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Grant Details

Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to develop and accelerate pathways towards effective alternative socio-economic models that support biodiversity restoration and protection, focusing on integrating biodiversity values into economic activities and fostering transformative change. Target recipients are research organizations, universities, public bodies, and businesses capable of conducting significant research, typically as part of a consortium. The grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC, primarily targeting environmental research, bioeconomy, agriculture, and related governance and social sectors. Projects are focused on Europe but with global dissemination of outcomes; eligibility extends to EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with possibilities for non-associated third countries under specific conditions. Key filtering criteria include a focus on biodiversity, socio-economic models, the multi-actor approach, and research and innovation. This is part of the annual Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, specifically Cluster 6, Destination 'Biodiversity and ecosystem services', contributing to EU Green Deal and global biodiversity goals.

Financial Structure

  • Funding Type: Research and Innovation Actions (RIA).
  • Minimum Grant Amount: 7,000,000.0 EUR per project.
  • Maximum Grant Amount: 7,000,000.0 EUR per project.
  • Total Budget for Topic: 14,000,000.0 EUR for 2 expected grants.
  • Currency: EUR.
  • Funding Rate: Not explicitly stated, but Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) typically cover up to 100% of eligible costs.
  • Eligible and Ineligible Costs: Determined by the financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes, and the legal and financial set-up of grants described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Financial Reporting and Audit: Governed by the rules in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Type
  • Must apply the 'multi-actor approach' (consortium required).
  • Any legal entity is eligible, including those from non-associated third countries or international organizations.
Geographic Location
  • Located in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
  • Non-associated third countries are eligible if specific provisions are made for their funding in Horizon Europe projects.
Project Type
  • Proposals must be 'Research and Innovation Actions' (RIA).
Technical Expertise
  • Expertise in environmental sciences, economics, social sciences, humanities (SSH), and potentially AI/digital tools is implicitly required.
Compliance
  • Adherence to admissibility conditions (proposal page limit and layout) as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Adherence to financial and operational capacity criteria as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Application Timeline
  • Call Opening Date: 2025-05-06
  • Submission Deadline: 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000
  • Submission Procedure: Single-stage application process.
Application Materials
  • Application Form: Use the standard application form specific to 'Research and Innovation Actions' (HE RIA, IA) available in the online Submission System.
  • Proposal Content: Must adhere to page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and Part B of the Application Form.
Submission Process
  • Submission Platform: Proposals must be submitted online via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System.
  • Applicants will be asked to confirm their choice of action type, as it cannot be changed once confirmed in the system.
Evaluation Process
  • Evaluation Criteria: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
  • Evaluation Form: The standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) will be used with necessary adaptations.
  • Process and Timeline: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. An indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also provided in Annex F.
Support and Guidance
  • Extensive support is available through the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, FAQs, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, and European Standards Organisations (CEN-CENELEC and ETSI) Research Helpdesks.
  • A 'Partner Search' tool is available on the Funding & Tenders Portal to help find suitable partner organizations for consortium building.

Evaluation Criteria

Contribution to Expected Outcomes and Impacts
  • The project's ability to generate new knowledge on alternative socio-economic models for biodiversity restoration and protection.
  • Effectiveness in providing synthesised, systematised and prioritised knowledge for decision-makers (policymakers, public/private strategic decision makers).
  • Development of information, tools, assessment strategies and metrics that allow for the continuous improved protection and restoration of biodiversity, alongside climate resilience.
  • Alignment with broader EU objectives (European Green Deal, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, EU Nature Restoration Regulation) and international frameworks (Kunming-MontrĂ©al Global Biodiversity Framework, SDGs, Paris Agreement).
Research Quality and Innovation
  • Depth of analysis of existing alternative socio-economic models, identification of best practices, and exploration of pathways for future development and implementation.
  • Identification and proposed solutions to overcome barriers and obstacles in scaling up the best available models, including the potential of Generative AI.
  • Pinpointing gaps in current research, innovation, skills, education, legislation, and technology, and proposing capacity-building strategies.
  • Advancement of valuation methods for biodiversity (monetary and non-monetary) towards standardised indicators, considering ethical and social implications.
  • Development and piloting of strategies, scenario methods, market and non-market measures, instruments, and approaches using collaborative and participatory methods.
  • Co-design of pathways with stakeholders, using innovative technologies and tools, including Generative AI, for adaptable models.
  • Integration of both quantitative and qualitative research.
  • Consideration of ethical implications throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with broader societal values and contribution to equitable and just transitions.
Stakeholder Engagement and Dissemination
  • Active involvement of end-users (policy and decision makers, citizens) in the co-creation process, potentially using Generative AI-based tools.
  • Plans for dissemination of recommendations, actionable knowledge, and empowerment tools at European and Member State levels, and beyond the EU.
  • Demonstration of synergies with other relevant EU initiatives (Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects) and collaboration with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Science Service project BioAgora.
  • Clear and substantial contribution from social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines.
Impact and Sustainability
  • Potential for transformative change towards a nature-positive society.
  • Contribution to social equity and community well-being.
  • Ability to address specific challenges faced by different ecosystems (e.g., agriculture, forestry) and communities (e.g., rural areas, those facing socio-economic inequalities).
  • Support for the practical implementation of the EU biodiversity strategy and the Kunming-MontrĂ©al Global Biodiversity Framework with evidence-based recommendations.
  • Leveraging synergies across multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Ethical Compliance
  • Adherence to relevant EU environmental legislation, including the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, EU soil monitoring and resilience law, EU forest monitoring law, and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities.
  • Compliance with environmental objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European Climate Law.
  • Projects must consider ethical implications throughout their lifecycle, ensuring outcomes align with broader societal values and contribute to equitable and just transitions.
  • A reflexive use of valuation methods is encouraged, specifically considering their ethical and social implications.
Partnership and Collaboration
  • A multi-actor approach requiring a consortium is mandatory for this grant.
  • International cooperation is encouraged, particularly for topics supporting the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement.
  • Proposals should actively create synergies with other Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects and foresee clustering activities.
  • Cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and the Science Service project BioAgora is expected.
Research and Innovation Aspects
  • This grant primarily funds Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs).
  • Requires significant contributions from social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines, including economics, sociology, and educational science.
  • Projects should take advantage of advanced digital technologies and tools, such as high-performance computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Environmental Observation, where appropriate, specifically mentioning the potential use of Generative AI.
  • Active engagement of citizens and stakeholders is sought, including through 'living labs'.
  • Actions should leverage knowledge compiled in IPBES assessment reports.
Unique Contextual Considerations
  • The grant encourages analysis of how traditional economic models contribute to biodiversity loss and socio-economic challenges, and calls for pragmatic actions addressing root causes of unsustainable practices, power imbalances, and justice concerns.
  • Projects should address specific challenges faced by different ecosystems (e.g., agriculture, forestry) and vulnerable communities (e.g., rural areas, those facing socio-economic inequalities).
  • Expected to contribute to the new Commission priority 'Protecting our democracy, upholding our values' by engaging with civil society.
  • Emphasizes contributions to the twin green and digital transition.

Grant Details

alternative socio-economic models biodiversity biodiversity crisis biodiversity loss biodiversity protection biodiversity restoration climate change climate crisis economics economics for biodiversity ecosystem services nbs natural capital natural capital accounting nature positive economy nature valuation nature-based solutions ssh transformative change inequality green deal nature restoration regulation kunming-montreal global biodiversity artificial intelligence generative ai multi-actor approach research and innovation
Strengthening pathways to alternative socio-economic models for continuous improvement of biodiversity
48212681TOPICSen
Horizon Europe
OTHER UNIVERSITY PUBLIC
AT BE BG HR CY CZ DK EE FI FR DE GR HU IE IT LV LT LU MT NL PL PT RO SK SI ES SE AL BA GE IS LI MK MD ME NO RS TR UA UK AR CA CN IL JP KR MY QA SA SG CH TW AE US DZ AM BY EG FO GL JO KW LB MA MC PS TN RU
ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE SOCIAL ENERGY OTHER
DEVELOPMENT OTHER
OTHER
SDG2 SDG12 SDG13 SDG14 SDG15 SDG17
RESEARCH_DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY_BUILDING NETWORKING PILOT_PROJECTS OPERATIONAL_SUPPORT
14000000.00
7000000.00
7000000.00
EUR
None
Sept. 17, 2025, midnight
None