Leveraging R&I knowledge on microbiome

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• provides a microbiome one-stop-shop containing resources and knowledge (information on microbiome R&I landscape, databases, best practices, risk assessments and food safety, aspects related to the environment and biodiversity, policy briefs…) for stakeholders involved in microbiome R&I (researchers, policymakers and regulators);
• guidance for policymakers focusing on the integrated link between microbiome and its interconnection with human health, climate, environment, agriculture and food systems (emphasising the One Health perspective);
• enhanced integration and coordination between member states and associated countries on microbiome research and innovation within a One Health context, encompassing all kinds of microbiomes.

Scope

Microbiome research, adopting a holistic approach through a One Health perspective, has gained traction recently but research remains fragmented and there is a need for a coordination body that monitors research in this sector and steer research efforts in a strategical direction. Nevertheless, regulatory requirements remain one of the biggest challenges translating microbiome research to innovative solutions and such body would reinsure continuity of regulatory harmonisation efforts, conducted by previous and existing initiatives.

The topic is relevant to the EU policies related to the Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the EU life science strategy, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the zero pollution action plan, the EU strategy on research and technology infrastructure, the R&I food 2030 framework, and the digital transition policies (e.g., AI Act, etc).

Proposals should address all the following activities:

• establishment of a hub acting as a resource centre and a monitoring body of the microbiome R&I and regulatory landscape; fostering and strengthening synergies between existing coordination efforts and national initiatives in alignment with EU microbiome initiatives;
• mapping of all ongoing and past EU-based microbiome projects, EU research and technology infrastructures, and EU initiatives (public and private); identify overlaps, synergies, and gaps across all microbiome domains notably to inform future funding and policy directions;
• collaborating with relevant ongoing initiatives (e.g. the World Microbiome Partnership), EU-funded projects (e.g. HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-11), and build on outcomes of legacy EU microbiome projects, among others, to ensure coordinated action, avoid duplication of efforts, build on existing achievements, and foster financial synergies by identifying microbiome R&I funding gaps;
• monitoring and assessing the microbiome R&I impact on the population, the environment, biodiversity, the EU economy and competitiveness through specific indicators targeting EU and national policies priorities with an emphasis on One Health principles and across all microbiome types.