Integrated and coordinated approaches for coral reefs and associated ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass beds) conservation, restoration, and climate mitigation and adaptation

The funding opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically under Cluster 6, and focuses on the integrated conservation, restoration, and climate adaptation of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. This call is labeled HORIZON-RIA, standing for Horizon Research and Innovation Actions, with a single-stage application process. The submission window opens on May 6, 2025, and closes on September 17, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

Eligible applicants include a range of stakeholders such as researchers, local communities, indigenous populations, marine protected area managers, and governance bodies. Consortia are required, with at least three independent legal entities from different Least Developed Countries or Small Island Developing States. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with amounts typically ranging from €2,000,000 to €30,000,000, although a total budget of €12,000,000 is allocated for this specific topic.

Projects should aim to contribute to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Expected outcomes include enhancing the resilience of marine ecosystems, supporting ecosystem services, and addressing climate change challenges. Additionally, successful proposals should demonstrate collaborative practices and integrate traditional knowledge from indigenous and local communities.

The focus is on critical marine environments that face threats from pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and climate change. Proposals must include activities that improve understanding of ecosystem functions, develop effective management practices, and build capacity for conservation efforts. There is an emphasis on international cooperation and the integration of social sciences and humanities disciplines.

General conditions for application, including eligibility criteria, financial capacity, and evaluation processes, are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme. This initiative seeks to empower local communities and bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application, ultimately aiming to enhance coastal ecosystem resilience and contribute to global biodiversity goals.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on integrated and coordinated approaches for the conservation, restoration, and climate mitigation and adaptation of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, specifically mangroves and seagrass beds. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, Cluster 6, and is a single-stage call. The type of action is HORIZON-RIA, which stands for Horizon Research and Innovation Actions, and the Model Grant Agreement is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The opening date for submission is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 17, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of successful proposals is to contribute to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the EU climate adaptation strategy. This includes protecting and restoring healthy ecosystems, ensuring the provision of ecosystem services, and supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation. The research should also align with the objectives of the European Climate Law, promoting nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation.

Specific expected outcomes include: Increased protection, restoration, and resilience of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in both protected and non-protected areas, acknowledging the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and climate change strategies. Effective management and land-sea planning of these ecosystems, based on integrated approaches that consider them together and incorporate field experience with state-of-the-art and indigenous populations & local communities (IPLC) knowledge into practical guidelines. Support for international initiatives to coordinate and reduce fragmentation of interventions and resources for ecosystem conservation and management, building capacity for durable interventions in EU outermost regions, overseas countries and territories, and third countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The scope of the funding opportunity addresses the critical importance of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove cover, which support a significant portion of marine species and provide essential ecosystem services. These ecosystems are under threat from pollution, extraction, overfishing, harmful fishing practices, coastal development, deforestation, invasive alien species, and climate change impacts such as rising sea surface temperature, marine heatwaves, sea level rise, deoxygenation, and acidification. The funding aims to address the challenges of integrated land-sea planning and management by filling knowledge gaps in functional ecology, connectivity, spatial interactions, seasonal patterns, and socio-political decision-making contexts. It also emphasizes the need for greater recognition and inclusion of IPLCs traditional stewardship of these coastal ecosystems.

Specific activities that proposals should address include: Improving understanding of the functional ecology, species assemblages, communities, and connectivity of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses, including their role in biogeochemistry and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Investigating the role of functional groups, such as top predators and microbiome, in maintaining ecosystem health and adaptation potential. Understanding the consequences of coral reef and associated ecosystem loss on food webs and socioeconomic impacts. Combining scientific disciplines and restoration measures to develop effective management and restoration approaches based on functional targets. Jointly developing management and restoration guidelines with IPLCs knowledge and integrating lessons learned from relevant initiatives. Contributing to coordination and capacity building activities of international initiatives and frameworks. Developing training materials, capacity building tools, and access to data and scientific expertise for local actors. Developing or integrating cost-effective monitoring methods for these ecosystems. Supporting natural capital valuation for cost/benefit analysis of conservation and restoration measures.

Proposals should also envisage clustering activities with other relevant projects and ensure adequate involvement of researchers, Local Communities and Indigenous People, end-users, MPA managers or governance levels. Cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Science Service project BioAgora is also expected. Furthermore, proposals should provide timely information for consideration by the Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

The funding opportunity requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and encourages international cooperation.

General conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation and award processes, and legal and financial setup are detailed in the Annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme and the Online Manual. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application forms, evaluation templates, guidance documents, and model grant agreements are available in the Submission System and the Funding & Tenders Portal.

The total budget allocated to this specific topic, HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-07, is 12,000,000 EUR, and it is anticipated that approximately two grants will be awarded.

This funding opportunity is about supporting research and innovation actions that promote the integrated conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical implementation, empowering local communities and indigenous populations to actively participate in the stewardship of these vital ecosystems. By fostering international collaboration and incorporating diverse perspectives, the initiative aims to enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems and contribute to global biodiversity and climate goals.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are broad, including researchers, local communities, indigenous people, end-users, MPA managers, and governance levels. All international organizations are exceptionally eligible for funding. The consortium must include at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different Least Developed Country and/or Small Island Developing State.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily grant-based, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (COFUND) under the Horizon Europe Programme. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. In addition to the minimum number of participants set out in the General Annexes, consortia must include, as beneficiaries, at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different Least Developed Country and/or Small Island Developing State.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, non-EU/non-associated countries with specific provisions, Least Developed Countries, and Small Island Developing States.

Target Sector: The program targets the following sectors: climate, environment, marine biodiversity, functional ecology, ecosystem services, socio-ecological management, observation, mapping, monitoring, protection and restoration targets. It also involves SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) disciplines.

Mentioned Countries: Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, EU member states, non-EU/non-Associated Countries. Regions mentioned are Atlantic & Southeast Asia and European overseas territories.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on research, innovation, development, demonstration, and implementation of measures for the protection and restoration of ecosystems.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €2,000,000 to €30,000,000. Some topics also specify an 'around' amount, such as "around 6000000" or a range such as "5000000 to 6000000".

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants to cover eligible costs.

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 is provided for each topic, which can be used to estimate the success rate based on the expected number of proposals.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is required for HORIZON-COFUND actions.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call focuses on biodiversity and zero pollution, offering various funding opportunities for research and innovation actions, coordination and support actions, and co-fund actions. The call aims to address critical environmental challenges, including the protection and restoration of coral reefs and associated ecosystems, the promotion of circular bioeconomy, and the reduction of pollution. The geographic scope is broad, encouraging participation from EU member states, associated countries, and specifically targeting Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Consortia are generally required, with specific requirements for the inclusion of entities from Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States in some topics. The funding amounts vary depending on the action type, with a lump sum approach for eligible costs. The application process is a single-stage open call, and the indicative number of grants provides some insight into the potential success rates. The call emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, the involvement of local communities and indigenous people, and the integration of SSH disciplines.