Decontaminate and bioremediate aquatic pollution

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "Decontaminate and Bioremediate Aquatic Pollution" (HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01) aims to tackle aquatic pollution through innovative research and technologies. This upcoming call within the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 is scheduled to open on February 12, 2026, and consists of a two-stage submission process. The first deadline for outline applications is April 16, 2026, followed by a second stage for detailed proposals due on September 23, 2026.

The total budget for this initiative is €23 million, with individual grant amounts expected to range from €7 million to €8 million, supporting around three projects. The program is open to a diverse range of eligible applicants, including universities, research organizations, SMEs, large corporations, public authorities, and partnerships, with a strong encouragement for SMEs and startups. The scope of eligible participants extends across EU member states and associated countries, with potential inclusion of non-EU entities that have made specific funding provisions.

The focus of research under this grant is on developing effective bioremediation and decontamination solutions for chemical pollutants in aquatic environments, specifically targeting contaminants of emerging concern such as PFAS, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The goal is to create novel, adaptable solutions using biotechnology and environmental engineering approaches that can potentially improve the resilience of aquatic ecosystems.

Proposals must feature collaboration among a wide array of stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive integration of research efforts, technology application, and policy relevance. The funding is based on Action Grants, structured around the approved project budget with no equity investment. The application process is designed in two stages, starting with a blind evaluation for the initial outline applications, emphasizing the importance of scientific merit over institutional reputation.

Projects are expected to demonstrate effective engagement with local authorities, address regional climatic variations, and build on existing methodologies for environmental monitoring. Importantly, the applications should also focus on innovative approaches to risk assessment of contaminants and their interactions within aquatic ecosystems.

Successful projects will align with various EU policy initiatives aimed at sustainability, biodiversity, and water quality management. They must also meet co-funding requirements, typically covering 20% of the project costs, emphasizing collaborative funding strategies to advance the understanding and effectiveness of bioremediation solutions within Europe’s waterways.

In summary, this grant opportunity represents a significant investment in innovative aquatic pollution solutions, fostering collaboration across diverse sectors to address pressing environmental challenges while supporting the EU's broader environmental goals and strategies.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically the Call 01 two stage (2026) (HORIZON CL6 2026 01 two stage). The type of action is HORIZON RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, utilizing a HORIZON Action Grant Budget Based [HORIZON AG] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). This is a forthcoming call with a two stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 12 February 2026. The deadline dates are 16 April 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time and 23 September 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of projects funded under this call are:
1. Competent authorities and the water sector having access to effective solutions, particularly based on life sciences and biotechnology, to bioremediate and decontaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater, including groundwater) pollution and improve the resilience of aquatic ecosystems to climate change and biodiversity decline.
2. Local authorities having improved monitoring and management tools for the protection of marine, surface and groundwater ecosystems against contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), especially PFAS, antimicrobial substances, and microplastics.
3. A better understanding of the impact of CECs, especially PFAS, antimicrobial substances, and microplastics, on marine, freshwater, and groundwater ecosystems, including the interlinkages of these systems.

The scope of this call addresses the chemical pollution of aquatic environments, which poses risks to human and environmental health. Assessments have shown that large parts of Europe's water bodies have not reached good status and often exceed regulatory threshold levels. The call aims to address the continued inflow of pollutants, their ubiquity, and persistent nature, which increase the risk of accumulation and long term exposure. While pollution prevention is crucial, more effective action and novel solutions are needed to bioremediate and decontaminate European waters from harmful substances. Aquatic microorganisms and their communities have developed mechanisms to degrade a wide range of pollutants, and the complexity of contaminated environments requires a better understanding of CEC interaction. Recent advancements in nanotechnology combined with microbial remediation offer new opportunities for environmental cleaning.

Proposals should:
1. Develop and demonstrate novel approaches and site specific solutions for bioremediation and decontamination of aquatic pollution at the source, in rivers, lakes, coastal and groundwaters, and at sea, including removal processes and management of degradation processes, ensuring the approaches do not harm the environment.
2. Develop and demonstrate new, effective, and affordable technologies, particularly solutions based on life sciences and biotechnology, including microorganisms, microbial communities, and/or nanoparticles biosynthesized by microbial activity, for the removal of pollutants. These pollutants include persistent organic pollutants, degrading pollutants (e.g., plastics, oil, hydrocarbons), marine mucilage, contaminants of emerging concern, and targeted micropollutants (PFAS, pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, pesticides, and micro and nano plastics) from marine waters, wastewater, drinking waters, and the environment, including groundwater and sediments. Recovery of the biosynthesized nanoparticles is an asset but not required.
3. Integrate environmental monitoring methods (including effect based methods), building on existing methodologies, and high resolution methods for robust risk assessment of the impact of CECs on aquatic ecosystems, as well as assessment of the improved resilience of bioremediated aquatic ecosystems to climate change.
4. Demonstrate pathways and interlinkages of the pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and develop understanding where management actions are most beneficial and needed.
5. Ensure transparent engagement with stakeholders and society on solutions proposed.

Proposals should bring together a wide range of relevant stakeholders, including researchers, technology providers, policy makers, and local competent authorities, to maximize impact. Case studies representing regional specificities in terms of climate conditions are welcomed but not required.

Proposals should ensure complementarities and avoid overlaps with relevant projects funded under Horizon Europe, including those funded under the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and under the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC). Projects should engage with and help build an emerging community on decontamination and bioremediation, particularly the one envisaged through the related public private initiative in the European Water Resilience Strategy.

The participation of SMEs and Start ups in the consortia is encouraged. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may contribute with its expertise related to nanotechnology/nanoparticles and environmental biotechnology, particularly in metagenomics and to the effect based methods for the chemical pollutants' detection in water.

Projects under this topic are relevant to several EU initiatives and directives, including the European Ocean Pact, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Water Framework Directive, the Groundwater Directive, the Environmental Quality Standards Directive, the European Water Resilience Strategy, the EU zero pollution action plan, the Nature Restoration Regulation, the Commission communication on Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Life Sciences Strategy, and the EU Biotech Act.

General conditions include:
1. 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 available in the Submission System. Applicants submitting a proposal for a blind evaluation (see General Annex F) must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first stage application (see General Annex E).
2. Eligible Countries, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific provisions exist for non EU/non Associated Countries, detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner. The JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds, as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. First stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes, as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set up of the grants, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

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) and the Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1 BLIND).
Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) and the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND).

Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, and HE Unit MGA.

Additional documents include:
HE Main Work Programme 2026 2027 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026 2027 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2026 2027 15. 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
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview includes several topics:
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 BIODIV 01 two stage HORIZON RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 14,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 7,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 BIODIV 02 two stage HORIZON RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 3,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 4 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 BIODIV 03 two stage HORIZON IA HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 5,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 BIODIV 04 two stage HORIZON RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 18,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 6,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 CIRCBIO 01 two stage HORIZON IA HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of 10,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 5,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 2 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 CIRCBIO 02 two stage HORIZON IA HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of 18,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution around 6,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.
HORIZON CL6 2026 01 ZEROPOLLUTION 01 two stage HORIZON RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 23,000,000 EUR. It is a two stage process with opening date 2026 02 12, deadlines on 2026 04 16 and 2026 09 23, contribution between 7,000,000 and 8,000,000 EUR and an indicative number of 3 grants.

Partner search announcements are available, and LEARs, Account Administrators, and self registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on addressing chemical pollution in aquatic environments through research and innovation actions. It seeks proposals that develop and demonstrate novel, locally adaptable solutions for bioremediation and decontamination, particularly those based on life sciences, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. The goal is to provide competent authorities and the water sector with effective tools to improve the resilience of aquatic ecosystems, protect against contaminants of emerging concern, and better understand the impacts and pathways of pollutants. The call encourages collaboration among researchers, technology providers, policymakers, and local authorities, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and the participation of SMEs and start ups. Ultimately, this initiative aims to contribute to the restoration of European waters and the achievement of zero pollution goals.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include researchers, technology providers, policy makers, local competent authorities, SMEs, and Start-ups. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program. The type of Model Grant Agreement is HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required, as the proposals should bring together a wide range of relevant stakeholders. The participation of SMEs and Start-ups in the consortia is encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries, as a number of these countries have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sectors are environment, biotechnology, nanotechnology, life sciences, and specifically focuses on bioremediation and decontamination of aquatic pollution, including marine and freshwater environments. It also targets the water sector, local authorities, and those involved in environmental monitoring and management.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to EU member states and associated countries. 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.

Project Stage: The project stage is development and demonstration, as the proposals should develop and demonstrate novel approaches and technologies for bioremediation and decontamination.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic. For HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage, the budget is EUR 23,000,000 and the contribution per project is expected to be between EUR 7,000,000 and EUR 8,000,000. Other topics have different budget allocations and expected contributions.

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage call, as indicated by "two-stage" in the topic description and budget overview. The first stage proposals of this topic will be evaluated blindly.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their research and innovation actions.

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

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is provided, which can be used to estimate the potential success rate based on the number of applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call focuses on decontaminating and bioremediating aquatic pollution to improve the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. The call, HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage, is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) with a budget of EUR 23,000,000, aiming to provide effective solutions for bioremediation and decontamination of aquatic pollution, particularly from contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) like PFAS, antimicrobial substances, and microplastics. The expected contribution per project is EUR 7,000,000 to EUR 8,000,000, and it is anticipated that three projects will be funded.

Eligible applicants include researchers, technology providers, policy makers, local competent authorities, SMEs, and start-ups, who are encouraged to form consortia. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may also participate. The geographic scope includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific funding provisions.

The call seeks proposals that develop and demonstrate novel, locally adaptable bioremediation and decontamination approaches for aquatic environments, including rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and groundwater. These approaches should be based on life sciences and biotechnology, including microorganisms, microbial communities, and nanoparticles. Proposals should also integrate environmental monitoring methods and high-resolution methods for risk assessment and demonstrate pathways and interlinkages of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems.

The application process is a two-stage call, with the first stage proposals being evaluated blindly. The planned opening date is 12 February 2026, with deadlines for the first stage on 16 April 2026 and for the second stage on 23 September 2026. The call is relevant to several EU policies and directives, including the European Ocean Pact, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the EU zero pollution action plan.