Living labs for co-creating solutions for the restoration of ecosystems

Opened

Code: 39494 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 defines nature restoration objectives in line with target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation provides that Member States shall put in place effective and area-based restoration measures.

Living labs have the potential to empower a green transition towards nature restoration and climate change mitigation and adaptation by developing solutions in a co-creative manner and involving actors in real life settings to achieve large-scale impact and foster collaboration between sectors and communities.

Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration

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Code: 39491 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 acknowledges that protecting and restoring nature will need more than regulation alone and will notably require action by citizens. This topic intends to support citizens willing to take directly part in nature protection and restoration.

It is expected to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and in particular to its target 21. A wide range of ecosystem types (in terrestrial environment, in fresh and/or marine water) can be considered.

Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy

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Code: 39488 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

Proposals should thrive to equip policymakers and practitioners with robust evidence, knowledge and practice on NbS. When implemented at scale, and following a credible design and implementation approach thriving for ecosystem integrity and connectivity, NbS can deliver significant benefits and reduced costs.

This topic aims to contribute to the evidence base on the role of NbS in a nature positive and climate resilience society. It supports climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, that ensure long-term economic security and opportunities, respect planetary boundaries and address climate uncertainties. This calls for a systematic integration of NbS across sectors and policy levels. Proposals are encouraged to apply a multi-actor approach to engage with actors from research, policy and practice, as well as SSH disciplines, to support the above-mentioned systemic NbS integration and evidence-based decision-making, and produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities

Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal

Opened

Code: 39484 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The Clean Industrial Deal confirms Europe’s dedication to its decarbonisation goals by offering clear business incentives. It will help create lead markets to boost supply and demand in clean tech and energy-intensive industries (such as chemicals, cement, steel and metals), enabling the decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness of Europe at the same time. An integral focus is to support the acceleration of the roll-out of clean energy and manufacturing, to develop sectoral transition pathways and to reinforce a circular economy.

Decontaminate and bioremediate aquatic pollution

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Code: 39482 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

Chemical pollution of aquatic environments from contaminants and pollutants poses risks for human and environmental health. As recent assessments of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and of the Water Framework Directive have shown, large parts of Europe’s groundwater bodies, rivers, lakes, coastal, transitional and marine waters have not reached good status and often exceed regulatory threshold levels set to avoid potential risk to human health and the environment.

Continued inflow of pollutants into the aquatic environment, coupled with their ubiquity and persistent nature is increasing the risk of accumulation and long-term exposure of organisms and human beings. While pollution prevention is the most effective measure to tackle aquatic pollution, more effective action and novel solutions are needed to bioremediate and decontaminate European waters from particularly harmful and persistent substances.

Call for proposals to National Roma Contact Points

Opened

Code: 39479 | Identifier Code: CERV-2026-NRCP | Programme name: 2926 | Start submission calls: 11/12/2025 | End submission calls: 09/04/2026

Strengthening the national Roma consultation processes in Member States through national Roma platforms convened and managed by national Roma contact points (NRCPs).

Advancing Social Cohesion in the Face of Polarized Public Discourse

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Code: 39476 | Identifier Code: PPPA-2026-SOCIAL-COHESION-PPD | Programme name: 2280 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 31/03/2026

The primary objective of this call is to advance interdisciplinary research on polarisation in the digital age, with particular focus on its role as a driver of systemic risk to democratic institutions, social cohesion, and public trust. The idea is to put together existing research and build on top of it.

1. Analysis and Monitoring Methodology and Innovative Tools for Understanding Polarisation
2. European Regional Knowledge Exchange and Implementation Pathways for Social Cohesion
3. Collaboration and Practical Mitigation Strategies

Living labs to enhance soil health in managed forests and in natural/semi-natural lands

Opened

Code: 39472 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

Forests soils play a fundamental role in global environmental protection, by supporting rich biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, regulating floodings, and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

In Europe, forests cover nearly 40% of the total land area, with over 90% classified as managed forests, where human activities such as timber production, habitat management, recreation, etc. take place.

Maintaining and enhancing soil functions in managed forests is essential for ensuring both their productivity and long-term resilience. In this context, developing a sustainable forest bioeconomy is strategically important for Europe’s green transition.

Living labs to enhance soil health in Alpine and Atlantic biogeographical regions

Opened

Code: 39468 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

The Mission Soil proposes the deployment of living labs as a novel approach to research and innovation in soil health. Living labs have the potential to facilitate a green transition by involving multiple actors in real-life sites within a local/regional setting to co-create soil health solutions and achieve large-scale impacts on soil health and soil governance.

Projects funded under this topic should deploy a number of living labs to expand and complement the network of soil health living labs initiated in previous Mission Soil topics to gradually establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition towards healthy soils by 2030.

Small-scale Hydrogen Valley

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Code: 39465 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this flagship topic is to develop and demonstrate a small-scale Hydrogen Valley. It could demonstrate a combination of technologies either in existing and/or new markets for clean hydrogen, especially when applications are used in symbiose with each other.

Proposals should demonstrate innovative approaches at system level: systemic and synergetic integration of hydrogen production (not restricted to electrolysis), distribution and end-use technologies. Proposals may also investigate interoperability, cause-effect stability of the overall system. Technologies demonstrated should be state-of the-art following technological developments previously funded by (but not limited to) the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

Large-scale Hydrogen Valley

Opened

Code: 39462 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-06-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this flagship topic is to develop and demonstrate a large-scale Hydrogen Valley. It could demonstrate a combination of technologies either in existing and/or new markets for clean hydrogen (including hard-to-abate sectors), especially when applications are used in symbiose with each other.

Proposals should demonstrate innovative approaches at system level: systemic and synergetic integration of hydrogen production (not restricted to electrolysis), distribution and end-use technologies.

Proposals may also investigate interoperability, cause-effect stability of the overall system. Technologies demonstrated should be state-of the-art following technological developments previously funded by (but not limited to) the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.

Pre-Normative Research on hydrogen odorisation: enhancing safety and detection along the hydrogen value chain

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Code: 39457 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-05-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

While the goal is to have an entirely decarbonised gas grid by the end of 2030, safety measures are needed when switching to 100 % hydrogen. For a safe operation, pipeline components not only need to be checked for hydrogen tolerance, but also whether they tolerate the odorants themselves. Pre-Normative Research (PNR) and the development of regulations, codes and standards (RCS) require an open communication and knowledge transfer across project boundaries and beyond project terms. Generation of experimental data, collaboration and coordination with international partners and stakeholders are essential to ensure that this goal is achieved in the EU and even worldwide.

Public datasets of technologies along the hydrogen value chain for life cycle (sustainability) assessment

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Code: 39454 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-05-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Given the importance of further enabling a robust and transparent assessment of FCH products to support the penetration of those in compliance with sustainability standards, this topic promotes the timely development of high-quality datasets for key FCH-relevant products and technologies across the hydrogen value chain. As regards scope, the project is expected to focus on the development of at least 20 high-quality, open-access and freely accessible datasets (LCIs) for several key FCH-relevant products and technologies. Besides, projects should also illustrate LCIs usefulness through their application in life cycle (sustainability) assessment studies.

Fuel-flexible gas turbine combustion technology for clean and efficient ammonia firing

Opened

Code: 39451 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

Standard gas turbine combustion technologies developed and optimised for ultra-low NO_x emissions of lean premixed natural gas mixtures are not able to burn ammonia or ammonia-hydrogen blends within existing normative emission limits. Therefore, a paradigm shift is required to develop novel fuel-flexible combustion technologies that enable clean and efficient ammonia operation of gas turbines, as well as backup fuels as fallback solution.

In this context, the development of novel combustion systems for clean and efficient utilisation of NH3-based fuels in gas turbines should investigate, understand and solve challenges related to:

1. poor flame stability due to low ammonia reactivity;
2. significant NOx and N2O emissions due to oxidation of fuel-bound nitrogen;
3. lethal levels of toxic compounds in the exhaust gas, as unburnt NH3 (ammonia slip) and HCN .

Demonstration of rSOC operation for local grid-connected hydrogen production and utilisation

Opened

Code: 39448 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic builds on the significant advancements made by previous European projects in the field of reversible solid oxide cells systems (rSOC). The REFLEX project has developed an innovative renewable energy storage solution called “Smart Energy Hub”, which is based on rSOC technology. The SWITCH project focused on the development of a rSOC able to guarantee highly pure hydrogen production in compliance with main industrial and automotive standards.

The European project REACTT focused on developing and demonstrating advanced diagnostic and control tools for rSOC, highlighting the importance of monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and control tools for SOE and rSOC stacks and systems with the aim of enhancing the system reliability and extend stack lifetime. Within the SO-FREE project, they developed a solid oxide FC-based system for combined heat and power generation.

More recently, the 24_7 ZEN project has contributed to understanding Solid Oxide Cells by developing and demonstrating a cutting-edge reversible solid oxide cell (rSOC) power-balancing plant at a 33/100 kW scale, designed to be compatible with both gas and electricity grids.

Next generation of reversible proton conducting ceramic cells and stacks for efficient energy applications at ≥1 kW scale

Opened

Code: 39446 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-04-01 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

This topic focuses on the development of advanced protonic or co-ionic ceramic electrochemical cells and stacks for reversible application to improve performance and durability. This should take into consideration strategies for reducing and/or recycling critical and strategic raw materials at cell/stack level. All geometries (e.g. tubular or planar) and cell architectures are in the scope of the topic. The applications of hydrogen separation, and/or hydrogen pumping or related (either side of the PCC in reducing gas atmospheres) are not in the scope.

Multi-fuel SOFC powertrain for maritime transport

Opened

Code: 39443 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-04 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The proposal should be based on further developing the results of previous projects that have laid a foundation in SOFC development for stationary applications and correctly consider the challenges met from a holistic perspective. Projects such as Helenus ^,Fuelsome and ShipFC are currently active, and proposals should consider the publicly available results and the problems faced by those projects and activate possible interactions and collaborations to produce technological advancements and novel solutions.

Second Lump Sum Micro-Grants for Members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice

Opened

Code: 39439 | Identifier Code: SoilTribes | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 09/02/2026 | End submission calls: 09/03/2026

The SoilTribes project aims to increase soil literacy and promote its preservation through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. It addresses soil degradation by promoting innovative communication campaigns, creative activities, and citizen engagement in sustainable practices. The project provides financial support for collaborative initiatives involving science, art, and society, aiming to transform behaviors regarding soil protection and restoration.

SoilTribes is rooted in the European Union mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and aligns with its goals to restore soil health, engage communities, and increase soil literacy

Flexible and standardised hydrogen storage system

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Code: 39436 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-03 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of this topic is to develop a flexible and standardised hydrogen storage interface that supports the integration of multiple storage technologies and is easily deployable across mobility sectors, with possible spillovers on stationary applications.

The interface should provide a limited set of basic sizes for the storage units (joinable to reach an adequate capacity for each specific application); this set should be as small as possible to simplify hydrogen storage manufacturing, and as large as necessary to cover relevant mobility applications.

Proposals should build on the outcomes of StasHH (Standard-Sized Heavy-Duty Hydrogen) and extend the concept toward hydrogen storage.

Projects should include at least compressed hydrogen and may include other storage forms such as liquid hydrogen, cryo-compression, metal hydrides, ammonia followed by cracking systems, or methanol followed by reforming technologies, LOHC, or any other.

Components Development and Experimental Testing for an Onboard Liquid Hydrogen Supply and Conditioning System in High-Power Fuel Cell Aviation Applications

Opened

Code: 39433 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2026-03-02 | Programme name: 27323 | Start submission calls: 10/02/2026 | End submission calls: 15/04/2026

The scope of the topic is to design, develop and demonstrate on the ground the reliable and safe operation of key components (up to TRL 5) and integrated sub-systems combining them (up to TRL 4).

This includes, but is not limited, to cryogenic valves, insulation, piping, sensors, metering systems and interfaces between the tank and the fuel cell systems.

The system level requirements, the preliminary system architecture and the operational envelope will be defined in coordination with the project funded under Clean Aviation JU.

In return, the project that will be selected from this topic will provide feedback on component feasibility, performance, development status and deliver pre-tested components for final system integration and testing. A number of defined collaborative meetings will be held to ensure alignment between the system-level design and the component development efforts