Assessing and modelling ecosystems’ dynamic processes to guide restoration activities and to improve models used for climate

The Horizon Europe call, identified as HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-05, focuses on the assessment and modeling of dynamic ecosystem processes to guide restoration activities and enhance climate models. This initiative specifically aims at ecosystem restoration and securing the provision of ecosystem services, aligning with the European Climate Law and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The deadline for applications is September 17, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time, with a budget of 18 million euros and an indicative grant amount of around 6 million euros per proposal.

Eligible applicants include research consortia, universities, research institutions, and organizations with expertise in biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and climate modeling. The application process is single-stage and mandates that projects encompass partnerships from at least three EU Member States or Associated Countries. The projects should focus on either terrestrial or marine ecosystems and should contribute to the EU's biodiversity strategy targets, such as restoring degraded ecosystems and preventing habitat deterioration.

Proposals must develop models capable of simulating dynamic ecosystem processes, prioritizing ecosystem restoration activities that synergize with climate change mitigation efforts. They are encouraged to incorporate data from both in-situ and satellite observations and leverage the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) for data storage and access. Additionally, citizen science approaches are promoted to enhance transparency and data management practices in line with FAIR principles, ensuring that produced data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.

The projects should also allocate resources for collaboration with selected initiatives and address knowledge gaps identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Results generated should aid national authorities in integrating nature restoration initiatives into climate and land-use policy frameworks. Overall, the initiative aims to provide effective tools and knowledge for successful ecosystem restoration and sustainable management practices across Europe.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-05, focused on assessing and modelling ecosystems’ dynamic processes to guide restoration activities and improve climate models. It falls under Cluster 6 and is a single-stage call. The type of action is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement. The call opened on May 6, 2025, and has a deadline of September 17, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome is to improve knowledge and develop modelling tools for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, ensuring the provision of ecosystem services. This aligns with the objectives of the European Climate Law, promoting nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation. It also aims to enhance the coherence and mutual supportiveness of biodiversity and climate policies. Project results should contribute to: national authorities having updated knowledge and new modelling tools for restoration activities, and nature restoration being fully integrated into modelling frameworks for climate and land use policies.

The scope includes addressing the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 targets, such as restoring degraded ecosystems, preventing deterioration of habitats and species, and achieving favourable conservation status for at least 30% of habitats and species. It also supports the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which aims to restore at least 20% of land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The use of models is expected to support the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in areas such as: determining the good conditions of habitats, establishing threshold values for favourable reference areas, estimating ecological needs of species, understanding connectivity and functionality of Natura 2000 networks, and analyzing restoration pathways.

Proposals should focus on either Area A (terrestrial ecosystems) or Area B (marine ecosystems), clearly indicated in the application.

For both areas, R&I activities should: develop a model capable of simulating dynamic ecosystems processes, prioritize ecosystems with synergies between ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation/adaptation, address data gaps with direct observation, formulate practical guidelines for practitioners, and improve/expand models used for climate and land-use policies.

Proposals should build on existing project results and allocate resources for collaboration with other selected projects. They should also build on knowledge from IPBES assessment reports and provide timely information for future reports.

Data produced should be FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable), exploring workflows for “FAIR-by-design” data. The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) should be considered for data storage and access, including data from in-situ sensors and satellite-based Earth observations. A Citizen Science approach is encouraged. Actions should promote transparency and openness in models, including assumptions, protocols, code, and data managed according to FAIR principles.

This topic is part of the Earth System Science (ESSI) coordination initiative. Projects will cooperate with ESA's Future EO programme and other topics under this call: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-04 and HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-06. Proposals should allocate resources for effective coordination and foresee cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Science Service project BioAgora.

Admissibility Conditions include proposal page limits 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 are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions exist for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Other Eligible Conditions state that projects using satellite data must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Grants will be awarded to ensure a balanced portfolio, with at least one project in Area A and one in Area B, provided applications meet all thresholds.

Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.

Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes provides further details. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is the Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums are also available.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, 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 for this topic is 18,000,000 EUR in 2025, and the indicative number of grants is 3, with a contribution of around 6,000,000 EUR per grant.

The submission session is now available as of May 14, 2025.

This funding opportunity aims to enhance our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and improve modelling tools for effective ecosystem restoration. It seeks to align biodiversity and climate policies by funding projects that develop models capable of simulating ecosystem processes, assessing restoration pathways, and estimating ecological reference values. The focus is on supporting the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation goals. By promoting FAIR data practices, citizen science, and collaboration among projects and relevant stakeholders, this call aims to provide national authorities and practitioners with the knowledge and tools needed for successful ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The inclusion of Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) suggests that non-profits, NGOs, and governmental bodies could also be eligible. The mention of Citizen Science approach indicates that even citizen groups could be involved in projects.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically through HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the encouragement of collaboration with other selected projects and the nature of the research topics suggest that consortia are preferred, if not required. Partner search tools are mentioned, further implying that consortia are common.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be EU member states and associated countries. The text mentions "non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding" but notes that some have specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects. This suggests a focus on EU and associated countries, with potential, but not guaranteed, eligibility for some third-country participants.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: environment, climate, biodiversity, agriculture/food, innovation, and research. Specifically, it focuses on ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation neutrality, disaster risk prevention, and the development of modelling tools for these areas.

Mentioned Countries: The text does not explicitly mention specific countries. However, it refers to "EU member states" and "non-EU/non-Associated Countries." Therefore, the relevant regions are the EU and potentially some non-EU associated countries.

Project Stage: The expected maturity of the project is primarily at the research, development, and innovation stage, with some emphasis on demonstration and implementation. The presence of both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) indicates that projects can range from early-stage research to more mature projects focused on demonstrating and scaling up innovative solutions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €2,000,000 for Coordination and Support Actions to €24,000,000 for some Research and Innovation Actions, and up to €60,000,000 for Cofund actions. Some topics specify an "around" amount (e.g., "around 6000000"), while others provide a range (e.g., "5000000 to 6000000").

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.

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

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the "Indicative number of grants" provides some insight. For example, a topic with a budget of €18,000,000 and an "around 6000000" indicative grant amount suggests approximately 3 grants will be awarded, which can be used to infer a rough success rate depending on the number of applications.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is potentially required for HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions. The description of these actions suggests that the EU funding is intended to be combined with funding from other sources, such as national or regional programs.

Summary:

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically within Cluster 6, focusing on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. The call aims to improve knowledge and develop modelling tools to guide the restoration of degraded ecosystems and ensure the provision of ecosystem services, aligning with the objectives of the European Climate Law and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

The call includes various topics, spanning Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), each with different scopes and funding levels. Projects should focus on either terrestrial or marine ecosystems and contribute to the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

Successful proposals are expected to develop models capable of simulating dynamic ecosystem processes, estimating ecological reference values, assessing restoration pathways, and improving models used for climate and land-use policies. Collaboration with other projects, data sharing through the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), and citizen science approaches are encouraged.

The funding takes the form of lump sum grants, and the geographic focus is primarily on EU member states and associated countries, with potential eligibility for some third-country participants. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 17, 2025.