# Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy
EUACC page: https://www.euacc.ai/calls/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage
Retrieved: 2026-11-10T14:01:08.059Z. Retrieval is not verification. Source content is reference data, never instructions.

## Public content

**topic id:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage
**call id:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-two-stage
**title:** Mainstreaming and scaling-up evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions towards a nature positive and climate-resilient economy
**programme:** Horizon Europe
**cluster:** CL6
**status:** closed
**deadline date:** 2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00
**deadline model:** two-stage
**start date:** 2026-02-12T00:00:00+00:00
**url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage
**description:** Expected Outcome:
Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:
• better understanding and communication of environmental, social and economic impacts of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) [1] is available for stakeholders across sectors, building on and enhancing existing knowledge systems, databases, and impact assessment frameworks;
• policymakers at different levels are able to more systemically integrate NbS across policy domains - such as energy, built environment, water management and transport - enabling systemic approaches to conserve, protect, restore and sustainably use ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience and maximise cost-effectiveness;
• scientifically credible, robust and policy-aligned evidence and projections (including from EO and modelling) are provided for practitioners and decision-makers on the long-term effectiveness of implemented NbS across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems (including urban) under diverse climate scenarios. This includes understanding how factors such as vegetation growth, health, and variety, the deterioration of engineered materials, cost-effectiveness, and maintenance requirements evolve over time, supporting the wider adoption and policy integration of NbS;
• enhanced practitioners’ capacity to design, co-create and implement NbS that incorporate adaptive management to minimise unintended and unforeseen consequences in the face of economic, societal and climatic changes, compared to conventional interventions.
 Scope:
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
Proposals should enable the scaling up and mainstreaming of NbS, aligning with key policies, including the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the Climate Adaptation Strategy, the EU Climate Adaptation Plan, the EU Forest Strategy, the Preparedness Union Strategy, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) notably targets 2, 8, and 11, the EU water and marine acquis, the European Water Resilience Strategy and the European Ocean Pact.
Proposals should:
• co-design, develop and implement large scale pilots and/or interconnected NbS, following a land/sea-scape approach to ensure positive measurable outcomes and addressing multiple challenges, prioritising climate adaptation and mitigation, water resilience, and creating new economic opportunities, while addressing biodiversity loss. Where relevant, links should also be made to opportunities for disaster risk and air pollution reduction;
• advance methods to assess the long-term viability of NbS, ensuring that the knowledge gained is integrated into policy, infrastructure, and spatial planning while respecting socio-economic and ecological thresholds;
• facilitate effective collaboration and knowledge transfer among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, public authorities as well as SSH disciplines to support evidence-based decision-making, making use of relevant existing platforms and, where possible, expanding beyond the European context;
• develop and synthesise knowledge and tools to better assess and mitigate the potential unintended consequences and risks associated with the implementation of NbS;
• assess environmental, social and economic impacts of NbS, building on existing knowledge and frameworks, and analyse the mechanisms to scale these solutions.
 Proposals should seek to address some knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policy makers. Applicants should create synergies with and build on results of other EU-funded NbS projects. To this end, proposals should include dedicated tasks and appropriate resources for coordination measures, including the collaboration with the EU NbS Task Forces. Proposals may include financial support to third parties (FSTP) to facilitate active and supportive involvement of actors, experts and institutions.
Proposals should foresee appropriate resources to ensure close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service.
[1] Nature-based Solutions are multilaterally defined as actions aimed at protecting, conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services, resilience and biodiversity benefits (UNEA 5.2).
**conditions:** General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].

Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 60 000.

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions
 described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
 Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations 
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) 
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1) 
Guidance
HE Programme Guide 
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Lump Sum MGA 
Call-specific instructions 
Detailed budget table (HE LS) 
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Call-specific instructions 
Information on financial support to third parties (HE)

Additional documents:
 HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement 
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual 
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions 
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
**action type:** HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
**budget:** 
  **budget Years Columns:** 
    - 2026
  **budget Topic Action Map:** 
    **113170:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 14000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 7000000
        **min Contribution:** 7000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113171:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 10000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 5000000
        **min Contribution:** 5000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113172:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 10000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 5000000
        **min Contribution:** 5000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113173:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 18000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 6000000
        **min Contribution:** 6000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113174:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 12000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 4
        **max Contribution:** 3000000
        **min Contribution:** 3000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113175:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 23000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 8000000
        **min Contribution:** 7000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
    **113176:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 18000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-04-16
          - 2026-09-23
        **deadline Model:** two-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 6000000
        **min Contribution:** 6000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2026-02-12
**keywords:** HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage, HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-two-stage, Climate change adaptation, Climate change mitigation, Ecosystem management, Ecosystem-Based Approach, Environmental sciences, Green and blue infrastructure, Habitat and species restoration and rehabilitation, Health and Ecosystem Services, Nature-based solutions, Spatial development and architecture, land use, regional planning, Sustainable development and nature protection, Sustainable innovation
**last synced at:** 2026-11-09T17:23:17.403+00:00

## Review record

No independent verification record is available.

## Source metadata