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Strategic Analysis
This call seeks to significantly advance air quality monitoring and modelling by developing innovative, cost-effective, and integrated solutions. A winning proposal will demonstrate a clear path from cutting-edge research (AI, low-cost sensors, satellite data) to practical, operational tools that directly support the implementation of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) and the EU's Zero Pollution ambition, ensuring data accessibility for public authorities and empowering citizens.
develop or improve cost-effective monitoring and modelling tools, approaches and methods for different types of well-known and emerging air pollutants and pollution sources, addressing the most urgent needs in measurement accuracy (including temporal aspects such as real-time monitoring and modelling) and dispersion mapping, in support of the implementation of the revised AAQD;
develop methodologies and recommendations for designing optimal monitoring networks, considering relevant aspects of different spatial locations (hotspots as well as urban and rural background locations), combining traditional reference measurements and innovative measurement techniques, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the use of innovative low-cost sensors. Recommendations should consider also funding challenges and opportunities;
improve the processing and integration of in situ, ground-based remote sensing and satellite (e.g. Sentinels) observations, and air quality numerical models utilising various methods, like for example AI algorithms and finite elements modelling.
public authorities and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., researchers, NGOs and patient organisations and providers of care especially to vulnerable groups) have access to better and cost-effective solutions to detect, measure, monitor and assess air pollution, including its sources and impacts, as well as pathways for their integration into operational atmospheric monitoring services and networks;
enhanced and more rapidly accessible air quality data and information support science-based decision-making, and policy development at local and national levels, ultimately leading to more effective air quality measures aligned with the revised EU air policy, as well as to more efficient use of EU, public and private funding for improving air quality;
increased public awareness and more accurate information of local air quality issues lead to healthier behaviours of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and sensitive populations (e.g., during air pollution peak periods), including by supporting better evidence-based access to justice related to negative effects of air pollution.
enhanced scientific capacity and innovative solutions for detecting and characterising pollution, thus contributing to the zero pollution objective for cleaner air.
No EU policy alignment identified for this call.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
Specific requirements
Joint Research Centre participation
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout 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.
2. Eligible Countries — 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 .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding. described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
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 HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Call-specific instructions
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes HE Programme Guide 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 Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that offer concrete, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for enhanced air quality monitoring and modelling. Key aspects include the methodological robustness for optimal network design, the effective integration of diverse data sources (in-situ, remote, satellite, AI), and a clear strategy for translating scientific advancements into actionable policy support and increased public awareness. Demonstrating tangible contributions to policy development, public health outcomes, and efficient resource use will be crucial.
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 | |||
| SC1develop or improve cost-effective monitoring and modelling tools, approaches and methods for different types of well-known and emerging air pollutants and pollution sources, addressing the most urgent needs in measurement accuracy (including temporal aspects such as real-time monitoring and modelling) and dispersion mapping, in support of the implementation of the revised AAQD; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2develop methodologies and recommendations for designing optimal monitoring networks, considering relevant aspects of different spatial locations (hotspots as well as urban and rural background locations), combining traditional reference measurements and innovative measurement techniques, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the use of innovative low-cost sensors. Recommendations should consider also funding challenges and opportunities; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3improve the processing and integration of in situ, ground-based remote sensing and satellite (e.g. Sentinels) observations, and air quality numerical models utilising various methods, like for example AI algorithms and finite elements modelling. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1public authorities and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., researchers, NGOs and patient organisations and providers of care especially to vulnerable groups) have access to better and cost-effective solutions to detect, measure, monitor and assess air pollution, including its sources and impacts, as well as pathways for their integration into operational atmospheric monitoring services and networks; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2enhanced and more rapidly accessible air quality data and information support science-based decision-making, and policy development at local and national levels, ultimately leading to more effective air quality measures aligned with the revised EU air policy, as well as to more efficient use of EU, public and private funding for improving air quality; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3increased public awareness and more accurate information of local air quality issues lead to healthier behaviours of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and sensitive populations (e.g., during air pollution peak periods), including by supporting better evidence-based access to justice related to negative effects of air pollution. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Synergies with Horizon projects, research infrastructures, and LIFE projectsActivities should build and expand on past and ongoing research projects and initiatives, including Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects (such as HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-6), research infrastructures (such as ACTRIS ERIC), and relevant LIFE integrated projects for clean air. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Cooperation with AQUILA and FAIRMODE communitiesProposed activities should, where possible, build on results of and cooperate with the AQUILA and FAIRMODE communities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Coordination with ESA FutureEO and EC-ESA Earth System Science initiativeAs part of an EC-ESA coordination initiative on Earth System Science, proposals should articulate how they will coordinate with current and future actions funded by ESA's FutureEO programme within the ESA atmospheric science cluster. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS earth observation servicesIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1enhanced scientific capacity and innovative solutions for detecting and characterising pollution, thus contributing to the zero pollution objective for cleaner air. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| No underlying policies in this call. | |||
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.
Joint Research Centre participation
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding.
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