Soil Salinity in Europe: Drivers, indicators, current levels and temporal changes

The main goal of this opportunity is to advance the fight against soil salinization in Europe. It aims to improve the understanding of soil salinity levels, identify the causes and hotspots, and develop strategies to prevent and reduce salinization. The initiative supports climate action and sustainable land management, with a special focus on coastal and vulnerable regions. Activities include harmonized assessment, predictive modeling, and collaboration with stakeholders to create innovative land management solutions.

• Projects must address soil salinization in Europe, focusing on assessment, prediction, and mitigation.
• Proposals should include collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Activities must fit within research and innovation actions.
• Projects should target different pedo-climatic regions, including coastal areas at risk from saltwater intrusion.
• Applicants must follow the specified proposal format and page limits.
• Only proposals from eligible countries can be considered.

Example projects:

• A research project mapping salinity hotspots in southern European coastal regions.
• An initiative developing predictive models for future soil salinity trends across Europe.
• A collaborative project testing new land management practices with local farmers to reduce salinization.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Equipment and materials required for fieldwork and laboratory analysis
• Data collection and analysis expenses
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and field visits
• Costs for stakeholder engagement and dissemination activities
• Subcontracting for specialized services
• Development of digital tools or models for soil salinity assessment
• Communication and publication costs
• Project management and administrative expenses

Expenses are covered as a lump sum. Any restrictions or further details should be checked in the official guidelines for Horizon Europe lump sum grants.

• Budget for this Call: 6.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• Minimum three independent entities from three eligible countries, including one in an EU Member State.

• EU or Horizon Europe associated countries only, with financial and operational capacity.

• Research and Innovation Action (RIA) on causes, indicators, and trends of soil salinity in Europe.

• Must support Soil Deal for Europe Mission goal to reduce secondary salinization.

• Complies with Horizon Europe ethics, legal, and data rules.