for 40 innovators from across the EU.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
1. Agro-ecology
2. Data & Technology
3. Energy
4. Residual Flows & Circularity
5. Transition Management

Framework program
Research for the benefit of SMEs
Call title and identifier
Innovation project Farm of the Future Flevoland (1.1.PF.3)
Submission and evaluation scheme
Two-stage submission scheme:
- a short project idea for the first stage;
- followed by full proposal for the second stage, if it passes the first-stage evaluation. This includes a project+financial plan drawn up by a Wageningen researcher.
Anticipated project budget
€ 4,750,000
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI 31 Dec 2026
Deadline of the call 31 Dec 2027
Project duration in weeks
104
Web link to the call
https://farmofthefuture.nl/en/flevoland/vouchers/
Project title and acronym
Innovation project Farm of the Future Flevoland (1.1.PF.3)