FORWARDS Develop applications and AI utilizing the ForestWard Observatory
Grant call funding the development of applications and AI solutions that utilise and integrate with the ForestWard Observatory to support climate-smart forestry and forest restoration decision-making.
Type of projects to be funded: Development of applications that utilise or enrich the ForestWard Observatory datasets, or systems for data collection that can be integrated, including web applications linking to the Observatory and relying on its datasets. The developed solution must be integrated into the ForestWard Observatory as part of the data pipeline, as an addition to the existing frontend solution, or via API integration. Data and results from the supported activities must be made available open access upon completion of the project.
Sectors / domain: Forestry and forest monitoring for climate-smart forestry and restoration, with applications supporting adaptation and mitigation strategies (including synergies with biodiversity) for practitioners and other end-users.
Individual or consortium: Applications may be submitted by one legal entity or by a consortium of legal entities.
Specific eligibility requirements: Applicants must be legal entities and eligible for funding under the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (this applies to all participants in a consortium). The following are not eligible: beneficiaries or associated partners of the FORWARDS project (Grant Agreement No. 101084481); entities subject to EU restrictive measures; Israeli entities due to activities in territories occupied by Israel; certain Hungarian public interest trusts/entities; and legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government-controlled territories of Ukraine.
Specific topics or challenges: Projects must develop applications and AI solutions that utilise or enrich the ForestWard Observatory datasets and strengthen the outreach of practical knowledge and best practices for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies in forestry, including through integration with the Observatory’s web map application and/or its programmatic access (REST and planned STAC APIs).
Projects duration: Maximum 10 months (projects must start no later than June 2026).
Budget, funding rates and payment conditions:
Funding rate: Not specified in the call guidelines.
Budget conditions / limitations: Up to €150,000 per project; maximum of 2 projects funded.
Payments: Lump sum instalments of 35% upon entry into force of the grant agreement, 25% upon approval of the interim technical report, and 40% upon approval of the final technical report.
Links
Closes
03/04/2026
Max funding per project
150.000€