Developing managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR) in a rural context
Funds research to develop and demonstrate managed aquifer recharge techniques for rural EU agriculture, improving water resilience and ecosystem health in response to climate change.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
European Commission has archived this opportunity.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: September 17, 2026
Funding Amounts: ~€6,000,000 per project (lump sum); 2 projects expected to be funded; project duration typically 36–48 months
Summary: Supports research to advance and implement managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques in rural EU agriculture, enhancing water resilience and ecosystem health amid climate change.
Key Information: Single-stage call; proposals must apply a multi-actor approach and demonstrate stakeholder engagement.
Description
This Horizon Europe grant targets the development, improvement, and adaptation of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques for rural agricultural settings, addressing the increasing frequency and severity of droughts and water scarcity in the EU. Funded projects will extend MAR methodologies at multiple scales, develop tools for optimal placement and monitoring, and validate these in diverse EU case studies under changing climatic conditions. The initiative emphasizes user-friendly monitoring/reporting systems, comprehensive sustainability assessments, integration with nature-based solutions, and demonstration of business models for farmer compensation. Collaboration with stakeholders (farmers, land managers, water authorities, local governments) and leveraging results from prior EU-funded research is required.
