OPTIMISING THE WATER-NUTRIENT-ENERGY NEXUS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA (FNSSA)

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    European Comission – Horizon

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites researchers and institutional partners to consider participating in the Horizon Europe call: Optimising the Water–Nutrient–Energy Nexus for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Africa (FNSSA), funded by the European Commission. This large-scale initiative supports research and innovation projects that promote integrated, climate-smart agricultural systems across African agro-ecosystems.

Programme Overview
The FNSSA call seeks to advance sustainable farming by applying a water–nutrient–energy nexus approach, integrating resource management to improve productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. The initiative promotes circular, resource-efficient solutions that support smallholder farmers while addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Key Details

  • Funder: European Commission – Horizon Europe

  • Award Amount: Up to €12 million per project

  • Application Deadline: 8 April 2027

  • Call Type: Two-stage application process under Horizon Europe

Research Focus
Projects should develop and demonstrate innovative approaches that:

  • Optimise the use of water, nutrients, and energy in agricultural systems

  • Promote climate-smart and biodiversity-friendly farming practices

  • Support smallholder farmers through circular and sustainable solutions

  • Enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, and livelihoods in African contexts

Target Participants
The call is relevant to:

  • Researchers and academic institutions

  • Innovation actors and industry partners

  • Development practitioners and policymakers

  • Stakeholders across the agricultural value chain

Participation typically requires the formation of large international consortia, including European and African partners, in line with Horizon Europe collaboration requirements.

Expected Impact
Funded projects are expected to contribute to:

  • Sustainable intensification of agriculture

  • Reduced environmental footprint of farming systems

  • Improved resource-use efficiency across water, nutrient, and energy systems

  • Strengthened food security and climate resilience in African farming communities

How to Apply
Full call details, eligibility rules, and submission procedures are available on the official Horizon Europe Funding & Tenders Portal:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=relevance&keywords=Africa&isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502

This funding opportunity provides KNUST researchers with a pathway to participate in high-value, multinational research consortia addressing climate-smart agriculture and sustainable resource management across Africa.