The interconnection and mutual dependency of food and water resources are particularly evident in the Mediterranean region, one of the world's driest agricultural areas.
In the Mediterranean region, 70% of water resources are used for agriculture. Considering the scarcity of this valuable resource, clean and forward-looking water management is essential for the sustainable future of the Mediterranean basin. However, factors such as ecosystem degradation, climate change, and reductions in available agricultural land and water resources significantly impact the potential for food production. Water scarcity, declining water quality, and overuse of water resources also contribute to decreases in food production.
Therefore, PRIMA participant countries have focused on finding effective and sustainable innovative solutions for food production and water supply in the region, leading to the establishment of the PRIMA Program.
The PRIMA Program (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) aims to support international and multi-partner research and innovation projects in the fields of water resources and food systems. It seeks to ensure the participation of researchers from numerous countries in the northern and southern Mediterranean in project calls, deliver project outcomes and innovative solutions to end users, and provide support for pilot actions.
The PRIMA Program (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) supports international and multi-partner research and innovation projects in the fields of water resources and food systems. It aims to encourage researchers from many countries in the northern and southern Mediterranean to participate in project calls, deliver innovative solutions to end-users, and support pilot actions.
This multi-partner international research support program operates under Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Launched in 2018, it will run for 10 years. The program supports international and multi-partner research and innovation projects in water, food, agriculture, and agri-food value chains. Numerous countries from the northern and southern Mediterranean participate in these international project calls.
Participants from 20 countries have pledged a total fund of €274 million over 10 years. Additionally, €220 million has been allocated to the program through Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe.
The PRIMA Foundation, based in Barcelona, manages collaborative research and innovation calls under the program.
Participating countries include: Germany, Bulgaria, France, Portugal, Croatia, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
The supported projects under PRIMA are divided into two sections:
- Section 1: EU-Funded Projects
These projects are funded throughout the program by resources allocated to PRIMA from Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe. Applications are submitted only to PRIMA. - Section 2: Nationally Funded Projects (Without EU Contribution)
These projects are supported solely by national funds pledged by funding organizations to PRIMA. Project teams must submit applications both to PRIMA and their respective national funding agencies. Turkish teams apply through TÜBİTAK.
Consortiums for international project calls under PRIMA Consortiums for international project calls under PRIMA must include researchers from at least three different participating countries and at least four distinct legal entities*:
Consortiums for international project calls under PRIMA must include researchers from at least three different participating countries and at least four distinct legal entities*:
- At least one legal entity from an EU member state or a Horizon Europe-associated country not bordering the Mediterranean (e.g., Germany, France).
- At least two legal entities from PRIMA-participating third countries or Mediterranean-bordering countries (e.g., Türkiye, Algeria).
- At least one legal entity from any PRIMA-participating country
*In Section 1 applications, in addition to the above consortium structure, consortia must include at least one Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) established in a PRIMA Participating State.
You can register in the PRIMA independent external evaluator database through the Research and Innovation section on the official PRIMA website.
To find partners and form a consortium for calls opened under the program, you can access the Partner Search Tool on the official PRIMA website via the "Join Our Community" section.
Section 1: EU-Funded Projects
Projects in this section are financed by funds allocated from Horizon Europe. Applications are submitted online via PRIMA without national application requirements.
For the call text and submission: https://prima-med.org/submit-your-project/
Section 1- 2025 Call Topics:
Thematic Area 1: Water Management in Nexus
Topic 1.1.1-2025 (IA): Upscaling Nature Based Solutions for sustainable water management to address extreme events in the Mediterranean.
Thematic Area 2: Farming Systems in Nexus
Topic 1.2.1-2025 (IA): Enhancement of Sustainable Farming Systems within Mediterranean Wetlands for Conservation and Coexistence.
Thematic Area 3: Agri-food value chain in Nexus
Topic 1.3.1-2025 (IA): Transforming Mediterranean Food Systems: Empowering Consumers for Sustainable Diets.
PRIMA Nexus Award
Topic: PRIMA Woman Greening Food Systems Award in the Mediterranean Region
Section 1 Deadlines:
Submission Deadline: July 15, 2025
Section 2: Nationally Funded Projects
These projects require applications to both PRIMA and national funding agencies. Turkish applicants must submit their proposals to TÜBİTAK.
For detailed call texts and international applications: https://prima-med.org/submit-your-project/
For national applications: https://uidb-pbs.tubitak.gov.tr/
For national application rules:
https://tubitak.gov.tr/sites/default/files/2025-04/PRIMA_2025_Ulusal_Basvuru_Kurallari.pdf
Section 2- 2025 Call Topics:
Thematic Area 1: Water Management in Nexus
Topic 2.1.1-2025 (RIA): Enhancing Policy Development through Impact-Driven Water Footprint and Virtual Water Concepts in the Mediterranean Region
Thematic Area 2: Farming Systems in Nexus
Topic 2.2.1-2025 (RIA): Upscaling Agroecology Practices at the Farm Level in the Mediterranean.
Thematic Area 3: Agri-food value chain in Nexus
Topic 2.3.1-2025 (RIA): Towards a Plant-Based Alternative Protein Products Transition in the Mediterranean Region.
Section 2 Deadlines:
International Submission (PRIMA)
- Deadline: July 8, 2025
National Submission (TÜBİTAK)
- Submission Deadline: July 14, 2025
- Electronic Signature Deadline: July 18, 2025
Section 3 consists of activities organized, managed, and funded by PRIMA participating states. These activities must align with the defined PRIMA objectives, as verified by international external experts and the European Commission. Such activities are supported by the European Union.
TÜBİTAK contributes to PRIMA Section 3 activities through a bilateral cooperation call launched with Xjenza Malta within the thematic areas of the PRIMA Program.
You can access projects supported in previous years under the PRIMA Program calls in the "Projects" section of the official PRIMA website.
For PRIMA call coordination:
- Ayşe SAYIN ÜKE
International Cooperation Department – Bilateral and Multilateral Relations Division
E-mail: ayse.sayin@tubitak.gov.tr
For national application processes:
- Dr. Ebru İMAMOĞLU
Directorate of Research Funding Programmes – International Cooperation Projects Research Funding Group
E-mail: ebru.imamoglu@tubitak.gov.tr
For PRIMA Section 1 Applications, here are the thematic area-specific contacts:
- Agricultural Systems Thematic Area: Fabrice Dentressangle
Email: fabrice.dentressangle@prima-med.org - Water Management Thematic Area: Marco Orlando
Email: marco.orlando@prima-med.org Agri-Food Value Chain Thematic Area: Nur Eda Demir
Email: eda.demir@prima-med.org
For PRIMA Section 2 International Applications: Ali Rhouma (ali.rhouma@prima-med.org)
Mohamed Wageih (mohamed.wageih@prima-med.org)
For further details, visit the PRIMA official website.