[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 25, 2025 (single-stage)

€10,000,000 total; one project will be funded (lump sum grant)

Grant to develop innovative methods and processing for C3S reanalyses using Sentinel and other satellite data, aiming to enhance climate monitoring, data assimilation, and operational capabilities.

Only one project will be funded under this call.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity supports the evolution of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) by advancing innovative methods for preparing and pre-processing observational inputs for Earth-system reanalysis datasets. The focus is on leveraging data from Copernicus Sentinel missions and other relevant satellites to improve sparse data assimilation, initialization methods for climate sub-components (atmosphere, ocean, land, hydrology), and the extraction of comprehensive climate records. The grant targets the expansion of reanalyses products towards centennial timescales and the development of enhanced climate counterfactual datasets. Research areas include: - Improving assimilation of new and historical satellite observations (including Sentinel Expansion and Next Generation missions, meteorological and research satellites) for use in reanalyses at global and regional scales. - Applying AI/ML for data rescue, error analysis, quality control, and bias adjustment of historical records to maximize the utility of early observations. - Enhancing the use of Sentinel and other data across Copernicus reanalyses and services, including the development of observation operators and error characterization. - Accelerating reanalyses production, capturing uncertainties efficiently, and reducing computational energy and carbon footprint. Collaboration with European and international partners, operational transfer of research results, and demonstrations of downstream applications are encouraged. All software outputs should be open licensed, and the gender dimension should be considered where relevant. --- ## Due Dates - Proposal submission deadline: **September 25, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time** - Call opens: **May 22, 2025** --- ## Funding Amount - **Total call budget:** €10,000,000 (lump sum) - **Number of projects funded:** 1 - **Grant type:** Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA), Lump Sum Grant --- ## Eligibility - Open to entities from EU Member States and associated countries to Horizon Europe. Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate if they provide their own funding (see [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)). - Proposals must involve the use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, or related timing data and services. - The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a consortium member. - Only one project will be funded under this call. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Single-stage electronic submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-41?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=5&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Application forms and templates:** [Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - **Evaluation criteria and process:** Detailed in [Annex D](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. - **Legal and financial setup:** Costs are covered as a lump sum as per Horizon Europe guidelines. See [Lump Sum MGA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/agr-contr/ls-mga_en.pdf). - **Supporting documents:** Applicants are advised to consult the [HE Main Work Programme 2025 – Digital, Industry and Space](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-7-digital-industry-and-space_horizon-2025_en.pdf) and [General Annexes](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - International cooperation is strongly encouraged. - Proposals should address the operationalization and transfer of research results to Copernicus operations. - Demonstrations of downstream applications benefiting from improved reanalyses are recommended. - Open licensing of software is required. - Consideration of the gender dimension in research content is expected where relevant. --- ## External Links - [Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-41?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=5&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [HE Main Work Programme 2025 – Digital, Industry and Space](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-7-digital-industry-and-space_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [National Contact Points (NCPs)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Research Enquiry Service | [Research Enquiry Service](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us/research-enquiry-service_en) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [Find your NCP](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) evolution: new and innovative processing and methods for future Sentinels and other satellites for reanalyses

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