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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

This grant aims to significantly improve the scientific understanding of the cumulative impacts of marine pollution on marine organisms and ecosystems, with a specific focus on EU-India cooperation.
It targets research and innovation communities, particularly legal entities engaged in marine science, environmental research, and related fields.
This is a SECTOR-SPECIFIC grant, centered on environmental science, marine biology, and pollution control within marine ecosystems.
The geographic scope includes organizations from EU Member States and Associated Countries, collaborating with associated partners from India.
Key filtering criteria for initial screening are a strong research focus on marine pollution, the willingness to collaborate with Indian entities, and relevance to the objectives of a healthier ocean and zero pollution.
This grant is part of the recurring Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.

Financial Structure

The total budget allocated for this specific topic is EUR 12,000,000.
The grant will support 2 projects, with each project receiving a lump sum contribution of EUR 6,000,000.
All funding will be provided as a 'lump sum' contribution, meaning payments are based on the successful completion of agreed-upon work packages, rather than actual incurred costs.
Eligible costs for the calculation of the lump sum include personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel, equipment, goods/services), and other specific cost categories (e.g., financial support to third parties, internally invoiced goods and services, research infrastructure access).
Indirect costs are included in the lump sum calculation at a 25% flat rate on eligible direct costs.
Payments are tied to the proper implementation and completion of defined work packages as per the grant agreement.
The co-financing principle requires that the applicant's estimated total project costs must be greater than the Union contribution, ensuring a financial commitment from the beneficiaries.
Financial reporting obligations are simplified; beneficiaries are not required to report actual costs to the granting authority, but must comply with national accounting rules.
Between 5% and 8% of the total lump sum is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Types

Eligible organization types are legal entities, including but not limited to: universities, research organizations, public bodies, and companies (SMEs and larger enterprises).
All participants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity.

Geographic Requirements

Main beneficiaries must be established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
It is mandatory for the consortium to include at least one legal entity established in India as an associated partner.
Legal entities established in India can participate but are not eligible to receive funding directly from this grant; their co-funding must be secured from other sources (e.g., Ministry of Earth Sciences of India).

Consortium Requirements

Formation of a consortium is mandatory.
The consortium must specifically include at least one legal entity from India as an associated partner.

Financial and Operational Capacity

All participants must meet the financial and operational capacity requirements as described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Exclusion Criteria

Standard Horizon Europe exclusion criteria apply, as detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. These can include issues related to bankruptcy, grave professional misconduct, or non-compliance with social and labor laws.

Application Process

The application process is a single-stage submission.
Proposals must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal's submission service.

Submission Deadline

The deadline for submitting proposals is 2025-09-17 00:00:00+0000.

Required Documentation and Materials

Standard Horizon Europe application forms (Part A and Part B) must be completed.
A detailed budget table is required, outlining the estimated costs per work package and per beneficiary, for the calculation of the lump sum contribution.
Proposals must include a declaration that beneficiaries have followed their own accounting practices for budget preparation.

Evaluation and Review Process

Proposals will be evaluated by external independent experts, who will assess the quality in terms of excellence, impact, and quality/efficiency of implementation.
Experts with financial expertise will review the estimated budget, ensuring it aligns with realistic benchmarks.

Application Support

Applicants can find guidance and assistance through the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, and FAQ section.
Additional support is available via National Contact Points (NCPs), the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) for SMEs, the IT Helpdesk for technical issues, and the European IPR Helpdesk for intellectual property matters.
A partner search tool is available on the portal to help find consortium members.

Post-Award Requirements

Grant agreements will specify the conditions for releasing lump sum contributions, primarily focusing on the technical implementation and completion of work packages.
Compliance checks, reviews, or audits will focus on the technical execution of the project, ethics, research integrity, dissemination, exploitation of results, and intellectual property management.

Evaluation Criteria

Overall Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on the standard Horizon Europe criteria: Excellence, Impact, and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation. Specific aspects considered for this topic include: Excellence

Scientific and technological quality of the proposed research and innovation activities.
Soundness of the research methodology.
Clarity and relevance of the objectives.
Extent to which the proposal goes beyond the state of the art.

Impact

Contribution to improved scientific understanding of the interplay of different pollutants, their 'cocktail effect', and degradation pathways on marine organisms and ecosystems.
Improved understanding of risks and cumulative impacts of various pollutants on marine organisms, ecosystems, and human health.
Enhanced capacity for policy-makers to understand the interplay of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution on marine life.
Reinforcement of cooperation between EU and Indian research and innovation communities concerning marine litter and its cumulative effects with other forms of pollution.
Expected contribution to the 'zero-pollution ambition' for a toxic-free environment, aligning with the European Green Deal and 2030 zero pollution targets.
Potential for the development of new analytical tools, methods, and sensors for detecting and monitoring marine pollutants.
Contribution to assessing bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes of pollutants in the marine food chain and their implications for human health, including gender-specific variations.
Alignment with relevant policies and directives such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive, and the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030.

Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Coherence and effectiveness of the proposed work plan, including the appropriateness of the allocation of tasks and resources.
Quality of the consortium members and their complementarities.
Appropriateness of the management structures and procedures, including risk management.
Effective mobilization of the necessary resources and competencies, including coordination with Indian associated partners.
Integration of a 'One-Health' approach and consideration of gender-specific implications where relevant.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must adhere to relevant EU legislation, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, EU water legislation, and the zero pollution action plan.
Compliance with the objectives of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation is required.
Activities should consider the evaluation and potential revision of the Single Use Plastics Directive and contribute to the planned Global Agreement to End Plastic Pollution.

Ethical Standards

Strict adherence to ethical standards and research integrity principles is mandatory, as per Horizon Europe guidelines.

Data Protection and Privacy

All data handling and privacy aspects must comply with applicable EU data protection regulations.

Intellectual Property (IP) Policies

Management of intellectual property generated during the project will follow the Horizon Europe rules.

Risk Management

Projects should incorporate appropriate risk management strategies, especially concerning the technical implementation of research and innovation activities.

Special Considerations

This topic emphasizes the EU-India Strategic Partnership and cooperation, particularly within the framework of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, focusing on marine litter.
The research should adopt a 'One-Health' approach, considering the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment.
Proposals are encouraged to build upon and establish links with relevant ongoing projects, such as those funded under the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' and JPI Oceans projects.
Engagement with European research infrastructures, where relevant, is encouraged.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India provides co-funding for associated Indian partners.

Grant Details