Why does research and innovation on soils matter?
Research is crucial to better understand, monitor and measure the specific effects of agricultural and forestry activities on soils.
Additional knowledge is needed on the long-term processes of soil formation, on soil fertility, and how to improve the productive and ecosystem functions of soil by optimising its biological, chemical and physical properties.
Designing ways to increase soil carbon content, enhance soil biodiversity and reduce soil erosion is crucial for food security.
New avenues for soil and crop management are emerging from an increased understanding of the ‘soil-food web’, the complex interactions between plants and soils which support water and nutrient uptake by plants or increase resistance against pests and diseases.
Knowledge and tools developed through research and innovation can help to progress soil-enhancing production systems and advance the role of livestock in soil management. Research efforts serve to enhance the function of soils as carbon and nitrogen sinks, thereby supporting the role of agriculture and forestry in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as combating desertification and land degradation.
Policy focus
Funding opportunities
Horizon Europe
Calls for proposals and funding information related to agriculture, forestry and rural areas
European agricultural fund for rural development
The rural development policy supports innovation through a range of interventions, including the European innovation partnership for agriculture (EIP-AGRI)
LIFE programme
Some soil related calls may be found in this programme
Projects and results
AgriResearch factsheet on soils
This factsheet collects most of the research and innovation related to solis under Horizon 2020 societal challenge 2
EIP-AGRI agricultural innovation project database
The one-stop shop to EU-funded agricultural innovation projects
Research project database (CORDIS)
The Commission's primary portal for results of EU-funded research projects
Project success stories
Stories of particularly successful EU-funded research projects
Collaboration and jobs
EIP-AGRI activities on soils
The EIP-AGRI fosters innovation in agriculture and forestry connecting knowledge and practice
Find project partners
Look for project partners and view profiles of all organisations that have received funding via the funding and tender opportunities portal
Joint programming with EU countries
Partnerships with EU countries on soil research programmes
Global partnerships
International cooperation in research and innovation contributes to respond to global challenges
Jobs (EURAXESS)
Researcher jobs in related fields
Scientific publications, tools and databases
Scientific publications
Scientific publications produced by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Scientific research tools and databases
The Commission's Joint Research Centre compiles databases and develops software and modelling tools
EU Open Data Portal
Single point of access to open data produced by the EU institutions. All data is free to use for commercial and non-commercial purposes
OpenAIRE
You can access all scientific publications from Horizon 2020 via OpenAIRE
Copernicus
Access to agriculture data from the Copernicus programme
Latest
Horizon Europe: EU Missions on track to meet their 2030 ambition towards a greener and healthier continent
During their first two years, the EU Missions in Horizon Europe have supported the Commission's work on the European Green Deal, making Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.
European Green Deal: more sustainable use of plant and soil natural resources
Today, the Commission adopted a package of measures for a sustainable use of key natural resources, which will also strengthen the resilience of EU food systems and farming.
The EU Mission Soil launches its Manifesto
Today, the European Commission and the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) held the launch event of the Mission Soil Manifesto. The launch event was a key milestone for the success of the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’.