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Strategic Analysis
To win this call, proposals must position science diplomacy as a core operational tool rather than an academic concept, bridging the gap between geopolitical tensions and the sustainable management of global commons. By integrating multi-actor perspectives across societal, corporate, and state levels, the project should deliver actionable, rules-based multilateral solutions that directly feed into EU foreign policy and international treaty frameworks.
Grouped by thematic areas — a proposal targets one branch.
Consider past and current global climate governance efforts, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and develop insights for strengthening climate governance, considering the current geopolitical context.
Consider past and current global biodiversity governance efforts, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, related Conferences of the Parties and their subsidiary bodies, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Provide a cross-cutting assessment of how different types of spaces beyond national jurisdiction have been governed so far, notably the ocean, polar regions, outer space including the Moon, Low Earth Orbit, the use of the radio spectrum, and dark and quiet skies.
Perform a comprehensive mapping of actors’ motivations and values on societal, corporate and state level that covers different regions and coalitions of countries around the world.
Conduct research into how the current governance of global commons affects intergenerational justice and human rights, including gender equality and the impact on different social groups, and how civil society can be enabled to access information, provide knowledge, and participate in the governance of global commons.
Develop multi- and interdisciplinary concepts and solutions for governing the global commons sustainably, including through the use of science diplomacy as a soft power and by learning from best practices in the different types of commons, such as the Ocean, Antarctica and Outer Space.
EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, civil society organisations and other societal actors have a better shared understanding of the systemic challenges and the underlying drivers and motivations that undermine managing global commons sustainably.
EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, as well as academies of science, higher education institutions and research-performing organisations are better equipped with the tools needed to improve the science-policy interface in the area of foreign and security policies in general, and multilateral / national science advisory bodies in the field of foreign policy in particular with a recognition of the need to engage citizens in a more participatory and inclusive approach to research and policy-making.
Rules-based multilateralism is strengthened by the development of concepts, methods, processes, and information relevant for decision-making that foster the sustainable governance of global commons within the evolving geopolitical context, thereby informing also the EU’s science diplomacy actions.
Reinvigorating democratic governance by improving the independence, accountability, transparency, effectiveness and trustworthiness of institutions and policies based on rule of law, and through the expansion of active and inclusive citizens’ participation and engagement empowered by the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
highThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the foundational international environmental treaty established to combat dangerous human interference with the climate system, primarily by stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Evaluators expect proposals to demonstrate a deep understanding of the UNFCCC's historical and current negotiation tracks. Proposals should outline concrete pathways for translating scientific research into actionable policy recommendations that support the UNFCCC's global stocktake and implementation processes.
Paris Agreement
highThe Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans.
Evaluators expect proposals to analyze the effectiveness of current global climate governance mechanisms under the Paris Agreement. Projects should propose innovative governance frameworks or policy instruments that can help countries strengthen, monitor, and accelerate the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Convention on Biological Diversity
highThe Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral treaty aimed at the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
Evaluators look for proposals that address the governance challenges of biodiversity loss. Projects should demonstrate how their research will support the CBD's objectives, particularly by proposing mechanisms to integrate biodiversity conservation into broader socio-economic policies and global governance structures.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
highThe Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP15, sets out ambitious global targets for 2030 and goals for 2050 to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, and protect indigenous rights.
Evaluators expect proposals to align directly with the GBF's 2030 targets (such as protecting 30% of land and sea areas). Proposals should detail how their research will provide actionable governance tools, indicators, or policy options to help governments and international bodies implement and monitor these targets effectively.
Antarctic Treaty
highThe Antarctic Treaty regulates international relations with respect to Antarctica, demilitarizing the continent, establishing it as a zone for free scientific inquiry, and freezing territorial sovereignty disputes.
Evaluators expect proposals to analyze the geopolitical and environmental challenges facing the Antarctic Treaty System. Projects should offer insights on how to strengthen scientific cooperation, manage tourism, and protect polar ecosystems under the treaty's framework in a changing geopolitical landscape.
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
highThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources.
Evaluators will look for proposals that address governance gaps in maritime jurisdictions, resource exploitation, and marine environmental protection. Projects should propose legal or policy mechanisms to strengthen UNCLOS implementation, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
High Seas Treaty
highThe High Seas Treaty, officially known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), is an international agreement under UNCLOS aimed at protecting and sustainably managing marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Evaluators expect proposals to focus on the operationalization of the BBNJ agreement. Projects should propose concrete frameworks for establishing marine protected areas in the high seas, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring equitable sharing of marine genetic resources.
Outer Space Treaty
highThe Outer Space Treaty forms the basis of international space law, declaring that outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is free for exploration and use by all States and cannot be claimed by national sovereignty.
Evaluators expect proposals to address modern challenges in space governance, such as space debris, satellite congestion in Low Earth Orbit, and commercial resource exploitation. Projects should offer governance models that update or complement the treaty to ensure space remains a sustainable global common.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
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As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
The page limit for the Part B of the Research and Innovation (RIA) application using lump sum is 50 pages. In addition, it is mandatory to submit a detailed budget table, using the template available in the Submission System.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the topic’s different thematic areas, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to those that are the highest ranked within each area provided in the scope (areas A, B, and C), provided that the corresponding applications attain all thresholds. Proposals should clearly indicate the thematic area(s) they have selected to work on.
As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that demonstrate a clear pathway to influencing international policy, particularly how the research will support the EU's positioning in multilateral negotiations (e.g., UNFCCC, CBD, or UNCLOS). They will look for a highly interdisciplinary consortium that successfully balances political science, international law, and environmental sciences, while ensuring that the lump sum budget is clearly justified against concrete, co-designed policy tools and participatory citizen engagement frameworks.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Perform a comprehensive mapping of actors’ motivations and values on societal, corporate and state level that covers different regions and coalitions of countries around the world. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Conduct research into how the current governance of global commons affects intergenerational justice and human rights, including gender equality and the impact on different social groups, and how civil society can be enabled to access information, provide knowledge, and participate in the governance of global commons. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Develop multi- and interdisciplinary concepts and solutions for governing the global commons sustainably, including through the use of science diplomacy as a soft power and by learning from best practices in the different types of commons, such as the Ocean, Antarctica and Outer Space. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Consider past and current global climate governance efforts, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and develop insights for strengthening climate governance, considering the current geopolitical context. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Consider past and current global biodiversity governance efforts, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, related Conferences of the Parties and their subsidiary bodies, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Provide a cross-cutting assessment of how different types of spaces beyond national jurisdiction have been governed so far, notably the ocean, polar regions, outer space including the Moon, Low Earth Orbit, the use of the radio spectrum, and dark and quiet skies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, civil society organisations and other societal actors have a better shared understanding of the systemic challenges and the underlying drivers and motivations that undermine managing global commons sustainably. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2EU institutions, Member States and decision-makers worldwide, relevant international organisations, as well as academies of science, higher education institutions and research-performing organisations are better equipped with the tools needed to improve the science-policy interface in the area of foreign and security policies in general, and multilateral / national science advisory bodies in the field of foreign policy in particular with a recognition of the need to engage citizens in a more participatory and inclusive approach to research and policy-making. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Rules-based multilateralism is strengthened by the development of concepts, methods, processes, and information relevant for decision-making that foster the sustainable governance of global commons within the evolving geopolitical context, thereby informing also the EU’s science diplomacy actions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Meaningful involvement of diverse practical expertsResearch activities should meaningfully involve experts with practical experience in the relevant processes and bodies, including policymakers, diplomats, the business sector, academia, and civil society, including indigenous rights holders. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Engagement with international partnersEngagement with international partners is strongly encouraged across the research activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Involvement of the EU's outermost regionsInvolvement of the EU’s outermost regions is particularly welcome for Area C (Governance of spaces beyond national jurisdiction). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary systemic perspectiveResearch should bring together expertise across natural sciences and engineering as well as social sciences and humanities (including history, law, ethics, and other disciplines). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Inter-project cooperation and synergiesThe selected projects should cooperate with each other to foster synergies and links between the different governance frameworks, and are encouraged to explore potential collaboration opportunities with other relevant EU-funded projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with other EU programmesInteraction is encouraged with programmes such as Digital Europe (DIGITAL), Technical Support Instrument, CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), Erasmus+, ESF+, and Global Europe. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Leveraging European Research InfrastructuresApplicants are encouraged to consider services offered by EU-funded European Research Infrastructures, particularly in the social sciences and humanities domain, and leverage data/services federated under the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) or relevant Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8FAIR data principlesParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this destination is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Openness and transparency to civil societyIt is encouraged to open up the process, criteria, methodologies and data to civil society in the course of the research to promote the highest standards of transparency. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Reinvigorating democratic governance by improving the independence, accountability, transparency, effectiveness and trustworthiness of institutions and policies based on rule of law, and through the expansion of active and inclusive citizens’ participation and engagement empowered by the safeguarding of fundamental rights. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1united nations framework convention on climate changeThe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the foundational international environmental treaty established to combat dangerous human interference with the climate system, primarily by stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2paris agreementThe Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3convention on biological diversityThe Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral treaty aimed at the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4kunming-montreal global biodiversity frameworkThe Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP15, sets out ambitious global targets for 2030 and goals for 2050 to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, and protect indigenous rights. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5antarctic treatyThe Antarctic Treaty regulates international relations with respect to Antarctica, demilitarizing the continent, establishing it as a zone for free scientific inquiry, and freezing territorial sovereignty disputes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6un convention on the law of the seaThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL7high seas treatyThe High Seas Treaty, officially known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), is an international agreement under UNCLOS aimed at protecting and sustainably managing marine life in areas beyond national jurisdiction. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL8outer space treatyThe Outer Space Treaty forms the basis of international space law, declaring that outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is free for exploration and use by all States and cannot be claimed by national sovereignty. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
The call requires you to pick or distribute several structuring elements before submission. These are locked at proposal creation time and drive the project backbone. Read-only here.
thematic-areas
Area A: Climate governance
Area B: Biodiversity governance
Area C: Governance of spaces beyond national jurisdiction
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Applicants must explicitly select and address exactly one thematic area (Area A, B, or C). The evaluation process uses a portfolio approach, meaning the highest-ranked proposal in each of the three areas will be funded first, provided they pass all thresholds, before the remaining budget is allocated by strict ranking. Strategically selecting a less crowded thematic area could significantly increase your chances of funding.
Source: Eligibility rules
Because this is a Lump Sum grant, evaluators are explicitly instructed to check that the budget is clearly justified against concrete, co-designed policy tools and participatory citizen engagement frameworks. Your work packages and payment milestones must be structured around the delivery of these specific operational tools, rather than standard academic research outputs.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that demonstrate a clear pathway to influencing international policy. You must position science diplomacy as a core operational tool that directly feeds into EU foreign policy and multilateral negotiations (such as UNFCCC, CBD, or UNCLOS), rather than treating it as a theoretical framework.
Source: Overview
The call mandates a highly interdisciplinary consortium that successfully balances political science, international law, and environmental sciences, explicitly requiring the integration of natural sciences and engineering alongside SSH. If applying under Area C (Spaces beyond national jurisdiction), the inclusion of the EU’s outermost regions is explicitly flagged as particularly welcome and should be treated as a strong structural advantage.
Source: Scope
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 3 · Build your concept
Pick the branch you're building for — it shapes the coverage and the steps below.
The call requires you to pick or distribute several structuring elements before submission. These are locked at proposal creation time and drive the project backbone. Read-only here.
thematic-areas
Area A: Climate governance
Area B: Biodiversity governance
Area C: Governance of spaces beyond national jurisdiction
Step 2 of 3 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Rising geopolitical tensions and national self-interests prevent cohesive, rules-based collective action, leading to the degradation of shared global commons outside national jurisdictions.
Current governance structures lack transparency and participatory mechanisms, preventing civil society, youth, and vulnerable groups from accessing information and influencing global commons policies.
EU institutions (DG RTD, DG CLIMA, EEAS), Member State ministries of foreign affairs, and international treaty secretariats (UNFCCC, CBD) who will directly utilize the policy briefs and science diplomacy frameworks.
Environmental NGOs, human rights advocacy groups, and youth-led organizations working on global commons preservation and intergenerational justice.
Researchers, academies of science, and higher education institutions specializing in international relations, environmental law, and sustainability science who will benefit from the open-access datasets and conceptual models.
Step 3 of 3 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
Enhanced capacity of EU and global decision-makers to navigate geopolitical rivalries and implement sustainable governance frameworks for the global commons through evidence-based science diplomacy.
Direct contribution to international treaty negotiations and policy-making processes, ensuring that environmental protection and resource sustainability are prioritized in spaces beyond national jurisdiction.