Integrating Remote Sensing and in-situ observations of Biodiversity, towards a fully interoperable observation and data framework

The EU grant opportunity titled "Integrating Remote Sensing and in-situ observations of Biodiversity, towards a fully interoperable observation and data framework" is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically classified under HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01. The planned opening date for applications is April 20, 2027, with a deadline of September 22, 2027. This upcoming call aims to allocate a total budget of €10 million, divided into two grants of €5 million each.

Eligible applicants include research organizations, universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large companies located in EU Member States or Associated Countries. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a zero-cost beneficiary. A consortium is required for this grant, emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration to develop technical capabilities that address biodiversity data integration across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

Funding will be delivered as lump-sum grants categorized under HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions). The objective is to develop systems for integrating diverse data sources, including genomic data, in-situ field observations, and satellite data, in line with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) data principles. Projects should focus on enhancing biodiversity monitoring, promoting AI-assisted analytics, and ensuring compliance with EU policies related to biodiversity and environmental protection.

Proposals must demonstrate the development of concrete technical solutions tailored to various ecosystems and should address identified gaps in biodiversity knowledge. Although no co-funding is explicitly required, proposals might benefit from in-kind contributions.

The application process consists of a single-stage submission, where applicants must present fully developed proposals by the specified deadline, which will be evaluated for excellence, impact, and implementation efficiency. Historical success rates for similar calls range between 10-30%.

Overall, this funding opportunity is strategically significant for advancing biodiversity conservation efforts, enhancing the integration of advanced technologies and data systems to foster sustainable use and assessment of biodiversity across Europe.

The EU Funding Opportunity: Integrating Remote Sensing and In-situ Observations of Biodiversity

This opportunity falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically Call 01 single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01). It is classified as a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). It is a forthcoming opportunity with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is April 20, 2027, and the deadline is September 22, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

Advancing robust, policy-relevant ecosystem assessment, nature protection and restoration planning activities, and biodiversity trend prediction based on fit-for-purpose data, thus supporting EU biodiversity and climate objectives.

Strengthened capacity of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to improve biodiversity monitoring practices and address knowledge gaps via the integration of data and observations across sensors and platforms, ranging from omics-based data (genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic), various in-situ to satellite-based Earth observation data.

Enhanced usability of in-situ datasets as training and validation resources for statistical, machine learning, and advanced AI-based approaches, in support of applications such as habitat classification, ecosystem mapping, and biodiversity trend prediction.

The scope of this opportunity is as follows:

Achieving the goals of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and assessing progress towards their defined targets, requires coherent, integrated, and long-term monitoring approaches, underpinned by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) data systems. Many existing in-situ data collections (i.e., genomic assessments, ground sampling, drone and airborne observations) were not designed with Satellite Remote Sensing integration in mind (i.e., for validation and calibration, integrated data products, or statistical scaling of information) and lack the structure, interface, and metadata required to support advanced analytics, including AI. FAIR data on species and ecosystems will also help to ensure that biodiversity preservation is a mainstream feature of other sectors, such as agriculture, transport, energy, or the bioeconomy. There is a need for systemic, harmonised, or standardised biodiversity data at Earth’s surface in order to support AI applications ranging from genome to space and to build up our knowledge on the status and trends of habitats, species, ecosystems, and on the drivers of decline.

To address these challenges, proposals should:

Develop and validate fit-for-purpose multisensory biodiversity data integration systems, to enable omics-based and in-situ data harmonization and integration with remote sensing data from space or sub-orbital platforms, as well as socio-ecological and climatic data for enhancing assessment of ecosystem condition and degradation, and the predictive modelling of biodiversity trends at international, regional and European scales.

Develop concrete technical capabilities able to answer to diverse use cases, across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in Member States and Associated Countries. To this end, proposals should identify and prioritise critical biodiversity knowledge gaps and their data needs, with a focus on predictive analytics and the use of AI, and address them by designing data integration approaches that support scientific and policy needs, including biodiversity protection, restoration, and sustainable use goals and targets, as well as other related policy objectives.

Develop demonstration and verification cases focusing on specific ecosystems under the EU ecosystem typology[1] and habitats, including ecotones[2], identified as those under pressure or as restoration priorities. Proposals should take into account socio-economic pressures and activities impacting ecosystems, including land and sea use and emissions of pollutants (e.g., agriculture, aquaculture, urbanization, resource exploitation and management practices). Demonstration cases should be relevant to EO applications, such as AI-assisted ecosystem and habitat mapping, ensuring interoperability with European and global frameworks such as the Global Ecosystem Typology as well as EUNIS, and aligned with reporting requirements under the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive and EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

Deliver FAIR data, harmonisation workflows and processing protocols supporting data integration from genome to space and verify the use of generated datasets on identified analysis needs. Proposals should link observation data to emerging socio-economic, climate, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environmental data and to relevant data infrastructures, including, if applicable, the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and the European Common Data Spaces and SAGE[3].

Contribute to consensus and implementation of joint definitions of data collection, metadata and processing protocols, data quality and harmonization of standards enabling the integration of observations “from genomes to space”. Proposals should earmark resources for cooperation with existing initiatives such as in-situ data collection frameworks (e.g., GBIF, OBIS, LUCAS). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may join the selected consortium in relation to effective coordination with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service, as well as incorporating the in-situ data from European Commission steered biodiversity monitoring schemes such as LUCAS, specifically LUCAS grassland, and EMBAL (European Monitoring of Biodiversity in Agricultural Landscapes). Proposals may consider services offered by European research infrastructures[4].

This topic is part of the Biodiversity cluster of the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative (ESSI). Proposals should foresee sufficient mean for effective coordination with projects selected under ESA’s FuturEO programme.

[1] The “EU ecosystem typology” is a classification of ecosystem types developed by the Commission and the European Environmental Agency, in collaboration with Member States and it is tailored to meet EU needs. Its first level is legislated and is used for the reporting under in Annex IX of Regulation (EU) 691/2011.

[2] Ecotones are areas of steep transition between ecological communities, ecosystems, and/or ecological regions along an environmental or other gradient. (S. Kark, Effects of Ecotones on Biodiversity, Reference Module in Life Sciences, Elsevier, 2017, ISBN 9780128096338, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02290-1)

[3] https://www.egi.eu/project/sage/.

[4] The catalogue of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) research infrastructures portfolio can be browsed from ESFRI website https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/

General conditions for application include:

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 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. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner, but will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal - see General Annex B. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

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

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are 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 are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: 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 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf. Further details are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information:

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA).

Evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA).

Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

Call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums are available.

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

Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

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

Budget overview for the HORIZON-CL6-2027-01 Call:

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01 - HORIZON-RIA: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-02 - HORIZON-CSA: 7,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-03 - HORIZON-IA: 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-04 - HORIZON-RIA: 24,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 8,000,000 EUR, 3 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-05 - HORIZON-RIA: 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-06 - HORIZON-RIA: 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07 - HORIZON-RIA: 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08 - HORIZON-RIA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09 - HORIZON-RIA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01 - HORIZON-IA: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02 - HORIZON-IA: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 - HORIZON-RIA: 10,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-04 - HORIZON-RIA: 9,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05 - HORIZON-RIA: 9,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06 - HORIZON-RIA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07 - HORIZON-IA: 14,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08 - HORIZON-IA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09 - HORIZON-IA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10 - HORIZON-RIA: 6,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 1 grant

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 - HORIZON-RIA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 4,000,000 EUR, 3 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 - HORIZON-RIA: 9,800,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 4,900,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03 - HORIZON-RIA: 12,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 6,000,000 EUR, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 - HORIZON-CSA: 3,000,000 EUR, indicative grant amount around 3,000,000 EUR, 1 grant

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The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

To get support, applicants should read the provisions carefully before preparing their application. The Online Manual is a guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing the grant. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains detailed guidance to the structure, budget, and political priorities of Horizon Europe. The Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ provides answers to frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation, and grant management. The Research Enquiry Service can answer questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) can provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network can advise businesses, especially SMEs, with guidance on EU research funding. The IT Helpdesk can assist with questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, and technical aspects of proposal submission. The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk can advise on how to tackle standardisation in the project proposal. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment outlines the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities, and entitlements of researchers, employers, and funders of researchers. Partner Search can help find a partner organisation for the proposal.

In summary, this Horizon Europe funding opportunity aims to integrate remote sensing and in-situ observations of biodiversity to create a fully interoperable observation and data framework. It seeks to enhance ecosystem assessment, nature protection, and biodiversity trend prediction by using FAIR data systems and advanced technologies like AI and machine learning. The projects should develop and validate data integration systems, address critical knowledge gaps, and deliver FAIR data and harmonisation workflows. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate in selected consortia. The call encourages cooperation with existing initiatives and coordination with the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative (ESSI) and ESA’s FuturEO programme. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the indicative budget and number of grants vary depending on the specific action type (RIA, CSA, IA). The call opens on April 20, 2027, and closes on September 22, 2027.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the opportunity is open to a range of entities, including research organizations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders, as it is a Horizon Europe program. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium. The program guide should be consulted for full eligibility criteria.

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

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, as indicated by the repeated mention of "consortium" and the possibility of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) joining the selected consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible, subject to specific provisions outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the biodiversity sector, with a focus on integrating remote sensing and in-situ observations. It also touches on agriculture, transport, energy, bioeconomy, climate, and environmental sectors. It also involves data systems, AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

Mentioned Countries: EU Member States, Associated Countries, and non-EU/non-Associated Countries are mentioned in the context of eligibility.

Project Stage: The project stage encompasses research, development, validation, and demonstration, as the call includes both Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA).

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €3,000,000 to €24,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies.

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 consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: Success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call focuses on integrating remote sensing and in-situ observations for biodiversity monitoring and assessment. The goal is to develop robust, policy-relevant tools and data systems that support EU biodiversity and climate objectives. The call encourages projects that develop and validate multisensory data integration systems, create technical capabilities for diverse use cases across ecosystems, deliver FAIR data and harmonization workflows, and contribute to consensus on data collection and processing standards. Funding is provided as lump-sum grants, and applications are submitted through a single-stage open call. Consortia are required, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate. The call is open to entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and potentially other countries, targeting the biodiversity, agriculture, transport, energy, bioeconomy, climate, and environmental sectors. The projects should contribute to advancing ecosystem assessment, nature protection, and biodiversity trend prediction using integrated data and AI-based approaches. The indicative budgets for the topics range from 3 million EUR to 24 million EUR.