FutureFoodS: transnational call for food research, €500,000 allocated to Romania

The European FutureFoodS partnership launched its third transnational research and innovation call on 3 November 2026, entitled "GETS – Getting Everyone Together for Sustainable Food Systems". Romania is contributing €500,000 through UEFISCDI. Pre-proposals are due by 13 January 2027, 13:00 CET.

In brief

• Programme: FutureFoodS Partnership, transnational call 3 (GETS)
• Authority for Romania: UEFISCDI
• Beneficiaries: transnational consortia including SMEs, large enterprises, universities and research institutes from Romania
• Allocation for Romania: €500,000
• Submission period: pre-proposals by 13 January 2027, 13:00 CET; full proposals by 30 June 2027, 13:00 CEST
• Status: call launched

Which topics does the call fund?

The call has three topics:

1. sustainable food value chains built on trust and transparency (certification, traceability, labelling, digital tools);
2. consumers with greater decision-making capacity, through food education and healthy, safe and sustainable food environments;
3. innovative processing methods for sustainable, safe and nutritious food products.

Who can take part?

The consortium must have at least three partners from at least three eligible countries. Partners may be higher education institutions, research institutes, non-profit entities, businesses and public bodies. From Romania, SMEs, universities and research institutes may take part, within the limits of national rules.

For SMEs and large enterprises, funding is granted under the state aid scheme set out in MCID Order No. 21,324/02.11.2023. The funding rate and eligible costs are set according to national rules. UEFISCDI does not detail them on the call page, so they must be checked in the official documents.

How are projects evaluated?

Evaluation takes place in two stages. The criteria are transformative perspective, inter- and transdisciplinarity, involvement of several categories of stakeholders, and sustainability. An impact plan on the transformation of food systems is mandatory.

An information webinar for pre-proposal applicants takes place on 12 November 2026, between 12:00 and 13:00 Romanian time.

What this means for your business

Recommendation: the call suits companies in the food industry, processing technologies, traceability and digitalisation of the food chain, but only if they already have, or can quickly find, foreign partners. The project is built within a consortium, and finding partners usually takes longer than writing the proposal.

• Attend the webinar on 12 November and check the conditions for Romanian partners with UEFISCDI.
• Check whether your topic fits within one of the three topics.
• Bear in mind that Romania's allocation is limited, at €500,000, and covers all Romanian participants.
• If you have no experience in research projects, join a consortium led by others as a partner.

You can carry out an initial check with the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for pre-proposals?

Pre-proposals are due by 13 January 2027, 13:00 CET. Full proposals are due by 30 June 2027, 13:00 CEST.

Can you apply alone, without foreign partners?

No. The consortium has at least three partners from at least three eligible countries.

How much has Romania allocated?

Romania has allocated €500,000 for this call, through UEFISCDI.

Can private companies take part?

Yes. SMEs and large enterprises can take part, with funding under the state aid scheme set out in MCID Order No. 21,324/02.11.2023, subject to national rules.

Official sources

• UEFISCDI – Future of Food Systems Partnership (FutureFoodS)
• FutureFoodS – announcement of the third call
• EU Opportunities – FutureFoodS, third transnational call

Information checked on 5 November 2026. The conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.