Integrating Remote Sensing and in-situ observations of Biodiversity, towards a fully interoperable observation and data framework

Overview

Funding for projects that integrate remote sensing with in-situ biodiversity observations to create interoperable data frameworks. Targets researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers working on ecosystem assessment, nature protection, and biodiversity trend prediction to support EU biodiversity and climate objectives.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., universities, research institutions, public bodies, SMEs, NGOs) from eligible EU Member States, Associated Countries, and specified non-EU countries. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may join as a beneficiary with zero funding or as an associated partner.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €8,000,000 per project.
• Funding form: Lump sum.
• Total budget: Not specified.

What Is Funded

• Development and validation of multisensory biodiversity data integration systems, combining omics-based, in-situ, and remote sensing data (terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems).
• Harmonization of data workflows and processing protocols to support AI-driven applications (e.g., habitat classification, ecosystem mapping, biodiversity trend prediction).
• Demonstration cases for ecosystems under EU typology, including ecotones, with alignment to EU policy frameworks (e.g., Habitats Directive, Nature Restoration Regulation).
• FAIR data outputs, interoperability with European/global frameworks (e.g., EUNIS, Global Ecosystem Typology), and linkage to data infrastructures (e.g., EOSC, European Common Data Spaces).
• Collaboration with existing initiatives (e.g., GBIF, OBIS, LUCAS) and coordination with EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD).

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 4–6 (validation in lab to relevant environment).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-04-19.
• Deadline: 2027-09-21.

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout specified in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Post-Award Obligations

• Compliance with lump sum grant rules, including reporting and dissemination requirements.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS for satellite-based data if applicable.
• Coordination with EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and potential integration of JRC data (e.g., LUCAS, EMBAL).

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Projects must prioritize critical biodiversity knowledge gaps and demonstrate policy relevance.
• Proposals should allocate resources for cooperation with existing in-situ data frameworks and European research infrastructures.
• Alignment with the EC-ESA Earth System Science Initiative (ESSI) and ESA’s FuturEO programme is required.