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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to support the reconstruction of areas affected by conflicts, such as Ukraine and Gaza, by developing and deploying innovative bio-based and nature-based solutions.
It targets organizations capable of conducting Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) focusing on environmental restoration, sustainable rebuilding, and climate adaptation in post-conflict zones.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, primarily focusing on bioeconomy, environmental restoration, and humanitarian aid sectors.
The geographic scope is conflict-affected areas globally, with a specific emphasis on future EU enlargement and international partnership initiatives.
Key filtering criteria: Focus on bio-based/nature-based solutions for conflict reconstruction, research and innovation capacity, and willingness for international cooperation.
This grant is part of the recurring Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2021-2027), specifically under the Cluster 6 Work Programme for 2025.

Financial Structure

Budget range: The total available budget for this topic (HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-13) is 8,000,000 EUR.
Grant amount per project: Each selected project is expected to receive 4,000,000 EUR.
Currency: EUR (Euro).
Funding type: Lump sum contribution. Payments are based on the successful completion of agreed work packages, not on actual incurred costs.
Funding rate: Up to 100% of the agreed lump sum contribution, as the lump sum calculation includes the Horizon Europe reimbursement rates for estimated eligible costs.
Eligible costs: The lump sum covers estimated direct and indirect project costs, including: personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel, subsistence, equipment, other goods/services), and other specific cost categories (financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods/services, research infrastructure access).
Ineligible costs: Any costs not considered eligible under standard Horizon Europe rules should not be included in the lump sum proposal.
Indirect cost policy: Indirect costs are calculated by applying a 25% flat rate to the direct cost categories that qualify for indirect costs under Horizon Europe rules.
Financial reporting: No obligation for beneficiaries to document actual costs incurred for the action. Financial checks focus on whether work package conditions for payment have been met and on the technical implementation of the action.
Pre-financing: Standard Horizon Europe rules for pre-financing apply. A portion (5-8%) of the total lump sum is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Organizations of any type are generally eligible for Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs).
This includes, but is not limited to: research organizations, universities, public bodies, private companies (including SMEs), NGOs, and other legal entities.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium.

Consortium Requirements

A consortium is required for this Research and Innovation Action (RIA).
While not explicitly detailed in the provided snippet, Horizon Europe RIAs typically require a minimum of three independent legal entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

Geographic Location

Organizations from EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe are eligible to receive funding. These typically include:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Refer to Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes for the complete and up-to-date list of eligible countries, including Associated Countries.

Technical Expertise and Infrastructure

Demonstrated expertise in bio-based innovation, nature-based solutions, biotechnology, digital solutions, and environmental restoration is required.
Experience with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is encouraged for confirming sustainability claims.
Capacity for developing practical solutions for reconstruction and 'renaturing' destroyed areas.

Track Record and Experience

Proven ability to conduct high-quality research and innovation activities (RIA).
Experience in multi-actor approaches (MAA) and social innovation is encouraged.
Previous engagement in humanitarian applications or related fields is beneficial.

Exclusion Criteria

General exclusion criteria for financial and operational capacity apply as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Applicants must not be in a situation of exclusion.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Submission

Submission Deadline: 2025-09-17 00:00:00+00:00.
Applications must be submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.
The submission process is single-stage.

Required Documentation and Materials

Application Form Templates: Use the standard application form specific to this call (HE RIA, IA), available in the Submission System.
Detailed Budget Table: Applicants must propose the lump sum amount based on estimated direct and indirect costs, providing a breakdown per work package and per beneficiary/affiliated entity using the relevant templates.
Consortium Agreement: A consortium agreement defining the internal organization and collaboration among beneficiaries is typically required before the grant agreement signature (though not explicitly listed as a submission requirement here).

Application Procedure

Access the Electronic Submission Service via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
Select the correct topic and type of action (HORIZON-RIA) to access the application form.
Complete the application form, providing a detailed description of activities for each work package and all related resources.
Submit the proposal by the deadline.

Evaluation and Selection

Evaluation Process: Proposals are evaluated by external independent experts.
Evaluation Criteria: Based on Excellence, Impact, and Quality and efficiency of the implementation (as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes).
Review Process: Experts with financial expertise will check the budget estimate based on benchmarks and assess if resources align with activities and expected outputs.

Post-Award Requirements and Obligations

Grant Agreement: Successful applicants will sign a Lump Sum Model Grant Agreement (MGA).
Payment Mechanism: Payments are linked to the successful completion of work packages. If conditions for a work package are not met, payment for that work package may be withheld.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Checks will focus on the technical implementation of the action, fulfillment of work package conditions, ethics, research integrity, dissemination, exploitation of results, intellectual property management, and gender equality.
Progress Tracking: Regular reporting on the technical progress and completion of work packages will be required.

Evaluation Criteria

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the standard Horizon Europe procedures, with specific scoring factors detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. These typically cover three main aspects:
Excellence
Impact
Quality and efficiency of the implementation

Excellence

Clarity and pertinence of the project's objectives, and the extent to which they address the topic's objectives.
Soundness of the proposed methodology, including the approach to bio-based and nature-based solutions, and consideration of circular and cascading use of biomass principles.
Originality and innovativeness of the proposed research and innovation activities.
High quality of the proposed work, including the interdisciplinary aspects (e.g., integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and gender dimension).
Quality of the multi-actor approach (MAA) and stakeholder engagement, ensuring inclusive engagement of key stakeholders.

Impact

Contribution to achieving expected outcomes, including advanced mapping, enhanced uptake of sustainable bio-based solutions, and promotion of 'build back better and greener' concepts.
Potential for significant social, economic, and environmental impacts in conflict-affected areas.
Contribution to EU international commitments on biodiversity and climate change.
Potential for replication actions and recommendations to policymakers and EU/international relief organizations.
Effective strategies for dissemination, communication, and exploitation of results, including sharing methodologies and findings with relevant ongoing projects.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
Appropriateness of the management structure and procedures.
Complementarity of the participants within the consortium and the extent to which the consortium as a whole brings together the necessary expertise.
Quality and efficiency of the budget estimate, with financial experts checking against benchmarks and assessing resource allocation for each work package. Proposals should demonstrate a robust, detailed budget showing activities per work package and resources.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

General Conditions: Adherence to the proposal page limit and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and Financial Setup: Compliance with the legal and financial rules for grants as defined in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes, specifically for lump sum contributions.
EU Financial Regulation: Compliance with EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509.

Data Protection and Privacy

Compliance with Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement and general data protection regulations.

Ethical Standards

Adherence to ethical standards and research integrity throughout the project. These aspects will be subject to checks during the grant's implementation.

Environmental Compliance

Projects are expected to promote 'build back better and greener' concepts, utilizing sustainable and environmentally-friendly management of biological resources.
Sustainability of circular bio-based materials should be confirmed by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, where possible.

Intellectual Property Policies

Management of intellectual property (IP) generated by the project is a key compliance area, as outlined in the grant agreement and relevant Horizon Europe rules.

Risk Management

While not explicitly detailed, standard project risk management expectations apply, especially concerning disaster risk reduction, if relevant to the proposed solution.

Special Considerations

International Cooperation: Strongly encouraged for this topic.
Synergies: Proposals should seek synergies with ongoing projects (e.g., HORIZON-CL6-2023-CIRCBIO-01-06, HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-05), upcoming topics (HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03), and initiatives like the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility, EU Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities, and LIFE projects.
Cross-Cutting Themes: Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) aspects, including gender dimension and social innovation, must be covered to ensure inclusive engagement of all key stakeholders.
Policymaker Recommendations: The action is expected to provide recommendations to policymakers and EU and international relief organizations.
JRC Support: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may provide support in research activities related to the application of circular and bio-based materials in rapid rebuilding of conflict-affected regions.
Innovation: Projects should focus on developing practical, innovative bio-based and nature-based solutions for reconstruction and 'renaturing' degraded areas.

Grant Details