Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss
Grant for research to improve protected area management and conservation of habitats and species facing increasing biodiversity loss drivers, focusing on predictive tools and adaptive strategies in terrestrial or marine settings.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
European Commission has archived this opportunity.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: September 17, 2026 (Full application, single-stage)
Funding Amounts: €13,000,000 total; around €6,500,000 per project; 2 projects expected to be funded; lump sum grant.
Summary: Grant to support research and innovative management approaches for protected areas to conserve habitats and species under intensifying biodiversity loss drivers.
Key Information: Proposals must address either terrestrial or marine biodiversity, include SSH expertise, and involve protected area managers/public authorities.
Description
This funding opportunity from the European Commission supports research projects aimed at ensuring the continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species, specifically as they face intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss (e.g. climate change, land/sea use change, exploitation, pollution, invasive species). Projects should analyze trends and cumulative impacts of these drivers, develop predictive tools for future scenarios, assess the need for adaptive protection approaches, and test innovative management strategies. The call is designed to inform EU biodiversity policy, contribute to global targets, and foster collaboration with public authorities, civil society, and key research infrastructures.
Applicants must focus on either terrestrial (including freshwater) or marine biodiversity (clearly indicate research field A or B in the application). Social sciences and humanities (SSH) expertise is required, and proposals should ensure involvement of public authorities or entities managing protected areas, as well as civil society organizations.
