Developing knowledge and solutions for resilient forests and a sustainable forest-based future Grant

About this grant

This is a pre-announcement from the French National Research Agency (ANR) for the first joint call of the European Partnership on Forests, Forestry and the Forest-Based Sector: Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Transition (FOREST), titled FOREST Pathways, 2027 edition, 'Developing knowledge and solutions for resilient forests and a sustainable forest-based future'. The partnership aims to mobilise research and innovation to accelerate the transition towards sustainable use of forest resources and a circular wood-based bioeconomy, reducing fragmentation across member states and associated countries and fostering innovation and competitiveness in the forest sector. Its objective is to support forest management that is biodiversity-respecting, climate-adapted, multifunctional and sustainable, while building a more productive, resource-efficient and resilient sector. The joint call brings together 38 research funding organisations from 28 countries, with an indicative total budget of over EUR 40 million including EU co-funding. The call deliberately covers a broad range of themes to allow flexibility and synergies, aligned with the partnership's Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Indicative themes are: Theme 1 on climate-resilient forest systems; Theme 2 on adaptive and multifunctional forest management systems; Theme 3 on structural timber and innovative wood-based products; and Theme 4 on forest value chains, markets and governance. The page notes that the call is in pre-announcement phase, that thematic areas are indicative and subject to final approval, and that the definitive call text (themes, participation conditions and budgets) will be published at official launch. The indicative opening is September 2026 and closing is December 2026. Information webinars and networking events are scheduled for September and October 2026, including a national information session co-organised by the French National Contact Point for Cluster 6 and ANR, and a matchmaking session at the EUFORE 2026 closing conference.

Eligibility

The page does not state final eligibility rules; these will be published with the official call text. Participation is described at partnership level, with the call open to stakeholders from EU Member States and associated countries across 28 participating countries, with France represented by ANR. Participation from Austria and Iceland is pending.

Key requirements

• ✓Projects must address one of four themes: climate-resilient forest systems, adaptive multifunctional forest management, innovative wood products, or forest value chains, markets and governance
• ✓Applicants must follow the eligibility rules for French candidates and the evaluation process set out in the call text and annexes on the FOREST partnership website
• ✓Consortia must meet the joint call's multi-country partnership requirements, as participating funders fund their national partners

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Developing knowledge and solutions for resilient forests and a sustainable forest-based future?

Eligibility covers organisations in EU, FR; university, research-institution, sme, large-company, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Forestry funding supports afforestation, reforestation, sustainable forest management and avoided deforestation. Money flows from climate finance, nature programmes, results-based payments and corporate buyers of forest carbon. Calls typically require land tenure clarity, community engagement and a credible plan to monitor tree survival over time.