FOREST

FOREST Call 2026

The European Partnership “FOrests, forestry, and the forest-based sector: REsearch and  innovation for a Sustainable Transition (FOREST)” aims to mobilise research and innovation to  accelerate the transition to a sustainable use of forest resources and a circular, timber-based,  bioeconomy. 

Serving as the primary instrument for collaboration among stakeholders in EU  Member States and Associated Countries, the partnership will facilitate coordinated research and  innovation (R&I) actions in order to reduce fragmentation and foster innovation and  competitiveness in the forest-based sector.

The purpose is to support further transformation  towards biodiverse, climate-adaptive, multifunctional and sustainable forest management,  innovating within the bioeconomy and helping achieve an increasingly productive, resource efficient and resilient sector.  

The first Joint Call of the European partnership FOREST brings together 38 Research Funding  Organisations (RFOs) from 28 countries. The total indicative call budget including EU co contribution is over EUR 40 million. 

Topics

This first Joint Call is intentionally broad in terms of the range of issues addressed. This allows the  partnership the flexibility to accommodate different research and innovation needs while  fostering synergies between these areas and aligning with goals outlined in the SRIA. The  following topics are included: 

TOPIC 1 – Climate-Resilient Forest Systems 
TOPIC 2 – Adaptive and Multifunctional Forest Management Systems 
TOPIC 3 – Timber and Innovative Wood-Based Products 
TOPIC 4 – Forest Value Chains, Markets and Governance 

*The specific topics and the participation of TA ČR are still to be decided.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS

To date, the following funding organisations/programme managers have expressed a preliminary  interest in participating in the call:

Belgium: FNRS, FWO // Bulgaria: BNSF // Brazil: CONFAP // Croatia:  MZOM // Czech Republic: TA ČR // Estonia: ETAG, MoC // Finland: MMM, AKA, BF // France: ANR // Germany: BMFTR/FZJ-PtJ, BMLEH/FNR // Hungary: NKFIH // Ireland: DAFM // Italy: MASAF, BOZEN // Latvia: LZP, LAAFS // Lithuania: LMT // Moldova: ANCD // The Netherlands: LVVN // Norway: RCN // Poland: NCBR // Romania: ANC // Slovakia: CVTI SR // Slovenia: MESY // Spain: AEI, CDTI // Sweden:  SWEA, VINNOVA, FORMAS // Switzerland: SNSF // Türkiye: TUBITAK // UK: DEFRA

Pending participation: Austria: BMLUK/FFG // Iceland: RANNIS

Please follow https://forestvalue.org/forest-partnership/ (temporary) for updates.

IMPORTANT DATES

 15.09.2026 | Official launch of the FOREST Joint Call 2026 

17.09.2026 | Information webinar: A webinar for interested applicants will take place  on 17 September 2026 (10:00 CET). Participants will receive an overview of the call and  a brief introduction to the submission and evaluation system. 

30.09.2026 | In-person partnering workshop: The EUFORE Final Conference 2026  (29–30 September 2026, Brussels) will feature a dedicated matchmaking session to  connect potential partners, foster collaboration, and support consortium building for  future projects.  

06.10.2026 | Networking webinar: On 6 October 2026 (10:00 CET), the FOREST  partnership will host a networking webinar to facilitate partner matchmaking and  support the formation and development of consortia.