Program Description

This Call for Proposals is issued for the submission of applications to conduct joint research and development programs with partners from countries participating in the European PRIMA Program – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, in the fields of agriculture, water, and food (within the integrated NEXUS framework) (See below for a list of thematic areas included in the program), and subject to the provisions of the Framework Program for Increasing Participation in EU (hereinafter: “ISERD Procedure”), and the guidelines of Innovation Authority – Applied Research in Academia and Industry Incentive Program.  

Applicants to this call are also required to submit proposals to the European Sub-Programme in response to the CFP detailed below. 

1. Agriculture:
   • Link to the PRIMA CFP on the topic of Agriculture.  
   • Link to the CFP as published in the full 2025 PRIMA Annual Work Plan (see page 46 of the PDF) 
2. Water:
   • Link to the PRIMA CFP on the topic of Water. 
   • Link to the CFP as published in the full 2025 PRIMA Annual Work Plan (see page 43 of the PDF) 
3. Food: 
   • Link to the PRIMA CFP on the topic of Food.
   • Link to the CFP as published in the full 2025 PRIMA Annual Work Plan (see page 49 of the PDF)

• Israeli applicants are required to submit applications with partners from other countries taking part in the sub-program – as detailed in the sub-program’s CFP above. 
• Participating Countries in the PRIMA 2025 Programme CFP (pages 63–65 of the full 2025 PRIMA Work Plan): 
  • Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey (including the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) of these states). 
• The Call for Proposals is open to Israeli companies and researchers from the Israeli academia in the fields of agriculture, water, and food (within the integrated NEXUS context), who will carry out joint research with Israeli companies (with an Israeli company committing to fund at least 10% of the researcher’s budget). 
• Link to Partners Search Platform. 
• Call for Proposals list of partner countries and organizations and the total budget allocated by each country 

Sub-program Themes

1. Agriculture (Page 46 of the PDF): 
   • Implementation and scaling of agroecological methods at the farm level, with emphasis on small-scale farmers. 
   • Generation of scientific evidence demonstrating the contribution of agroecology to climate change (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity conservation, and strengthening farmers’ socio-economic resilience. 
   • Formulating policy recommendations for expanding the adoption of agroecological practices, addressing regulations, incentives, subsidies, and sustainable business models. 
   • Development of carbon sequestration measurement and verification methods tailored to agroecological systems, which are practical, accurate, and cost-effective. 
   • Development and application of diverse cultivation practices for agricultural land (both conventional and organic agriculture). 
   • Piloting innovative mechanisms to support farmers transitioning to agroecological approaches. 
   • Establishment of Living Labs: demonstration plots, participatory research with farmers, workshops, and practical training to promote the adoption of agroecological practices. 
   • Use of microbial technologies (e.g. improving soil health and increasing yields) to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. 
   • Development of strategies for expanding impact beyond the project’s geographical and operational timeframe, whilst leveraging existing networks and local institutions. 
   • Conservation of biodiversity and its integration into agricultural policies and field practices. 
   • Adoption of a ‘Multi-Actor Approach’, involving farmers, researchers, government bodies, private entities, and communities in the decision-making and implementation process. 
2. Water (Page 43 of the PDF): 
   • Development of impact-based policy using concepts such as water footprint and virtual water. 
   • Analysis of national water management policy in the context of water footprint. 
   • Enhancing climate change resilience by integrating water footprint into adaptation strategies. 
   • Linking water footprint to the integrated NEXUS: Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems. 
   • Promoting a circular economy in water management. 
   • Reducing water use through the promotion of water-efficient crops and industries. 
   • Expanding systems for water recycling and reuse in agriculture and industry. 
   • Establishment of a cooperation network on water footprint issues among Mediterranean countries. 
   • Analysis of ‘virtual water’ trade and its impact on water scarcity. 
   • Defining boundaries for blue water consumption (surface and groundwater) at regional and national levels. 
3. Food (Page 49 of the PDF): 
   • Development of innovative technologies, formulation methods, and processing techniques to improve acceptance, availability, accessibility, and sustainability of plant-based alternative proteins (PBAPs) in Mediterranean diets. 
   • Conducting research on allergens and food intolerances related to plant-based protein sources, focusing on Mediterranean region characteristics and ensuring consumer safety. 
   • Assessment of nutritional value, digestibility, and sensory quality of alternative protein products, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women, elderly). 
   • Study of the influence of media (including social media) and education on shaping consumer behavior and dietary preferences regarding plant-based protein adoption. 
   • Promotion of educational initiatives to raise consumer awareness regarding sustainable food choices, including clear labeling of products, educational campaigns, and community programs. 
   • Development of strategies for integrating plant-based protein products into traditional and modern food systems in the region, addressing cultural, economic, and social challenges, and overcoming local consumer barriers, and aligning with Mediterranean dietary traditions and preferences. 
   • Adoption of a ‘Multi-Actor’ approach, involving collaboration with farmers, agricultural cooperatives, consumer organizations, regulators, the food industry, research institutions, the private sector, civil society organizations, nutrition and education experts, and local communities.  

Funding

The approved grant rates for an Israeli participant will be: 

• 66% for industrial corporations 
• 80% for an academic partner 

The total grant budget designated by the Innovation Authority for all approved Israeli participants under the PRIMA sub-program for the year 2025 is €0.45 million. Note: This amount is not a commitment to disburse the full or partial sum.

Clarification: The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology also provides grants to researchers participating in the sub-program. Researchers cannot receive double funding – from both the Ministry and the Israel Innovation Authority – for the same activity. 

Criteria

The Innovation Authority minimum requirements are detailed in the Framework Program for Increasing Participation in EU

In accordance with the sub-program rules – submission within the framework of an international consortium, the Prima program requires that the consortium have at least four partners from at least three different countries participating in the CFP. At least one partner needs to be from an EU member state, and at least one partner needs to be from the Southern Mediterranean region. For example, two partners from the same Southern Mediterranean country, like Israel, and two other entities from different Participating States (with one of them an EU member state), satisfy the minimum consortium composition requirements

Further information is available in the Applicants’ Guide, and on the 2025 Prima Work Program under “General Annexes” on page 62.

Evaluation Criteria

• The criteria for evaluation by the Innovation Authority is set out in the procedure for implementing international agreements related to the European Framework Program.
• The Israel Innovation Authority will prioritize applications focused on applied technological research with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 2–5. 
• Evaluation criteria used by the PRIMA-Med Secretariat can be found on page 13 of the Applicant’s Guide.

Application Process

The CFP is a single-stage call, and the application must be submitted via two channels (in Europe and in Israel): 

1. Submission to the Innovation Authority: 
   • Submission to the Israel Innovation Authority by July 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM, Israel Time  
   • The application will be submitted through the personal area of the Innovation Authority’s Hebrew website. 
   • Note: Budgeting rules for this Call follow the guidelines of the Applied Research Consortium Incentive Program  
2. Submission to the PRIMA-Med Secretariat: 
   • In accordance with PRIMA’s CFP: Agriculture – Page 46, Water – Page 43, Food – Page 49.

Applications to the PRIMA-Med Secretariat may be submitted until July 8 at 17:00 (Central European Time). 

Please note: Submission deadlines to the sub-program administrator are determined by the Secretariat. The deadlines detailed above are provided for convenience only, and the submitters must verify the deadlines, which may change according to the Secretariat’s decisions, as well as the other terms and guidelines for CFP’s on the Secretariat’s website. 

The Innovation Authority will, in the first phase, confirm their eligibility in principle to participate and receive a grant from the Innovation Authority. A final approved budget and grant rate will be determined only after a decision is made by the PRIMA sub-program Secretariat regarding selected projects.

Legal Disclaimer 

• To avoid any doubt, it is clearly stated that in the event of a contradiction or inconsistency between the text of this Call for Proposals and the ISERD Procedure Provisions, and the Benefit Program and Procedures as stated in the ISERD Procedure Provisions, the Benefit Program and Procedures shall prevail. 
• This publication does not constitute a commitment for approval to any of the applicants.