Long-term drivers and consequences of soil degradation: learning from the past to improve future soil health
This grant funds interdisciplinary research to uncover long-term causes and impacts of soil degradation, using historical, scientific, and digital methods to inform sustainable soil management and policy.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: April 8, 2027 (Stage 1 outline) | September 14, 2027 (Stage 2 full proposal)
Funding Amounts: €7,000,000 total; typically one project funded; lump sum grant
Summary: Funds interdisciplinary research on the long-term causes and impacts of soil degradation to inform sustainable soil management.
Key Information: Two-stage call; strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
Description
This Horizon Europe grant supports interdisciplinary research to advance knowledge of the historical and long-term drivers and consequences of soil degradation across various pedo-climatic regions. Projects are expected to integrate evidence from historical documents, archaeological data, sediment archives, and other sources to reconstruct past soil health and degradation processes. The initiative encourages innovative methodologies (such as ancient eDNA analysis and proxy indicators), digital modeling for future soil health predictions, and stakeholder engagement, including citizen science. The aim is to inform sustainable soil management practices and policy by understanding both natural and socio-economic factors influencing soil degradation over centuries to millennia.
International cooperation is strongly encouraged, especially with China, and collaboration with EU soil projects and observatories is expected. Outputs should be made openly accessible and support the sustainability of knowledge for policymakers, land managers, and society.
