AgriSphere Solutions Open Call

Open call for international pilot testing. Funding to pilot your digital‑agriculture solution in Japan, Spain, and Cyprus.

Applications open July 1st, 2026 and close October 2nd, 2026.

Apply now New here? Join the network

Overview

Programme at a Glance

AgriSphere Solutions is an international pilot‑support programme that helps startups, researchers, and technology teams in digital agriculture test and validate their solutions in Japan, Spain, and Cyprus. It is delivered by a three‑country consortium comprising Cyprus University of Technology, Tecnova Technology Centre, and OIST Innovation, as part of the EIG CONCERT‑Japan Joint Call.

payments Budget €10,000 per partner country visited. Up to €20,000 total.
eco Focus Digital transformation & robotics in sustainable agriculture
groups Who it's for Startups, research ventures, spinouts, early-stage tech
school Entry gate Join the network and complete 4 training activities before applying

Key dates

1 Jul 2026 Open Call opens
2 Oct 2026 Application deadline
11 Nov 2026 Results announced
From Mar 2027 Pilots begin
Apply now View eligibility

Funding

What the Funding Covers

Each selected company receives €10,000 per partner country visited, up to a maximum of €20,000 per company. Visit one partner country or both.

If you're based in
Spain
arrow_downward
Cyprus €10,000
Japan €10,000
If you're based in
Cyprus
arrow_downward
Spain €10,000
Japan €10,000
If you're based in
Japan
arrow_downward
Spain €10,000
Cyprus €10,000

Beyond the funding

Access to AgriSphere partner networks in Japan, Spain, and Cyprus, plus support for pilot planning, stakeholder introductions, and ecosystem engagement.

Currency

Submit budgets in EUR. Teams selected through the Japan programme later provide an updated budget in JPY.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply

The programme is for teams building and validating digital‑agriculture technology.

check_circle

This is for you if…

  • checkYou're an agri‑tech or food‑tech startup
  • checkYou're a research‑based venture or university spinout
  • checkYou're an early‑stage technology company
  • checkYou're preparing for pilot testing or international expansion
cancel

Not a fit if…

  • closeYou're a traditional farming operation without a technology component
  • closeYou're a non‑technology‑based agricultural business
  • closeYou have no clear pilot‑testing objective
  • closeYou're at the idea stage with no prototype or validation activity

Examples of eligible technologies

AI & data‑driven agriculture Robotics & automation Precision agriculture Sensors & IoT Farm‑management platforms Climate & sustainability tech Aquaculture tech Digital agriculture infrastructure

Only solutions related to digital transformation and robotics in sustainable agriculture qualify for funding.

The journey

How the Programme Works

From joining the network to piloting your solution abroad: five steps, one continuous journey.

1

Join the AgriSphere Network

The entry gate: register as a member of the network before anything else.

Join the network
2

Complete the training programme (mandatory)

Complete a minimum of 4 AgriSphere training activities (webinars, workshops, seminars, or ecosystem events, online or in person and self-reported). If you missed earlier sessions, you can catch up using the available training content before submitting your application.

View training programme
3

Submit your application

Send the online form together with your pilot proposal and budget (plus any optional materials), and show your engagement with the programme.

4

Evaluation & country matching

Reviewed by the consortium and an external evaluator; you may be invited to a short interview. See how proposals are assessed.

5

Pilot abroad

Preparation & matching run Dec 2026 – Feb 2027; pilot activities begin from March 2027 (window to December 2027). A pilot should last more than three months, though you need not be on‑site the whole time. For example, you may travel at the beginning and again at the end.

You can catch up on training before you apply. If you have not yet completed the 4 required activities, use the available training sessions and recordings to meet the requirement before submitting your application.

The full timeline

Training, application, and execution: the three phases in detail.

  1. Oct 1, 2025

    Join the AgriSphere Network

  3. Jan – Jul 2026

    Training Period

  4. Jan 1, 2026

    Training Programme Begins

    Participate in the training programme and networking events.

  5. Jul 1, 2026

    Training Programme Completed

    Now available to review on our website.

  7. Jul – Nov 2026

    Application Period

  8. Jul 1, 2026

    Open Call Launch

    Applications are now open. Apply for funding to pilot your technology.

  9. Oct 2, 2026

    Application Deadline

  10. Oct 5 – Nov 10, 2026

    Evaluation Period

    Applications are reviewed by the consortium. Second-stage interviews may be held with applicants on an as-needed basis.

  11. Nov 11, 2026

    Selection Results Announced

    Following the consortium review meeting on 9–10 November.

  13. Dec 2026 – Dec 2027

    Execution Period

  14. Dec 2026 – Feb 2027

    Pilot Preparation & Matching

  15. From March 2027

    Pilot Activities Begin

    Pilot your technologies in Cyprus, Spain, and Japan. A pilot spans more than three months, but your presence need not be continuous.

  16. Dec 2027

    Pilot Phase Ends

  18. Feb 2028 (TBD)

    Attend our final event and demonstrate your solution.

  19. The AgriSphere network continues beyond the project.

Start your application

Requires network membership and completion of 4 training activities before applying.

What you'll submit

Required Materials

Download and use the two official templates below. Name your completed files OrganizationName_Pilot Proposal and OrganizationName_Budget.

description

Pilot Proposal

PDF, 2–4 pages. The template is structured as:

  • •Target country/countries + Pilot Lead & Travel Plan (who travels where)
  • •1. Pilot objectives & key hypothesis
  • •2. Why this country?
  • •3. Potential collaborators & stakeholders (2–5)
  • •4. Pilot activities & support needed
  • •5. Expected outcomes & success metrics
  • •6. Timeline & travel plan

Pilot testing runs March – December 2027; a pilot should span more than three months, and you need not be on‑site the whole time.

download Download proposal template (.docx)
request_quote

Budget

Spreadsheet or PDF. Using the official template:

  • •Project info: organisation, target countries, currency (EUR), pilot start/end dates, number travelling
  • •Categories: Travel · Equipment & supplies · Personnel & services → Total requested
  • •Limits: up to €10,000 per partner country, €20,000 total
  • •Include practical costs such as rental cars and translation, especially for Spain & Japan
  • •Submit in EUR; Japan‑funded teams later resubmit in JPY
download Download budget template (.xlsx)

Optional supporting materials

Pitch deck Pilot photos / demos Letters of support Letters of intent Technical validation Publications or patents

Selection

Evaluation & Selection

Applications are reviewed by the consortium partners together with at least one independent external evaluator.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a brief online interview (second‑stage interviews, on an as‑needed basis) to clarify their application or discuss with country partners.

Country matching: selection does not guarantee placement in all requested countries. Final matching depends on feasibility, ecosystem fit, and partner capacity.

Budget

Eligible Costs

The funding (€10,000 per partner country, up to €20,000 per company) covers expenses tied to short‑term international visits and pilot activities.

Travel Equipment & supplies Personnel & services

The precise list of eligible expenses is set by the programme, in line with consortium regulations, and is communicated to selected participants.

Resources

Resources & Contact

play_circle

Information session & webinars

Watch Cyprus University of Technology, Tecnova, and OIST Innovation introduce the programme, its facilities, funding, and collaboration opportunities. Webinar recordings count towards your training activities.
mail

Questions?

Email the AgriSphere Solutions team and we'll be glad to help.

agrisphere.solutions.eig@gmail.com

Ready to pilot your solution in Japan, Spain, or Cyprus?

A unique pathway from training to mentoring and funded piloting abroad, designed to help you de‑risk your innovation and accelerate to market.

Apply now

Requires network membership and completion of 4 training activities before applying.