Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy

The grant opportunity titled "Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy" HORIZON-CL5 is part of the Horizon Europe program under Cluster 5. It focuses on improving climate science to support global policies and the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The eligible applicants include research institutes, universities, public-private partnerships, and possibly consortiums, primarily those involved in climate science and Earth system modeling. The funding type is a lump-sum grant under the Horizon model, specifically a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), which typically covers up to 100% of eligible costs. While consortium participation is encouraged, the submission process is single-stage, providing flexibility in project collaboration. Geographically, the grant is open to applicants from EU member states and associated countries, encouraging international collaboration, particularly with partners from the Global South. The primary sector targeted by the grant includes climate science, environmental research, and data modeling. The project stage is primarily focused on research and validation, aimed at generating climate simulations and projections relevant to policy decisions. Though the exact funding amount for this specific grant is not detailed, similar Horizon Europe RIAs typically fall within a budget range of €1M to €5M. The application process is open with a deadline set for September 24, 2025. The funding nature involves direct monetary support, and the application stages consist of a single evaluation stage. The competition is expected to be challenging, with general success rates estimated between 10% and 39%. Importantly, there is no co-funding requirement for this grant, as RIAs usually cover full eligible costs. The overarching goal is to enhance climate modeling and simulations, develop frameworks for better scientific collaboration, and ensure that the resulting research aligns with the IPCC's needs and international climate agreements. In summary, this grant seeks to advance climate science through improved simulations, thereby informing policy and enhancing the ability of researchers to contribute meaningfully to global climate change discussions. The initiative emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and adherence to open science practices, encouraging a coordinated effort in addressing climate challenges and providing actionable data to policymakers.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically within Cluster 5, call 06-2025 (WP 2025). The overarching theme is "Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy." The call encompasses several distinct topics, each with its own budget, action type, and expected number of grants. All topics share a common opening date of May 6, 2025, and a deadline of September 24, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time, and are single-stage submissions.

The specific topics and their details are as follows:

HORIZON-CL5:Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy. This is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a budget of €30,000,000. It aims to generate future global climate projections using state-of-the-art Earth System Models (ESM), design climate simulations considering socio-economic scenarios from Integrated Assessment Models (IAM), deliver scenarios and simulations with different levels and durations of warming overshoot, update and coordinate assumptions and data sets across climate science communities, design a framework to coordinate global and regional climate projections, and improve the existing infrastructure landscape for delivering climate projections and analysis. The indicative number of grants is 1.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-02:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €15,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 2.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-03:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €7,500,000. Contributions range from €2,500,000 to €3,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 3.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-04:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €12,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 2.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-06:This is a HORIZON-RIA with a budget of €15,000,000. Contributions range from €4,000,000 to €5,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 3.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-07:This is a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) with a budget of €4,000,000. Contributions range from €3,000,000 to €4,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 1.

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D2-07:This is a HORIZON Programme Cofund Action (HORIZON-COFUND) with a budget of €56,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 1.

The expected outcomes across these topics include:enabling institutions to access and utilize scientifically robust climate projections, improving understanding of temperature overshoot impacts, coordinating the European research community's contribution to major scientific initiatives like the IPCC, better coordinating international programs, and improving the overarching infrastructure supporting these efforts.

The scope emphasizes the need for accurate and actionable climate information at various scales, simulations that are coherent with IPCC assessments, and the exploration of warming overshoot impacts. Actions should generate future global climate projections using state-of-the-art Earth System Models (ESM), design climate simulations considering socio-economic scenarios from Integrated Assessment Models (IAM), deliver scenarios and simulations with different levels and durations of warming overshoot, update and coordinate assumptions and data sets across climate science communities, design a framework to coordinate global and regional climate projections, and improve the existing infrastructure landscape for delivering climate projections and analysis.

The call promotes transparency and openness in dealing with models, encouraging the management of assumptions, protocols, code, and data in compliance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Clustering activities with other relevant projects are encouraged, and international cooperation, particularly with the Global South, is promoted, with a maximum of €1,000,000 dedicated to these activities. Financial support to third parties, specifically researchers from Global South countries, is allowed, with a maximum amount of €60,000 per third party.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, and beneficiaries are subject to additional obligations regarding open science practices, including open access to new modules, models, or tools.

The application process involves using templates available in the Submission System, and applicants are advised to consult various guidance documents, including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual. Partner search announcements are available on the portal to facilitate collaboration.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to bolster climate research and modeling capabilities to provide robust and policy-relevant climate projections, particularly focusing on scenarios aligning with the Paris Agreement and exploring the implications of warming overshoot. It emphasizes collaboration, open science practices, and international cooperation to enhance the European contribution to global climate efforts.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, given the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The COFUND action suggests that public and private entities managing funding programs could also be eligible.

Funding Type:The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant" under the Horizon Europe Programme. There are also COFUND actions, where the EU provides co-funding to existing funding programs.

Consortium Requirement:The text implies that both single applicants and consortia are possible, although consortia are more common for RIAs. The encouragement of clustering activities with other relevant projects suggests that collaborative projects are favored.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. The opportunity also encourages international cooperation, particularly with the Global South, and mentions that non-EU/non-Associated Countries may have specific provisions for funding.

Target Sector:The program targets the climate, energy, and mobility sectors, with a strong focus on climate science, climate modeling, and the development of climate services. It also touches upon high-performance computing and research infrastructures.

Mentioned Countries:The text mentions the "Global South" as a region for encouraged international cooperation. No specific countries are listed, but the Global South is defined as low- to middle-income countries eligible for Horizon Europe funding, as listed on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of projects ranges from research to development and demonstration. The emphasis on generating climate projections, designing simulations, and updating climate data suggests a focus on advancing existing research and models.

Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:

HORIZON-CL5:€30,000,000

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-02:€15,000,000

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-03:€7,500,000 (contributions of €2,500,000 to €3,000,000)

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-04:€12,000,000

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-06:€15,000,000 (contributions of €4,000,000 to €5,000,000)

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-07:€4,000,000 (contributions of €3,000,000 to €4,000,000)

HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D2-07:€56,000,000

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. There is also scope for providing financial support to third parties, specifically researchers from Global South countries, up to €60,000 per third party.

Application Stages:The application process consists of a single stage.

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:For most of the Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), co-funding is not explicitly mentioned as a requirement. However, the HORIZON-COFUND action implies a co-funding element, as it is designed to supplement existing funding programs.

Summary:This Horizon Europe Cluster 5 call focuses on "Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy." It seeks to improve the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of climate projections to inform policy decisions and support international climate efforts, particularly the IPCC. The call includes several topics, ranging from generating global climate projections using state-of-the-art Earth System Models to coordinating climate science communities and improving existing infrastructure. The funding is primarily in the form of lump sum grants, and international cooperation, especially with the Global South, is encouraged. Applicants should be research institutions, universities, or other organizations with expertise in climate modeling, simulation, and data analysis. The call emphasizes transparency, open science practices, and the co-creation of solutions with policymakers to ensure the relevance and impact of the research. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 24, 2025.