Excel4Pro Open Call
This Open Call supports innovative plant-based protein and sustainable processing projects with funding of up to €40 000 for startups and SMEs.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: The call funds innovative projects developing, testing, validating or implementing breakthroughs in plant protein structure–function relations, nutritional quality, or sustainable process design. Selected projects should contribute to enhancing innovation in the agri-food sector.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: The call targets the agri-food sector with a specific focus on plant-based protein innovations and sustainable food processing technologies.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Only single legal entities are eligible. Eligible applicants are startups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs); consortia are not permitted.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be startups or SMEs established in Türkiye, Greece or Ukraine and register and submit their proposals via the opencalls.fund platform.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: Projects must address at least one of the focus areas: protein structure-function relations, nutritional quality optimisation of plant-based foods, or sustainable processing technologies.
PROJECTS DURATION: Sub-projects will be implemented over an approximately 15-month period structured into three phases: Design, Development and Validation.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: Lump sum funding up to €40 000 per project.
Budget conditions / limitations: Total budget of €360 000 will support up to nine projects, with a maximum of €40 000 each.
Payments: Lump sum payments tied to milestones according to implementation phases; no pre-financing is foreseen.
KEY DATES: Opening date: 26 January 2026; Submission deadline: 27 April 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Links
Closes
27/04/2026
Max funding per project
40.000€