Understanding and avoiding maladaptation to climate change

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-10" focuses on understanding and avoiding maladaptation to climate change. It has a total budget of €18 million, with plans to fund approximately three major research projects, each receiving between €5 million and €6 million in grant support. The call encourages participation from a diverse range of organizations, including universities, research institutions, SMEs, and non-profits, specifically from EU Member States and associated countries. The opportunity also aims to attract entities and researchers new to Horizon Europe.

The goal of the funding is to address maladaptation, which refers to adaptation strategies that inadvertently increase climate risks. Projects should engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together climate scientists, social scientists, policymakers, and practitioners, to explore the systemic challenges of maladaptation across various sectors and regions. The expected outcomes include comprehensive evidence retrieval regarding maladaptive practices, enhanced risk assessment frameworks integrating maladaptation dimensions, and practical guidelines for stakeholders on preventive strategies.

The application process is single-stage, with submissions due by March 4, 2027, following an opening date on November 17, 2026. There are no co-funding requirements, as EU funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. However, the competitive nature of the opportunity suggests that applicants should expect success rates that may fall below 10% to around 39%.

The projects are expected to contribute to key objectives, such as improving scientific understanding of maladaptation drivers, validating evidence of effective adaptations, and increasing awareness of related risks in policy discussions. Coordinated efforts with ongoing projects are also encouraged to enhance methodological consistency and evidence synthesis across regions.

Overall, this funding call is framed in the context of the strategic orientations of Horizon Europe aimed at enabling a fair transition towards a climate-neutral and resilient society, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches involving various stakeholders to prevent maladaptive outcomes in climate action.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically CLIMATE (HORIZON-CL5-2027-01), focusing on "Understanding and avoiding maladaptation to climate change" with the topic ID HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-10. It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

The call is forthcoming and follows a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 17 November 2026, and the deadline for submission is 04 March 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcome of the projects funded under this topic is to contribute to:

1.  Comprehensive retrieval of existing evidence on maladaptation and generation of new knowledge for incorporation into main EU repositories like Climate-ADAPT or the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change portal.
2.  Improvement of risk and adaptation assessment frameworks by better integrating the maladaptation dimension.
3.  Availability of guidelines and tools for maladaptation prevention and correction strategies to adaptation stakeholders at relevant scales, informing the design and implementation of adaptation strategies and plans of the EU and Member States.

The scope of the call addresses the urgent need for adaptation to climate change impacts but emphasizes that not fully informed measures can lead to maladaptation, which increases the risk of adverse climate-related outcomes. Maladaptation includes increased greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, socio-economic and biodiversity trade-offs, increased vulnerability, and greater social inequity. The call acknowledges the scarcity of evidence on maladaptation and the need to learn from documented cases across sectors and regions to prevent maladaptation in policy design and implementation.

Actions should address the following aspects:

1.  Advance the understanding and identification of drivers that lead to maladaptation for a wide range of systems, socio-economic and environmental conditions. This includes a comprehensive analysis considering an integrated and systemic approach, incorporating insights from Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) regarding the causes and drivers of maladaptation. The analysis should integrate perspectives of public and private stakeholders and end-users, apply an intersectional approach, and include data disaggregated by gender, where relevant and feasible.
2.  Map and analyze evidence to identify and validate effective adaptation practices that prevent maladaptation and help to identify maladaptive ones. Case studies should be used for monitoring and evaluation of adaptation measures, policies, and actions at local, regional, and national scales, and from regions and sectors with diverse characteristics and environmental conditions. Engagement of end-users is encouraged. Integrating evidence from and for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change is also encouraged.
3.  Strengthen the methodological and analytical toolbox for complex climate risk and adaptation assessments to increase public understanding and policy awareness of maladaptation risks.
4.  Study and propose corrective responses for identified maladaptation cases and provide systematized prevention guidelines and best practice examples.

Coordination and collaboration with relevant ongoing projects from Mission Adaptation, Cluster 5 Destination 1 “Climate Science and Responses," and relevant Destinations from other Clusters is encouraged, especially for evidence retrieval, national scale assessment, and methodological consistency.

This Destination, "Advancing science for a fair transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society (2026-27)," contributes to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations: ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’, and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’. The overall expected impact is to contribute to “Advancing science for a transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society”.

Expected impacts include:

*  Supporting climate action through advancing climate science and the knowledge base underpinning actionable solutions.
*  Closing key knowledge gaps related to climate change.
*  Strengthening the European Research Area on climate change.
*  Maximizing synergies between mitigation and adaptation and with other policy priorities.

Important components of climate science research are also addressed in other Clusters, particularly Cluster 6, which addresses the climate-ocean-cryosphere-polar nexus and the climate-energy-land-food-water-biodiversity nexus.

General conditions for participation 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 Part B of the Application Form.
2.  Eligible Countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
3.  Other Eligible Conditions: If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
4.  Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5.  Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6.  Legal and financial set-up of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are described 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 (Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)).
*  Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations (Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)).
*  Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.
*  Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Operating Grants MGA, and Framework Partnership Agreement FPA.

Additional documents include:

*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
*  EIC Work Programme 2026
*  ERC Work Programme 2026
*  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

The budget overview for the call in 2027 is as follows:

*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-07 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 18,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 3; Contribution per grant around EUR 6,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-08 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 14,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 2; Contribution per grant around EUR 7,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-09 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 9,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 3; Contribution per grant around EUR 3,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-10 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 18,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 3; Contribution per grant EUR 5,000,000 to 6,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-11 - HORIZON-COFUND: EUR 15,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 1; Contribution per grant around EUR 15,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-12 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 25,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 5; Contribution per grant around EUR 5,000,000
*  HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-13 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 24,000,000; Indicative number of grants: 6; Contribution per grant around EUR 4,000,000

There are 14 partner search announcements available.

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

This Horizon Europe call emphasizes the critical need to understand and prevent maladaptation in climate change adaptation strategies. It recognizes that while adaptation is essential, poorly planned measures can have unintended negative consequences. The call seeks to fund research and innovation actions that will comprehensively retrieve evidence on maladaptation, improve risk assessment frameworks, and provide guidelines and tools for preventing and correcting maladaptive outcomes. The focus is on creating a more resilient, climate-neutral, and equitable society by advancing climate science and actionable solutions. The call encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among various projects and stakeholders to ensure effective and sustainable adaptation strategies.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include entities capable of conducting research and innovation actions, such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations. The program is part of Horizon Europe, which typically involves a wide range of eligible entities.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a "HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based" grant, under the "HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions" (HORIZON-RIA) and "HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions" (HORIZON-COFUND).

Consortium Requirement: While not explicitly stated, the nature of Horizon Europe RIAs and the encouragement of collaboration suggest that consortia are preferred, although single applicants might be possible depending on the specific topic requirements. The presence of a "Partner Search" function also indicates that consortia are common.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries, as specified in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Specific provisions may exist for funding participants from non-EU/non-associated countries.

Target Sector: The program targets the climate sector, specifically focusing on understanding and avoiding maladaptation to climate change. This includes climate science, climate services, adaptation, and mitigation strategies. It also touches on related sectors like biodiversity, ecosystem preservation, disaster preparedness, digitalization, circular economy, and sustainable development.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions the EU and non-EU/non-Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is primarily focused on research and innovation actions, implying projects in the research, development, and validation stages. The emphasis on developing guidelines and tools also suggests a focus on demonstration and implementation.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from €9,000,000 to €25,000,000. For example, HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-11 has a budget of €15,000,000, while HORIZON-CL5-2027-01-D1-12 has a budget of €25,000,000. The indicative grant amounts range from around €3,000,000 to around €15,000,000.

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 grants to support their research and innovation activities.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The HORIZON-COFUND actions imply a co-funding requirement, while the HORIZON-RIA actions do not explicitly state a co-funding requirement, but it may be encouraged.

Summary: This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, under the CLIMATE call (HORIZON-CL5-2027-01), aims to address the critical issue of maladaptation to climate change. The call invites research and innovation actions (RIA) and co-funded actions (COFUND) to advance the understanding of maladaptation drivers, map and analyze evidence of effective and maladaptive practices, strengthen climate risk assessment methodologies, and propose corrective responses. The expected outcomes include comprehensive evidence retrieval, improved risk assessment frameworks, and the development of guidelines and tools for stakeholders. The call is structured around a single-stage submission process with a planned opening date of November 17, 2026, and a deadline of March 4, 2027. The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from 9 million to 25 million EUR, with indicative grant amounts between 3 million and 15 million EUR. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries, with a preference for collaborative consortia. The overall goal is to support climate action by advancing climate science and providing actionable solutions for a climate-neutral and resilient society.