BIODIVERSA + - 2026-2027 Joint Call
Funding transnational R&I projects to understand novel ecosystems, their biodiversity and socio-ecological dynamics, and identify pathways towards resilient, diverse and ecologically functioning ecosystems.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: Transnational research and innovation projects investigating novel ecosystems, their biodiversity, functioning and socio-ecological dynamics under current and future trajectories of change. Projects may undertake fundamental and applied research, modelling, monitoring, experimentation, pilot testing and validation, and develop methods, indicators, tools and scenarios to understand ecosystem change and support future policy and management strategies. Inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and engagement with relevant non-academic stakeholders are strongly encouraged.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Biodiversity and ecosystem research across terrestrial, freshwater, marine and coastal environments, including ecological functioning, biodiversity change, ecosystem resilience, socio-ecological dynamics, societal and economic implications, equity and sustainable ecosystem management.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Consortium applications are required. Each project must involve eligible partners from at least 3 different countries participating in the call and requesting support from at least 3 different Funding Organisations. The consortium must include eligible partners from at least 2 different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries participating in the call. Self-financed partners may also participate, provided that they have secured their own funding and comply with the applicable call requirements.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The Project Partner Coordinator must be eligible for funding from a participating Funding Organisation and employed by an organisation eligible under that organisation's rules. Eligible organisations may include research entities and private-sector organisations, whether for-profit or non-profit, subject to national or regional rules. Participating Funding Organisations are listed for Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy – Bolzano, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Only applicants meeting the rules of their respective Funding Organisation are eligible for financial support. Proposals must be submitted in English through the mandatory two-step procedure, beginning with a pre-proposal.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: Projects may address one or several of 3 research themes: (A) Novel Ecosystem Functioning, covering ecosystem functioning, ecological integrity, biodiversity outcomes, ecosystem services, genetic diversity, indicators, models and decision-support tools; (B) Pathways to Novel Ecosystems, covering drivers and trajectories of ecosystem and biodiversity change, socio-economic implications, uncertainties, future scenarios and socio-ecological pathways; and (C) Biodiversity Benefits and Equity in the Context of Novel Ecosystems, covering costs, benefits and trade-offs, equity and justice, governance and power relations, diverse knowledge systems, participatory approaches and pathways for fair and adaptive ecosystem management. Intensively managed systems such as monocultural agricultural systems, intensive aquaculture and plantation forestry are outside the scope as novel ecosystems themselves, although their interactions with novel ecosystems may be studied.
PROJECTS DURATION: 3 years. The earliest possible project start is 1 December 2027 and the latest possible start is 1 April 2028.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: Funding rates and eligible costs are determined by the applicable national or regional Funding Organisation rules.
Budget conditions / limitations: Approximately €33 million has been provisionally reserved by the participating Funding Organisations, with additional European Commission funding bringing the indicative overall call budget to more than €40 million. There is no call-wide minimum or maximum project budget. Maximum amounts per project and/or partner may be established by individual Funding Organisations, and requested budgets must be justified in relation to the proposed activities.
Payments: Funding is administered by the relevant participating Funding Organisations according to their national or regional rules.
Links
Closes
09/11/2026
Max funding per project
1.500.000€