Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to improve the long-term conservation of habitats and species by addressing biodiversity loss drivers affecting protected ecosystems. The initiative supports advanced research, predictive modelling, ecological monitoring, adaptive management strategies, and policy-relevant conservation solutions across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
The programme aligns with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a total funding budget of €13 million and approximately €6.5 million available per project.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The initiative supports research and innovation projects aimed at improving biodiversity conservation and protected area management.
The programme focuses on:
- Biodiversity protection
- Ecosystem resilience
- Climate adaptation
- Conservation management
- Ecological monitoring
- Predictive environmental modelling
- Sustainable protected area governance
Projects should help strengthen long-term conservation effectiveness under growing environmental pressures.
Why This Initiative Matters
Protected ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from:
- Climate change
- Habitat degradation
- Pollution
- Land and sea use changes
- Invasive alien species
- Overexploitation of natural resources
These pressures are reducing the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving biodiversity.
The initiative supports science-based conservation approaches that improve ecosystem resilience and long-term species protection.
Alignment with Global and EU Biodiversity Goals
The programme contributes to:
- EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The initiative supports the EU target of protecting:
- At least 30% of land and sea areas
Projects should contribute to evidence-based biodiversity policy and ecosystem management.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve understanding of biodiversity loss drivers
- Strengthen protected area management
- Develop predictive conservation tools
- Support adaptive ecosystem management
- Improve ecological monitoring systems
- Enhance climate resilience of ecosystems
- Inform biodiversity policy and decision-making
Projects should generate practical and policy-relevant conservation outcomes.
Key Focus Areas
Supported projects may focus on:
- Habitat and species conservation
- Protected area management effectiveness
- Climate change impacts on biodiversity
- Ecosystem resilience
- Predictive environmental modelling
- Climate refugia identification
- Assisted migration strategies
- Ecological monitoring systems
- Cumulative environmental impacts
- Socio-economic drivers of biodiversity loss
- Adaptive conservation management
- Biodiversity policy support
Interdisciplinary approaches are strongly encouraged.
Ecosystem Areas Covered
Projects must focus on one primary research area:
- Terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems
- Marine biodiversity and ecosystems
Freshwater ecosystems may also be included where relevant.
Applicants must clearly specify the selected ecosystem focus in their proposal.
Predictive Modelling Requirements
Projects are expected to develop predictive tools that assess:
- Medium-term biodiversity trends
- Long-term environmental change
- Cumulative ecosystem impacts
- Conservation risk scenarios
- Future biodiversity loss drivers
These tools should support evidence-based conservation planning.
Adaptive Conservation Strategies
The initiative encourages development of innovative conservation approaches, including:
- Climate refugia identification
- Ecosystem resilience assessment
- Assisted migration evaluation
- Adaptive protected area management
- Biodiversity recovery strategies
Projects should explore how conservation systems can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Ecological Monitoring and Indicators
The programme supports:
- Long-term ecological monitoring systems
- Biodiversity monitoring technologies
- Protected area management indicators
- Conservation performance assessment frameworks
Projects should provide recommendations for sustainable monitoring systems.
Stakeholder Engagement Requirements
Strong stakeholder involvement is required.
Projects should engage:
- Public authorities
- Protected area managers
- Civil society organizations
- Environmental agencies
- Research institutions
- Community stakeholders
Collaboration should ensure policy relevance and practical implementation potential.
Funding Details
Total Available Budget
- €13,000,000
Expected Funding Per Project
- Approximately €6,500,000
Funding supports large-scale collaborative biodiversity research and conservation initiatives.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is open to:
- Universities
- Research institutes
- NGOs
- Public bodies
- International organizations
- Private sector entities
- Legal entities from EU and non-EU countries
Applicants must comply with:
- Horizon Europe Regulation requirements
- Applicable funding rules and conditions
Expected Outcomes
Projects are expected to contribute to:
- Improved biodiversity conservation strategies
- Better protected area management
- Enhanced ecosystem resilience
- Stronger ecological monitoring systems
- Policy-relevant conservation evidence
- Climate adaptation in protected ecosystems
- Long-term biodiversity protection
The initiative aims to improve conservation effectiveness under future environmental change.
How the Programme Works
The programme funds collaborative research and innovation projects focused on biodiversity conservation and protected ecosystems.
Application Process
- Identify key biodiversity conservation challenges
- Develop research and predictive modelling approaches
- Build interdisciplinary partnerships
- Engage stakeholders and policy actors
- Prepare Horizon Europe proposal
- Implement monitoring and conservation activities
Projects should combine scientific excellence with practical conservation application.
Tips for a Strong Proposal
Applicants should:
- Focus on measurable conservation outcomes
- Demonstrate policy relevance
- Include robust predictive modelling methods
- Present clear ecological monitoring plans
- Show stakeholder engagement strategies
- Address climate resilience and biodiversity threats
- Include scalable management solutions
Strong proposals usually include:
- Interdisciplinary expertise
- Advanced environmental modelling
- Long-term conservation frameworks
- Practical management indicators
- Policy integration strategies
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main goal of this programme?
The initiative supports long-term conservation of habitats and species by improving understanding and management of biodiversity loss drivers.
How much funding is available?
The programme has a total budget of €13 million, with around €6.5 million expected per project.
Which ecosystems can projects focus on?
Projects may focus on terrestrial or marine biodiversity and ecosystems, with freshwater ecosystems included where relevant.
Are climate change impacts included?
Yes, climate change impacts and ecosystem resilience are major focus areas.
What types of organizations can apply?
Universities, NGOs, research institutes, public bodies, companies, and international organizations may apply.
Is stakeholder involvement required?
Yes, projects must involve stakeholders such as public authorities, protected area managers, and civil society organizations.
What types of conservation strategies are encouraged?
Adaptive management, climate refugia identification, ecological monitoring, and assisted migration approaches are encouraged.
Conclusion
The European Commission Biodiversity Conservation Grant supports advanced research and innovation aimed at improving long-term conservation of protected habitats and species. By strengthening predictive modelling, adaptive management, ecological monitoring, and policy support systems, the initiative seeks to improve resilience and effectiveness of protected ecosystems under growing environmental pressures.
The programme also contributes to major European and global biodiversity goals by supporting science-based conservation strategies that protect ecosystems, strengthen resilience, and improve long-term biodiversity outcomes.
For more information, visit European Commission.
