Towards a comprehensive European strategy to assess and monitor aquatic litter including plastic and microplastic pollution

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 aims to tackle the issue of aquatic litter, particularly plastic and microplastic pollution, through collaborative research and innovation. This initiative is part of Horizon Europe, focusing specifically on fostering international cooperation, particularly between EU member states and India. The eligible applicants for this grant include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and consortia that involve collaboration between entities in the EU and India.

The funding for this opportunity is categorized as a grant, specifically identified as a "HORIZON Lump Sum Grant." A consortium of multiple organizations is required to apply, emphasizing the importance of collaborative international efforts for tackling marine pollution. The monetary support provided through the grant is not explicitly stated but typically ranges from €1 million to €5 million for similar topics within Horizon Europe. The application process consists of a single-stage submission, with a deadline set for September 17, 2025.

The grant targets projects that enhance monitoring and assessment of water quality and pollution, particularly focusing on plastic waste. This involves the development of improved monitoring techniques and the establishment of comprehensive strategies for aquatic environments across Europe. The funding opportunity also supports initiatives aligned with the European Green Deal and policies like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

While the specific countries directly mentioned in the grant are EU member states and India, the broader context includes encouragement for international partnerships, particularly with countries involved in the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. The projects funded under this grant should contribute to creating harmonized approaches to monitoring aquatic litter, improving the understanding of pollution sources, and optimizing monitoring strategies.

The successful implementation of these projects is expected to develop methodologies for effective data acquisition, enhance the detection and characterization of microplastic pollution, and improve monitoring tools and strategies for aquatic environments. Additionally, it aims to promote the availability and usability of data through large-scale databases following FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles.

Overall, the HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 grant opportunity is positioned to advance environmental research and innovation while addressing critical pollution challenges through strengthened collaboration and strategic initiatives targeting aquatic litter.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under Cluster 6, specifically targeting the zero pollution destination and aiming to establish a comprehensive European strategy for assessing and monitoring aquatic litter, including plastic and microplastic pollution. The call, HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04, is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and utilizes a lump sum grant agreement. The opening date is May 6, 2025, and the deadline for submission is September 17, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The indicative budget for this specific topic is 6,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that approximately one grant will be awarded.

The call seeks proposals that contribute to harmonized monitoring approaches, improved data on litter sources and pathways, and optimized monitoring strategies for aquatic environments across the EU. It emphasizes the need for actions that inform policy implementation, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive, and contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution.

Key aspects of proposals should include:

Enhancing data acquisition and quality control for monitoring (plastic) litter, including microplastics, in various aquatic environments, utilizing diverse data sources and new technologies.
Developing scientific approaches and reference materials for harmonized methods to detect, identify, classify, and quantify plastic and microplastic pollution.
Improving tools and methodologies for efficient sampling and rapid analytical methods for seabed macro litter and microplastic monitoring.
Developing analytical methods for detecting, characterizing, and monitoring nanoplastic particles.
Implementing optimized, validated, harmonized, and cost-effective monitoring strategies for freshwater, coastal, and marine environments.
Enabling the uptake of monitoring data in large-scale databases following FAIR principles.

The action is expected to build upon existing work, including the Technical Group on Marine Litter, EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters projects, the EUROqCHARM project, and JPI Oceans microplastics projects. International cooperation, particularly with All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance partner countries, is encouraged. The EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative supports this topic as a coordination between ESA and the European Commission.

The general conditions for participation are detailed in Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F, and G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum.

Applicants should use the standard application form for HE RIA and IA actions, and evaluation will be based on the standard evaluation form. Additional guidance and documentation are available, including the HE Programme Guide, Model Grant Agreements, call-specific instructions, and various legal and financial regulations. Partner search tools and support services are also available through the Funding & Tenders Portal.

In summary, this funding opportunity aims to address the fragmented and diverse monitoring of aquatic litter in Europe by promoting harmonized strategies, improving data quality, and fostering collaboration among scientific institutions and environmental authorities. The goal is to support the implementation of EU policies and contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution in aquatic environments. The call encourages projects that enhance data acquisition, develop analytical methods, improve monitoring strategies, and enable data sharing to facilitate comprehensive assessments of litter pollution at the European level.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), 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) may participate as a member of the consortium. 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.

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

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity generally requires a consortium, as indicated by the encouragement of collaboration, engagement with various groups, and the possibility of the JRC participating as a consortium member.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU member states and associated countries. However, the text mentions that 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. International cooperation is encouraged, including with All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance partner countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is environmental science and engineering, specifically related to the monitoring and assessment of aquatic litter, including plastic and microplastic pollution. It aligns with the European Green Deal and the EU's zero pollution action plan, targeting healthier oceans, seas, and waters. The program also touches on policy implementation related to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Water Framework Directive.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the European Union and associated countries. The All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance partner countries are also mentioned, indicating a broader international cooperation scope.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) typically support projects from research to demonstration. Innovation Actions (IA) focus on demonstration, piloting, and validation of new solutions. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) support networking, coordination, and dissemination activities.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary widely depending on the specific topic and action type:
HORIZON-COFUND: EUR 10,000,000 to EUR 70,000,000
HORIZON-CSA: EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 4,000,000
HORIZON-RIA: EUR 6,000,000 to EUR 24,000,000 with some projects having funding ranges between EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 11,000,000
HORIZON-IA: EUR 8,000,000 to EUR 18,000,000

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.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

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 expected number of proposals.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding may be required for HORIZON COFUND actions, but it is not explicitly mentioned for other action types.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on addressing aquatic litter, including plastic and microplastic pollution, to support the European Green Deal and the EU's zero pollution action plan. It aims to harmonize monitoring approaches, improve knowledge of pollution sources and pathways, and implement effective monitoring strategies across Europe’s freshwater and marine environments. The call includes various funding instruments such as Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Innovation Actions (IA), and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), each with different scopes and funding levels. The geographic focus is primarily on the EU and associated countries, but international cooperation is encouraged. Applicants are expected to form consortia and submit proposals through a single-stage open call process. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and the success rates can be estimated based on the indicative number of grants available for each topic. This call seeks to enhance data acquisition, develop scientific methodologies, improve monitoring tools, and enable the uptake of monitoring data in large-scale databases to foster comprehensive assessments of litter pollution at the European level.