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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to enhance Europe's efforts towards climate neutrality and ocean sustainability. It aims to improve scientific understanding of ocean health and integrity under various emission scenarios, addressing existing and emerging threats. - Target recipient type: Primarily research organizations, universities, public bodies, and international organizations capable of conducting advanced scientific research. - Target size: SECTOR-AGNOSTIC regarding organizational size, focusing more on research capacity and consortium strength. - Geographic scope: Global ocean, with strong relevance to European policies and international cooperation. - Key filtering criteria: Focus on ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus research, strong scientific methodology, and collaborative project approach. - Grant frequency: Part of the recurring Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.

Financial Structure

Budget per project: Each successful project is expected to receive 6,500,000 EUR.
Total funding for this topic: The total indicative budget for this specific topic (HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-02) is 19,500,000 EUR.
Expected number of grants: 3 grants are expected to be awarded under this topic.
Eligible costs: Not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but consistent with 'Research and Innovation Actions' under Horizon Europe, covering costs related to research, innovation, personnel, equipment, travel, etc.
Currency: EUR.
Funding Rate: 'None' (The specific funding rate percentage is not provided in the topic description, but is generally high for Research and Innovation Actions, often 100% for non-profit entities and 70% for for-profit entities).
Financial reporting: Requirements are detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Annotated Model Grant Agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type

Eligible organization types include universities, research organizations, public bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and potentially private companies (SMEs, enterprises) engaged in research and innovation. International organizations are 'exceptionally eligible for funding'.

Geographic Location

Organizations from EU Member States are eligible.
Organizations from countries associated with Horizon Europe are eligible.
Specific provisions may exist for participants from certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries, as outlined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Consortium Requirements

A consortium is required, necessitating a 'strong collaboration mechanism' among participating entities.
Projects should include a 'dedicated task, appropriate resources, and a plan' for collaboration between funded actions.

Technical and Capacity Requirements

Projects must leverage existing observing platforms, such as those within the Copernicus programme.
Proposals should strengthen and expand current capacities using interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based approaches.
Research should include Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) perspectives and consider gender aspects.
Projects must build on and link with sister Horizon projects, Copernicus marine service (CMEMS), GOOS, OBIS, MBON of GEOBON, ICOS, GCOS, and other relevant international Ocean Observing Initiatives.

Application Process

Application Deadlines and Submission

Application submission opens: 2025-05-06.
Application deadline: 2025-09-16 00:00:00+0000.
Submission type: Single-stage submission process.
Submission platform: Applications must be submitted through the Funding & Tenders Portal online submission system.

Required Documentation and Materials

Application form: Use the standard application form specific to this call, available in the Submission System (Standard application form for HE RIA, IA).
Proposal content: Must adhere to proposal 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.

Support and Guidance

Online Manual: Provides guidance on proposal submission and grant management.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide: Offers detailed guidance on the program's structure, budget, and political priorities.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ: Answers common questions on submission and management.
Research Enquiry Service: For general questions about European research.
National Contact Points (NCPs): Provide guidance and assistance on participation, available in EU and many non-EU countries.
Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Offers advice to businesses, especially SMEs, on EU research funding.
IT Helpdesk: For technical issues with the Funding & Tenders Portal.
European IPR Helpdesk: Assists with intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks: Advise on standardization in project proposals.
European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct: General principles for researchers, employers, and funders.
Partner Search: Tools to help find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Scientific Excellence

Quality, ambition, and pertinence of the research and innovation methodology.
Soundness of the proposed approach, including conceptual framework, methodology, and interdisciplinary aspects.
Innovation requirements: Actions should develop 'innovative approaches' to address the chosen option (A, B, or C).
Balance in Technological Readiness Levels (TRLs) between lower and higher levels.

Impact

Expected outcomes aligned with European and global biodiversity and climate objectives (e.g., improved understanding of ocean health, advanced science on emerging threats, better ocean acidification understanding, improved monitoring/modelling).
Contribution to evidence-based decision-making on ocean governance.
Significant contribution to global scientific assessments (e.g., IPCC, IPBES, WOA, UNFCCC Ocean-Climate Dialogue, UN Decade of Ocean Science, UN SDGs 13 and 14).
Potential for social, economic, and environmental impact, including contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Strengthening European leadership in the ocean-climate-biodiversity science nexus.
Maximizing impacts through a 'systemic multidisciplinary approach', 'strong international cooperation', and 'integration of indigenous and local knowledge'.
Encouragement of 'social innovation' to involve all stakeholders and promote uptake of solutions.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, including appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
Quality and complementarity of the participants within the consortium.
Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including risk management.
Mobilization of necessary resources (human, financial, infrastructure).
Soundness of proposed measures to ensure data management, FAIR principles, and open access to research outputs.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must align with the objectives of the European Green Deal, European Climate Law, and other relevant EU regulations like the amended LULUCF and Effort Sharing Regulation.
Compliance with international commitments, notably the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) is required.

Data and IP Policies

All in-situ data collected must follow INSPIRE principles and be available through open access repositories supported by the European Commission (Copernicus, EMODnet).
Projects should leverage data and services from European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and adhere to FAIR data principles.
Intellectual Property policies are generally outlined in the Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

Ethical and Cross-cutting Standards

Research must include Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) perspectives and address gender considerations.
A 'comprehensive justice perspective', including intergenerational aspects, should be integrated into the research.
Inclusivity: Integration of 'indigenous and local knowledge' is encouraged.

Technical and Synergistic Requirements

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
Projects should seek synergies with EU Missions (e.g., 'Adaptation to climate change', 'Restore our ocean and waters', 'A Soil Deal for Europe') and European Partnerships (e.g., Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership).
Collaboration with ESA and the European Commission on Earth System Science is expected, requiring sufficient means and resources for effective coordination.

Unique Aspects and Challenges

Projects must address one of three distinct options: A (Ocean integrity at different emission scenarios), B (Ocean integrity and health: current and emerging anthropogenic threats), or C (Ocean integrity and health: Ocean Acidification).
Emphasis on the precautionary principle in uncovering safe operating space and developing response measures.
Requirement for 'strong collaboration mechanism' and dedicated tasks for interaction between funded projects under this topic.
Encouraged international cooperation, especially with AAORIA partner countries.
Strong linkage with ongoing activities under the UN Decade of Ocean Science, including the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON).

Grant Details