ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS

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Code: 39531 | Identifier Code: ERC-2026-POC | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: European Research Council (ERC) | Start submission calls: 20/01/2026 | End submission calls: 17/03/2026

The ERC Proof of Concept Grants aim at facilitating exploration of the commercial and social innovation potential of ERC funded research and are therefore available only to Principal Investigators whose proposals draw substantially on their ERC funded research.

Bridging the gap between disaster risk management and climate adaptation

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Code: 39528 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

The successful proposal will contribute to the implementation of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, the Preparedness Union Strategy and the upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan, by facilitating the interaction between the actors of the Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management at European, national and regional scales.

Proposals are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• The Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management communities at European level are brought together to develop inter- and transdisciplinary methodological approaches, constructing and disseminating joint knowledge.
• The knowledge and understanding of the common aspects for Disaster Risk Management preparedness and climate change adaptation are enhanced, including the question of responsibility and accountability.
• The terminology and understanding of the risks and the possible solutions are aligned for Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation and hence local resilience to climate change is improved.

Improving climate resilience of navigable inland waterways, their surroundings and related water infrastructure

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Code: 39524 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

Successful proposals will support the implementation of the EU Adaptation Strategy, the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, the European Water Resilience Strategy, the EU Preparedness Strategy and the upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan. Proposals are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• Navigable inland waterways, their surroundings and related infrastructure are managed in a more integrated and sustainable manner across Europe and become more climate-resilient
• Climate and environmental risks to water infrastructure (e.g. droughts, flooding, slow onset events, ecological degradation and cascading and compound events) are more effectively addressed in a systemic way. Safe, efficient and reliable navigability conditions are improved.
• Cost-efficient and environmentally friendly measures — especially nature-based solutions — are identified with the involvement of stakeholders. They improve climate resilience of inland waterways while supporting integrated co-benefit and avoiding competing water uses, including between countries and regions.

Facilitating implementation of actionable solutions for climate adaptation of regions and local authorities

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Code: 39521 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

The successful proposal will contribute to the implementation of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change and the upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan. Proposals are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• The wide range of solutions tested and deployed in the context of the Adaptation Mission and the good practices emerged in its Community of Practice are harvested, assessed, structured and systematised to support the implementation of the Mission.
• Regional and local authorities can access, in the local language, the latest and most actionable solutions for climate adaptation relevant to their (climatic) conditions.
• Adaptation solutions stemming from research and innovation are ready for replication and scale-up, contributing to the delivery of the Adaptation Mission and acceleration of adaptation efforts across Europe. Legacy of the knowledge created by the Mission is also ensured.
• Knowledge and understanding of the policy implications of adaptation solutions is increasingly utilised in the policy cycles at EU, national, and regional and local levels.

Standardising and supporting climate services for climate adaptation

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Code: 39519 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

The successful proposal will support the implementation of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change and the upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan. Projects are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• The methodology for identifying, selecting and consolidating global and regional reference climate data sets and scenarios is advanced and their consistent use across the EU in relation to climate adaptation is supported.
• Standardisation and quality of climate services across the EU are improved, and their uptake is enhanced.
• Climate services and best practices are used effectively to inform climate adaptation policies and decisions

National Adaptation Hubs – Bringing together the national level with the engaged regional and local levels (multi-level governance)

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Code: 39516 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

Regional and local authorities are the target group of the proposed activities and as such they are not expected to participate directly in the consortium, but they should benefit from the project funded by this action.

The project is expected to last until the end of the Mission, i.e. end of 2030.

Supporting financing of local adaptation actions with combination of public funding and private financing

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Code: 39513 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

In support to the implementation of the EU Adaptation Strategy, the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate change, and in particular having regard to the upcoming European Climate Adaptation Plan, project results should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Local climate adaptation actors, the financing sector, the public grant sector, and climate adaptation financing experience are brought to work together on making local adaptation actions financeable by combining public grant funding and private financing via bank loans and on overcoming the practical barriers on combining these and finding solutions, and specifically through demonstrating this with intermediated EIB adaptation lending.
• Local innovative adaptation actions (including nature-based solutions) have been implemented thanks to their financing by the combination of private financing via bank loans and public grant funding.
• National Promotional Banks (NPBs)/other banks are mobilised to actively finance local adaptation actions.

Demonstrating solutions to protect and preserve cultural heritage from the impacts of climate change

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Code: 39510 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-01-CLIMA-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 04/02/2026 | End submission calls: 23/09/2026

In line with the EU Adaptation Strategy and the objectives of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, successful proposals will support the preservation of cultural heritage (moveable, immoveable and natural with cultural significance) under a changing climate.

Open topic: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural production factors

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Code: 39507 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

EU farmers face numerous competitiveness challenges. According to a study by the EP, the growth of total factor productivity (TFP) in EU agriculture has been slowing down while some of our competitors, like Brazil, Canada and China, show higher TFP growth. In order to revert this trend, improving the efficiency of the production factors is a possible avenue, while at the same time considering its sustainable use.

Open topic: Boosting organic farming for a competitive, sustainable and resilient farming sector

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Code: 39504 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

The Vision for Agriculture and Food recognises organic farming as an approach with potential to ensure an attractive and predictable agri-food sector where incomes enable farmers to thrive, while at the same time delivering several ecosystem services beneficial for the environment, climate and biodiversity.

The Vision also recognises the importance of research and innovation (R&I) for sustainable farming approaches, such as organic farming, to thrive. At the same time, the EU Action Plan on the Development of Organic Production attaches a central role to R&I for achieving the Plan’s objectives.

In line with this Action Plan, under Horizon Europe, the EU has funded several R&I projects addressing multiple aspects and challenges of organic production. The purpose of this topic is to fill remaining R&I needs to boost the organic farming sector in Europe.

Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic)

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Code: 39500 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

This topic supports the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI).

It builds on a series of CCRI-related topics funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and replicated every one to two programming year since 2021.

The goal is to accelerate place-based innovation, boost skills and capacities and support the implementation of solutions for a circular systemic transition at city or region level. Implementing circular systemic solutions reduces environmental impacts and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, by decreasing the extraction of primary raw materials and minimizing waste generation.

Open topic: Uncovering the causes of specific species’ rapid decline and exploring actionable solutions

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Code: 39497 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

As a result of unsustainable human activities, the global population of wild species is estimated to have fallen by more than 70% over the last 50 years. This is notably documented for bird populations, with long-term trends demonstrating that Europe has experienced a major decline in biodiversity. Some species that were considered common in the past have recently been assessed as threatened or endangered.

Living labs for co-creating solutions for the restoration of ecosystems

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Code: 39494 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 defines nature restoration objectives in line with target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU Nature Restoration Regulation provides that Member States shall put in place effective and area-based restoration measures.

Living labs have the potential to empower a green transition towards nature restoration and climate change mitigation and adaptation by developing solutions in a co-creative manner and involving actors in real life settings to achieve large-scale impact and foster collaboration between sectors and communities.

Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration

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Code: 39491 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 acknowledges that protecting and restoring nature will need more than regulation alone and will notably require action by citizens. This topic intends to support citizens willing to take directly part in nature protection and restoration.

It is expected to contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and in particular to its target 21. A wide range of ecosystem types (in terrestrial environment, in fresh and/or marine water) can be considered.

Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy

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Code: 39488 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

Proposals should thrive to equip policymakers and practitioners with robust evidence, knowledge and practice on NbS. When implemented at scale, and following a credible design and implementation approach thriving for ecosystem integrity and connectivity, NbS can deliver significant benefits and reduced costs.

This topic aims to contribute to the evidence base on the role of NbS in a nature positive and climate resilience society. It supports climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, that ensure long-term economic security and opportunities, respect planetary boundaries and address climate uncertainties. This calls for a systematic integration of NbS across sectors and policy levels. Proposals are encouraged to apply a multi-actor approach to engage with actors from research, policy and practice, as well as SSH disciplines, to support the above-mentioned systemic NbS integration and evidence-based decision-making, and produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities

Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal

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Code: 39484 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

The Clean Industrial Deal confirms Europe’s dedication to its decarbonisation goals by offering clear business incentives. It will help create lead markets to boost supply and demand in clean tech and energy-intensive industries (such as chemicals, cement, steel and metals), enabling the decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness of Europe at the same time. An integral focus is to support the acceleration of the roll-out of clean energy and manufacturing, to develop sectoral transition pathways and to reinforce a circular economy.

Decontaminate and bioremediate aquatic pollution

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Code: 39482 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 16/04/2026

Chemical pollution of aquatic environments from contaminants and pollutants poses risks for human and environmental health. As recent assessments of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and of the Water Framework Directive have shown, large parts of Europe’s groundwater bodies, rivers, lakes, coastal, transitional and marine waters have not reached good status and often exceed regulatory threshold levels set to avoid potential risk to human health and the environment.

Continued inflow of pollutants into the aquatic environment, coupled with their ubiquity and persistent nature is increasing the risk of accumulation and long-term exposure of organisms and human beings. While pollution prevention is the most effective measure to tackle aquatic pollution, more effective action and novel solutions are needed to bioremediate and decontaminate European waters from particularly harmful and persistent substances.

Call for proposals to National Roma Contact Points

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Code: 39479 | Identifier Code: CERV-2026-NRCP | Programme name: 2926 | Start submission calls: 11/12/2025 | End submission calls: 09/04/2026

Strengthening the national Roma consultation processes in Member States through national Roma platforms convened and managed by national Roma contact points (NRCPs).

Advancing Social Cohesion in the Face of Polarized Public Discourse

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Code: 39476 | Identifier Code: PPPA-2026-SOCIAL-COHESION-PPD | Programme name: 2280 | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 31/03/2026

The primary objective of this call is to advance interdisciplinary research on polarisation in the digital age, with particular focus on its role as a driver of systemic risk to democratic institutions, social cohesion, and public trust. The idea is to put together existing research and build on top of it.

1. Analysis and Monitoring Methodology and Innovative Tools for Understanding Polarisation
2. European Regional Knowledge Exchange and Implementation Pathways for Social Cohesion
3. Collaboration and Practical Mitigation Strategies

Living labs to enhance soil health in managed forests and in natural/semi-natural lands

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Code: 39472 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-02-two-stage | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Missions | Start submission calls: 12/02/2026 | End submission calls: 14/04/2026

Forests soils play a fundamental role in global environmental protection, by supporting rich biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, regulating floodings, and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

In Europe, forests cover nearly 40% of the total land area, with over 90% classified as managed forests, where human activities such as timber production, habitat management, recreation, etc. take place.

Maintaining and enhancing soil functions in managed forests is essential for ensuring both their productivity and long-term resilience. In this context, developing a sustainable forest bioeconomy is strategically important for Europe’s green transition.