FOREST Partnership: call for proposals

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. Its 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 following topics are included:

• Topic 1 – Climate-resilient forest systems
  This topic supports research and innovation projects addressing the resilience, adaptive capacity and long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems under changing environmental conditions, including climate change and increasing disturbance pressures.

• Topic 2 – Adaptive and multifunctional forest management systems
  This topic supports research and innovation projects focused on the implementation of adaptive and multifunctional forest management systems that enhance resilience, sustainability, and the provision of multiple ecosystem services.

• Topic 3 – Timber and innovative wood-based products
  This topic supports research and innovation projects on the development, performance and uptake of timber and innovative wood-based products contributing to decarbonisation and the circular bioeconomy.

• Topic 4 – Forest value chains, markets and governance
  This topic supports research and innovation projects strengthening the resilience, sustainability and functioning of forest-based value chains, markets and governance systems, supporting the transition towards a sustainable and circular forest-based bioeconomy.

This joint call supports transnational research and innovation activities across the spectrum from fundamental research to applied research and, where appropriate, demonstration activities. Projects are expected to generate new knowledge, develop practical solutions and contribute to implementation in policy, management or industry contexts, while considering the diversity of forests and the forest-based sector.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate their relevance to one or more of the call topics and associated objectives and, where relevant, explain how the proposed activities contribute to broader European policy priorities and practical implementation needs. Projects are also encouraged to contribute to the science-policy interface through tools, methodologies, indicators or other relevant outputs.

Support from the SNSF

Swiss-based applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for SNSF Project Funding. It is advisable to contact the SNSF Administrative Offices if this will be your first application to the Swiss National Science Foundation. Along with the application to the FOREST Call Office, an administrative application must be submitted to the SNSF by the same deadline. The submission deadline for pre-proposals is 2 December 2026. For further details, please refer to the FOREST website.