Science-policy support to the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies

The EU grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6 is part of the Horizon Europe program, focused on providing science-policy support for the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies. The call is classified as a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) and will open on April 20, 2027, with a submission deadline of September 22, 2027. It has a total budget of €7,000,000, with one expected grant recipient. Eligible applicants include various organizations such as research institutions, universities, and policy organizations that can form a consortium. The initiative emphasizes collaboration with a variety of stakeholders including practitioners, decision-makers, and policy developers, ensuring a wide-ranging engagement with research and biodiversity governance. The funding is structured as a lump sum grant, allowing for flexibility in resource allocation, including up to 30% of the funding for financial support to third parties. A multi-party consortium is mandatory, reflecting the complexity of the initiative's goals, which include establishing a one-stop-shop knowledge center to facilitate evidence-based policy support and enhancing capacity for EU and Associated Country researchers to engage in international biodiversity discussions. The geographic scope includes EU member states and associated countries, aligning with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and supporting international cooperation in biodiversity frameworks such as IPBES and CBD. This funding aims to strengthen biodiversity support networks, promote nature-based solutions, and ensure that scientific findings are effectively translated into actionable policy insights. The application process involves a single-stage submission where complete proposals are evaluated collectively following the deadline. The competition for the grant is expected to be high, with historical success rates for similar CSA calls often below 10%. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate extensive stakeholder engagement and a firm ability to maintain high evidence standards in their proposals. While co-funding isn't a formal requirement, partnerships and additional support are highly encouraged to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the initiatives proposed. Overall, this grant opportunity seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy decision-making, ultimately aiming to improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable practices across the EU and beyond.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals, specifically HORIZON-CL6, which aims to provide science-policy support to the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies. It falls under the HORIZON-CSA (Coordination and Support Actions) funding scheme with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement. The call is a single-stage process with a planned opening date of 20 April 2027 and a deadline of 22 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The expected outcomes of this call are: effective scientific support to policymaking related to biodiversity through the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), enhanced science-policy support and knowledge transfer to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and a strengthened, multi-stakeholder knowledge and dialogue platform promoting biodiversity knowledge and the uptake and scaling of nature-based solutions (NbS). The scope of this call includes supporting the Science Service for Biodiversity, broader science-policy support for multiple actors in relation to the global IPBES and CBD processes, and support to collaborations and knowledge exchange specifically on NbS. Proposals should support the provision of a functional Science Service for Biodiversity in close collaboration with the KCBD, provide high-quality evidence-based responses to biodiversity-related policy requests, maintain and extend active knowledge exchange networks, strengthen the capacity of researchers and negotiators to engage in IPBES and CBD processes, facilitate technical and scientific cooperation, and enhance and expand dynamic knowledge exchange mechanisms on NbS. Proposals should also support the new Commission policy priorities for 2024-2029 with a focus on “Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature”, implying support to the implementation of the goals of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the GBF and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Proposals should build on existing knowledge and the results of past and on-going projects, foresee close collaboration with, and tailored support to the KCBD and its Science Service, and foresee cooperation with the European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+) and its funded projects. Proposals are strongly encouraged to provide financial support to third parties (FSTP) to, for instance, respond to biodiversity-related policy requests or engage relevant expertise in IPBES and CBD processes, with a maximum of 30% of the EU funding allocated to this purpose. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is €120 000. The Plan for exploitation and dissemination should ensure the valorisation of available knowledge to policy makers, stakeholders and the public. Admissibility conditions, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, and legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in the relevant annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. Application form templates are available in the Submission System, and evaluation form templates will be used with the necessary adaptations. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement. The budget overview includes various topics related to biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution, with opening dates of 20 April 2027 and deadlines of 22 September 2027. The indicative number of grants and contributions vary depending on the specific topic. Partner search announcements are available for those seeking partners to collaborate on this topic. The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header. General and topic-specific FAQs are available, and support can be obtained through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk. In essence, this Horizon Europe funding opportunity seeks to bolster the EU's commitment to biodiversity by supporting projects that can effectively bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policymaking. It aims to create a robust and functional Science Service for Biodiversity, enhance knowledge transfer to global platforms like IPBES and CBD, and foster a multi-stakeholder dialogue on nature-based solutions. The EU envisions a future where decisions regarding biodiversity are firmly grounded in scientific evidence, leading to more effective conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of our natural resources. This call encourages collaborative projects that not only generate valuable knowledge but also ensure its accessibility and application by policymakers, businesses, and society as a whole.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) can participate as a member of the consortium.

Funding Type:The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the type of action HORIZON-CSA (HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions) and the type of MGA (HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]). Additionally, beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, with a maximum amount of €120,000 per third party.

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium, as evidenced by the encouragement of proposals to build on existing knowledge and collaborate with various entities like the KCBD, JRC, and the European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+). Consortia need to define a fair and transparent selection process for third parties, for which financial support may be granted.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility includes the EU and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector:The program targets the following sectors: biodiversity, climate change, environment, policy, research, innovation, food security, water, and nature-based solutions (NbS). It supports the implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mentioned Countries:The opportunity explicitly mentions the EU and Associated Countries. It also refers to non-EU and non-Associated Countries that may be eligible under specific provisions.

Project Stage:The project stage is geared towards coordination and support actions, which typically involve activities that support research, innovation, and policy implementation. This includes knowledge transfer, capacity building, and the establishment of dialogue platforms.

Funding Amount:The budget overview provides specific funding amounts for various topics under the Call 01 - single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01). For the specific topic HORIZON-CL6, the budget is €7,000,000, and it is expected that one grant will be awarded. Other topics under the same call have varying budgets and indicative numbers of grants.

Application Type:The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support:The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. They will also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to €120,000 per third party.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage, as indicated by the "single-stage" deadline model.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned. However, the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate, which would depend on the number of proposals received.

Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, Horizon Europe grants often encourage or require some form of co-funding, which would be detailed in the specific call documents.

Summary:This Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6 focuses on providing science-policy support to the implementation of EU and global biodiversity policies and strategies. It aims to enhance the Science Service for Biodiversity through the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), support knowledge transfer to IPBES and CBD, and promote nature-based solutions (NbS). The call encourages consortia to include diverse participants from EU and Associated Countries, with a focus on engaging researchers and negotiators in international processes. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, with a portion allocated for financial support to third parties. The call is a single-stage submission process, with an opening date of 20 April 2027 and a deadline of 22 September 2027. The total budget for the HORIZON-CL6 topic is €7,000,000, with an expectation of awarding one grant. The broader call (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01) includes multiple topics related to biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution, each with its own budget and number of grants. The call seeks to align with the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the importance of sustaining the quality of life through food security, water, and nature.