Megadrought impacts

The EU funding opportunity titled "Megadrought impacts" is a services procurement contract managed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (DG JRC). This contract aims to engage specialized consulting and research organizations to develop innovative macro-financial agent-based modelling (ABM) approaches to assess how mega-droughts impact European financial stability and economic performance. It is not a traditional grant opportunity.

Eligible applicant types include private consulting firms, research organizations, academic institutions, and specialized service providers with expertise in macroeconomic modelling and climate impact assessments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are deemed unsuitable for this contract, suggesting that larger, more established organizations are preferred.

The funding type for this opportunity is a procurement of services, specifically classified under the CPV code 73000000 for research and development services. The raw data does not specify consortium requirements, but the complexity of ABM work may favor either a single specialized contractor or a consortium.

Geographic eligibility likely includes EU Member States, associated countries, and possibly other nations, although specifics are not provided. The target sectors include climate and environment, financial services and economics, and research and development services, particularly pertaining to climate resilience and economic modelling.

The project is positioned in the research and development stage, focusing on analytical development rather than commercialization. No funding amount is provided in the preliminary documentation, which is common for these early notices. The application type is an open call requiring an expression of interest with a registration deadline of February 6, 2026, and a submission deadline expected shortly thereafter on February 9, 2026.

The nature of support involves payment for services rendered, distinguishing it from projects funded through grants. The contract will engage the selected contractor for a period of 24 months to deliver research and modelling services. The application process is reported to have at least two stages: the expression of interest followed by formal tender submission, with evaluations based on established criteria.

There is no co-funding requirement as this is a direct procurement, where the contractor is compensated for services rather than contributing financially to a project. The announcement stresses that this is a pre-announcement of a forthcoming negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract and urges interested parties to express their interest electronically.

In summary, the "Megadrought impacts" opportunity represents a significant engagement for specialized firms to contribute to understanding the effects of severe drought periods on European financial systems through advanced modelling techniques.

This is a pre-information notice, not a call for tenders. It announces the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/IPR/2026/LVP/0033-EXA.

The contract aims at exploring the use of innovative macro-financial agent-based modelling approaches to characterize the impacts of mega-droughts on European financial stability and economy. Agent-based models (ABMs) are particularly suited for capturing the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of economic responses to climate change, unlike general equilibrium models.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 24 months. There is no framework agreement. The main classification (CPV) code is 73000000 Research and development services and related consultancy services.

The start date for expression of interest is 2026-01-21 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 07/02/2026 05:59 Europe/Rome. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2026-02-09 Europe/Rome.

The method of expression of interest is electronic. Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given. To express interest, use the "Express interest" link.

A question and answer section is available. To create a question, one must log in. A FAQ section is available, and the Q&A can be downloaded as an XLS file.

A question was asked: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is that references that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This answer was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future low to middle value negotiated procedure related to research and development services. The European Commission, specifically the Joint Research Centre (JRC), intends to explore the use of agent-based modelling to assess the impact of mega-droughts on European financial stability and the economy. The expression of interest period is scheduled for early 2026. This announcement is not a call for tenders, and procurement documents are not yet available. The opportunity focuses on using innovative modelling techniques to understand complex economic responses to climate change, specifically mega-droughts.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. Given the nature of the contract, which involves research and development services, potential applicants could include research institutes, universities, consulting firms, or other organizations with expertise in macro-financial agent-based modelling.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. This will likely be specified in the future call for tenders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, given that the contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC, it is highly likely that the beneficiary scope includes EU member states, and potentially other countries participating in EU research programs.

Target Sector: The target sector is research and development services related to the impacts of mega-droughts on European financial stability and economy. This falls under the broader categories of climate, environment, and finance. It also involves advanced modelling techniques.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European economy and financial stability, implying a focus on the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is research, as the contract aims at exploring the use of innovative macro-financial agent-based modelling approaches.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is described as a "middle/low value contract," but no specific range is given. It is likely to be under €200k, but this is speculative.

Application Type: The application type will be a negotiated procedure, which will be launched at a later date. The expression of interest is electronic.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services.

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages: an expression of interest and a subsequent negotiated procedure.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned, but given that it is a negotiated procedure, the success rate will likely be higher than an open call.

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

Summary: This is a pre-announcement of a future negotiated procedure for a low or middle value contract by the European Commission, DG JRC. The contract focuses on exploring the use of innovative macro-financial agent-based modelling approaches to characterize the impacts of mega-droughts on European financial stability and economy. The contracting authority intends to launch a negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract. The main classification is research and development services and related consultancy services. The maximum contract duration is 24 months. The start date for expression of interest is 2026-01-21 and the deadline is 2026-02-07. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2026-02-09. The method of expression of interest is electronic. Interested parties are invited to express their interest electronically. This is not a call for tenders, but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. The aim of the contract is to explore the use of innovative macro-financial agent-based modelling approaches to characterize the impacts of mega-droughts on European financial stability and economy. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract. The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC - Joint Research Centre. The nature of the contract is services. There is no framework agreement.