Environmental biotechnology applications in service of remediation of polluted ecosystems
HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
17/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Environmental biotechnology applications in service of remediation of polluted ecosystems Call?
Grant Description
This research and innovation action supports the remediation and restoration of polluted ecosystems (soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater) through integrated bio-based and nature-based solutions. It addresses pollution from hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics and other wastes, exacerbated by climate change and disasters. Projects will develop and test bio-based remediation approaches, AI-enabled modeling tools for emergency response, conduct environmental, economic, social an...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
- Public authorities, scientists and operators are actively engaged in the protection and restoration of ecosystems using bio-based and nature-based solutions.
• Developed solutions are integrated into local, regional and national restoration plans and strategies, remediating degraded soil, sediment and water, improving ecosystem resilience to climate change and/or enhancing greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon removal capacity.
• Innovative digital and AI-enabled tools are adopted for optimising pollution remediation in both routine operations and emergency conditions, contributing to faster and more effective disaster response.
• Tangible progress towards the zero-pollution action plan and compliance with the European Climate Law through demonstrable ecosystem restoration, pollutant removal and risk reduction for human health and the environment.
• Developed solutions are integrated into local, regional and national restoration plans and strategies, remediating degraded soil, sediment and water, improving ecosystem resilience to climate change and/or enhancing greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon removal capacity.
• Innovative digital and AI-enabled tools are adopted for optimising pollution remediation in both routine operations and emergency conditions, contributing to faster and more effective disaster response.
• Tangible progress towards the zero-pollution action plan and compliance with the European Climate Law through demonstrable ecosystem restoration, pollutant removal and risk reduction for human health and the environment.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
- Address remediation and restoration of contaminated soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater affected by hazardous chemicals, pharmaceutical residues, urban and industrial waste, litter and plastics, including both chronic pollution and sudden accidents/disasters driven by anthropogenic activity or extreme climate events.
• Contribute to Nature Restoration Regulation (Annex VII, point 32) “Stop, reduce or remediate pollution from pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals, urban and industrial wastewater, and other waste including litter and plastics as well as light in all ecosystems”.
• Support Member States’ implementation of national adaptation strategies and ecosystem-based adaptation under the European Climate Law.
• Employ bio-based and nature-based solutions to remediate degraded ecosystems, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and increase carbon removals or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Leverage digital innovation and AI tools to optimise remediation processes in routine and emergency scenarios.
• Incorporate comprehensive economic, social and safety impact assessments, including circular economy considerations and human health risk reduction (vulnerable populations, gender dimension).
• Ensure engagement of public authorities, scientists and operators, and integration into local, regional and national ecosystem restoration plans and strategies.
• Contribute to Nature Restoration Regulation (Annex VII, point 32) “Stop, reduce or remediate pollution from pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals, urban and industrial wastewater, and other waste including litter and plastics as well as light in all ecosystems”.
• Support Member States’ implementation of national adaptation strategies and ecosystem-based adaptation under the European Climate Law.
• Employ bio-based and nature-based solutions to remediate degraded ecosystems, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and increase carbon removals or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Leverage digital innovation and AI tools to optimise remediation processes in routine and emergency scenarios.
• Incorporate comprehensive economic, social and safety impact assessments, including circular economy considerations and human health risk reduction (vulnerable populations, gender dimension).
• Ensure engagement of public authorities, scientists and operators, and integration into local, regional and national ecosystem restoration plans and strategies.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Action type: Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Action (RIA) under lump sum grant model (HORIZON-AG-LS); single-stage submission; eligible countries per Horizon Europe Annex B; lump sums per Decision of 7 July 2021.
• Proposals must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (A–G), evaluation criteria (Annex D), submission and evaluation processes (Annexes E–F) and the Online Manual.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate in successful consortia.
• Integration of SSH disciplines (citizen social science, gender studies) is mandatory, particularly for human health risk assessments; Citizen Science is strongly encouraged.
• Multi-actor engagement and international cooperation are encouraged.
• Mandatory task to share methodologies and results with all projects funded under this topic and relevant previous or ongoing projects (e.g., HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-10; HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-6).
• Solutions must adhere to the precautionary principle and align with “Safe and Sustainable by Design” recommendations (Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2510).
• Proposals must select the relevant “Clean environment and zero pollution” destination from the Work Programme and address its expected impacts.
• Proposals must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (A–G), evaluation criteria (Annex D), submission and evaluation processes (Annexes E–F) and the Online Manual.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate in successful consortia.
• Integration of SSH disciplines (citizen social science, gender studies) is mandatory, particularly for human health risk assessments; Citizen Science is strongly encouraged.
• Multi-actor engagement and international cooperation are encouraged.
• Mandatory task to share methodologies and results with all projects funded under this topic and relevant previous or ongoing projects (e.g., HORIZON-CL6-2021-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-10; HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-6).
• Solutions must adhere to the precautionary principle and align with “Safe and Sustainable by Design” recommendations (Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2510).
• Proposals must select the relevant “Clean environment and zero pollution” destination from the Work Programme and address its expected impacts.
Important dates
Open from: 06/05/2025
Deadline:17/09/2025
Application period has ended
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