Environmental Justice Grants

Healthy Built Environments is a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health that funds equity-focused built environment improvements in economically distressed communities across Tennessee. The program supports construction of playgrounds, trails, greenways, and outdoor fitness spaces designed to improve community health outcomes. Total funding available is $860,000. Eligible applicants include government entities, tribes, and nonprofits with a demonstrated focus on serving underserved populations. Projects must address physical activity access in high-need areas, with priority given to communities facing systemic health disparities. The application deadline was March 13, 2026.

CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants is sponsored by Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants is a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) that funds projects assessing and treating stormwater pollution, restoring coastal habitat, and advancing comprehensive coastal restoration planning.

Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds 2026 is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Public Health / Health Resources in Action. This grant program focuses on disrupting barriers to health in Massachusetts communities by investing in organizations addressing the root causes of health inequities through policy, systems, and environmental change approaches.

Environmental Action Grant is a grant from Columbia Gas of Virginia, funded through the NiSource Charitable Foundation, that funds environmentally focused projects benefiting communities in Columbia Gas of Virginia's service territory. The program supports local nonprofits in undertaking projects such as habitat restoration, conservation education, green space improvements, and pollution prevention. Awards range from $500 to $5,000. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) or other IRS-recognized non-profit organizations proposing an environmentally focused project. The 2026 application deadline was April 3, 2026; check with Columbia Gas of Virginia for future cycles.

Highmark BluePrints for the Community Small Grant is a grant from the Highmark Delaware Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation that funds nonprofit organizations and community-benefit government agencies serving Delaware residents. The program supports projects addressing health and wellness, community enrichment, and social needs for underserved populations in Delaware. Awards of up to $50,000 are available to incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible government agencies including libraries, parks, and public school districts. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a clear community benefit focus and a track record of effective programming. The 2026 application deadline was April 9, 2026. Highmark BluePrints grants are intended to support organizations making meaningful, measurable contributions to community health and quality of life in Delaware.

Implementing Zero Suicide in Health Systems is sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Implements the comprehensive Zero Suicide intervention and prevention model for adults within health systems. Requires application of seven framework elements: Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition, and Improve.

Newman's Own Foundation Grants is a funding opportunity from Newman's Own Foundation that supports innovative organizations working to ensure all children can access nutritious, culturally relevant food at school and in communities. Through the Food Justice for Kids Prize, awards of up to $100,000 over two years are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Tribes, schools, and school districts in the United States and its territories. The program is co-powered by Newman's Own Foundation, Humanitix, The Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and Hunger to Health Collaboratory. Applications were accepted from February 17 through April 28, 2026.

Community Health Alliance's Community Health Grants Program is a grant from Community Health Alliance that funds health-related projects for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions serving children, families, and vulnerable populations in western Montana. The program supports a range of health priorities across two grant cycles per year, with focused funding categories announced each cycle. Eligible applicants are charitable nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and educational institutions in the western Montana region. Applications opened in March 2025 for the fall 2025 cycle, with a deadline of May 13, 2026. Award amounts are not publicly specified.

Community Health Aide Program: Tribal Planning and Implementation (TPI) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Indian Health Service (IHS). This program empowers Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TO) in the contiguous 48 states to plan and implement the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) by providing regional flexibility, clinical support, tailored healthcare solutions, technological infrastructure, comprehensive…

Water Quality Restoration Proposals (Nonpoint Source Pollution) is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DWR). The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting funding proposals for projects seeking to restore impaired waterways impacted by nonpoint source pollution, which is caused by water runoff that carries pollutants into waterw…

Watershed Restoration and Protection Program – Pennsylvania is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. The program's overall goal is to restore and maintain restored stream reaches impaired by nonpoint source polluted runoff, ultimately removing these streams from the PA Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP's) Impaired Waters list. This is accomplished through the implementation of watershed-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agriculture, stormwater, streambank and channel restoration, and BMP repair/upgrade/operation and maintenance of existing practices.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Community Health Grants is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente Washington. Kaiser Permanente Washington offers grants to local community organizations addressing health needs identified in their Community Health Needs Assessment, focusing on areas such as access to health care, mental and behavioral health, housing, efforts to dismantle structural racism, income and employment, and food security.

Small Business Innovation Research Phase I is sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA SBIR program funds small businesses developing innovative environmental technologies with commercial potential. This includes solutions addressing pollution control, circular economy challenges, PFAS destruction, and sustainable materials management. Proposals are evaluated on technical merit, commercialization potential, and impact/relevance.

Urban Greening Program is a grant from California Climate Investments, administered by the California Natural Resources Agency, that funds urban greening projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve community health, and support active transportation. Funded activities include establishment and expansion of parks and community spaces, tree planting, green infrastructure in streets and alleys, and construction of active transportation infrastructure. Competitive scoring favors projects with greater investment in priority populations and disadvantaged communities. Eligible applicants include local agencies, nonprofits, and joint powers authorities in California.

Request for Partners - Fiscal Year 2027 Clean Water Construction Treatment Works Projects is sponsored by District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). DOEE seeks collaborative partners for its FY27 Clean Water Construction grant application to the Environmental Protection Agency. Applications are requested for project partners in three categories: sewage infrastructure, stormwater grey infrastructure, and stormwater green infrastructure projects, all providing a water quality benefit to District waters.

Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP): Digitalisation and Innovation for Resilient Marine Ecosystems, Businesses, and Communities to Strengthen the EU Blue Economy Competitiveness is sponsored by ANR – French National Research Agency (co-funded call). This is a joint transnational co-financed call focusing on digitalization and innovation for resilient marine ecosystems, businesses, and communities to strengthen the EU Blue Economy's competitiveness. It is relevant to marine pollution and circular economy in the marine sector.

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a grant from the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) that funds systemic, long-term improvements to healthcare in rural communities across Missouri. Established by Public Law 119-21, this five-year, $50 billion federal investment addresses hospital closures, healthcare worker shortages, and poor health outcomes in rural areas. Missouri's DSS leads the state application alongside the Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health. Funded activities span five strategic goals: prevention and chronic disease management, rural health network sustainability, healthcare workforce development, community health hubs, and healthcare technology adoption. Eligible applicants include rural healthcare organizations, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations, local public health agencies, and other rural health providers in Missouri, with Hub Anchor applicants serving approximately 3–5 county regions. The total Missouri allocation is $216,276,817.66, with a deadline of June 18, 2026.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program provides loan repayment assistance for eligible substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers who provide direct treatment and recovery support services in approved SUD treatment facilities.

Huddle Up for Health Community Health Equity Grant is a grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, that funds Maryland nonprofits building or enhancing programming focused on mental health support, awareness, and advocacy. The program prioritizes organizations working in the behavioral health space that also address upstream social, economic, and environmental drivers of health. Eligible applicants are Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Awards are up to $50,000, with the application deadline on May 5, 2026. Now in its third year, the program reflects a long-standing collaboration between CareFirst and the Ravens to advance community wellness and reduce health disparities.

Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Department of State (funded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022). This program supports climate resiliency projects, with categories for Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience and Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Implementation.

Huddle Up for Health Community Health Equity Grant is sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Huddle Up for Health Community Health Equity Grant is a grant from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, in partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, that funds Maryland nonprofits building or enhancing programming focused on mental health support, awareness, and advocacy.

Environmental Justice Grants for Tribes is a grant program from the Washington State Department of Health that funds two complementary programs for federally recognized Tribes: the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Tribal Capacity Grant and the Workplace Safety for Workers Affected by Climate Change Grant. The HEAL grants support Tribal input to the Environmental Justice Council and help reduce environmental and health disparities in Washington State. The Workplace Safety grants address climate change impacts on workers in tribal communities. Both programs are funded for the 2025-2027 biennium. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Tribes with rights and interests in Tribal lands within Washington State boundaries. The deadline is June 30, 2026. Award amounts vary.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING Assistance Program (EVCAP) Round 2 is sponsored by Virginia Department of Energy (funded through U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program Formula Grant). EVCAP Round 2 focuses on community-level solutions to expand EV charging access in historically underserved areas, including economically disadvantaged communities, environmental justice communities, and brownfield sites in Virginia.

Community Clean Air Grant Program is sponsored by City of Boston Air Pollution Control Commission (APCC). This program funds nonprofit organizations for community-based projects that reduce, mitigate, or monitor air pollution in the City of Boston. It aims to improve air quality and reduce exposure risks while raising awareness for air pollution-related environmental and public health challenges, contributing to Boston's carbon neutrality goal by 2050. Projects should directly address air pollution through mitigation, abatement, monitoring, or utilizing local air quality data to educate the community.

Community Impact Accelerator Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I). This program supports scalable, community-led pollution prevention initiatives across New York State. While focused on environmental impact, nonprofits supporting small businesses could potentially align if their work includes pollution prevention practices within those businesses or the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This program empowers communities to address environmental issues and health hazards. It provides competitive grants to not-for-profit organizations for projects that mitigate exposure to environmental harms, foster community consensus, and enhance public outreach and education.

NYSDEC Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ). The OEJ offers competitive grants to support and empower communities as they develop and implement solutions that significantly address environmental issues, harms, and health hazards, build community consensus, set priorities, and improve public outreach and education.

Rural Community Health Support Program (HRSA-26-083) is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to develop, deliver, and coordinate nationally available technical assistance that supports community-based organizations and rural health stakeholders serving rural populations to improve and expand delivery and access to quality car…

Rural Community Health Support Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This cooperative agreement aims to develop, deliver, and coordinate nationally available technical assistance that supports community-based organizations and rural health stakeholders serving rural populations to improve and expand delivery and access to quality care for rural communities. While focused on health, it involves community-based organizations and technical assistance in rural areas, which could indirectly support a congregation's community outreach in health-related areas.

Native Voices Rising Grants is sponsored by Common Counsel Foundation. Native Voices Rising offers grants to empower Native-led grassroots organizations in the U.S. and focuses on enhancing lives through collective action and advocacy. It supports initiatives addressing environmental justice, health, and youth involvement, with a commitment to fostering leadership and social change within Native communities.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment Program is sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Grants to implement the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for children, adolescents, and adults in primary care and community health settings with a focus on screening for underage drinking, opioid use, and other substance use.

Rural Community Health Integration Initiative is sponsored by New York State Department of Health (supported by CMS/HHS). This initiative, part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, aims to establish coordinated rural health partnerships that facilitate comprehensive care coordination and enhance patient access to a wide range of providers across the care continuum, addressing both health and…

Rural Community Health Integration Initiative (New York) is sponsored by New York State Department of Health. This initiative, part of New York's Rural Health Transformation Program, aims to establish coordinated rural health partnerships that facilitate comprehensive care coordination and enhance patient access to a wide range of providers across the care continuum, addressing both hea…

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Grant Program is sponsored by E Rhodes And Leona B Carpenter Foundation. Supports public charities in seven key areas: graduate theological education (US and Canada); performing arts in Richmond, VA; Asian art museums (acquisition, conservation, and education); LGBTQ inclusion and programs within faith communities; community health nursing and hospice care in select cities (Worcester, Richmond, Philadelphia); and general charitable support in specific communities where Carpenter Co. operated. Geographic focus: United States, Canada, and select cities in VA, PA, MA, NC, TX, MS, KY, and CA Focus areas: Theological Education, Performing Arts, Asian Art, LGBTQ+, Community Health, Hospice Care

Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Funding for community-based research and education projects that address multiple environmental harms and risks, support and empower communities as they develop and implement solutions, build community consensus, set priorities, and improve public outreach and education.

Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Office of Environmental Justice. This grant opportunity provides funding for community-based organizations to address exposure of communities to multiple environmental harms and risks. Projects must include a new research component to expand the knowledge of the affected community.

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program – Produce Prescription (GusNIP-PPR) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program provides funding for projects where healthcare providers prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to patients. Patients then redeem these prescriptions for free or discounted produce.

Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA) and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants (IMG) Programs is sponsored by New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). These programs provide competitive grants to help municipalities undertake critical wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. The funding aims to upgrade water and sewer systems, reduce water pollution, and safeguard drinking water supplies from emerging contaminants and toxic chemicals. It prioritizes projects that identify and replace lead service lines and enhance grants for drinking water projects that comply with the State's standards for emerging contaminants.

GSK IMPACT Awards is sponsored by GSK (administered with The Boston Foundation and The Philanthropic Initiative). The GSK IMPACT Awards honor up to 10 local nonprofit organizations with $50,000 in unrestricted funding for excellence in community health. While not exclusively leadership development, strong community organizations often demonstrate leadership in addressing health disparities.

Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) - Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution is sponsored by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The WQIF provides grant funding for projects that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution. While historically also covering non-agricultural nonpoint sources, the primary focus for new solicitations might lean towards specific water quality improvements.

The Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG) is a competitive, reimbursement grant from NYSDEC via New York State that funds initial planning for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and storm sewer system mapping in urban areas. Administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the program supports projects that will reduce polluted stormwater runoff entering lakes, rivers, and streams while improving climate change resiliency. Awards range up to $50,000 for individual planning reports and up to $400,000 for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) mapping collaboratives. Eligible applicants include municipalities (including Indian Nations), Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and MS4 operators regulated by New York State's MS4 General Permit. The anticipated Round 7 deadline is May 1, 2026.

Non-Agriculture Nonpoint Source and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Planning Grant (NPG) program is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). This program provides funding for the planning or design of nonpoint source projects. It is offered in conjunction with the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program, focusing on the initial stages of addressing nonpoint source pollution.

Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant Program (NY) is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Empowers communities to address environmental issues and health hazards by providing competitive grants to not-for-profit organizations for projects that mitigate exposure to environmental harms, foster community consensus, and enhance public outreach and education.

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program is a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that funds projects improving water quality, habitat, flood resilience, and drinking water protection across New York State. This competitive statewide reimbursement grant program supports a wide range of projects including wastewater treatment improvements, nonpoint source pollution abatement, stream restoration, and climate resiliency measures. Round 22 applications are due May 1, 2026. Eligible applicants include municipalities such as counties, towns, villages, and cities; Indian Nations; Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and, for select project types, nonprofit corporations in New York State.

Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Grant Program is sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via Pennsylvania State University. This program offers grants for small-, medium-, and large-scale decarbonization projects at industrial facilities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and co-pollutant emissions by promoting investment into emissions reduction equipment and technology and energy efficiency upgrades.

Healthcare Access Grants is sponsored by Intermountain Community Care Foundation (administered by JPMorgan). This program aims to enhance healthcare access and promote healthy behaviors among low-income and underrepresented populations in Utah and Southeast Idaho. It funds innovative projects that yield measurable results, focusing on significant and lasting changes in community health.

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. The REAP program offers tax credits to Pennsylvania farmers who implement best management practices or purchase equipment to improve soil health and water quality on their farms. These tax credits can be combined with other state and federal funding.

Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) - Dementia Capable Community Health Worker Programs is sponsored by Administration for Community Living, Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program aims to strengthen dementia-capable community health worker programs within the National Aging Network and increase the number of people living with dementia who receive dementia-capable early detection, care navigation, and services.

Dementia Capable Community Health Worker Programs in the National Aging Network is sponsored by Administration for Community Living (ACL), Administration on Aging. This funding opportunity is designed to build a person-centered workforce within area agencies on aging that improves access to dementia services and helps more people live well in their communities.

Minnesota Climate Smart Food Systems (CSFS) Grant - Tribal Food Sovereignty is sponsored by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). This grant program provides funding for projects related to Tribal food sovereignty that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The grants are awarded to Native-led organizations that work with Native populations not on reservation lands.

2026 Electric Farm Equipment Grant (EFEG) program is sponsored by Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). This program helps Minnesota farmers purchase electric farm equipment to reduce air pollution. It requires a 25% cash match, and funds are provided as reimbursements. Priority is given to projects that replace diesel- and gas-powered farm equipment with electric alternatives.

Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program is sponsored by Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration. Grants to support the planning, development, and implementation of integrated healthcare networks within the Delta Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) to improve access, quality, and outcomes of basic healthcare service…

Highmark BluePrints – Large | Statewide is sponsored by Delaware Community Foundation (DCF). This grant program supports health-related projects and services in Delaware. Grant proposals should aim to increase access to care and/or reduce health disparities through a program or project that falls within focus areas such as Healthcare Access, which specifically mentions health literacy.

SCDES Section 319(h) Grants is sponsored by South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). These grants support projects that improve water quality by reducing nonpoint source pollution. While not specifically focused on microplastics, solutions addressing microplastics in runoff could be eligible. Projects must implement best management practices identified in approved watershed-based plans.

RISE PA (EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants) - Small-scale Award Track (SAT) Round 4 is sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (administered by PA Department of Environmental Protection). This statewide grant program, funded by EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, focuses on reducing greenhouse gas and co-pollutant emissions from Pennsylvania's industrial sector.

Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Small-scale Award Track (SAT) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). RISE PA is a statewide industrial decarbonization grant program aimed at helping eligible small to mid-size manufacturers reduce energy costs and air pollution by investing in emissions reduction equipment and energy-efficient upgrades.

Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) - Small-scale Award Track (SAT) Round 4 is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants). The RISE PA program is a $396 million statewide industrial decarbonization grant program. The Small-scale Award Track (SAT) specifically supports small and mid-sized manufacturers in Pennsylvania to implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and co-pollutant emissions.

Small-scale Award Track (SAT) grants (part of RISE PA grant program) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This program offers tailored grants to help small businesses in Pennsylvania increase energy efficiency, use renewable energy, and reduce or eliminate pollution. It is funded through the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.

RISE PA Grant Program (Small-scale Award Track) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). The RISE PA grant program is a statewide industrial decarbonization program funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. The Small-scale Award Track, administered by PennTAP, supports small businesses across Pennsylvania for projects at industrial facilities that reduce emissions through investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, and other pollution-reduction technologies.

RISE PA SAT grants is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The RISE PA grant program is a statewide industrial decarbonization grant program aimed at helping small businesses cut energy costs and reduce air pollution. It offers tailored grants to increase energy efficiency, use renewable energy, and help reduce or eliminate pollution.

Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Small-scale Award Track (SAT) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This program provides grants to small businesses to cut energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce air pollution. While not exclusively methane-focused, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial facilities, which can include methane.

Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Grant Program is sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via Pennsylvania State University (PennTAP). The RISE PA program, funded through the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, offers grants for small-, medium-, and large-scale decarbonization projects at industrial facilities in Pennsylvania.

Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG) is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PennDEP). The Small Business Advantage Grant (SBAG) is available to Pennsylvania-based businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It offers grants to help businesses save on energy and waste-related costs. The proposed energy efficiency and/or pollution prevention project must save the applicant a minimum of $500.00 annually AND at least 20% in energy use or pollution related expenses.

Berkeley FILM Foundation Narrative Short Film Program is sponsored by Berkeley FILM Foundation. This program provides funding to narrative short films made by local filmmakers. The Berkeley Film Foundation is interested in short films that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice.

Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation Sustainable Communities Grants is sponsored by Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation. These grants aim to foster social equity and environmental sustainability. The foundation supports nonprofits globally to address climate change, health disparities, and community transformation. Grants are unrestricted and value initiatives promoting social justice, economic empowerment, and environmental justice, particularly those benefiting historically marginalized communities.

DOH61908 OHIO STUDENT EYE EXAM (OHIOSEE) RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION (RHT) PROGRAM is sponsored by Ohio Department of Health (DOH). This program aims to improve rural health, which may include health education initiatives. While the specific mention of 'individual applicant' is not present, some state programs may allow individuals as part of a larger community health effort.

Altra Foundation's Best Life Community Awards (Texas Community Health Funding) is sponsored by ALTRA FOUNDATION INC.. Altra Foundation's Best Life Community Awards provide funding for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing health, mental health, or human services in Smith County, Texas, and other eligible counties. The awards are driven by member nominations and support education, health, human services, environment, and community development initiatives.

Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program is sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (administered by Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission). This program offers grants to farmers and nonprofit educational institutions for projects addressing the reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution in EPA's Most Effective Basins (MEBs) regions within Pennsylvania. Projects should reduce operating expenses through ecologically beneficial practices, improve soil quality and fertility, or improve water quality.

FY27 Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Implementation Funding is sponsored by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) via Central Virginia Planning District Commission (CVPDC). This funding supports the implementation of nonpoint source (NPS) best management practices (BMPs) in implementation watersheds. Geochemistry research related to understanding and mitigating nonpoint source pollution in groundwater and surface water would be highly relevant.

Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) is sponsored by Restore America's Estuaries (in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Long Island Sound Partnership). The LISCIF supports projects addressing environmental issues in the Long Island Sound, focusing on clean waters, healthy watersheds, thriving habitats, abundant wildlife, sustainable and resilient communities, and informed and engaged public.

Building Electrification Showcase Grant for Implementation is sponsored by City and County of Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR). This grant provides funding for buildings to implement larger, more complex, holistic building electrification projects in Denver. It focuses on showcasing innovative uses of current technology or new technologies that demonstrate market leadership in cutting carbon pollution in buildings. Projects must be for commercial buildings, multifamily buildings, campuses, or new developments/redevelopments for single-family homes planning to use a thermal energy network, located in the City and County of Denver.

Island Foundation: Environment Grants is sponsored by Island Foundation. The Island Foundation offers Environment Grants to support projects in coastal regions of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, focusing on marine and coastal resource conservation. Priority is given to initiatives addressing climate change, promoting sustainable landscapes, and enhancing community health through environmental conservation.

2026 Clean Air Grants for Infrastructure is sponsored by Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. Grant funds are available to benefit public health for the installation of infrastructure to fuel or power covered sources in Santa Barbara County. Priority is given to projects in disadvantaged communities, at multi-unit dwellings, and publicly accessible projects.

Arts in Society Grant is sponsored by Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, The Colorado Health Foundation, Denver Arts and Venues, Bee Vradenburg Foundation, RedLine Contemporary Art Center. Funds projects by Colorado nonprofits that integrate arts and culture into community health, well-being, and social impact initiatives. Supports accessible arts programming and community partnerships.

Community Partnerships Grant Program – Southern Lake Michigan (CPGP) is sponsored by Alliance for the Great Lakes (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - GLRI). This program supports community-driven projects that will reduce pollution, control invasive species, and restore lands and waters for communities within the Southern Lake Michigan Watershed program area. Projects must be completed by September 15, 2028.

Clean Air Grants for Off-Road Equipment Replacement is sponsored by Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). This program provides grants to offset the costs of replacing old off-road equipment with cleaner technologies, prioritizing zero-emission technology projects. Eligible equipment includes diesel-powered tractors, dozers, forklifts, loaders, excavators, scrapers, and agricultural utility terrain vehicles.

GSK IMPACT Awards: North Carolina is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (in partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation). These awards honor outstanding nonprofit organizations making a significant impact on community health in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to improving community health through innovative and effective programs.

Fiscal Year 2027 Expanding Nutrition Services is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) - Bureau of Primary Health Care. This HRSA grant opportunity aims to expand nutrition services. While not exclusively for Massachusetts, it is a federal grant that eligible organizations in Massachusetts could apply for to address community health through nutrition.

Health and Environmental Justice Grants is sponsored by Connecticut Community Foundation. These grants focus on improving health outcomes by addressing health disparities, increasing access to safe and affordable housing, improving food systems, and applying an environmental justice lens to projects that clean up land, air, and neighborhoods in the Naugatuck Valley r…

Low disturbance prefabrication approaches for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings (Built4People Partnership) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Measurable reduction in the costs of deep renovation compared to current best practices; Measurable increase in resource and energy efficiency compared to current best practices; Measurable reduction in the number of days when occupants are disturbed due to renovation works; Measurable reduction of dust, noise, waste and pollutant and greenhouse emissions on the construction site compared to current best practices. Scope: Meeting Europe’s ambition for the renovation of the housing stock requires innovative approaches that improve buildings’ energy performance and occupants’ satisfaction, at a reduced cost while speeding up the renovation process and minimising impact on the construction site and disturbance for occupants. Renovation approaches should cover the whole workflow from design, off-site manufacturing and on-site installation to strategies for maintenance, operation and end of life. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Demonstrate cost-effective approaches (comprising design, planning and construction processes and techniques) for deep renovation to at least NZEB performance levels of multi-storey buildings (> 5-storeys); Ensure that the approaches make use of prefabricated solutions that are adaptable and can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of existing building elements and features (e.g. various existing wall materials, presence of balconies and overhangs, existing piping in the way, etc.); Ensure that the approaches minimise the disturbance for building owners, tenants and users, notably through a significant time reduction of on-site construction activities and of unavailability of the building and its main functionalities, and a minimal impact on occupancy comfort during the renovation; Demonstrate the proposed approaches tailored to three multi-storey buildings (> 5-storeys), each in a different Member States or Associated Countries and covering different building categories (residential or non-residential). This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘People-centric sustainable built environment’ (Built4People). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to contribute to the objectives of Built4People, transfer knowledge to its network of innovation clusters [1] and report on results in support of the monitoring of the Built4People KPIs. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] https://built4people.eu/b4pic_network/ Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Buildings and Industrial Facilities in Energy Transition

Caring Project Support, Connecting Project Support, and Arts & Community Health RFPs is sponsored by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey (Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Foundation). Horizon offers different types of funding opportunities aligned with their three pillars, including 'Caring Project Support', 'Connecting Project Support', and 'Arts & Community Health RFPs'.

R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries (IA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Accelerate the use of innovative technologies to decarbonise industrial processes and bring to the market more cost-effective clean products to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability (including biodiversity), and resilience of EU industries; Create new innovative first-of-a-kind operational demonstrators and/or optimise newly installed industrial decarbonisation solutions in Europe; and Demonstrate the market readiness of the envisaged future clean products and their innovative processes via a credible business plan and an exploitation strategy for industrialisation, including market-tested use cases. Scope: The Clean Industrial Deal aims to secure the EU as an attractive location for manufacturing, including for energy-intensive industries, and to promote clean tech and new circular business models in order to meet Europe’s ambitious decarbonisation and climate neutrality targets. It focuses primarily on the competitive decarbonisation of EU industry and on the production of clean technologies in the EU. The following three technology areas on energy intensive industries having a strong and promising growth potential in Europe are in scope of this call: Managing of carbon cycle (CCU and/or CCUS): further optimization and demonstration of solutions for the capture, utilization or storage of CO2 and/or CO from installations of the energy intensive industries, with significant reduction of energy input (per ton of CO2/CO) related to capture rate and purity compared to current available technologies (target figure 30% reduction), and potential of commercialization of the decarbonized products with respect to LCA (compared to state of the art), market size, and cost. Clean energy usage in production (electrification of the processes, decarbonated production, integration of alternative clean energy carriers – e.g. hydrogen – and technologies, on-site renewable energy storage solutions, usage and upgrade of waste heat): supporting major improvements of clean energy usage in the energy intensive industries until 2035. Circularity and resource efficiency (material, energy, water) of production processes: improvement by 30% until 2035 compared to current industrial value, with technological solutions which are commercially viable; and significant reduction of the overall raw material consumption, energy input, freshwater intake, impact on ecosystems and emissions, through circular value networks that convert industrial side-streams and/or end-of-use waste to new feedstock for which no low-CO2-technologies currently exist. Solutions must have an overall positive LCA and remain commercially viable under the expected regulatory and framework conditions at the end of the project. Proposals should explicitly select one main area but can also address in an integrated way a combination of these three areas within an industrial sector, provided that it is innovative and can lead to low carbon solutions. The choice of the specific technologies addressed in the proposal is left to the project applicants who should include a thorough justification of the choices both in technological and business terms. Use of advanced, and safe and sustainable materials and processes could be also addressed as part of the selected proposals. Proposals are expected to: demonstrate an adequate integration of relevant technologies in support of the Clean Industrial Deal. The integration can either be demonstrated in a direct (e.g. reduction of greenhouse emissions of a process) or an indirect (e.g. production of a new green/clean product) manner. Reduction or avoidance of harmful pollutants and impact on biodiversity may also be considered, as relevant. [1] The use of relevant results of R&I projects previously or ongoing funded at EU, national or regional level is encouraged. show industrial leadership in the deployment after the project. To ensure market rea Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Digital, Industry and Space

Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation Grants for California Programs is sponsored by The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation. California 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth enrichment, basic needs, health, conservation, agriculture, animal welfare, scholarships, or historic preservation programs can apply. Organizations in San Francisco, Santa Clarita Valley, or Santa Maria Valley may support community health through clinics, shelters, food banks, or related services. Small businesses supporting these types of programs could be relevant.

Arts & Community Health Request for Proposals is sponsored by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. This RFP, under the 'Creating Pillar,' promotes the role of arts in improving health by encouraging healthy behaviors (physical, oral, and mental), promoting health literacy, and connecting communities to health services. While specifically for arts organizations, programs using creative expression (which could include movement-based practices) to address mental well-being are relevant.

Arts & Community Health annual Request for Proposals is sponsored by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. This Request for Proposals supports initiatives that promote the intersection of arts and community health. The Foundation aims to improve neighbors' health, inform their health decisions, and empower them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Producing battery-grade materials for electrodes through sustainable processing and refining of raw materials or developing bio-based materials (BATT4EU Partnership) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points: Significantly reduced EU dependency on imported battery-grade raw materials, specifically emerging technologies and carbon-based electrode materials. Established European value chains for next-generation battery materials, enhancing the EU's technological leadership and strategic autonomy. Scope: Proposals under this topic are expected to address all aspects for one of the following categories: 1. Sustainable Processing and Refining of next generation batteries-grade Material, delivering all of the following: Development and validation of innovative, environmentally friendly refining technologies for producing battery-grade metals and materials suitable for next-generation battery chemistries. This covers raw and advanced electrode materials for the components of sodium-ion batteries or beyond generation 3 [1] lithium-ion batteries Development of processes achieving significant reductions in carbon and ecological footprint, emissions of pollutants, energy usage, and chemical inputs. The selected processes should not negatively impact any of the aspects above or cause significant harm. Validation of economic viability, environmental sustainability, and technological robustness of the proposed refining and processing solutions. OR: 2. Utilising Bio-based Raw Materials for Battery Electrode Materials delivering on all of the following: Development of synthetic graphite and/or alternative carbonous materials for battery components derived from bio-based European feedstocks (e.g., biomass, agricultural and forestry residues, lignocellulosic materials). Inactive components such as binders may also be included. Comprehensive characterization and validation of developed electrode materials in sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery cells, demonstrating comparable or superior performance to conventional graphite electrodes, specifically targeting cycle stability, energy density, and charge/discharge rates. Demonstration of credible pathways for pilot-scale production pathways for bio-based electrode materials including a clear techno-economic analysis and LCA/LCC impact assessment. The Commission initiative for Safe and Sustainable by Design [2] (SSbD) sets a framework for assessing the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials which should be considered as a reference for project proposals. This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on the results to the European Partnership on Batteries (Batt4EU) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] https://bepassociation.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BATT4EU_reportA4_SRIA_V15_September.pdf [2] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/key-enabling-technologies/chemicals-and-advanced-materials_en Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Energy Supply

2026 Arts & Community Health RFP is sponsored by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. This RFP promotes the role of the arts in improving health, including promoting health literacy by equipping residents with the knowledge and tools to understand, navigate, and act on health information. While not directly focused on literacy books, projects could incorporate literary arts to convey health messages and promote health literacy.

Full-scale demonstration of heat upgrade solutions in industrial processes is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Based on the results of the project, at least one industrial sector with a significant heating demand in the EU and Associated Countries develops pathways and business models to measurably increase the recovery and upgrade of locally available heat for covering process needs and significantly or totally phasing out of fossil fuel use, while preserving or enhancing its global competitiveness. Measurable improvement of renewable and/or industrial excess/waste heat recovery and upgrade solutions, possibly combined with thermal and/or electrical energy storage, in terms of energy efficiency, flexibility of electrical demand, climate and environment protection, reliability and safety, physical and cyber security, and profitability. Scope: This topic aims to satisfy the need for process heat in the more industrial sectors by upgrading excess/waste heat from the process itself, possibly combined with heat recovered in nearby locations or local renewable heat, as a cost-efficient way to improve energy efficiency and reduce the GHG emissions and air pollutants and the use of fossil fuels. Thermal and/or electrical energy storage can be integrated, if it can contribute to better matching heat sources with process needs and/or to offer more flexible electricity consumption from the grid. The temperature of the heat supplied to the process is not specified, but the proposals will be evaluated on their potential to enable the deployment of heat upgrade solutions in more sector(s) and process(es), where they are not yet state-of-the art. Projects must address all the following items: Optimise and demonstrate physically within one or more operational industrial site(s), the transformation of process(es) in at least one industrial sector, by recovering excess/waste heat from the process itself, possibly combined with local renewable heat or heat recovered in nearby locations and local thermal and/or electrical energy storage, and by upgrading the heat (e.g. with heat pump) for use in the process(es). Maximise the replicability and deployment of the concept/solution in the EU and Associated Countries’ plants in the same industrial sector. Already before starting the design phase, the needs of most EU and Associated Countries’ factories in the same industrial sector(s) should be surveyed and analysed in order to design a solution that can be adapted to meet most of them. Identify common components, optimise and define a standardised version of them. Develop open technical and economical guidelines and open tools for system design and business case development. In case the targeted industrial sector(s) and process(es) has/have been covered by the actions under the topic LIFE-2024-CET-HEATPUMPS [1] , this proposal should build on the results of these actions and if possible, cooperate with them, both for the definition of the solution to demonstrate and the dissemination channels. Disseminate results notably (but not only) to the relevant communities in cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’ private-public partnerships and to JRC Sevilla and INCITE for work on BREFs in the context of the IED2.0. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/life-2024-cet-heatpumps Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Buildings and Industrial Facilities in Energy Transition

Innovative technologies and solutions to improve wind energy systems supporting the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Advance in the achievement of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy; Efficient and effective support to wind energy research and innovation through alignment and cooperation among different actors, avoiding fragmentation of efforts; Energy producers and consumers benefit from increased performance of wind energy technologies with the focus on efficiency and flexibility, reduced cost, improved reliability and sustainability, operation and maintenance, safety, robustness and security during all stages of the lifetime of a wind energy farm from installation, operation and maintenance to decommissioning; Increased contribution of wind energy to the energy system, with minimal impacts on health and the environment (notably biodiversity and pollution) and at the lowest possible cost. Scope: The action contributes to address the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy, as defined by the Implementation Working Group (IWG) on wind energy, the European Technology and Innovation Platform on wind energy (ETIP Wind) [1] and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) joint programme on wind energy [2] . The activities carried out by the project will pertain to the following priority R&I areas: Industrialisation, scale-up and competitiveness: mass production supported by automation and reliable supply chains, design for large volume manufacturing and deployment, design for reliable and lasting products and improved construction and installation methods, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial environment. Optimisation and further digitalisation of operation and maintenance: integration of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, advanced repair methodologies and new sensor technologies, interoperability among wind farm sub-systems, advanced communication technologies and cybersecurity, innovative component replacement solutions and quick connect/disconnect systems for mooring lines and inter-array cables. Wind energy system integration: definition and modelling of future system needs, advanced grid capabilities, interoperability, solutions to effectively manage curtailment, integration with energy storage technologies and hybrid plants, distributed wind energy. Sustainability and circularity: material substitution for decarbonisation, material reduction, recycling methods, lifetime extension via re-using, refurbishing and re-purposing, new decommissioning tools and methods and solutions to minimise the environmental and biodiversity impacts and optimise the socio-economic impacts. Floating offshore wind: development and demonstration of innovative technologies for offshore floating wind. Development of optimised floating wind energy systems through the integrated design of the different elements of the system, including the floater and the generation part. Research and technology infrastructures for wind energy: upgrade of existing and establishment of new infrastructures and test centres for the sector. An area of particular interest in this domain are large-scale testing facilities for offshore floating wind energy systems. Wind energy systems interactions with climate, atmosphere, ocean and geophysics: geophysical characteristics measuring and modelling, wake effect model development, climate change impact analysis Environmental and social aspects, coexistence: evolution of environmental impact assessments, spatial planning, biodiversity solutions, reduced pollution (e.g. noise and vibration, pollution due to erosion of the blades), design and implementation of practices and platforms that facilitate inclusive communication and stakeholders’ involvement, tools to map stakeholder concerns and development of practical approaches to lifecycle public participation, socialisation of win Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Energy Supply

R&I in Support of the Clean Industrial Deal: Clean Technologies for Climate Action is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability (including biodiversity) and resilience of an innovative clean tech solution by clearly demonstrating the capability to, significantly: increase its circular material use rate, based on a sound and realistic baseline; reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) delivered to end-users - including, where relevant, production, distribution, and storage costs, based on a sound and realistic baseline and considering different geographic scenarios; and contribute to Europe’s industrial leadership and competitiveness, in line with the objectives of Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) [1] for the EU manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies [2] , [3] . Bring this innovative clean tech solution to full technological maturity and close to market-readiness with a view to accelerating its market deployment and/or integration in key industrial sectors in Europe (e.g. manufacturing, energy and transport). Scope: The Clean Industrial Deal aims to secure the EU as an attractive location for manufacturing, including for energy-intensive industries, and to promote clean tech and new circular business models in order to meet Europe’s ambitious decarbonisation and climate neutrality and biodiversity preservation targets. It focuses primarily on the competitive decarbonisation of EU industry and on the production of clean technologies in the EU. This requires notably a considerable increase in electrification of EU energy systems and in all end-use sectors of the European economy (either directly, or via enabling intermediate technologies). The following three clean tech areas have a strong and promising growth potential in Europe. Proposals are expected to address one or several of these areas: Integrated net-zero emissions energy systems (e.g. including energy grids, networks and systems) Enhanced zero-emission power technologies (e.g. including renewable electricity, heat and energy technologies) Storage technologies, renewable fuels, and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) (e.g. including batteries and other energy storage solutions, renewable hydrogen [4] , advanced biofuels and synthetic renewable fuels) enabling climate neutrality Proposals should explicitly select one main area but can also address in an integrated way a combination of these three areas. Applicants are free to decide on the specific value chain they wish to strengthen in the above clean tech areas. As part of bringing innovative clean tech solutions closer to the market, proposals may also address step-change in relevant network and infrastructure deployment to facilitate scale up across the trans-European energy and transport networks – e.g. electricity, heat, gas, hydrogen, CO2, batteries, and refuelling networks, etc. Application of advanced innovative materials development, connected process engineering and scale-up, resource efficiency, circularity and recycling may also be addressed as part of the selected value chain, as relevant. Attention should be paid to avoid technologies which may have a negative impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. Proposals are expected to: ensure the development of innovative technological solutions along a specific clean tech value chain. For this, they need to involve an adequate combination of clean tech suppliers, energy users (e.g. manufacturing, energy and transport) and other relevant stakeholders, in order to support a sound business case, taking into account a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach. demonstrate an adequate integration of relevant technological solutions including clean tech and industrial decarbonisation solutions in support of the Clean Industrial Deal, and to ensure a clear and quantifiable impact on competitiveness and reduction of GHG emissions. Reduction or avoidance of harmful pollutants and impact on biodiversity may also be considered, as relevant [5] . The int Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility

Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: environment and society at large benefit from recyclable food packaging which can be recycled and reused back into food packaging while keeping the quality, value and extending the material lifetime; industrial value chains including primary and secondary raw material producers, polymer suppliers, additives suppliers, converters, brand owners and retailers (SMEs and large companies), agri-food suppliers, waste managers and recyclers introduce sustainable food packaging on the market through enhanced design for recycling and solutions for effective sorting and recycling on an industrial scale, in line with the safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles [1] ; consumers and civil society are sufficiently informed about appropriate ways of disposal of used food packaging to enable its circularity. Scope: Plastic food packaging represents a significant part of all plastic packaging put on the EU market. Flexible films composed of multiple layers are commonly difficult to recycle. And to date, there is no market at scale for closing the loop and establish recycling systems from food contact back to food contact application. Despite the advancement of several solutions, there is a need to improve the efficiency of recycling solutions and reach as high as possible yield of food contact compliant recycled plastic coming from post-consumer packaging films. Proposals should: advance marketable solutions towards mono-material multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging to enable its effective end-of-life collection, sorting and recycling into food contact-compliant recycled plastic suitable for food packaging; Improve eco-design of multilayer plastic food packaging and demonstrate at large scale digital solutions for circularity such as digital product passport; demonstrate individual and/or a combination of physical technologies and digital solutions (for example, AI, watermarking, or others) to further improve sorting yield of multilayer flexible packaging; test and demonstrate recycling technologies (separation, purification, decontamination, etc.) enabling uptake of food contact compliant recycled plastic into food contact packaging in line with the targets of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation; demonstrate pathways to increase the recycled content of food contact compliant recycled plastic in new food packaging products; demonstrate solutions on an industrial scale involving the whole value chain, while ensuring compliance with relevant food contact regulations (Regulation 2022/1616 and Regulation 1935/2004). Proposals should also evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and impact of the demonstrated solutions using robust evaluation methods (including lifecycle assessments such as product environmental footprint, where relevant) and present data and evidence about the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of the developed solutions. Engagement of all relevant value chain stakeholders is expected, i.e. primary and secondary raw material producers, polymer suppliers, additives suppliers, converters, agri-food suppliers, brand owners and retailers (SMEs and large companies), waste managers and recyclers. Clustering with other relevant Horizon Europe projects is encouraged. The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, the Single Use Plastics Directive, the Waste Shipment Regulation, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, the Regulation for recycling of plastic intended for contact with food, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the upcoming Circular Economy Act and contributes to Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] Safe and sustainable by design - European Com Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Circular Systems Keywords: Circular economy, Climate change mitigation, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Environment, Pollution & Climate, Food packaging, New business opportunities, New industrial value chains, Plastics, Marine Litter and Circular Economy, Polymers and plastics, Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design), Sustainable innovation, Waste management, Waste recycling, food contact, food packaging, multilayer plastics, multimaterial plastics, plastic packaging, plastics recycling

Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: local/regional authorities and their operators adopt optimised collection and sorting systems of municipal waste that prioritise textile reuse and repair; social economy entities and society at large benefit from favourable conditions for reuse and repair practices which enable product lifetime prolongation and stimulate second-hand markets; citizens have access to better information, leading to greater awareness and public acceptance, and stimulating behavioural change towards sustainable consumption; innovative circular textile methodologies, practices and solutions are made available to enable large-scale replication and upscaling in European cities and regions; businesses are stimulated to advance repair strategies and circular business models while creating new jobs. Scope: This topic supports the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). It is part of a series of CCRI-related topics funded under Horizon Europe with the aim of accelerating place-based innovation, boosting skills and capacities as well as supporting the implementation of solutions for a circular systemic transition at city/region level. The implementation of circular systemic solutions reduces environmental impacts and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, by decreasing the extraction of primary raw materials and minimizing waste generation. Proposals should: develop, test and validate innovative solutions that accelerate the adoption of textile reuse and repair practices by local/regional authorities and their operators (e.g. public collection points, retailer take-back schemes); involve citizens, local (e.g. upcycling) businesses and social enterprises in the development and implementation of local repair & reuse strategies and practices; improve data captured on local textile waste flows and ensure transparency and traceability across the supply chain; develop solutions for sorting, and preparing for re-use, including digital solutions (in view of the implementation of digital product passport) and AI to enable repair and affordable pricing of repaired clothes and to stimulate reuse of textiles, particularly apparels; incentivise manufacturers to provide spare parts to enhance reuse and reparability (e.g. linen for a coat, extra buttons, zippers, etc.) and to provide extended guarantee. develop actionable recommendations for replication in other European cities and regions. Proposals must use the multi-actor approach and take into account a gender sensitive and inclusive approach. Collaboration between retailers/manufacturers and small repair business and social enterprises is encouraged. Proposals should seek to contribute to the goals and cooperate with the services of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and in particular with the CCRI Coordination and Support Office. Joint activities with other CCRI-related projects and clustering with other related projects is strongly encouraged. Proposals should also evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and impact of the demonstrated solutions using robust evaluation methods (including lifecycle assessments such as product environmental footprint, where relevant) and present data and evidence about the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of the developed solutions. The topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, the upcoming Circular Economy Act and contributes to Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. It also contr Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Circular Systems Keywords: Business model innovation, Circular economy, Climate change mitigation, Competitiveness, innovation, research and development, Design innovation, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Environment, Environment, Pollution & Climate, Environment, resources and sustainability, Environmental change and society, Environmental protection, Greenhouse gases, Inclusion, Industrial innovation policy, Industrial sectoral change, Innovation policy, Innovation strategies, Innovation systems, Knowledge and Technology transfer, Knowledge transfer, Natural resources and environmental economics, New business opportunities, New industrial value chains, Organizational innovation, Polymers and plastics, Process innovation, Product innovation, Public sector innovation, Regional development, Regulatory framework for innovation, Related to industrial policy, Related to regional development, Resources efficiency, Social Networks, Social innovation, Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design), Sustainable innovation, Technological innovation, Textiles, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, Urban studies, regional studies, Waste, Waste management, Waste recycling, circular economy, place-based innovation, product refurbishment, textiles reuse

Bioremediation of Ukraine's ecosystems contaminated by conflicts is sponsored by European Commission (Horizon Europe Programme). This call supports Innovation Actions aimed at restoring ecosystems in Ukraine that have suffered severe pollution as a result of armed conflicts, focusing on deploying innovative biotechnological and nature-based solutions to address soil, water, and air contamination. The program seeks to contribute to environmental recovery, biodiversity protection, and the long-term resilience of affected territories. Projects should assess contamination, develop cost-effective bioremediation approaches, and demonstrate their effectiveness in real conditions in Ukraine.

Bioremediation of Ukraine’s ecosystems contaminated by conflicts is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: The actions funded under this topic should support communities, land managers, local administrators, policy makers, and researchers to deploy solutions contributing to the goals of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the new EU bioeconomy strategy, through techniques aligned to the Strategy for European Life Sciences and the EU Biotech Act. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: innovative biotechnology and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) [1] are developed and made available to communities, land managers, local administrators and policy makers in Ukraine to progress towards the targets of biodiversity protection and the clean environment and zero-pollution ambition; contribution to the reconstruction, recovery, circularity and upgrading of economy and environment of Ukraine is provided through the remediation of severe ecosystems pollution - due to conflicts - and restoration of ecosystem services. Scope: The recent wars are causing severe environmental degradation across ecosystems – besides the disruption of human lives and dignity - with concentrations of contaminants affecting the quality of air, water, soil, that may be beyond the known levels. There is the urgent need to advance in the knowledge of such extreme conditions, and to develop or adapt bioremediation techniques suitable to restore the degradation of the affected environments. Proposals should: assess the level of contamination of soils in Ukraine due to past and ongoing conflicts and select the areas to be remediated within the actions funded. Include improving/adapting testing techniques, applying Earth observations and advanced tools (e.g., AI and autonomous systems) when applicable, aiming at the prioritisation and monitoring of the areas in the scope of remediation activities; develop and test innovative cost-effective biotechnology and Nature-based Solutions - including phytoremediation - for decontamination and bioremediation of soil pollution on the land and at source (including air and/or water bodies) in the conditions of contamination due to conflicts; demonstrate the developed techniques in Ukraine in the areas selected at the first point and monitor the effectiveness of the activities in scope, including increased resilience of the remediated ecosystems to climate change; evaluate potential (positive and negative) impacts on the population, especially on groups in vulnerable situations, and ensure transparent engagement with and information to stakeholders and civil society on solutions proposed; collect and provide recommendations to policymakers and EU and international relief organisations, to develop any replication actions, including in the context of the possible EU accession process, if relevant; deliver on EU international commitments and outreach, including actions directed at future EU enlargement and EU international partnerships contributing to the EU global commitments on biodiversity and climate change. Proposals should involve consortia formed in the spirit of the multi-actor approach, including land managers and administrators from Ukraine as well as researchers from local academia and research institutions. The participation of SMEs in consortia is encouraged. Proposals should make use of social sciences and humanities (SSH) to assess the impacts on the population. Proposals should collaborate with Mission Soil projects dealing with soil pollution [2] and with the project funded under the topic HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-03: Enabling user-centred and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine, as well as with the Mission Soil knowledge repository SoilWise and with the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO). Efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) and compatible with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). International cooperation is strongly encouraged. n Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity, conservation biology, conservation genetics, Biological sciences, Bioremediation, diagnostic biotechnologies (DNA chips and biosensing devices) in environmental management, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental sciences, Geochemistry and geophysics, Geology, Habitat and species restoration and rehabilitation, Water resources, Bioremediation, Conflict, Contamination, EOSC, EU Soil Observatory (EUSO)., EU enlargement, EU international partnerships, Earth observations, European Open Science Cloud, Life Sciences Strategy, Mission Soil, Nature Restoration Regulation, Restoration, SME, SoilWise, Ukraine, biotechnology, clean environment, land managers, phytoremediation, replication, vulnerable groups, zero-pollution

Understanding biomass flows in Europe is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: enhanced understanding of the environmental, social and economic potential of the supply of different biomass types (from local to international perspectives), as well as its sustainability implications, including biodiversity and (air, water and soil) pollution, synergies and tensions; enhanced capacity of private and public stakeholders to increase resource efficiency in utilising primary and secondary biomass as well as biomass processing and use, including through digital tools which may involve artificial intelligence and remote sensing, and roadmaps towards sustainable biomass management; without undermining food security; enhanced support to businesses and administrations that optimise biomass supply, processing, and use, such that ecosystems and biodiversity are protected and restored, emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants reduced, and human needs for biomass satisfied in sufficient and fair way. Scope: There is a need to better understand the production and use of biomass, a limited resource, in its various types. Bioeconomy, and biomass as its essential feedstock, provides solutions on various dimensions (environmental, social and economic). However, there are biomass-related challenges to overcome: the EU forest carbon sink is below the target and declining in most countries and the need to restore ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss [1] . This implies that biomass supply is partly unsustainable. Simultaneously, companies see themselves challenged to satisfy the growing demand for biomass in the future. There are solutions to increase the sustainable production, including to reduce pollutants, and adjust the demand: e.g. better valorise unused or under-exploited sustainable biomass and degraded land, apply new breeding techniques and increase resource efficiency through circular design, new business models, consumption, recycling or repair. There is a need to better understand where biomass valorisation can be improved, to ensure local or regional added value increases and to drive innovative and competitive business solutions. For an optimal biomass production and effective use, matching supply and demand in the local or regional context, a better and more robust understanding of actual biomass flows is a fundamental prerequisite. Proposals should address all the following activities: Improve and develop innovative, administration-light biomass monitoring and modelling/assessment methods and digital tools at European level (regional, national, and continental scale) to optimise biomass flows, paying particular attention to areas with untapped (sustainable) biomass resources, in close cooperation with stakeholders. Provide an updated estimate of biomass supply and demand today and projected until 2050 at national and EU level, including associated countries, considering the quality of biomass, their potential use, the sustainability and risks (e.g. spread of pathogens) of supplied biomass, as well as potential non-satisfied (non-)industrial demand due to the limitation of availability of sustainable biomass. The 2050 outlook should be accompanied by scenarios on EU’s future bioresources regarding supply and demand. Test and demonstrate, in cooperation with stakeholders, the feasibility of biomass reporting in test regions of at least 10 countries across Europe with different potential of biomass supply. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding since the monitoring and assessment tools developed may contribute to the EU level assessment of biomass flows of the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy. Proposals are encouraged to work together with additional relevant initiatives including those of the Circular Biobased Europe Joint Undertaking, the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, the BIOEAST Initiative; build on results from Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Bioeconomy, Blue Economy, bio-economies, bio-economy, bioeconomies, bioeconomy, biological, biomass, circular, flows, hub, materials, region, renewable, resource, resources, sustainability, sustainable

Advancing integrated scenarios and prediction models for informing transition to a nature positive society is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: advanced knowledge and understanding how ecosystems respond to multiple plausible futures shaped by human-induced pressures, supporting the design of long-term, nature positive and equitable policies; strengthened collaboration across bio-physical , socio-economic and humanities disciplines, resulting in more integrated and robust scenario frameworks that capture interactions, trade-offs and synergies across biodiversity, climate, food, water, air, health, energy and economy; advancement of comprehensive ecosystem prediction models and scenario-based assessments that integrate direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, applicable across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems; a consistent and transparent framework for model intercomparison and cross-scale scenario building, improving the relevance and usability of modelling outputs for policy , business and international assessments (e.g., IPBES, International Panel on Climate Change - IPCC). Scope: To address the objectives of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as well as Sustainable Development Goals, actions funded under this topic should support the scientific development of A) integrated scenarios, B) predictive models and C) model intercomparison experiments for Member States and Associated Countries. Developments should be verified in case studies covering at least 2 European biogeographic regions [1] and spanning key economic sectors to inform systemic policy transformations and enable long-term planning for a nature positive society. Proposals should: design and develop components of a European integrated prediction and scenario framework to forecast how natural ecosystems respond to a wide range of human-induced ecosystem interactions including climate change, pollution, socio-economic transitions such as conflicts, pressures, and policy interventions. These frameworks should link ecosystem functions with key economic sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, and test their resilience and tipping points under multiple plausible futures; make use of long-term monitoring data across biodiversity, land use, climate, and socio-economic variables to improve reliability and real-world relevance. They should also quantify uncertainty in model projections and ensure scenarios incorporate dynamic feedback loops between ecosystems and socio-economic systems, and identify risk distributions relevant to frontline socio-ecological communities; test and assess the suitability of the IPBES Nature Futures Framework for European application and align modelling approaches with international efforts and assessments under IPBES and IPCC. Proposals should seek to address knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policymakers; advance model intercomparison capabilities to improve robustness, consistency and transparency in scenario-based assessments. To this end, the suitability of remote sensing data for scalability and intercomparison between different models and across different regions should be assessed. Proposals should include case studies that cover at least two European biogeographic regions with global relevance to verify the developed scenarios, models and intercomparison experiments. Case studies should consider different geographical scales and explore ecosystem tele coupling across Europe and beyond. Scenario development should involve relevant stakeholders—including public authorities, economic sectors, and civil society—in co-creating narratives and ensuring policy applicability. Socio-economic transitions and equity and justice considerations concerning trade-offs and distributional impacts across regions and communities (i.e. across biodiversity, climate, food, water, Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Biological systems analysis, modelling and simulation, Earth Observation / Services and applications, Ecology, EU biodiversity strategy, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, biodiversity, climate change, drivers of biodiversity loss, earth observation, freshwater ecosystems, intercomparison, marine ecosystems, model, modelling, nature conservation, scenario, terrestrial ecosystems

Advancing recycling technologies for mixed post-consumer textiles waste from blended products is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: European textiles manufacturers have access to novel technologies for fibre-to-fibre recycling of post-consumer textile waste; local authorities and consumers benefit from resource- and cost-efficient waste management of post-consumer blended textiles; European recyclers are equipped with properly characterised mixed post-consumer textile waste. Scope: The topic aims at improved management of the end-of-life phase of textile products. Textiles are the fourth highest-pressure category for the use of primary raw materials and water and fifth for GHG emissions and a major source of microplastic pollution in production and use phases. They are also a key material and product stream in the circular economy action plan. Proposals are expected to demonstrate and deploy innovative solutions for increased quality, non-toxicity and durability of secondary textile materials and their processing and treatments. Proposals should: address textile consumer products made of fibre blends (e.g. polycotton, or other blends of multiple materials in combination such as synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural); demonstrate and test novel and marketable solutions for post-consumer textile waste (apparel and home textiles) enabling its effective end-of-life collection, sorting and recycling (fibre-to-fibre), possibly including biotech solutions; demonstrate and test innovative techniques for effectively disassembling complex products, separating multi-material layers and fibre blends and removal of non-textile components, coatings or contaminants to facilitate efficient recycling processes; assess the recyclability limits of textiles by determining the number of recycling cycles a fibre can undergo. When further fibre-to-fibre recycling is no longer viable, alternative applications should be explored to extend the material's value. Solutions should address recycling of products made of natural fibres (e.g., cotton) or/and semi-synthetic fibres, i.e. modified natural fibres (e.g. viscose), blended with synthetic fibres, ensuring optimal resource efficiency and minimizing waste throughout the textile lifecycle; characterize post-consumer textile waste in order to define appropriate management practices in particular if the technology is developed within an industrial and urban symbiosis; advance recycling technologies that remove persistent chemicals (e.g. PFAS) from post-consumer textile waste which may harm human health and the environment, and that minimise the release of hazardous chemicals and microplastics during the recycling process. A lifecycle perspective using LCA and LCC should be used when validating the technical and economic feasibility of the developed, improved, demonstrated and up-scaled processes. For comparability reasons, LCAs should use well-established methods and be based on PEF wherever feasible. Proposals should fully incorporate the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approach. Proposals are expected to contribute to the objectives of the Textiles of the Future partnership and to build on/coordinate with EU projects funded under the partnership and previous textile-related Horizon Europe calls. Clustering with other relevant Horizon Europe projects is encouraged. The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Waste Framework Directive, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the upcoming Circular Economy Act and contributes to Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups strategy. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Circular Systems Keywords: Circular economy, Climate change mitigation, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Environment, Pollution & Climate, Lightweight construction, textile technology, New business opportunities, New industrial value chains, Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design), Sustainable innovation, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, Waste management, Waste recycling, blended textiles, mixed textile waste, multimaterial textiles, textiles, textiles recycling, textiles waste

Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: the effectiveness of the protection of habitats and species in protected areas is maintained even under intensifying impacts of the drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change, thanks to an improved understanding of how they affect the conservation status of the protected habitats and species, for the benefit of society; managers of protected areas are able to anticipate the future impacts of drivers of biodiversity loss and can take better informed decisions for the protection of terrestrial, freshwater and/or marine habitats and species. Scope: Protected areas are key to ensure the conservation of species and habitats. However, the intensification of the main drivers of biodiversity loss is raising questions on how their effectiveness will be maintained in the future. This topic is expected to support the EU commitment to legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and a minimum of 30% of the EU’s sea area of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 (target 1) and the related legislation, and the corresponding target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (target 3). Knowledge generated under this topic is also expected to inform deliberations on EU biodiversity policy after 2030 and the design and implementation of climate policies. Proposals should seek to address some knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policy makers. Proposals should: analyse trends over time of the effects of drivers of biodiversity loss and their possible cumulative impacts. Direct drivers (changing use of sea and land, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species) and indirect drivers should be considered, including socio-economic related ones; develop predictive tools to anticipate how the intensity of impacts will develop in the medium and long terms, taking into account relevant possible cumulative impacts; assess expected future impacts on the conservation status of protected habitats and species in protected areas; assess whether novel adaptive approaches for protection are needed and if so, explore options, possibly building on results of relevant LIFE projects and on the experience of climate refugia (areas where ecosystems sustain stability and resilience despite climate change) and of bright spots (where targeted conservation actions, climate adaptation strategies, or natural resilience mechanisms mitigate biodiversity loss). Assess the opportunity to rely on (new) practices such as assisted migration; define best practices and test innovative management approaches of protected areas, with performance indicators. To assess the effectiveness of management approaches, projects should build on methods and indicators developed under LIFE PAME Europe [1] . Proposals should address various types of protected areas and assess how the results might be transposable; consider the need for long-term ecological monitoring of protected habitats and species, provide recommendations and consider possible options for such long-term monitoring; involve public authorities and/or entities which manage protected areas, and civil society organisations to ensure that the processes and outcomes of the R&I align with the needs, including for policy implementation, and values and expectations of society. Proposals should address research field A: terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems or research field B: marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Both research fields may include freshwater ecosystems. The research field (A or B) should be clearly indicated on the application. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Climate change adaptation, Climate change mitigation, Conservation biology, ecology, genetics, Cultural and economic geography, Earth Observation / Services and applications, Ecology (theoretical and experimental; population, species and community level), Environmental Conservation, Environmental protection, Environmental sciences (social aspects), Environmental toxicology at the population and ecosystems level, Macroeconomics, Marine biodiversity conservation, Microeconomics, behavioural economics, Nature conservation, Nature-based solutions, Political science, Population biology, population dynamics, population genetics, Population dynamics, Population genetics, Public administration, EU biodiversity strategy, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, SSH, bright spots, climate change, climate refugia, drivers of biodiversity loss, ecological monitoring, freshwater ecosystems, marine ecosystems, nature conservation, nature protection, protected areas, protected areas management, protected habitats, protected species, terrestrial ecosystems

Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: advanced socio-economic transformation based on scientific/technological opportunities delivered by the bio-based sectors and bioeconomy. This will result in innovative bio-based products and services, supporting the more sustainable way of living (e.g. new socio-economic models), higher circularity, affordability, resource efficiency, climate neutrality etc); improved public understanding and engagement in bio-based innovation underpinned by scientific advances in life sciences and biotechnology; better living conditions for individuals and communities, benefiting from less polluted ecosystems, via healthier, and environmentally sustainable products and services with a reduced carbon footprint and based on circular and bio-based solutions. Scope: The projects under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on: Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, the Strategy for European Life Sciences, the EU Biotech Act, Clean Industrial Deal and the policies related to the fair green transition (objective of not leaving anyone behind). It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups strategy. Synergies with activities under the Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE) Joint Undertaking and New European Bauhaus are encouraged. Proposals should address the following activities: develop the innovative user-friendly bio-based products and/or services, underpinned by biotechnology and biomanufacturing approaches, to support the more sustainable applications with a clear societal benefit, such as less resource-intensive consumer goods, to reduce environmental and climate pressures. Foresee the necessary links with the digital technologies and tools (e.g., bioinformatics, AI, etc.); assess the potential of new socio-economic models for circular and bio-based systems, integrating aspects of environmental justice, gender equality, diversity and social inclusion, as well as relevant international global best practice, via e.g. societal dialogue/innovation, social impact assessment, involvement and inputs from the social sciences and humanities (SSH); include research and innovation activities to understand and increase the level of current public perception and acceptance, including the benefits / risks, addressing the consumer perspective, market acceptance and understanding of the bio-based innovation, as well as delivering higher understanding of consumption patterns and social demands; foresee the cooperation and feedback loops with industry and authorities, in respect to any new market solutions proposed. The multi-actor approach is encouraged. Proposals should involve SMEs – both as project beneficiaries or external actors - and offer opportunities to newcomers to Horizon Europe Cluster 6, as well as engage with the civil society stakeholders such as NGOs and consumer organisations to advance scale-up and facilitate future market deployment. Cooperation with projects funded under parallel topics such as HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07: Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts is encouraged to maximise synergies, while avoiding overlaps. Cooperation between all projects funded under this topic should also be foreseen, as a specific tasks, with an allocation of resources, for synergies. Proposals should integrate the gender dimension and consider other social categories besides gender (disability, age, socio-economic status, ethnic and/or cultural origin, sexual orientation, etc.), and their intersections. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and involvement of SSH experts in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. International cooperation is encouraged. null Activities are expected to ac Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Bio-based products (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) bio-based materials, bio-based plastics, biofuels, bio-based and bio-derived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-based and bio-derived novel materials, Biochemical research methods, Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biodiversity conservation, Bioprocessing technologies (industrial processes relying on biological agents to drive the process) biocatalysis, fermentation, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental engineering, Industrial biotechnology, Materials engineering, Social innovation, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, Sociology, bio-based, bio-product, bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, biomass, biotechnology, fair transition

Supporting pre-normative research for standardization of the bio-based products is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: higher and more robust industrial European competitiveness, decarbonisation and strategic autonomy, advancing the lead market for bio-based industry; improved environmental sustainability, with positive impact on climate, pollution and biodiversity, via the standardization of the bio-based sector and products. Scope: Proposals should address the following activities: aiming at overall high sustainability and environmental benefits, and considering the economic feasibility, for high quality of final products, select a bio-based sector/industry [1] to develop or improve knowledge, technology, product, process, service or solution related to Ecodesign applicable to the chosen sector; identify specific gaps in standardization research pipeline, for bio-based products, followed by pre-normative R&D tasks, aiming at high socio-economic and positive environmental impact, allowing the development and deployment of safe and sustainable, circular bio-based value chains/products, with reduced pressure on biological resources and ecosystems, leading to the consistent improvement of their environmental footprint; engage with relevant stakeholders from bio-based industry and standardisation bodies, as well as policy makers and authorities at national and European level, creating community of practice, aiming at transparency and inclusiveness, for subsequent market uptake of innovative and competitive solutions with minimised impact on the environment. The projects under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on safe and sustainable by design framework, the new EU bioeconomy strategy and the upcoming Circular Economy Act, the Clean Industrial Deal and the SME Strategy, as well as the chemicals industry package and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan. It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups Strategy. Consider synergies with the parallel topic HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02: Enhancing ecodesign and circularity of construction products. The JRC may contribute to the projects selected for funding with work on strategic technologies for economic security and innovative industrial ecosystems, particularly its activities on advanced materials for safe and sustainable innovation. Cooperation between all projects funded under this topic should also be foreseen, as a specific tasks, with an allocation of resources, for synergies. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and involvement of SSH experts in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. International cooperation is encouraged. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] Including intermediate bio-based chemicals, polymers etc. Bioenergy/biofuel applications are out of scope. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Agricultural biotechnology and food biotechnology, Biochemistry and molecular biology, Bioinformatics, biocomputing, and DNA and molecular computation, Computational biology, Computational modelling, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental engineering, Industrial biotechnology, Natural resources exploration and exploitation, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, Ecodesign, bio-based innovation, bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, bioproduct, biotechnology, circularity, ecodesign, standardisation, standardization