Additional activities for the European Biodiversity Partnership: Biodiversa+

The main goal of this opportunity is to support innovative research and solutions for ecosystem restoration, natural carbon sinks, and nature-based adaptation measures. The focus is on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and supporting environmental policies and initiatives such as the European Green Deal and international biodiversity frameworks. Projects should contribute to restoring nature, enhancing climate adaptation, and advancing sustainable practices. The geographic scope covers EU countries, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries with specific provisions.

• Coordinate or co-fund biodiversity R&I activities in partnership with the European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+).

• Support coordinated biodiversity research and networking across Europe to enhance collaboration and synergies.

• Facilitate transnational cooperation among research institutions, policy-makers, and practitioners.

• Strengthen the strategic alignment and impact of existing or new biodiversity projects under the Partnership.

• Support capacity-building, knowledge exchange, and dissemination across Member States and stakeholder communities.

• Amplify research findings to inform EU biodiversity policy and decision-making.

• Leverage existing or planned projects within the biodiversity research portfolio.

Examples:

• A multinational project led by an existing Biodiversa+ coordinator that develops new restoration strategies for wetland ecosystems using satellite data.
• A research initiative expanding an existing consortium to include new partners, aiming to test nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation in several EU cities.
• An innovation project that uses Copernicus data to monitor and enhance natural carbon sinks in forests, coordinated by a previously funded consortium.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Equipment and materials necessary for research and innovation activities
• Travel and accommodation for project-related activities
• Subcontracting of specific tasks or services
• Costs for using satellite-based data and services (Copernicus, Galileo/EGNOS)
• Costs related to communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement
• Financial support to third parties in the form of grants (up to EUR 7,000,000 per third party, unless justified otherwise)
• Administrative and management expenses directly linked to the project
• Indirect costs, as allowed by the program

Restrictions: Expenses must be justified, incurred from the starting date, and reflected in the grant agreement amendment. Funding rate is 30% of eligible costs.

• Co-financing rate: 30% of eligible costs
• Budget for this call: 20.000.000€
• Maximum per project: 7.000.000€ 

• Consortium Requirement: Requires a consortium; typically at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, unless exceptions apply for co-fund actions 

• Eligible Participants: Legal entities (e.g., universities, research organisations, NGOs, public authorities, SMEs) established in EU Member States or associated countries 

• Coordinator: Must be based in an eligible (EU or associated) country.

• Affiliated Entities / Third‑Country Partners: May participate but generally do not count toward minimum consortium and are often not funded by EU.

• Financial & Operational Capacity: All participants must demonstrate adequate operational and financial capacity to carry out project tasks (standard Horizon requirement).

• Legal Exclusion: Entities under exclusion, bankruptcy, or legal sanctions are not eligible to participate or receive funding