The first INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call was launched on 23 December 2024 and remained open for applications until 20 March 2025. The call invited all eligible Local Innovation Hubs (LIHs) to submit proposals.

A Local Innovation Hub (LIH) is a consortium of 2 to maximum 3 legal entities, which may include civil society organizations (CSOs), such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives, as well as secondary and tertiary education institutions. These institutions may include secondary/high schools (for learners aged 16+), vocational schools (professional institutions), polytechnical/technical universities, agricultural and fisheries colleges, and special needs schools or organizations.

Through this Open Call, INCiTiS-FOOD is allocating a total budget of €940,000 to support eight Local Innovation Hubs. Each selected consortium will receive €117,500, with the provision that no individual member organisation within a funded consortium may receive more than €58,750.

A total of 65 applications were submitted, of which 57 successfully passed the eligibility check and proceeded to the evaluation phase. Following the evaluation process, eight consortia were selected for funding.