The European Partnership FOrests, forestry, and the forest-based sector: REsearch and innovation for a Sustainable Transition – FOREST announces the first call for Joint European research and innovation projects with an indicative total public funding of over EUR 40 million. Projects are due to commence in the first half of 2028.
A JOINT CALL FOR PROPOSALS in 2026
FORESTPathways
Building Knowledge and Solutions for Resilient Forests and Sustainable Forest-Based Futures
Call opening: 15th September 2026 (indicative)
The European Partnership “FOrests, forestry, and the forest-based sector: REsearch and innovation for a Sustainable Transition (FOREST)” aims to mobilise research and innovation to accelerate the transition to a sustainable use of forest resources and a circular, timber-based, bioeconomy. Serving as the primary instrument for collaboration among stakeholders in EU Member States and Associated Countries, the partnership will facilitate coordinated research and innovation (R&I) actions in order to reduce fragmentation and foster innovation and competitiveness in the forest-based sector. The purpose is to support further transformation towards biodiverse, climate-adaptive, multifunctional and sustainable forest management, innovating within the bioeconomy and helping achieve an increasingly productive, resource-efficient and resilient sector.
The first Joint Call of the European partnership FOREST brings together 38 Research Funding Organisations (RFOs) from 28 countries. The total indicative call budget including EU co-contribution is over EUR 40 million.
This first Joint Call is intentionally broad in terms of the range of issues addressed. This allows the partnership the flexibility to accommodate different research and innovation needs while fostering synergies between these areas and aligning with goals outlined in the SRIA. The following topics are included:
TOPIC 1 – Climate-Resilient Forest Systems
TOPIC 2 – Adaptive and Multifunctional Forest Management Systems
TOPIC 3 – Timber and Innovative Wood-Based Products
TOPIC 4 – Forest Value Chains, Markets and Governance
The precise topics are still to be defined by the participating funders; however, the call will encourage and make best use of cross-sectoral, coherent and integrated perspectives.
The scope and topics of the Joint Call derive from the official Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) underpinning the partnership and were selected by the Research Funding Organisations (RFOs) participating in the Joint Call.
Participating countries and organisations:
Belgium: FNRS, FWO // Bulgaria: BNSF // Brazil: CONFAP // Croatia: MZOM // Czech Republic: TA ČR // Estonia: ETAG, MoC // Finland: MMM, AKA, BF // France: ANR // Germany: BMFTR/FZJ-PtJ, BMLEH/FNR // Hungary: NKFIH // Ireland: DAFM // Italy: MASAF, BOZEN // Latvia: LZP, LAAFS // Lithuania: LMT // Moldova: ANCD // The Netherlands: LVVN // Norway: RCN // Poland: NCBR // Romania: ANC // Slovakia: CVTI SR // Slovenia: MESY // Spain: AEI, CDTI // Sweden: SWEA, VINNOVA, FORMAS // Switzerland: SNSF // Türkiye: TUBITAK // UK: DEFRA
Pending participation: Austria: BMLUK/FFG // Iceland: RANNIS
Call schedule
- 15.09.2026 | Official launch of the FOREST Joint Call 2026
- 17.09.2026 | Information webinar: A webinar for interested applicants will take place on 17 September 2026 (10:00 CET). Participants will receive an overview of the call and a brief introduction to the submission and evaluation system.
- 30.09.2026 | In-person partnering workshop: The EUFORE Final Conference 2026 (29–30 September 2026, Brussels) will feature a dedicated matchmaking session to connect potential partners, foster collaboration, and support consortium building for future projects.
- 06.10.2026 | Networking webinar: On 6 October 2026 (10:00 CET), the FOREST partnership will host a networking webinar to facilitate partner matchmaking and support the formation and development of consortia.
Information and key documents
The administration of the call is being led by the FOREST Call Office (FNR/DE, AM/HU, DAFM/IE, PTJ/DE) on behalf of all the funding partners
JC2026 Pre-announcement (PDF.)