Call for proposals to support research into the role of soil as both a source of life-saving antibiotics and a potential hotspot for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). is sponsored by European Commission (under Horizon Europe). This call seeks to understand how land use and human activities influence the development and transfer of resistance genes between the environment, animals, and humans, employing a One-Health approach.

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# Call for proposals to enhance understanding of antimicrobial resistance development in soils, its drivers, and its impact on human and animal health Call for proposals by the European Commission to explore the source and dynamics of antimicrobial resistance development and the mechanisms for antibiotic biosynthesis in soils across all relevant land use types.

Call ID: HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-02 Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from nonassociated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.

Unless otherwise provided for in the specific call conditions, legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in actions provided that the consortium includes: at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Total funding available: EUR 14. 00 million Award range: around EUR 7.

00 million Soil biodiversity plays a major role in human, animal and ecosystem health. Soil microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) have been crucial in the discovery of antibiotics used in human and veterinary medicine. However, soils can also be a hotspot for antimicrobial resistance development and can play a key role in the transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes between organisms and environmental compartments.

Antibiotic use is expected to increase globally due to the rising demand for food-producing animals, which may further exacerbate the development of antimicrobial resistance in soils. According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to public health.

The driving forces for antimicrobial resistance development in soils are however understudied, as well as the role of soils in the exposure of humans and animals to antimicrobial resistance determinants. Moreover, our knowledge of antibiotics-related genes is currently limited, making it challenging to identify new compounds of interest.

To better understand and combat antimicrobial resistance development in soils, a One-Health approach is needed. explore the source and dynamics of antimicrobial resistance development and the mechanisms VIEW IN BROWSER - FORWARD BY EMAIL - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION The above text is a summary of original content published on the website of the European Commission (or related institutions). Licensed under CC BY 4.

0. for antibiotic biosynthesis in soils across all relevant land use types.

The role of land use, land management practices and other environmental and anthropogenic driving factors should be identified and taken into account; analyse the role of soils in the transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes among organisms and environmental compartments and in the exposure of humans and animals to antimicrobial resistance genes and organisms; expand databases of antibiotics-related genes and antibiotic alternatives from soil develop concrete guidelines for policymakers and land managers to: i) better address the exposure of humans and animals to antimicrobial resistant genes and organisms; and, ii) facilitate the discovery of new molecules of pharmaceutical interest; carry out communication and awareness raising activities targeted to citizens on the importance of soil and soil biodiversity for human, animal and environmental health as well as on their potential as a source of molecules of interest for pharmaceutical purposes.

In carrying out the activities, consortia should work in an interdisciplinary way bringing together life sciences, environmental sciences, health sciences and veterinary sciences. Proposals are expected to collaborate with the projects funded under HORIZON-HLTH-2024-DISEASE-09-01: European Partnership: One Health Anti-Microbial Resistance.

Proposals should also demonstrate a route towards open access, longevity, sustainability and interoperability of knowledge and outputs through close collaboration with the EU Soil Observatory and the SoilWise project. Proposals should therefore include dedicated tasks and appropriate resources for collaboration with relevant projects and initiatives and engage in relevant Mission Soil clustering activities.

Activities under this topic will help progress towards the objectives and targets of the Mission Soil and of the EU Soil Strategy for 2030, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the European One Health Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance as well as the Sustainable Development Goals [1] .

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: policymakers, land managers and other relevant stakeholders have an enhanced understanding of antimicrobial resistance development in soils, the key drivers and pathways of soil’s contribution to human and animal exposure to antimicrobial resistant genes and organisms, as well as antibiotic biosynthesis in soils; policymakers and land managers have increased access and capacity to implement evidence- based strategies aimed at reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance development in soils and minimising the exposure of humans and animals to antimicrobial resistant genes and organisms; policymakers and other relevant stakeholders benefit from improved access to enriched databases of antibiotics-related genes and antibiotic alternatives from soil microorganisms; citizens are more aware of the importance of soil and soil biodiversity for human, animal and environmental health as well as on their potential as a source of molecules of interest for pharmaceutical purposes.

Disclaimer: The information shown here is a summary. In case of any discrepancy between a translation and the original English text, the English version shall prevail. For complete application details, please VIEW IN BROWSER - FORWARD BY EMAIL - MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION The above text is a summary of original content published on the website of the European Commission (or related institutions).

Licensed under CC BY 4. 0. view the full text on the issuing authority’s official website by clicking the link below.

Method of submission of the application: Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System.

Deadline: 23 September 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time Contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. # Visit the official webpage of the call for more details Call for proposals to enhance understanding of antimicrobial resistance development in soils, its drivers, and its impact on human and animal health HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 12.

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