GUARDIANS launches Open Call #2: Test Before Invest

Funding opportunity for small and medium-sized farms to trial digital technologies - open for applications until 1 July 2026

The GUARDIANS “Test Before Invest” open call is a 3-month cascade funding opportunity for small and medium-sized farms to test, implement, and evaluate digital farming technologies in real-world conditions before making investment decisions. It offers up to €10,000 per project, with up to nine farms selected and a total call budget of €90,000. This funding opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe programme and is designed to bridge the gap between technology development and real-world agricultural adoption.

What it funds

The call supports testing, installation, data collection, training participation, and results reporting for digital or ICT-enabled technologies developed within the GUARDIANS project. In practice, this means applicants must choose from predefined GUARDIANS solutions rather than proposing an open-ended project idea.

Who can apply

Applications are open to individual small or medium-sized farms only; consortia are not eligible. Eligible applicants must be legally registered in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, have a valid VAT number, and not be GUARDIANS consortium partners or affiliated entities.

Funding terms

The funding rate is 100%, but payment is made as a lump sum only after milestones are completed successfully. There is no pre-financing, and payment depends on performance evaluation and milestone achievement.

Timeline

The open call closes on 1 July 2026. Each selected project runs for 3 months.

The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation

As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.

Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.

By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.