# PRIMA 2026 Call – Section 2 (Phase 2)

**Funder:** Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
**Budget:** €1.2M
**Deadline:** 29 September 2026 (12:00 p.m. Mainland Portugal time; Phase 2 deadline)
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 3 entities from 3 EU member states
**Application:** 2-stage: Phase 1 deadline May 15, 2026; Phase 2 deadline September 29, 2026
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** PT
**Official call:** https://www.fct.pt/en/concursos/prima-concurso-2026-seccao-2/
**Last verified:** 3 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funded by FCT under shared management with PRIMA. Portuguese national institutions eligible. Scope: water management, agricultural systems, and agri-food chain incorporating the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus approach. FCT provides €1.2M total budget for Portuguese participants in transnational consortia.

## Summary

PRIMA 2026 Section 2 (Phase 2) funds transnational research consortia tackling water management, agricultural systems, and the agri-food chain through a water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus approach. Portuguese national institutions can access up to €1.2M in FCT funding as part of larger EU-wide consortia requiring a minimum of three partners from three EU member states. This is a two-stage call with Phase 1 completed in May 2026 and Phase 2 deadline in September 2026.

## Who should apply

- Research teams at Portuguese national institutions (universities, research centres, public agencies)
- Consortia coordinators or partners planning to lead or co-lead transnational projects with at least 2 non-Portuguese EU partners
- Groups working on water management, sustainable agriculture, agri-food systems, or integrated water-energy-food-ecosystem research
- Teams with established cross-border collaborations or capacity to build them by the Phase 2 deadline

## Key dates

- Phase 1 deadline: 15 May 2026
- Phase 2 deadline: 29 September 2026, 12:00 p.m. Mainland Portugal time
- Annual call; Phase 2 evaluation and project start date not specified in metadata

## Tips for applicants

- Consortium composition is gating: you must have at least 3 partners from 3 different EU member states; lone Portuguese institutions cannot apply alone.
- The nexus approach (water-energy-food-ecosystems integration) is the strategic focus; proposals that treat these domains in isolation will score lower.
- Phase 2 submissions must build directly on Phase 1 feedback; ensure your Phase 1 reviewers' comments are visibly addressed in the full proposal.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can Portuguese institutions receive from PRIMA 2026 Section 2?

FCT provides up to €1.2M total for all Portuguese participants combined in this call. Individual institution allocations depend on the consortium structure and approved budget distribution.

### Is PRIMA 2026 Section 2 a two-stage process?

Yes. Phase 1 deadline was 15 May 2026; Phase 2 (full proposal) deadline is 29 September 2026. Only Phase 1 successful consortia may advance to Phase 2.

### What are the minimum consortium requirements for PRIMA 2026 Section 2?

A minimum of three entities from three different EU member states is required; Portugal is eligible but projects must include partners from at least two other EU countries.

### What research areas does PRIMA 2026 Section 2 fund?

Water management, sustainable agricultural systems, and agri-food chain research that integrates the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus approach.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fct-prima-2026-call-section-2-phase-2) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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