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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must bridge ecological sciences, toxicological exposomics, and socio-economic health epidemiology into a truly transdisciplinary One Health operational framework. To stand out, consortia should move beyond theoretical correlations by providing predictive forward-looking models (aligned with IPBES nexus scenarios) and concrete cost-benefit analyses of restoration that explicitly quantify health gains and protect vulnerable groups.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
describe the current health status of the ecosystems and wild species most susceptible to interact with human health (including terrestrial, freshwater and marine ones, with no geographical restrictions). Describe the impact of the stressors induced by the drivers of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem dynamics on their health, meaning their physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology. Taking into consideration the most updated scientific scenarios (e.g. IPBES nexus assessment), predict the future health status of these ecosystems and wild species in the short, mid and long term;
propose benchmark protocols to ensure comparability between research communities (including social sciences and humanities) and define common indicators describing the risks (e.g. loss of ecosystem services, exposure to pollutants and pathogens) and benefits (e.g. dilution effect, exposure to beneficial microorganisms, etc.) of the interlinkages of wild species and ecosystem health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. This includes the integration of ecosystem and wildlife health in the exposome approach;
assess the impacts of the degradation of ecosystem and wildlife health on human health, including a cost-benefit analysis of nature restoration and conservation projects in terms of human health benefits and the costs of inaction. This should include disability and intersectional aspects and the groups in the most vulnerable situations in society (e.g. low-income communities, youth, older people, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ people, people with racial or religious minority background). Based on this, provide actionable policy recommendations for policymakers and authorities in establishing a One Health policy framework.
transdisciplinary research communities work together to predict the health of ecosystems and wild species (including physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology) in the face of the existing and emerging stressors induced by the indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss (including but not restricted to climate change and pollution), through increased knowledge and monitoring;
policymakers, public authorities, stakeholders and citizens better understand the interlinkages between wild species and ecosystems health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. The progress of public authorities and policymakers towards a comprehensive One Health governance is assessed, thanks to the development of science-based indicators.
Knowledge on biodiversity status and trends and drivers of biodiversity loss is improved;
Innovations, methods, pathways, models and tools are available and used to protect healthy and resilient ecosystems and to restore degraded ones, ensuring the continuous provision of ecosystem services, including for adaptation and/or mitigation to climate change;
The ongoing biodiversity crisis and its consequences, notably on ecosystem functioning and their services, and the need to monitor, protect, restore and sustainably use biodiversity are better understood to better benefit the whole society in an inclusive way;
Policymakers and stakeholders, all relevant economic sectors and society are aware and well informed of relevant challenges and opportunities of biodiversity protection, restoration and sustainable use, leading to better implementation of the biodiversity legislation and better valuation of ecosystem services, leading to transformative change towards a nature positive economy;
Farmers, foresters, land and sea managers, fishers and aquaculture producers have access to key information, and test and implement biodiversity-friendly management practices, while safeguarding food and water security and fostering competitiveness, demonstrating the long-term sustainability of these sectors;
Progress towards international commitments worldwide on biodiversity is made.
EU Green Deal
highEU biodiversity strategy for 2030
highAs a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing ecological resilience, especially in the context of forest ecosystems and soil health. Specific attention to how living labs can support biodiversity monitoring and restoration in forests and natural lands is crucial.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
highAdopted under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022, this global framework sets 4 global goals and 23 targets for 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It includes key targets on sustainable agriculture, reducing pesticide risks, and integrating biodiversity values across all economic sectors.
Evaluators expect proposals handling agricultural data to demonstrate how data-driven farming practices actively measure, monitor, and support biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration on managed farmlands.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health
highThe CBD Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health establishes a framework to mainstream biodiversity considerations into public health policies and programs using a One Health approach. It addresses linkages between ecosystem degradation, wildlife health, disease emergence, and human well-being.
Evaluators expect proposals to directly operationalize the One Health framework by demonstrating how predictive models and monitoring of ecosystem/wildlife health stressors translate into actionable public health insights and disease prevention strategies.
EU Nature Restoration Regulation
highMandates restoration of degraded ecosystems. Relevant if the proposal includes nature-based solutions or biodiversity offsets.
If applicable, integration of nature restoration measures in urban/peri-urban areas.
EU climate adaptation strategy
mediumEuropean Water Resilience Strategy
mediumParis Agreement
mediumThe 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 will prioritize proposals that directly contribute to the achievement of African countries’ NDCs by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience. The project should include measurable climate impacts, such as tCO2e emissions reduced, and align with decarbonization and renewable energy deployment goals. Demonstrating how the REV accelerates Africa’s transition to low-carbon energy systems will be critical.
Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development comprises 17 universal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressing global challenges including poverty, health, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Evaluators expect proposals to identify specific relevant SDGs (notably SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, SDG 14 on Life Below Water, and SDG 15 on Life on Land) and provide concrete indicators illustrating how project outcomes support these targets.
European Ocean Pact
lowCommon Agricultural Policy
lowThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, designed to support farmers and ensure Europe's food security. It has evolved significantly, with the current iteration (2023-2027) placing a stronger emphasis on environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable farming practices through eco-schemes and conditionality.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities, even if focused on forests, align with the broader objectives of sustainable land management, rural development, and environmental protection that are integral to the CAP. This could include considering interactions between forest and agricultural lands, or how forest management practices can contribute to wider landscape-level sustainability goals supported by CAP.
EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production
lowUnited Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)
lowSpecific requirements
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).
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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.
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.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
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]].
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
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 – 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 critically examine whether the proposal operationalizes a balanced One Health framework rather than delivering a standard biodiversity monitoring or zoonotic disease surveillance project. They will score heavily on:
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 | |||
| SC1describe the current health status of the ecosystems and wild species most susceptible to interact with human health (including terrestrial, freshwater and marine ones, with no geographical restrictions). Describe the impact of the stressors induced by the drivers of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem dynamics on their health, meaning their physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology. Taking into consideration the most updated scientific scenarios (e.g. IPBES nexus assessment), predict the future health status of these ecosystems and wild species in the short, mid and long term; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2propose benchmark protocols to ensure comparability between research communities (including social sciences and humanities) and define common indicators describing the risks (e.g. loss of ecosystem services, exposure to pollutants and pathogens) and benefits (e.g. dilution effect, exposure to beneficial microorganisms, etc.) of the interlinkages of wild species and ecosystem health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. This includes the integration of ecosystem and wildlife health in the exposome approach; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3assess the impacts of the degradation of ecosystem and wildlife health on human health, including a cost-benefit analysis of nature restoration and conservation projects in terms of human health benefits and the costs of inaction. This should include disability and intersectional aspects and the groups in the most vulnerable situations in society (e.g. low-income communities, youth, older people, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ people, people with racial or religious minority background). Based on this, provide actionable policy recommendations for policymakers and authorities in establishing a One Health policy framework. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1transdisciplinary research communities work together to predict the health of ecosystems and wild species (including physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology) in the face of the existing and emerging stressors induced by the indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss (including but not restricted to climate change and pollution), through increased knowledge and monitoring; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2policymakers, public authorities, stakeholders and citizens better understand the interlinkages between wild species and ecosystems health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. The progress of public authorities and policymakers towards a comprehensive One Health governance is assessed, thanks to the development of science-based indicators. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Cooperation with EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD)Proposals should foresee appropriate resources to ensure close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Cooperation with Biodiversa+ and Animal Health and Welfare partnershipsProposals should ensure cooperation with the EU Biodiversa+ and European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUPAHW). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Building on previous Horizon Europe projectsProposals should build on relevant previous Horizon Europe projects. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Synergies with Water4All, Agroecology partnership, and LIFE projectsComplementarities and synergies should be ensured with activities supported by the co-funded partnerships Biodiversa+, Water4All, Agroecology, and LIFE projects, particularly on nature restoration and protection. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Support to IPBES processes and assessmentsProposals should address knowledge gaps identified by IPBES assessments and continue support to processes of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7International cooperation on biodiversity commitmentsR&I actions under this destination encourage international cooperation in line with the global approach on R&I, contributing to EU international biodiversity commitments. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Engagement with EU outermost regionsThe destination supports unlocking the unique assets for research and innovation of the EU outermost regions, in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Knowledge on biodiversity status and trends and drivers of biodiversity loss is improved; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Innovations, methods, pathways, models and tools are available and used to protect healthy and resilient ecosystems and to restore degraded ones, ensuring the continuous provision of ecosystem services, including for adaptation and/or mitigation to climate change; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The ongoing biodiversity crisis and its consequences, notably on ecosystem functioning and their services, and the need to monitor, protect, restore and sustainably use biodiversity are better understood to better benefit the whole society in an inclusive way; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Policymakers and stakeholders, all relevant economic sectors and society are aware and well informed of relevant challenges and opportunities of biodiversity protection, restoration and sustainable use, leading to better implementation of the biodiversity legislation and better valuation of ecosystem services, leading to transformative change towards a nature positive economy; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Farmers, foresters, land and sea managers, fishers and aquaculture producers have access to key information, and test and implement biodiversity-friendly management practices, while safeguarding food and water security and fostering competitiveness, demonstrating the long-term sustainability of these sectors; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6Progress towards international commitments worldwide on biodiversity is made. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu green dealThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu biodiversity strategy for 2030As a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3kunming-montreal global biodiversity frameworkAdopted under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022, this global framework sets 4 global goals and 23 targets for 2030 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It includes key targets on sustainable agriculture, reducing pesticide risks, and integrating biodiversity values across all economic sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4convention on biological diversity (cbd) global action plan on biodiversity and healthThe CBD Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health establishes a framework to mainstream biodiversity considerations into public health policies and programs using a One Health approach. It addresses linkages between ecosystem degradation, wildlife health, disease emergence, and human well-being. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5nature restoration regulationMandates restoration of degraded ecosystems. Relevant if the proposal includes nature-based solutions or biodiversity offsets. | · | · | 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).
5 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.
Evaluators are explicitly instructed to penalize proposals that read like standard biodiversity monitoring or zoonotic disease surveillance projects. To secure top scores, your methodology must operationalize a balanced One Health framework that seamlessly merges wildlife physiology, pathogen-pollutant dynamics, and human exposome metrics.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The call mandates the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) to assess the socio-economic impacts of ecosystem degradation. Your cost-benefit analysis of nature restoration cannot be purely economic; it must explicitly quantify health gains and cover intersectional vulnerabilities, specifically addressing groups like low-income communities, youth, older people, and minority backgrounds.
Source: Scope / Expected Outcomes
Proposals must foresee dedicated resources to cooperate with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), the EU Biodiversa+ partnership, and the Animal Health and Welfare partnership. Evaluators will actively check for these direct links when scoring your socio-economic rigor, so ensure these interactions are formalized in your work plan and lump sum budget allocations.
Source: Scope / Expected Outcomes
Your predictive forward-looking models cannot be limited to a single ecosystem or theoretical correlations. Evaluators expect actionable multi-stressor scenarios that strictly align with IPBES nexus projections across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial biomes simultaneously to forecast short-, mid-, and long-term health statuses.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Because this is a lump sum grant, evaluators will heavily scrutinize your work package breakdowns and cost allocations for realism. You must justify a complex, transdisciplinary budget and multi-biome methodology while strictly adhering to the 45-page Part B limit, leaving absolutely no room for generic methodological padding.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
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