Deadline: 1 December 2023
In order to contribute to creating a rich and vibrant ecosystem in the food supply chain domain, TITAN will organize an Open Call for innovative solutions in order to select and fund eight of the most innovative and ambitious pilots that will enhance the value of food supply chains through increased transparency.
The TITAN project will demonstrate the latest transparency-related solutions to help drive the formation of a demand-driven European economy based on the production and consumption of healthy, sustainable, and affordable food. As such, the project will provide an extensive platform for the development of a wide range of innovations that aid transparency and address key challenges identified in the European Green Deal (EGD).
For applicants to be selected for funding via the TITAN Open Call, their solutions must be under the domain of activities of one of three TITAN pilot groups:
- Food Safety – The main goal of TITAN Food Safety Pilot group is to showcase the potential of innovative technologies, including rapid detection methods and digital tools, primarily designed for SMEs. These technologies aim to enhance transparency within the food chain, thereby boosting both food safety and authenticity.
- Sustainability – The main objective of TITAN Sustainability Pilot group is to show the potential of innovative digital technologies developed by and for SMEs to increase transparency in the food chain and stimulate sustainability for the different actors. All pilots within this group must improve access to clear and trustable information and data about the food production conditions and quality control requirements that add value for actors in the food supply chain, and possibly to end users, in terms of sustainability.
- Health – The overall aim of the pilots for Health is to show the potential of a set of innovative technologies to increase transparency in the food chain that will enable consumers to make improved food choices with regard to health. Consumers today prioritize health and sustainability in their dietary choices, driving a need for accessible and reliable food information. Education programs are pivotal in empowering all age groups. School-focused initiatives educate children about food origins, nutrition, and environmental impact, enabling them to distinguish between healthy and less nutritious options.
TITAN Key Areas of Expertise
- TITAN is a 4-year Horizon Europe R&I project with the ambition to build transparency in food supply chains via implementation of innovative (mainly digital) technologies to boost the health, sustainability, and safety of products, processes, and diets.
- In TITAN they have identified 4 different Key Areas of Expertise (KAE) where all activities in the consortium can be categorised:
- Enabling consumers to make informed food choices: TITAN will support consumers, including kids, to make healthy and sustainable food choices. Healthy meaning: (i) safe, (ii) authentic, and in line with dietary recommendations. Sustainable meaning: good for the planet, the people and the economy. Informed meaning: (i) true and complete information on the label and using additional tools for communication like QR codes and (ii) designing and testing specific approaches to better inform the consumer.
- Facilitating supply chain sustainability: TITAN will facilitate supply chain actors to build sustainable supply chains: (i) by taking proper care of earth’s natural resources, (ii) by addressing the social challenges (forced labour, decent pay, equal pay) and (iii) by promoting viable economic activities. Traceability is key in sustainable supply chain management, and a key aspect is to detect the first mile of a product supply chain.
- Development and implementation of new innovative technologies: Key characteristic of TITAN is that in each pilot new technologies are development and implemented. In TITAN they recognise three categories: (I) rapid detection methods (portable, DNA-Based, Chemical bio-affinity and sensors), (ii) Information technologies (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Blockchain/Web3, interconnectivity/IoT) and (iii) technologies specific for sustainability.
- Taking the food system approach: In all its activities TITAN intends to follow to food system approach, meaning that they are considering the entire chain, taking into account the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food as well as sustainability, climate change and the recovery of biodiversity.
Funding Information
The TITAN Open Call will cover all three mentioned domains, where at least two winners per category will be selected for funding.
- Funding granted per Pilot: €156,330
- Time for implementation: 18 months
Eligible Countries
- besides the EU Member States (including their outermost regions, as well as Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to EU Member), the following Horizon Europe associated countries are eligible to receive funding through TITAN Open Call (listed in alphabetical order): Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Additional countries that are eligible for funding are:
- Morocco (applicable for the entire Programme).
- United Kingdom (UK) (applicable for the entire Programme. UK is eligible, but this is provided that the UK signs the association agreement before the signature of the subgrant agreement.
- Switzerland (funded through its own funding programme and budget).
Target Applicants
- TITAN Open Call for invites high growth FoodTech and AgriTech SMEs/startups/scaleups – with expertise and experience in TITAN key areas of expertise. Applications are allowed from single entities or small consortia of up to three SMEs.
- For applicants to be selected for funding via the TITAN Open Call, their solutions must be under the domain of activities of one of three TITAN pilot groups: Food Safety, Sustainability or Health
Eligibility Criteria
The following eligibility criteria for the TITAN Open Call include:
- The applicant is an SME, legally established and based in one of the EU Member States or an HE Associated Country as defined in HE rules for participation.
- The applicant participates as a single entity, OR as a part of a small consortium, consisting of up to three entities.
- Signed Declaration of Honour stipulating that the entity is eligible for financing in line with eligibility rules of HE, with the possibility for requests for additional documentation if/when required.
- Each applicant may submit only one (1) application to the TITAN Open Call, regardless of whether they are applying as a single entity, or as a member of a small consortium of up to three entities.
- The maximum amount of funding that a Pilot can receive via the TITAN Open Call is 156,330€, regardless of the fact whether they applied as a single entity, or as a small consortium of up to three entities.
For more information, visit TITAN.