The European FOREST Partnership has launched its first international call for proposals, entitled “Building Knowledge and Solutions for Resilient Forests and Sustainable Forest-Based Futures – FORESTPathways”. The call aims to support research in the field of forestry and related sectors. Interested parties may submit short-form project proposals (known as pre-proposals) by 2 December 2026.
The call supports international research and innovation, ranging from basic and applied research to demonstration activities. Projects are expected to generate new knowledge, develop practical solutions and contribute to their application in policy, forest management or industry. At the same time, they should take into account the diversity of forests and the forestry sector. The call builds on European strategic documents, in particular the European Green Deal, the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy.
Czech applicants will be able to participate in the following topics, each of which will have its own ranking list and evaluation mechanism:
- Climate-Resilient Forest Systems (“How forests function and respond to climate change”)
- Adaptive and Multifunctional Forest Management Systems (“How forests should be managed under changing conditions”)
- Timber and Innovative Wood-Based Products (“How wood is transformed into innovative products”)
- Forest Value Chains, Markets and Governance (“How forest-based sectors, markets and governance are organised”)
Project proposals must always be submitted under a single theme that best corresponds to their main focus. Each theme has its own evaluation and ranking list. The themes are not exhaustive, and interdisciplinary proposals are not excluded.
Projects may be submitted by international project consortia comprising at least 3 eligible partners from at least 3 participating countries (of which at least 3 must be EU Member States or associated countries). At least two of the participating countries must be eligible for EU funding under this call. Research organisations, businesses, public authorities and non-profit organisations may join the consortia. However, the eligibility of a specific entity is always determined by the rules of its national funding body.
The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic is participating in the call alongside the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture. The Czech part of the projects will be funded from the SIGMA programme (Sub-objective 4 – International Cooperation). The total amount of support from the TA CR for this call is EUR 500,000, of which a maximum of EUR 170,000 may be allocated to a single project. The maximum support intensity from the Czech side of the project is 80 per cent of the total eligible costs. In addition to the international rules, applicants must meet the national conditions set by the TA CR. Czech applicants must participate in projects whose results are applicable in the Czech Republic. The conditions for the involvement of a Czech applicant are published on the TA ČR call page in the ‘Documents’ section.
Those interested in the call may attend the following events:
- 30 September 2026 | In-person partner meeting – during the EUFORE Final Conference 2026 (29–30 September 2026, Brussels), a meeting will take place aimed at connecting potential partners, fostering collaboration and facilitating the formation of project consortia.
- 6 October 2026 | Networking webinar – focused on finding project partners, supporting the establishment of cooperation and forming project consortia. (registration)
Useful documents
- Call text
- Annexes I to VI – Information on the international part of the call
- Electronic System for Application Submission and Evaluation (ESES)
- Detailed information and documents for Czech applicants
- Current list of countries and funding providers
Interested parties may submit shortened project proposals (so-called pre-proposals) by 2 December 2026, 13:00. Please send project proposals, including the relevant cover letter (faculty approval), by email to ludmila.hrabakova@upol.cz well in advance of the deadline for submitting the application and related attachments, no later than 1 December 2026 by 12.00. The application must be sent using the specific project’s acronym.
If you are interested in consultation or support with the preparation and submission of a project application, please contact the staff at the UP Project Service. We will be happy to provide you with both methodological and administrative support.
The TA ČR programme falls within the remit of: Mgr. Eva Novosádová
eva.novosadova@upol.cz
58 563 1401
Source: TA ČR, FOREST Partnership