Deadline Date: April 30, 2026
The GATE 5.0 Open Call invites agrifood and technology SMEs to collaborate on innovative solutions that accelerate the green and digital transformation of Europe’s agrifood sector.
The program focuses on three performance areas—sustainability, new digital solutions, and security—and addresses five priority thematic areas: water management, labour and smart productivity, reduction of crop protection inputs, soil health and crop optimisation, and data interoperability and governance.
GATE 5.0 is designed to support SMEs through a structured three-phase innovation funnel—Seed, Sprout, and Harvest—guiding early-stage concepts to piloted, market-ready solutions. The program combines direct financial support, a structured Acceleration Programme, and Capacity Building services, providing each SME with up to €59,250 in total support, which includes €49,750 for project development and €9,500 for Capacity Building. Consortia of exactly two SMEs—one agrifood SME and one digital/technology SME—are eligible to apply, and participation in all mandatory activities is required.
The program encourages cross-sectoral and cross-border collaboration, helping SMEs tackle operational challenges in the agrifood sector while leveraging advanced digital solutions such as AI, IoT, and robotics. Applications are open to SMEs legally established in EU Member States, SMP-associated countries, or Ukrainian government-controlled territories, with a minimum Technology Readiness Level of 6. A matchmaking tool is provided to help agrifood and digital SMEs form consortia and submit competitive proposals.
For more information, visit GATE5.0.
