AgroServ: an integrated multi-RI platform supporting agroecological transition

Agriculture today faces a complex set of challenges, with agricultural lands threatened in two aspects: the impact of climate change and the environmental and social consequences of current agricultural practices. To address this urgent need for more sustainable and resilient food production systems, AgroServ was established as a collaborative project designed to support transdisciplinary solutions. AgroServ brings together researchers, cutting-edge research facilities, industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the farming community into a collaborative ecosystem to accelerate agroecological research and innovation, and knowledge exchange.

With 73 partners across more than 20 countries, AgroServ provides 143 research services distributed within 12 RIs that address areas ranging from molecular processes to ecosystems and social sciences, designed to advance sustainable agriculture practices. Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program (grant agreement No. 101058020), AgroServ has been operating from 2022 to 2027, creating a unique ecosystem that enables cross-sector collaboration through the excellence-based selection of transdisciplinary research projects combining several research services. These services are open to a global agroecology community, including researchers, industry representatives, advisors, innovators, and farmers’ organisations, both within and outside Europe.

To date, AgroServ has successfully launched and completed four Transnational and Virtual Access (TA/VA) calls, with two more calls planned in 2026. Initial findings indicate a balanced mix of early-career and established researchers (57.9% and 42.1%, respectively) among the principal applicants. In addition, data from applications across the 49 selected projects from the first three calls reflected a diverse range of institutions, including universities (64%), applied research centres (26%), industry (9%) and government (2%). The geographical reach of the proposals was also broad, with submissions from across the EU, associated countries, and some non-EU participants, including several low- and mid-income countries.

Beyond its operational period, AgroServ aims to leave a lasting legacy for the global agroecology community. The networks, research services, and insights developed during the project are designed to continue supporting sustainable agriculture. By connecting researchers, policymakers, industry, and farmers, AgroServ envisions a future where knowledge flows seamlessly across borders, accelerating the adoption of resilient, environmentally sound food systems and empowering agricultural communities for years to come.