Citizen science projects can address topics related to the economy (agriculture, forestry, fishery, industry, tourism, trade, transport), nature conservation and protection, green and blue infrastructure, also considering its innovative components as nature-based solutions, built infrastructure (including residential and non-residential buildings); public services (e.g., water supply, sanitation, sewage, heating) and other infrastructure (e.g., emergency, health, education); natural and human risk prevention and management; energy management; water management; transport management; health system; environmental education; environmental government and governance; outdoor and indoor climate monitoring.

Challenges and topics addressed by the ScienceUs citizen sciences call are:

• Challenge 1: Enhancing Education and Awareness Regarding Climate Change Adaptation
  • Topic 1.1 – Increasing Reach and Engagement
  • Topic 1.2. – Addressing Resource Constraints for Long-term Campaigns
  • Topic 1.3 – Overcoming the Perception of Climate Change as a Distant Threat
  • Topic 1.4 – Fighting Misinformation and Fake News
• Challenge 2: Increasing Engagement, Participation, and Collaboration for research in climate change adaptation within and among the Quadruple Helix (citizens, academia, industry, and institutions)
  • Topic 2.1. – Building Trust in Science and Science Institutions
  • Topic 2.2. – Increasing Institutional Capacity and Interest
  • Topic 2.3. – Closing Coordination and Communication Gaps
  • Topic 2.4. – Creating Incentives for Citizen Participation
  • Topic 2.5. – Addressing Institutional and Policy Barriers
• Challenge 3: Increasing Inclusion in Citizen Science Initiatives
  • Topic 3.1. – Bridging the Technology Gaps
  •  Topic 3.2. – Overcoming Language and Communication Barriers
  • Topic 3.3. – Increasing Diversity in Leadership Roles
  • Topic 3.4. – Overcoming Perceived Lack of Relevance

The citizen science project must address at least 1 of these challenges.

ScienceUs will provide a 3-phase combined support programme of direct funding and support services to the selected projects/initiatives. A robust set of communication, dissemination, and knowledge transfer activities will be implemented to help them scale up their activities and engage all relevant actors in the quadruple helix.

Deadline:

• The first deadline for the submission of proposals (SEED phase) under this call is 06 January 2025, 17h00 (Brussels time).
• The second phase (FLOURISH phase) proposal deadline is 30, April 2025, 17h00 (Brussels time) (only projects participating in the SEED phase can apply for progression to the FLOURISH phase).
• The third Phase (HARVEST phase) application validation is 30 November 2025, 17h00 (Brussels time) (only projects participating in the FLOURISH phase can apply for progression to the HARVEST phase).