Advancing Earth System Models to increase understanding of Earth system change

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-02 is part of the Horizon Europe initiative, specifically under the Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA). It aims to advance Earth System Models (ESMs) to enhance understanding of climate system changes, focusing on improving the accuracy of climate predictions and supporting international climate policies.

Eligible applicant types include universities, research institutes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and other organizations engaged in research and innovation activities. The grant favors collaboration, often requiring a consortium of at least three independent entities from different EU member states or associated countries.

The funding type is a lump-sum grant, covering 100% of eligible costs for projects under this initiative. The geographic eligibility extends to legal entities in EU member states, associated countries, and potentially allows participation from non-EU countries through specific arrangements emphasizing international cooperation.

The target sector is primarily climate science and environmental research, focusing on improving ESMs to better assess climate change impacts and develop mitigation strategies. While specific countries are not mentioned, the eligibility aligns with the broader scope of EU member states and associated countries.

The grant is aimed at projects in the research and development stages. Although the specific funding amount is not detailed in the raw data, similar Horizon Europe RIAs typically range from €1M to €5M per project, subject to the proposal's quality and alignment with the call's objectives.

The application process follows a single-stage open call, with proposals due by September 24, 2025. The nature of support includes financial assistance through lump-sum grants, with disbursements contingent upon achieving predefined milestones. Success rates are estimated to range from 10% to 39%, given the competitive nature of Horizon Europe.

Co-funding is not required, as this grant provides full funding to successful applicants. Projects are encouraged to employ advanced technologies such as machine learning and big data analytics, promote open science, and ensure that all outputs meet FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).

In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to foster collaborative research that enhances ESMs, enabling more accurate climate projections and supporting evidence-based policymaking. The process is designed to stimulate innovation while fostering international partnerships, particularly with countries in the Global South. The initiative emphasizes improving the representation of complex interactions within the climate system and enhancing the scientific foundation for climate policies.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Call Cluster 5 Call 06-2025 (WP 2025) (HORIZON-CL5-2025-06) for "Advancing Earth System Models to increase understanding of Earth system change" under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA). The type of Model Grant Agreement is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. The call is currently open for submission as a single-stage model, with the opening date on May 6, 2025, and a deadline of September 24, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects are: Advanced understanding and capability to predict the future evolution of the Earth system, at global to local spatial scales and from weather to climate timescales, including the socio-economic and environmental impacts of these changes; Advanced understanding and capability to predict regional climate variability, including extreme events and regional water cycle, in particular, regional precipitation; Strengthened collaboration and cross-fertilisation across available approaches to Earth system and climate modelling science, enabling a joint contribution to the next generation of Earth system models (ESMs); Long-term science, modelling and evidence base to support European and international polices are advanced.

The scope of this call is to address the limitations in Earth System Models (ESMs) concerning poorly understood and simulated processes, interactions, and feedbacks that affect the accuracy of predictions and projections of global and regional Earth system change and climate variability, especially regarding the interaction of variability with extreme events, precipitation, and water availability.

Actions should address all of the following aspects: Improving the simulation of the coupled Earth system and its sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic forcings, with a better representation of key Earth system and climate feedbacks and processes, including, among others, one or more of the following advances: The interplay between global change, regional climate variability, and changes in climate and weather extremes; Terrestrial-ocean-climate interactions; Coupled climate-carbon-water cycle feedbacks; Coupled climate-ocean-ice interactions; Aerosol-cloud-climate forcing and feedback; Climate-vegetation-fire interactions; Climate-air quality interactions; Interactions between land use scenarios (in terms of changes in the land use and surface, such as those related to carbon dioxide removal, with consequences on the water and carbon cycles, albedo and aerosols). Increased collaboration across different model development approaches encompassing the range of available model resolutions and model realism. Bring together and further improve existing and new observational and reanalysis datasets, models, emulators, and analysis tools to facilitate rapid and in-depth bias identification, model calibration and validation, and evaluation and understanding of model simulations.

The call emphasizes the use of digital technologies like machine learning, big data analytics, and AI, promoting transparency and openness by managing data in compliance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Beneficiaries must publish results data in open access repositories and provide open access to new or improved modules, models, or tools. Projects should also consider activities that ensure and improve the quality of scientific software and code.

Coordination and participation in networking, intercomparison, and joint activities are strongly encouraged to maximize synergies and complementarities. Clustering activities with other relevant projects within and outside Horizon Europe are also recommended. Proposals should allocate resources for these purposes and consider results from relevant past and ongoing projects. Coordination with projects funded under topics HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-01 and HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-02 is expected.

International cooperation, particularly with the Global South, is encouraged to promote capacity and consensus building, such as training early career researchers.

The general conditions include: Admissibility Conditions (proposal page limit and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and Part B of the Application Form), Eligible Countries (as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries), Other Eligible Conditions (subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks, as described in Annex B), Financial and operational capacity and exclusion (described in Annex C), Evaluation and award (criteria, scoring, and thresholds described in Annex D; submission and evaluation processes described in Annex F and the Online Manual; indicative timeline described in Annex F), and Legal and financial set-up of the grants (eligible costs as lump sums defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021). Beneficiaries must ensure open access to new or improved modules, models, or tools.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreements (MGA) are available in the Submission System, including standard application forms (HE RIA, IA, CSA, RI, COFUND) and evaluation form templates. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements (HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, Operating Grants MGA, Framework Partnership Agreement FPA), and call-specific instructions (Detailed budget table (HE LS), Information on financial support to third parties (HE), Information on clinical studies (HE), Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?").

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 (General Introduction, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Research Infrastructures, Health, Culture, creativity and inclusive society, Civil Security for Society, Digital, Industry and Space, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE), Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area, Missions, General Annexes), HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for 2025 includes several HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), as well as HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND) with varying budgets, opening dates (May 6, 2025), deadlines (September 24, 2025), and indicative numbers of grants.

There are 12 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants can publish partner requests.

To start the submission process, users must access the Electronic Submission Service and select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

Support resources include the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, the European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search tools.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to improve Earth System Models by incorporating advanced digital technologies and promoting collaboration to enhance the accuracy of climate predictions and support international climate policies. The call encourages projects that address poorly understood processes in ESMs, promote open science practices, and foster international cooperation, particularly with the Global South. The funding is provided as lump sums, and the call is a single-stage process with a deadline in September 2025.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) and COFUND, the eligible applicants are likely to include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities, as well as public and private entities. The encouragement of international cooperation, particularly with the Global South, suggests that entities from low- to middle-income countries are also potentially eligible, or at least can participate as partners.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND). The eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity encourages clustering activities with other relevant projects within and outside of Horizon Europe, suggesting that a consortium is preferred, although not explicitly stated as mandatory. Partner search announcements are available, indicating that applicants are expected to collaborate.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be EU member states and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. However, the mention of non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific provisions and the encouragement of international cooperation with the Global South indicates that participation from these regions is possible, subject to specific funding arrangements.

Target Sector: The program targets the climate, energy, and mobility sectors, specifically focusing on advancing Earth System Models (ESMs) to improve understanding and prediction of Earth system changes. This includes climate science, climate modeling, use of digital technologies like machine learning and AI, and open science practices.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions the "Global South" as a region for encouraged international cooperation, but does not list specific countries. The Horizon Europe List of Participating Countries on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal should be consulted for a list of low- to middle-income countries automatically eligible for Horizon Europe funding.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation, as indicated by the HORIZON-RIA action type. The focus is on improving existing models, integrating new data, and developing new modules and tools, suggesting projects should be in the research, development, validation, and demonstration stages.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic, with the following ranges:
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-01: EUR 30,000,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-02: EUR 15,000,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-03: EUR 7,500,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-04: EUR 12,000,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-06: EUR 15,000,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-07: EUR 4,000,000
HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D2-07: EUR 56,000,000
The indicative number of grants also varies by topic.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. They will also receive non-monetary services such as guidance, access to networks, and support from National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The HORIZON-COFUND action (HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D2-07) implies a co-funding requirement, where the EU provides funding to support a program that is also funded by other sources, likely national or regional funding agencies. The other HORIZON-RIA and HORIZON-CSA actions do not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement, but it is common for Horizon Europe projects to encourage or require some level of in-kind contribution from the beneficiaries.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on "Advancing Earth System Models to increase understanding of Earth system change." It aims to improve the accuracy and realism of Earth System Models (ESMs) to better predict future climate changes and their impacts. The call is structured around several topics, each with a specific budget and scope, ranging from improving climate simulations to supporting coordination and co-funding actions. The call encourages international cooperation, particularly with the Global South, and emphasizes the use of digital technologies like AI and machine learning. Projects should promote open science practices and ensure that models, data, and tools areFindable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Eligible applicants include a wide range of research and innovation actors, such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises, primarily from EU member states and associated countries, with opportunities for participation from non-EU countries, especially those in the Global South. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call seeks to strengthen the science and evidence base for European and international climate policies by advancing the next generation of Earth system models.