Understanding and tackling the decline of insects

Overview

Funding for research projects aimed at understanding and addressing the decline of insect populations, including drivers of loss, ecosystem services, and mitigation strategies. Targets researchers, public authorities, and organizations working on biodiversity, climate action, and ecosystem restoration.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include legal entities (e.g., universities, research institutions, public bodies, SMEs, NGOs) from EU Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and select third countries with specific funding provisions. Consortia are expected, with international cooperation encouraged.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €10,000,000 per project.
• Funding rate: Typically 100% of eligible costs for non-profit entities; 70% for for-profit organizations (unless otherwise specified in the call).
• Total budget: Not specified.

What Is Funded

• Research to improve understanding of insect diversity, including genomic approaches and integrative taxonomy.
• Assessment of insect population status, trends, and drivers of decline (e.g., habitat loss, climate change, pollution).
• Development and testing of long-term monitoring schemes for insects, building on existing EU or national biodiversity monitoring frameworks.
• Strategies to mitigate drivers of insect decline and promote ecosystem protection/restoration practices.
• Valuation of ecosystem services provided by insects and their socioeconomic benefits.
• Data management ensuring FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles, with potential integration into European research infrastructures (e.g., EOSC, LifeWatch ERIC).

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Projects must target Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6, focusing on applied research and demonstration activities.

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-04-16
• Deadline: 2026-09-16

Application Process (High-Level)

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

Post-Award Obligations

• Close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and other relevant projects.
• Dissemination of project results, including FAIR-compliant data sharing.
• Reporting obligations as specified in the Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement.

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 focusing on pollination or pollinating insects are excluded, as this topic has been extensively covered in prior research.
• Proposals must demonstrate multidisciplinary collaboration and alignment with EU biodiversity policies (e.g., EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, Nature Restoration Regulation).
• Emphasis on long-term monitoring and practical strategies for reversing insect decline.