Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy

The HORIZON-CL5 call, titled "Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy," is a major funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe program. It focuses on Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and utilizes a lump sum grant mechanism (HORIZON-AG-LS). The call opens on December 18, 2025, with key deadlines set for April 15, 2026, for the first stage, and October 8, 2026, for the second stage. A total budget of €45 million is designated for this initiative, with expected contributions per project ranging from €5 million to €9 million, and a goal of awarding around seven grants. The initiative emphasizes advancing climate science, addressing critical gaps identified in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), and generating new evidence relevant for policy-making. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, and other research-capable organizations from EU countries, Associated Countries, and select non-EU nations with specific provisions for participation. The funding aims to support collaborative international research, aligning with climate science frameworks and fostering new approaches. Specific proposals must identify knowledge gaps, justify their significance, and articulate how the project will advance the field of Earth system science. They should maintain a focus on policy relevance, contributing to the enhancement of climate change assessment and action strategies. The application process involves a two-stage submission, with first-stage proposals evaluated blind to ensure impartiality. The call encourages the use of satellite data and collaboration with programs such as ESA’s FutureEO and the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative. A lack of co-funding requirements and a firmly structured funding model provide a predictable financial landscape for researchers. While success rates are not detailed, typical rates for Horizon Europe calls hover between 10% and 20%, indicating a highly competitive field. Overall, this call supports research targeting critical scientific advancements essential for effective climate policy and global climate action, enhancing understanding and response capabilities regarding climate change and its broader implications.

The HORIZON-CL5 call, titled "Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy," is part of the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically under the CLIMATE (HORIZON-CL5-2026-08-Two-Stage) call. It aims to fund HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) using a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] mechanism. The call employs a two-stage submission process.

The call opens on 18 December 2025, with the first deadline for submissions on 15 April 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time and the second deadline on 08 October 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated for this topic is €45,000,000, and the expected contribution per project ranges from €5,000,000 to €9,000,000. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 7.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call are:improved quality and reduced uncertainty of global and regional climate change projections; addressing critical knowledge and data gaps in Earth system science as identified in the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) and other authoritative sources, ensuring that future climate assessments are grounded in the most comprehensive and up-to-date scientific evidence; and generation of new climate science evidence that is relevant for policy needs and for informing climate action.

The scope of this call emphasizes the importance of advancing climate science and related disciplines to enhance the global community's ability to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It acknowledges that international climate policy is heavily influenced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessments. Despite the increasing availability of data and knowledge, significant gaps remain in our understanding of key issues and processes, including insufficient or divergent evidence, low confidence findings, and high uncertainties. These gaps have been identified in AR6 and other relevant sources. Furthermore, scientific advancements since the AR6 evidence base necessitate new inquiries.

Proposals should focus on narrowing knowledge gaps within Earth system science, aligning with the scope of Working Group I of the IPCC. Applicants have the flexibility to define specific research areas, but proposals should concentrate on issues within Cluster 5, Destination 1, and not prominently addressed by other topics in the 2025 and 2026-2027 Work Programmes. The call encourages new scientific insights and approaches, as well as the participation of researchers and entities new to Horizon Europe. Successful proposals are expected to strengthen the scientific foundations and inform scientific assessments, ensuring they are comprehensive, accurate, and relevant for decision-makers.

Proposals must clearly identify the knowledge gaps they aim to address, justify why current research efforts are insufficient, explain how the proposed action will advance Earth system science, and identify the policy relevance of the research. International cooperation with organizations like the IPCC, WCRP (World Climate Research Programme), and GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) is strongly encouraged.

Projects utilizing satellite remote sensing data and derived products are encouraged to collaborate with projects selected under ESA’s FutureEO programme and the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative (ESSI) to facilitate access to and uptake of satellite data products, related tools, and methodologies. These projects should allocate resources for collaborative actions.

This Destination contributes to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations:‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’, and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’. The overall expected impact is to contribute to “Advancing science for a transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society”.

The expected impacts include:supporting climate action in Europe and globally by advancing climate science; closing key knowledge gaps related to climate change; strengthening the European Research Area on climate change; and maximizing synergies between mitigation and adaptation with other policy priorities.

Applicants submitting proposals for blind evaluation must not disclose their organization names, acronyms, logos, or personnel names in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application, as described in General Annex F and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. The first-stage proposals will be evaluated blindly, according to the criteria described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. Legal and financial aspects are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

The application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND). Evaluation form templates, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND), will be used with necessary adaptations. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants. The Electronic Submission Service can be accessed via the submission button, and existing draft proposals can be accessed through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

The call aims to address critical knowledge gaps in Earth system science to improve climate change projections and inform policy action. It encourages international collaboration and the use of satellite data, while also emphasizing the importance of synergies with other policy priorities and research areas. The funding mechanism is based on lump sum contributions, and the evaluation process includes a blind review of first-stage proposals. The call is designed to support the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society by advancing climate science and providing decision-makers with the tools and knowledge needed for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

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), eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. Participation is also open to international organizations.

Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] agreement. 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 text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and nature of Horizon Europe RIAs, consortia are generally preferred, and international cooperation is strongly encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The primary geographic eligibility is for EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. However, the text mentions that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector:The target sector is climate, specifically Earth system science. The program aims to narrow knowledge gaps in Earth system science, improve climate change projections, and generate new climate science evidence relevant for policy needs and climate action.

Mentioned Countries:The text does not explicitly mention specific countries. However, it refers to EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries that have made specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage:The expected maturity of the project is research and innovation actions, which typically involve activities ranging from research to demonstration. The projects should aim to close knowledge gaps, improve climate models, and generate policy-relevant evidence, suggesting a focus on research, development, and validation stages.

Funding Amount:The budget is €45,000,000 for the topic, and the indicative contribution per grant ranges from €5,000,000 to €9,000,000. The indicative number of grants is 7.

Application Type:The application type is a two-stage open call.

Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:The application process involves two stages. The first-stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned in the text.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL5, aims to address "Closing knowledge gaps on Earth system science in support of global and regional assessments and climate policy". It falls under Cluster 5, Destination 1, which focuses on "Advancing science for a fair transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society". The call seeks research and innovation actions (RIAs) to improve the quality and reduce the uncertainty of climate change projections, address critical knowledge and data gaps identified in the IPCC AR6 report, and generate new climate science evidence relevant for policy and action. The call is open to a wide range of eligible applicants, including universities, research institutes, SMEs, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. International cooperation is strongly encouraged. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a total budget of €45 million and an indicative contribution of €5 to €9 millionper project. The application process is a two-stage process, with the first stage proposals being evaluated blindly. The call opens on December 18, 2025, with deadlines for the first and second stages on April 15, 2026, and October 8, 2026, respectively. The expected outcomes include improved climate change projections, addressed knowledge gaps in Earth system science, and new climate science evidence relevant for policy needs and climate action.