This grant aims to support integrated and coordinated approaches for the conservation, restoration, and climate mitigation and adaptation of coral reefs and their associated ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass beds).
The target recipients are legal entities capable of performing research, including international organizations and those established in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), required to form an international consortium.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant focusing on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate change.
The geographic scope is global, emphasizing areas where these ecosystems coexist, particularly EU Outermost Regions, Overseas Countries and Territories, and LDCs/SIDS.
Key filtering criteria include a focus on marine ecosystem health, climate action, a mandatory international consortium with LDC/SIDS participation, and a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) approach.
The grant is part of the recurring Horizon Europe Work Programme, specifically the 2025 call.
Financial Structure
Funding is provided as a lump sum contribution, meaning payments are linked to the successful completion of agreed work packages, not actual incurred costs.
The total budget for this specific topic (HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-07) is EUR 12,000,000.
Up to 2 grants are expected to be awarded under this topic.
The maximum contribution per grant is EUR 6,000,000.
Eligible costs include personnel costs (employees, direct contractors, seconded persons, SME owners, natural person beneficiaries), subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel, subsistence, equipment, other goods/works/services), and other categories (financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods/services, research infrastructure access, procurement costs).
Ineligible costs are those that would not be eligible under general Horizon Europe rules.
A 25% flat rate for indirect costs is applied to eligible direct costs and is incorporated into the lump sum calculation.
Co-financing principle applies: the total estimated costs of the action must be greater than the estimated EU contribution.
Pre-financing follows standard Horizon Europe rules, and payments are disbursed upon verification of work package completion.
There is generally no obligation to report actual costs incurred, with the focus on technical implementation and delivery.
Between 5% and 8% of the total lump sum is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.
If conditions for a work package are not met, the corresponding lump sum payment for that work package will not be made, and the grant amount may be reduced.
Eligibility Requirements
Organization Type and Structure
Any independent legal entity can apply.
All international organizations are exceptionally eligible for funding.
A consortium is mandatory for application.
The consortium must include, as beneficiaries, at least three independent legal entities, each established in a different Least Developed Country (LDC) and/or Small Island Developing State (SIDS).
Geographic Location
Organizations established in EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are generally eligible for funding.
Organizations established in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are explicitly eligible to be beneficiaries within the required consortia, implying eligibility for funding.
Projects should consider activities in EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.
Technical and Research Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate capacity to conduct Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), implying strong research capabilities.
Expertise is required in marine biology, ecology, conservation, climate science, social sciences, and humanities.
Capability to utilize satellite-based earth observation (Copernicus, Galileo/EGNOS) if relevant to the project.
Ability to develop or integrate various monitoring means, such as sensors, in-situ observation devices, remote sensing products, and citizen science data.
Financial Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Projects operate under a lump sum contribution model, requiring the ability to manage funds based on work package completion rather than detailed cost reporting.
Exclusion Criteria
No specific exclusion criteria are detailed beyond the general Horizon Europe rules, which typically cover issues like bankruptcy, fraud, or serious professional misconduct.
Application Process
Application Timeline
The call opened on 2025-05-06.
The submission deadline is 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000.
The application process is a single-stage submission.
Submission Materials
Applicants must complete the standard application form (HE RIA, IA), including Part B, adhering to specified page limits and layout.
A detailed budget table is required, specifically tailored for lump sum grants, providing an estimated breakdown of costs.
The proposal must include a breakdown of the lump sum contribution per work package and per beneficiary/affiliated entity.
Beneficiaries must declare that their budget estimation followed their own accounting practices.
Application Process
Proposals are submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal's Electronic Submission Service.
Evaluation is conducted by external independent experts who assess proposals against the criteria of Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation.
The estimated budget will undergo a financial check by experts to ensure it is appropriate and aligns with relevant benchmarks.
Support and Resources
Comprehensive guidance is available through the Horizon Europe Online Manual and Programme Guide.
National Contact Points (NCPs) provide practical information and assistance in EU and many non-EU/Associated Countries.
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) offers advice, particularly for SMEs.
An IT Helpdesk is available for technical submission issues.
The European IPR Helpdesk assists with intellectual property concerns.
CEN-CENELEC and ETSI Research Helpdesks offer guidance on standardisation in project proposals.
A Partner Search tool is available on the Funding & Tenders Portal to help find suitable consortium members.
Evaluation Criteria
Standard Horizon Europe Award Criteria
Excellence: Assesses the quality and pertinence of the project's objectives, the soundness of its methodology, and the high-quality scientific/technical knowledge, skills, and resources proposed.
Impact: Evaluates the project's potential to contribute to the expected outcomes and impacts specified in the Work Programme, considering its communication, dissemination, exploitation, and knowledge management plans.
Quality and Efficiency of Implementation: Examines the coherence and effectiveness of the work plan, the appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources, and the quality of the management structures and procedures.
Specific Scoring Factors
Understanding of Ecosystem Dynamics: Proposals must demonstrate an improved understanding of the functional ecology, species assemblages, connectivity, and biogeochemistry of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Effective Management and Restoration Design: Evaluation includes the design of effective management and restoration measures that are based on functional targets, moving beyond single-species approaches.
Integration of Diverse Knowledge: The ability to jointly develop guidelines by combining state-of-the-art science with Indigenous Populations & Local Communities (IPLCs) knowledge, and integrating lessons learned from past initiatives.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Dissemination: Plans for coordination, development of training materials, empowerment tools, and accessible dissemination channels for local actors and stakeholders are key.
Robust Monitoring Strategies: The development or integration of cost-effective, accessible, and lasting monitoring methods for these ecosystems will be assessed.
Natural Capital Valuation: Proposals that include natural capital valuation for cost/benefit analysis of conservation and restoration measures and their societal benefits will be highly regarded.
Multidisciplinary and SSH Integration: The effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and involvement of SSH experts is crucial for a comprehensive approach.
International Collaboration: The strength and effectiveness of international cooperation, particularly the involvement of and benefits for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), will be evaluated.
Clustering and Synergy: Plans for clustering activities and ensuring synergies with other relevant international and Horizon Europe projects (e.g., EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity, BioAgora) will be considered.
Compliance & Special Requirements
Regulatory Compliance
Projects must comply with EU environmental legislation, European Green Deal initiatives, the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, and the European Climate Law.
Proposals should align with international commitments, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement, and the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Data and Technology Requirements
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or related timing data/services, beneficiaries are mandated to use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
The use of advanced digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Environmental Observation is encouraged where appropriate to enhance project outcomes.
Ethical and Societal Considerations
Effective contribution from Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and direct involvement of SSH experts are required.
The project should promote interdisciplinarity and trans-disciplinarity.
Gender equality and other social categories should be considered to ensure a socially just transition.
Engagement with citizens and stakeholders, including through living labs, is expected.
Projects should contribute to the priority of 'Protecting our democracy, upholding our values' by engaging with civil society.
Respect for and inclusion of Indigenous Populations & Local Communities' (IPLCs) knowledge and traditional stewardship are vital.
Research and Dissemination
Proposals should aim to provide timely information for consideration by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Mandatory cooperation is required with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Science Service project BioAgora.
Applicants must foresee clustering activities with other relevant international, Horizon Europe, and Horizon 2020 projects, allocating dedicated tasks and resources for coordination and joint deliverables.
Emphasis is placed on designing and disseminating actionable knowledge, guidelines, training materials, and tools that empower local actors.
Project Management and Standards
Checks, reviews, and audits will focus primarily on the technical implementation of the action and the fulfillment of work package conditions, rather than ex-post financial audits of costs.
Adherence to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment is expected.
Grant Details
biodiversity
benthic ecosystems
blue carbon ecosystems
causes and mechanisms of loss
climate change adaptation
coastal adaptation
coastal and environmental protection
coastal erosion
coastal ecosystems
coastal tourism
conservation biology
ecology
genetics
cultural studies
cultural diversity
earth observations from space
remote sensing
ecosystem management
ecosystem-based approach
habitat and species restoration
rehabilitation
in-situ instruments
sensors
integrated coastal zone management
invasive alien marine species
marine communities
species interactions
marine environmental policies
marine social sciences
marine and ocean management
marine biodiversity
marine biodiversity conservation
marine biodiversity monitoring
marine biology
marine ecosystems and processes
marine
coastal and ocean pollution
nature
nature conservation
nature-based solutions
ocean and climate change
oceanography
physical oceanography
chemical oceanography
biological oceanography
geological oceanography
outermost regions
pelagic ecosystems
population biology
population dynamics
population genetics
seagrass
social and economic geography
sociology
food-webs
symbiosis
parasitism
mutualism
bio-invasion
humanities
seagrass beds
capacity building
climate adaptation
climate mitigation
ecosystem restoration
ecosystems connectivity
ecosystems conservation
biogenic habitats
coastal resilience
coral reefs
economics for biodiversity
ecosystem services
ecosystems functioning
fisheries
functional ecology
in-situ observation
indigenous people and local communit
mangroves
marine heatwaves
marine protected areas
marine and coastal biodiversity
marine and coastal ecosystems
maritime spatial planning
natural capital accounting
nature positive economy
nature valuation
overseas countries and territories
Integrated and coordinated approaches for coral reefs and associated ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass beds) conservation, restoration, and climate mitigation and adaptation
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Horizon Europe
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