UK–Netherlands Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Brokerage Event

This one-and-a-half-day matchmaking event will bring together UK and Dutch organisations active in research and innovation for sustainable food and agricultural production, plant breeding, and plant health. Participants will exchange project ideas, form partnerships, and prepare for the forthcoming Horizon Europe funding round. The event is jointly organised by RVO (Cluster 6 NCP for Horizon Europe) and Innovate UK Business Connect.

Focus on selected call topics for 2026 – 2027

The event consists of pitch and matchmaking sessions, networking event, and consortium-building and impact workshops. The matchmaking event will concentrate on a selection of Cluster 6 2026–2027 Work Programme call topics listed below:

2026 Call topics

• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01 – Developing innovative phytosanitary treatments for regulated plant pests to support safe international trade
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02 – Tackling pesticide resistance: early detection, management strategies, and foresight
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-03 – Boosting the competitiveness of protein crops in Europe
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-04 – Accelerating the development of breeding tools for perennial crops (fruit and nut trees)
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-07 – Strengthening the EU plant protection ecosystem for a future-proof agriculture
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage – Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of production factors
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-13 – Boosting plant health and reducing losses on farm and during storage for sustainable growth in Africa (FNSSA)
   

2027 Call topics

• HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-01 – Increasing the resilience of agriculture in water- and nutrient-scarce environments through digital innovations
• HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-05 – Enhancing farmers’ profitability and resilience through innovations for diversified crops and value chains
• HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage – Strengthening plant health: addressing emerging plant pest risks
• HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage – Optimising the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA)
• HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-02 – Improving analytical capacity for sustainable competitiveness of the agricultural sector

The European Commission has published the draft version of the 2026 – 2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme for Cluster 6 in the Comitology Register, where you can also find more details and read the draft topic descriptions of each call topic.

Who should apply

We are seeking Dutch organisations, research institutes, universities, start-ups, SMEs, larger companies, growers’ associations, and public bodies that:

• Are active in one or more of the above topics.
• Have a clear interest in and capacity to join Horizon Europe collaborative projects.
• Are ready to engage in meaningful, outcome-oriented matchmaking.

Due to limited capacity, participation will be by selection made by RVO. Applications will be assessed based on thematic fit, motivation, and potential for collaboration with UK counterparts.

Why participate?

• Connect directly with UK research, innovation, and industry partners, preparing proposals for these topics.
• Exchange expertise, identify complementary skills, and form competitive consortia.
• Receive support from Dutch and UK NCPs on Horizon Europe participation, proposal development, and the pathway to impact.
• Gain early insight into 2026 – 2027 call expectations and collaboration opportunities.

Registration

The event is expected to take place at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. Participation is free of charge and will be confirmed upon selection. If you and your organisation are ready to explore new cross-border collaborations and contribute to building innovative Horizon Europe Cluster 6 projects, we invite you to apply. Please complete the registration form to submit your application. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2025.