TÜBİTAK Announces 2026 PRIMA Call to Fund International Water and Sustainable Agriculture Projects Across the Mediterranean

TÜBİTAK launches the 2026 PRIMA call, funding international research in water management and agri-food systems to build Mediterranean climate resilience.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 10:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

The Strategic Framework for Mediterranean Environmental Innovation

The Mediterranean region faces escalating challenges related to water scarcity and food security, prompting a coordinated response from international research bodies. TÜBİTAK has officially launched the 2026 PRIMA call, a program designed to foster collaboration between Mediterranean nations to develop sustainable solutions for water management and agricultural systems. By integrating resources from the Horizon Europe Program with national funding bodies, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-ready environmental technology. This strategic framework recognizes that the unique climate of the Mediterranean requires a localized, multi-disciplinary approach to maintain the stability of regional food supplies.

Funding Streams for Climate Resilient Infrastructure

The current call is divided into two distinct sections, each targeting specific technical hurdles within the agri-food sector. The first section, supported by Horizon Europe, prioritizes high-impact topics such as the decentralized desalination of brackish water to support climate-resilient agriculture. Additional focus areas include the development of sustainable, next-generation animal feed and the local processing of perishable goods to reduce waste. These projects are intended to strengthen regional governance through the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus framework, ensuring that improvements in one sector do not inadvertently degrade another critical resource.

National Support for Digital Agriculture and River Restoration

The second section of the PRIMA call relies on the participation of national funding agencies, requiring research teams to submit dual applications to both PRIMA and their respective home institutions. Under the umbrella of water management, this section emphasizes the ecosystem-based restoration of seasonal rivers and the implementation of improved water allocation strategies. In the realm of agricultural systems, proposals are expected to leverage remote monitoring and control technologies to combat pests and diseases. Furthermore, the agri-food value chain component will prioritize context-sensitive digital solutions aimed at enhancing the traceability of products from farm to table.