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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must seamlessly bridge climate science, molecular epidemiology, and health equity by integrating dynamic climate-related stressors into existing multi-omic longitudinal cohorts. To secure top scores, the consortium must demonstrate operational collaboration with the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN), embed a dedicated work package (~2% budget) for cross-project clustering, integrate Copernicus/Galileo data feeds, and deliver actionable, standardized metrics for the European Climate and Health Observatory and IPCHEM.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Incorporate multiple climate exposures into exposomics studies and provide insights on their influence on disease burden, through interactions with other exposome factors.
Predict, identify and monitor changes in the exposome (including environmental, social and occupational exposures) resulting from climate-related pressures and study their health implications to identify emerging health risks and potential benefits of climate change.
Advance data generation, analysis, integration and interpretation in human exposomics, developing methodologies and integrating novel approaches (e.g. AI technologies and machine learning) for advanced data analytics, including for Real-World Data (RWD) [2] .
Establish and investigate the biological pathways and mechanisms by which the exposome drives health impacts, jointly considering climate-related and other exposures. Build upon (when relevant) and study existing and/or newly generated longitudinal cohorts that combine individual exposome data with the corresponding medical, omics and biological data.
Identify exposome-relevant indicators and biomarkers for exposome-related health risks and potential benefits using comprehensive exposome studies that combine climate, environmental, behavioural and social exposures. Account for disparities in individual trajectories and exposure patterns where relevant.
Report on health-relevant exposome findings using, where possible, standardised metrics to ensure harmonised reporting of exposome-driven disease burden across regions and sectors. Build on existing exposome toolboxes and increase their robustness and coverage by integrating climate related exposures.
Study the role of socioeconomic (e.g. income, energy poverty, occupation), demographic (e.g. gender, racial or ethnic origin [3] , age) and behavioural (e.g. public trust, risk perception) factors in determining patterns of exposure, using the exposome approach to generate knowledge on intersectional vulnerability and resilience to exposome-driven (including climate-driven) health impacts. Identify disproportionately affected populations and develop interventions to reduce disparities.
Researchers, policymakers, healthcare practitioners and the public have a more comprehensive understanding of the human exposome and the interactions between climatic, environmental and socio-behavioural factors, supported by FAIR [1] data linking these exposures to disease and health outcomes.
Researchers, governments, policymakers, social care services and healthcare practitioners have improved knowledge on the links between the climatic, social, lifestyle and environmental factors of the exposome and global health burden, supporting their efforts to adopt the exposome approach to identify and address relevant health impacts.
The public has access to the latest information on the influence of global environmental exposures on health, enabling the adoption of health-promoting, climate-resilient and nature-positive behaviours.
Policymakers and regulators are aware and well informed about climatic, environmental, socio-economic and occupational risk factors as well as health-promoting factors across society.
Climatic, environmental, occupational, social, economic, and health policies and practices at the EU, national and regional level are sustainable and based on solid scientific evidence.
The upstream determinants of health are known, understood and reduced.
The health threats and burden and patient safety burdens resulting from exposure to climate drivers are lessened, so that the related number of deaths and illnesses is substantially reduced.
Living and working environments in European cities and regions are healthier, more inclusive, safer, resilient and sustainable.
The healthcare sector reduces its environmental footprint and transitions towards carbon neutrality.
The adaptive capacity and resilience of populations and health systems in the EU to climate and environmental change-related to mental and physical health risks are strengthened.
Citizens’ health and wellbeing are protected and promoted, and premature deaths, diseases and inequalities related to climate related risks are prevented.
Citizens understand better complex climate, environment and health issues, and effective measures to address them and support related policies and regulations.
EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate change
highThe EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change (COM(2021) 82 final) outlines how the European Union can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050. It focuses on making adaptation smarter, swifter, and more systemic, prioritizing nature-based solutions, local resilience, and integrating climate risk into public health and economic planning.
Evaluators expect proposals to detail how research outcomes translate into actionable climate adaptation measures, particularly highlighting how human health data and exposome insights support health resilience, early-warning systems, and adaptation strategies across vulnerable populations.
European Climate Risk Assessment
highThe European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), published by the European Environment Agency, provides a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of major climate risks facing Europe. It highlights critical vulnerabilities across key policy areas including ecosystems, food, health, infrastructure, and the economy, urging prioritized action on severe and cascading risks.
Evaluators look for concrete links to the identified health-related climate risks in EUCRA, demonstrating how characterising the human exposome under climate change helps quantify risk, prioritize interventions, and manage compounding environmental exposures.
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change
highThe Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) on Health and Climate Change sets research roadmaps and European priorities for understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change on human health and well-being. It identifies knowledge gaps, data harmonization needs, and multidisciplinary intervention strategies spanning environment, epidemiology, and public health.
Evaluators expect proposals to directly address the research priorities and evidence gaps identified in the SRIA, particularly by advancing methodologies that integrate environmental and climate data into exposome science to protect human health.
European Climate Adaptation Plan
mediumThe European Climate Adaptation Plan refers to the overarching framework and continuous efforts by the EU to prepare for and respond to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. This includes developing strategies, policies, and funding mechanisms to build resilience across Member States and sectors, with the 2013 EU Adaptation Strategy being a key milestone.
Proposals should illustrate how their work aligns with the EU's broader commitment to climate adaptation planning, contributing to the development of robust frameworks, tools, or knowledge that support effective adaptation measures and risk management across the Union.
Commission's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029
mediumThe Commission's Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 outline the headline ambitions and policy directions of the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing sustainable prosperity, competitive decarbonisation, a European Health Union, and strengthened resilience against systemic crises.
Evaluators expect proposals to contextualize their long-term impact within the strategic priorities of the 2024-2029 mandate, demonstrating how research on climate-related health exposures underpins EU competitiveness, climate resilience, and public health protection.
Specific 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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Admissibility conditions are described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout are described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
Eligible countries are 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.
In recognition of the opening of the US National Institutes of Health’s programmes to European researchers, any legal entity established in the United States of America is eligible to receive Union funding.
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 as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner. The JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal - see General Annex B.
Other eligibility conditions are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The thresholds for each criterion will be 4 (Excellence), 4 (Impact) and 4 (Implementation). The cumulative threshold will be 12.
Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Beneficiaries will be subject to the following additional dissemination obligations: Proposals should ensure that chemical monitoring and human biomonitoring data are shared in the Common Data Platform for Chemicals and its services such as the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring - IPCHEM[[https://ipchem.jrc.ec.europa.eu]] (through involvement with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre - JRC) and the environmental sustainability database.
In order to maximise synergies and increase the impact of the projects, all proposals selected for funding from this topic will form a cluster and be required to participate in common networking and joint activities (and in determining modalities for their implementation and the specific responsibilities of projects). These activities will be included in a dedicated work package, having sufficient budget allocated to it (around 2% of the total requested budget). Depending on the scope of proposals selected for funding, these activities may include:
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.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application and evaluation form templates
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) - the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) - will be used with the necessary adaptations
Guidance
Model Grant Agreement (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Information on clinical studies (HE)
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 4. Health
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 focus strictly on the following scored and operational criteria:
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 | |||
| SC1Incorporate multiple climate exposures into exposomics studies and provide insights on their influence on disease burden, through interactions with other exposome factors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Predict, identify and monitor changes in the exposome (including environmental, social and occupational exposures) resulting from climate-related pressures and study their health implications to identify emerging health risks and potential benefits of climate change. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Advance data generation, analysis, integration and interpretation in human exposomics, developing methodologies and integrating novel approaches (e.g. AI technologies and machine learning) for advanced data analytics, including for Real-World Data (RWD) [2] . | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Establish and investigate the biological pathways and mechanisms by which the exposome drives health impacts, jointly considering climate-related and other exposures. Build upon (when relevant) and study existing and/or newly generated longitudinal cohorts that combine individual exposome data with the corresponding medical, omics and biological data. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Identify exposome-relevant indicators and biomarkers for exposome-related health risks and potential benefits using comprehensive exposome studies that combine climate, environmental, behavioural and social exposures. Account for disparities in individual trajectories and exposure patterns where relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Report on health-relevant exposome findings using, where possible, standardised metrics to ensure harmonised reporting of exposome-driven disease burden across regions and sectors. Build on existing exposome toolboxes and increase their robustness and coverage by integrating climate related exposures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Study the role of socioeconomic (e.g. income, energy poverty, occupation), demographic (e.g. gender, racial or ethnic origin [3] , age) and behavioural (e.g. public trust, risk perception) factors in determining patterns of exposure, using the exposome approach to generate knowledge on intersectional vulnerability and resilience to exposome-driven (including climate-driven) health impacts. Identify disproportionately affected populations and develop interventions to reduce disparities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Researchers, policymakers, healthcare practitioners and the public have a more comprehensive understanding of the human exposome and the interactions between climatic, environmental and socio-behavioural factors, supported by FAIR [1] data linking these exposures to disease and health outcomes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Researchers, governments, policymakers, social care services and healthcare practitioners have improved knowledge on the links between the climatic, social, lifestyle and environmental factors of the exposome and global health burden, supporting their efforts to adopt the exposome approach to identify and address relevant health impacts. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3The public has access to the latest information on the influence of global environmental exposures on health, enabling the adoption of health-promoting, climate-resilient and nature-positive behaviours. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Sharing chemical and biomonitoring data via Common Data Platform and IPCHEMProposals must ensure chemical monitoring and human biomonitoring data are shared in the Common Data Platform for Chemicals and services such as IPCHEM through involvement with the JRC, as well as the environmental sustainability database. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Mandatory project clustering work package with 2% budget allocationAll funded proposals must form a cluster, embed a dedicated work package with around 2% of the budget, and participate in common networking, meetings, joint dissemination, and common data and policy strategies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOS earth observation servicesIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Leverage and contribute to IHEN, EHEN, and European research infrastructuresProjects should leverage knowledge and tools from past and ongoing initiatives including EHEN, IHEN, ICOS ERIC, and EIRENE RI, upload datasets to the IHEN Data Catalogue, and make tools available on the IHEN Exposome Toolbox. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Collection of sex-, gender-, and racial/ethnic-disaggregated vulnerability dataWhen handling vulnerability data and indicators, sex-, gender-, and racial or ethnic origin-disaggregated data should be collected and analysed, incorporating intersectional factors where feasible and relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6International cooperation with under-represented regions in exposome researchInternational cooperation is encouraged, in particular with regions that are under-represented in human exposome research. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Multidisciplinary research integrating social determinants of healthResearch activities should be multiscale and multidisciplinary, accounting for the complexity and multifactorial nature of health determinants, disrupted ecosystems, and climate-relevant social determinants of health. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC)The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate in the consortium as a beneficiary with zero funding or as an associated partner to facilitate data sharing and platform integration. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Policymakers and regulators are aware and well informed about climatic, environmental, socio-economic and occupational risk factors as well as health-promoting factors across society. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Climatic, environmental, occupational, social, economic, and health policies and practices at the EU, national and regional level are sustainable and based on solid scientific evidence. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The upstream determinants of health are known, understood and reduced. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4The health threats and burden and patient safety burdens resulting from exposure to climate drivers are lessened, so that the related number of deaths and illnesses is substantially reduced. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Living and working environments in European cities and regions are healthier, more inclusive, safer, resilient and sustainable. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6The healthcare sector reduces its environmental footprint and transitions towards carbon neutrality. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7The adaptive capacity and resilience of populations and health systems in the EU to climate and environmental change-related to mental and physical health risks are strengthened. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8Citizens’ health and wellbeing are protected and promoted, and premature deaths, diseases and inequalities related to climate related risks are prevented. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9Citizens understand better complex climate, environment and health issues, and effective measures to address them and support related policies and regulations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu strategy on adaptation to climate changeThe EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change (COM(2021) 82 final) outlines how the European Union can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050. It focuses on making adaptation smarter, swifter, and more systemic, prioritizing nature-based solutions, local resilience, and integrating climate risk into public health and economic planning. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2european climate risk assessmentThe European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), published by the European Environment Agency, provides a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of major climate risks facing Europe. It highlights critical vulnerabilities across key policy areas including ecosystems, food, health, infrastructure, and the economy, urging prioritized action on severe and cascading risks. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3strategic research and innovation agenda on health and climate changeThe Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) on Health and Climate Change sets research roadmaps and European priorities for understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change on human health and well-being. It identifies knowledge gaps, data harmonization needs, and multidisciplinary intervention strategies spanning environment, epidemiology, and public health. | · | · | 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).
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.
Evaluators will explicitly check for a dedicated clustering work package to collaborate with other funded projects and the European Human Exposome Network. You must allocate approximately 2% of your total budget to this WP to cover joint activities, shared data management, and common policy briefs. Failing to ring-fence these resources will directly penalize your implementation score.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Your data management strategy must go beyond standard FAIR principles by explicitly integrating Copernicus or Galileo Earth observation streams for climate data. Proposals are also strictly required to share chemical and human biomonitoring data through IPCHEM, which necessitates planning for operational collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Under the US NIH reciprocity agreement, legal entities established in the United States can receive direct EU funding in this call. You can strategically include US-based exposome or climate research centers as full beneficiaries to strengthen your consortium's scientific excellence without requiring them to bring their own national funding.
Source: Eligibility rules
Evaluators will score the proposal on its ability to link climate drivers to molecular endpoints while simultaneously addressing intersectional vulnerability. Your methodology must rigorously integrate social determinants like energy poverty and occupational exposure alongside biological pathways, ensuring vulnerable populations are explicitly targeted in the research design.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Environmental and climate monitoring streams (e.g., Earth observation) are poorly integrated with high-dimensional longitudinal molecular, phenotypic, and behavioural data at individual resolution.
Current public health frameworks lack validated molecular biomarkers and harmonised exposome indicators to attribute disease burden specifically to compound climate stressors.
Intersectional determinants such as socioeconomic status, housing quality, and occupational hazards amplify climate-exposome risks, leaving vulnerable populations without targeted protective interventions.
Regional, national, and EU-level policy bodies (e.g., ECDC, EEA, national ministries of health) requiring harmonised metrics to incorporate exposome and climate risks into adaptation planning.
Academic and clinical research communities requiring FAIR multi-omic, clinical, and environmental datasets, integrated toolboxes, and mechanistic biomarkers.
Primary care physicians, occupational health practitioners, and community social workers addressing climate-sensitive chronic diseases and acute environmental triggers.
Communities subject to high intersectional vulnerability, including elderly citizens, outdoor workers, low-income households facing energy poverty, and minority groups.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Identification of causal exposome mechanisms and early biomarkers leads to targeted prevention, lowering climate-attributable morbidity and premature mortality.
Harmonised exposome indicators and real-world monitoring enable EU and national regulators to formulate robust climate adaptation strategies and chemical/pollution regulations.
Deploying tailored behavioural and public health interventions empowers communities and reduces disparities in exposure and health outcomes among vulnerable demographics.