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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to develop innovative and advanced monitoring and modelling systems that will support revised air quality policies. - Target recipients: Public authorities, researchers, NGOs, patient organizations, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders. - This grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC focusing on environmental science, air quality, and related technologies. - Geographic scope: Organizations from European Union Member States and Associated Countries are eligible. - Key filtering criteria: Projects must focus on air quality monitoring/modelling, innovative solutions (e.g., AI, Earth Observation), and align with the EU's revised Ambient Air Quality Directive and Zero Pollution Action Plan. - Grant frequency: This is a specific topic within the annual Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.

Financial Structure

Funding type: Research and Innovation Actions (RIA).
Grant amount per project: 10000000.0 EUR.
Expected number of grants for this topic: 1.
Total budget allocated for this topic: 10000000.0 EUR.
Eligible costs, financial reporting, and audit requirements are detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial operations must comply with the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Entities

Open to legal entities as described in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding.

Geographic Scope

Applicants must be from countries eligible for funding as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. These typically include EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe.

Financial and Operational Capacity

Applicants must meet financial and operational capacity requirements as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Technical Requirements

If projects utilize satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data and services, beneficiaries are required to use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.

Application Process

Application Submission Process

Application deadline: 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000 (UTC).
Submission type: Single-stage proposal submission.
Submission platform: Electronic Submission Service available via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Required documentation: Proposal page limit and layout guidelines are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and specifically in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Applicants must use the standard application form templates for HE RIA/IA.

Evaluation and Selection Process

The evaluation and award processes are detailed in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement procedures is provided in Annex F.
Standard evaluation form templates for HE RIA/IA will be used with necessary adaptations.

Grant Management and Post-Award

The legal and financial set-up of the grants is described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The Model Grant Agreements (MGA) for HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based will be utilized.

Application Support Resources

Comprehensive guidance is available through the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ.
For specific inquiries, applicants can contact the Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), and the IT Helpdesk.
The Enterprise Europe Network offers advice, particularly for SMEs.
Intellectual property guidance is available from the European IPR Helpdesk.
European Standards Organisations (CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk) advise on standardization in proposals.
A partner search function is available on the Funding & Tenders Portal to help find consortium partners.

Evaluation Criteria

General Evaluation Criteria

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds will be applied as described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Expected Outcomes for Scoring

Proposals are evaluated on their contribution to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Public authorities and relevant stakeholders gaining access to improved and cost-effective solutions for air pollution detection, measurement, monitoring, and assessment, including integration pathways into operational services.
- Enhanced and more rapidly accessible air quality data supporting science-based decision-making and policy development at local and national levels, leading to more effective air quality measures and efficient use of funding.
- Increased public awareness and accurate information on local air quality issues fostering healthier behaviours, especially among vulnerable groups.

Specific Scope Requirements for Evaluation

Development or improvement of cost-effective monitoring and modelling tools/methods for known and emerging air pollutants, addressing accuracy and dispersion mapping in support of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).
Development of methodologies and recommendations for designing optimal monitoring networks, integrating traditional and innovative techniques (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, low-cost sensors), considering funding aspects.
Improvement of processing and integration of in situ, ground-based remote sensing, and satellite observations (e.g., Sentinels) with air quality numerical models using various methods (e.g., AI algorithms, finite elements modelling).
Activities should build on past/ongoing research projects (e.g., Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, research infrastructures like ACTRIS ERIC, LIFE integrated projects) and cooperate with AQUILA and FAIRMODE communities.
Proposals must articulate how they will coordinate with current and future actions funded by ESA's Future EO programme within ESA's atmospheric science cluster.

Cross-Cutting Themes

The integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement for scoring.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Policy Compliance

Projects must contribute to the implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD).
Adherence to the European Green Deal and the zero-pollution action plan for a toxic-free environment.
Compliance with the objectives of the EU's chemicals strategy for sustainability.
Alignment with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and EU water legislation for activities related to ocean and seas.
Contributions to the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Legal Framework

Compliance with HE Framework Programme 2021/695 and HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764.
Compliance with EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property policies are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Cross-Cutting Priorities and Themes

This topic aligns with cross-cutting priorities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), and the Digital Agenda.
International cooperation is encouraged to maximize the impact of research and innovation under this destination.

Strategic Alignment and Synergies

Projects are expected to complement and create synergies with other Horizon Europe instruments and Missions (e.g., 'A Soil Deal for Europe', 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030', 'Climate-Neutral Smart Cities').
Collaboration with the institutionalized partnership Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking is encouraged.
Complementarities with Destinations 1 and 5 of Horizon Europe are expected to enhance understanding of ecosystem adaptation and resource management under climate change.

Grant Details