Reconstructing areas affected by conflicts: the role of the bio-based solutions

Opened

Code: 36831 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-13 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

Recent wars, some of which are taking place on or near EU borders, in particular Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine and thehumanitarian disaster in Gaza, are causing not only tragic loss of life and human suffering, but also serious environmental degradation in all ecosystems, terrestrial and aquatic, and consequently loss of biodiversity.

Beyond EU borders, conflict and vulnerability persist in areas where communities are affected by recurrent or endemic conflict, without real efforts to rebuild, let alone build better and greener infrastructure.

In this context, the options for the reconstruction process offered by innovative biological solutions should be explored and exploited.

Support to the EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative: scoping action

Opened

Code: 36828 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-10 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The action will start with an assessment of the large number of funded actions in the field of biotechnology and bioengineering (EU – including European partnerships (in particular under the Joint UndertakingBio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)), EU missions and European research infrastructure programmes in biotechnology, such as EU-IBISBA, as well as others at national, regional and international level), related to industrial, environmental, marine and agri-food biotechnology (Note: according to the current definition of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, biotechnology in the health sector is not in scope), as well as parallel broader scientific developments on the same topics.

Indicators for the transition to sustainable and circular economy

Opened

Code: 36825 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The EU Circular Economy Monitoring Framework has been developed to monitor the progress of the EU and Member States in the transition to a circular economy. It uses aggregated macroeconomic indicators suitable for understanding how the whole economy is changing.

The European Commission has also launched a contracted inventory process to develop and test indicators and methods to measure the transition to a climate-neutral circular economy, its benefits, challenges and trade-offs under the Horizon Europe work programme for 2021.

Understanding the perceptions of and improving communication on the biodiversity crisis and nature restoration benefits to sustain citizen engagement and democratic governance

Opened

Code: 36823 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-09 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

With the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the Koonming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and, more recently, the adoption of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation , the EU has made strongcommitments to address the challenges of the biodiversity crisis, in addition to the ongoing efforts to increase resilience to climate change embedded in EU climate policy.

Strong scientific evidence supports the need for action, given the importance of biodiversity and ecosystems for society, the economy and resilience.

Environmental impacts from the production of agricultural crops for bio-based industrial systems

Opened

Code: 36820 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

It focuses on the environmental impact of biomass production, without covering the full life cycle of the uses of this biomass, nor the utilisation of waste and residues.

EU-India cooperation on cumulative impacts of marine pollution on marine organisms and ecosystems

Opened

Code: 36817 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

Marine pollutants cause harmful effects on marine species and wildlife, serious negative impacts on the structure and functioning of ecosystems, the goods and services they provide and, ultimately, on human health, well-being and prosperity.

The interaction of climate change (and the subsequent effects of warming and ocean acidification) with pollutants, including actual and projected changes in bioavailability, toxicity and water quality, needs to be further considered, including the impacts (depending on gender) on human health, in line with the One-Health approach.

Innovative, AI-based solutions for urban planning and management

Closed

Code: 36812 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2025-04-CIT-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 04/09/2025

Urban planning and management require the analysis and integration of data ranging from zoning laws and buildings to overground infrastructure (street networks and their amenities, rail networks, etc.) and underground infrastructure (sewage, gas, electricity, heat, and water supply networks). Besides this complex physical urban fabric, urban planning and management cover intangible features such as administrative organisation, flows of goods and services, environmental determinants, demographic, social, and economic trends, evolving social values, behaviours, and local cultures.

Since the 1980-ties, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrating urban information within layers of data and translating them into tables, graphs, and maps, were introduced in urban planning with the purpose to allow a more efficient data collection, analysis, aggregation, and management, enabling planning and decision-making for increasingly sustainable and innovative cities. However, given the rapid digitalisation of almost every aspect of urban life and the increase in complexity and variety of data over the last decades, the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens promising, new opportunities for embedding sustainability and climate-neutrality concepts in urban planning and management. AI-based applications (including generative AI) and tools such as machine learning (ML), neural networks (NNs), deep learning, autonomous systems, pattern recognition, simulation modelling – Digital Twins, Internet of Things (IoT), etc. can be harnessed to guide decision-making, predict trends, develop scenarios, optimize resource allocation, engage citizens, and further enhance and promote human creativity, inclusiveness and well-being in urban planning and design.

Unleashing the potential and advancing the impact of the digitalisation/Artificial Intelligence of the climate-neutral bio-based value chains

Opened

Code: 36811 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-09 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The scope covers all relevant aspects of the contribution of AI/digital technology methodologies and tools that can offer high sustainability benefits (resource efficiency, cyclicality, climate neutrality, etc.) as well as enhance European industrial competitiveness (in particular in terms of improving the quality of organic products, strategic autonomy, resilience and the role of innovative SMEs).

Proposals should demonstrate the upgrading of current capacities, align them with parallel actions in AI and other digital technologies and tools (e.g. development of databases, predictive capabilities, EU level initiatives (e.g. EU AI law, biotechnology and bio-manufacturing initiative)) and incorporate a systematic assessment of risks and opportunities for the sector.

Boosting the transformation towards climate-neutral cities, the net-zero economy and open strategic autonomy through Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP)

Opened

Code: 36803 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-04-PCP-CIT-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 20/01/2026

By closing the gap between supply and demand in a way that reinforces EU open strategic autonomy, PCPs can make a key contribution to enhancing the European Union’s economy and competitiveness. In order to master the green and digital transition and make our cities climate-neutral and liveable places, European public procurers need to lead by example by procuring more solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This topic therefore focuses on forward looking procurement of R&D to bring to the market new solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that can increase Europe’s resilience and preparedness to tackle the climate challenge.

On the road towards climate-neutral cities this topic addresses the lack and fragmentation of public demand for innovative solutions. Europe’s companies, in particular SMEs and Startups, are indispensable in delivering the required innovations. As past experience shows that pre-commercial procurement opens up the procurement market for startups and enables the public sector to address societal challenges more effectively, public procurers should make more strategic use of PCP.

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) of policy and market-relevant product groups

Opened

Code: 36802 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) aims to stimulate the development of sustainable products, inside and outside the EU, contributing to the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and halting the loss of biodiversity.

To achieve this, it introduces a Regulation on Sustainable Product Policy that broadens the scope of the Ecodesign Directive both in terms of products (covering a very wide range of products, beyond energy-related products) and in terms of energy-related products.

Support to the network of National Cancer Mission Hubs (NCMHs)

Opened

Code: 36797 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2025-02-CANCER-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Building on the first phase of NCMHs, the Mission’s activities will be coordinated with relevant national, regional or local actors with a view to facilitate their integration and alignment with EU and national initiatives such as Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and national cancer strategies and/or national cancer control plans. The Network and NCMHs will be strengthened, including through expanding its capacities, outreach and type of activities the Network will carry out, while ensuring its sustainability.

In this regard the proposal should support the operation of the Network and activities carried out by it.

Improving ecodesign of products and development of testing methods for products prioritised under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation

Opened

Code: 36794 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The Ecodesign of Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) sets requirements for products placed on the EU market to improve their environmental sustainability.

• First, the Commission prepares a working plan in which priority product groups are identified, based on the priority criteria set out in the text of the Regulation.
• Secondly, the Commission will develop targeted performance and information requirements, known as ‘eco-design requirements’, for the prioritised products.

Integrated and coordinated approaches for coral reefs and associated ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass beds) conservation, restoration, and climate mitigation and adaptation

Opened

Code: 36790 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

 Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests cover less than 2% of the sea surface, but are home to at least 25% of known marine species and support up to 40% of the world’s fish species. However, these ecosystems have suffered significant degradation in recent decades due to anthropogenic pressures (pollution, overfishing, illegal practices, deforestation, etc.) and climate change (warming, acidification, rising sea levels, etc.).

Although they provide valuable ecosystem services, their management remains largely fragmented and usually focuses on each of them individually, without long-term monitoring. Where they coexist, the three ecosystems are ecologically linked and their joint protection can enhance the overall effectiveness of interventions.

However, integrated land-sea management is difficult due to gaps in knowledge, understanding of ecological connectivity, spatial data and the involvement of local communities (IPLCs). Currently, only 18% of the coastlines where these ecosystems interact are formally protected, and areas managed by local/indigenous communities are often not recorded, despite covering significant areas globally.

5th REINFORCING Open Call (Incubators Call) on “Responsible Digitalisation”

Closed

Code: 36784 | Identifier Code: REINFORCING | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 05/06/2025 | End submission calls: 05/08/2025

REINFORCING supports organisations and institutions in Europe to transition to a new paradigm where responsibility and openness drive research and innovation (R&I) processes.
This call is open to public and private organisations of all sizes, including startups and SMEs.

Assessing and modelling ecosystems’ dynamic processes to guide restoration activities and to improve models used for climate

Opened

Code: 36763 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/03/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 set the following targets for 2030: significant areas of degraded and carbon-rich ecosystems are restored; habitats and species show no deterioration in their trend and conservation status, and at least 30% of them achieve favourable conservation status or at least show a positive trend.

Proposals should either address on:

• Area A: main focus on terrestrial ecosystems
• Area B: main focus on marine ecosystems

Assessing and modelling socio-economic impacts of nature restoration

Opened

Code: 36761 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 set the following targets for 2030: significant areas of degraded and carbon-rich ecosystems are restored; habitats and species do not show a deterioration in their trend and conservation status, and at least 30% of them achieve favourable conservation status or at least show a positive trend.

Demand-led innovation for civil security through Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP)

Opened

Code: 36758 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

As past experience shows that pre-commercial procurement opens up the procurement market for startups and enables the public sector to address societal challenges more effectively, public procurers should make more strategic use of PCP. Applicants are invited to submit proposals for PCP action to acquire Research and Development (R&D) services and innovative civil security technology solutions.

Proposals should demonstrate interest from a broader community of potential buyers, beyond the direct beneficiaries, who share similar needs and are open to jointly adopting the solutions developed, provided they are proven mature and operationally viable. The proposals must include an analysis of the state of the art and market landscape, aligning research activities with identified needs and presenting a range of technical alternatives to address the challenge. Furthermore, to stimulate dialogue with the supply side, public procurers are required to organise proposals should demonstrate sustainability of the action beyond the life of the project.

Additional activities for the European Biodiversity Partnership: Biodiversa+

Opened

Code: 36753 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European Biodiversity Partnership Biodiversa+, identified in the strategic plan “Horizon Europe” 2021-2024 and implemented under the previous themes HORIZON-CL6-2021-BIODIV-02-01 and HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-18, and, in particular, the funding of additional activities (which may also be undertaken by additional partners) in view of its envisaged scope and duration, and in accordance with Article 24(2) of Horizon Europe.

It is expected that the additional activities of the Partnership will contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the European Climate Act, through the development of innovative solutions for ecosystem restoration that can maintain and enhance natural carbon stocks and through the further development of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

Digital Europe Programme – Set-up and integration of Design Enablement Teams

Closed

Code: 36748 | Identifier Code: DIGITAL-JU-CHIPS-2025-CSA-DET | Programme name: 32499 | Start submission calls: 04/06/2025 | End submission calls: 30/07/2025

The design platform will focus on empowering emerging companies in the industry, providing them with access to an integrated chip design ecosystem, from early stages to final production.

Pilots of long-term climate impact forest monitoring sites: Linking stand-level information and remote sensing

Closed

Code: 36747 | Identifier Code: FORWARDS | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 19/06/2025 | End submission calls: 24/08/2025

FORWARDS is a Horizon Europe project that will prototype the ForestWard Observatory, a pan-European monitoring and evaluation tool that will help demonstrate the impact of climate change on forests and guide decision-making for practical forest management.