Open Call: Novel Ecosystems ? Biodiversity and Socio-Ecological Impacts

Deadline: 10-Nov-26

Biodiversa+ invites transnational research consortia to apply for funding to advance understanding of novel ecosystems, their biodiversity, and socio-ecological dynamics in support of global sustainability goals. The call supports future-looking international research and innovation projects examining how novel ecosystems emerge, function, and affect societies and the environment. Projects can address terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and coastal ecosystems and are encouraged to combine ecological, social, economic, and cultural perspectives.

About the Biodiversa+ Novel Ecosystems Research Call

The Biodiversa+ call supports research into the emergence and functioning of novel ecosystems and their wider socio-ecological consequences. Projects are expected to investigate the drivers, effects, and outcomes of ecosystem change while considering important factors such as: - Biodiversity. - Ecological functioning. - Ecosystem resilience. - Connectivity. - Socio-economic dynamics. - Socio-cultural relationships. - Governance and justice. - Nature-positive transformation. The call welcomes both fundamental and applied research across natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and environmental economics. Research Priorities Research proposals should address one or more of three major themes. Understanding Novel Ecosystems and Socio-Ecological Dynamics The first theme focuses on understanding how novel ecosystems function and how their ecological characteristics interact with socio-cultural and socio-economic dynamics. Research may explore relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, human activities, and changing environmental conditions. Pathways to Novel Ecosystems The second theme focuses on identifying robust and plausible pathways through which novel ecosystems emerge. Projects can examine the drivers of ecosystem change and the associated socio-ecological dynamics to improve understanding of how ecosystems may develop under different future conditions. Fair and Equitable Sharing of Biodiversity Benefits The third theme examines how biodiversity benefits can be shared fairly and equitably in the context of novel ecosystems.

This theme includes research on:

- Governance. - Environmental and social justice. - Participation. - Equity. - Biodiversity benefits. - Nature-positive transformation. Projects are encouraged to consider how governance and participatory approaches can support fair outcomes. What Types of Research Are Supported? The call encourages integrated research that brings together multiple disciplines and perspectives.

Eligible research approaches may combine:

- Natural sciences. - Social sciences. - Humanities. - Environmental economics. - Ecological research. - Socio-economic analysis. - Socio-cultural research. - Governance and policy research. Both fundamental and applied research are welcomed, provided that the proposed work contributes to understanding novel ecosystems and their implications for biodiversity and sustainability. Ecosystems Covered by the Call Research can focus on novel ecosystems across different environmental realms, including: - Terrestrial ecosystems. - Freshwater ecosystems. - Marine ecosystems. - Coastal ecosystems. Proposals should consider ecosystem change from a systemic perspective and, where relevant, examine connections between ecological processes and human societies. How Much Funding Is Available? The indicative total budget for the call is more than €40 million. Medium-sized projects are typically expected to receive approximately: - €1.2 million to €1.5 million per project - Three-year project duration The actual amount available to each consortium may vary because individual participating funding organisations can establish their own maximum funding limits for projects or partners. Applicants must therefore comply with both the general Biodiversa+ call requirements and the specific rules of the relevant national or regional funding organisation. Who Can Apply? The call is intended for transnational research consortia involving eligible partners from participating countries.

Each consortium must include:

- At least three eligible partners. - Partners from at least three different participating countries. - At least two EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements of their relevant national or regional funding organisation before preparing their proposal. Transnational Collaboration Requirement International collaboration is a central requirement of the call. Projects must demonstrate meaningful cooperation between research partners from different participating countries. The transnational structure should provide clear added value compared with research conducted at the national level alone. Proposals should demonstrate significant added value at the European and/or global level. Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Collaboration The call strongly encourages interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Research teams are encouraged to bring together expertise from different academic disciplines and, where appropriate, collaborate with stakeholders outside academia. This can help projects address novel ecosystems as complex systems involving ecological, societal, economic, and cultural dimensions. Stakeholder Engagement and Open Science Applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate stakeholder engagement into their research activities. Projects should also consider open science principles to promote transparency, accessibility, knowledge sharing, and wider use of research findings. Stakeholder involvement can help ensure that research addresses relevant societal needs and supports practical pathways toward sustainable and nature-positive transformation. Project Duration Projects supported through the call will have a duration of three years. Applicants should ensure that their research objectives, methodology, activitie