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

May 6, 2025 (opening) | September 30, 2025 (deadline)

€6,000,000 total; 1 grant expected; lump sum funding model.

Supports research to understand, monitor, and address soil salinity in Europe, aiming to inform policy and sustainable land management as part of the EU's Soil Deal for Europe Mission.

--- ## Description This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation actions to advance the objectives of the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ by halting and reducing secondary soil salinization. Projects should deliver improved indicators, knowledge, and quantitative data on soil salinity levels and their impacts on ecosystem services in Europe. The scope includes investigating the relationships between soil salinity, vegetation, biodiversity, and drought across all land use types—with a particular focus on agriculture. Activities should cover: - Harmonized assessment and high-resolution monitoring of soil salinity, - Quantitative modeling of future salinization under changing climate conditions, - Assessment of saltwater intrusion in coastal regions, - Identification of salinization hotspots and at-risk areas, - Development of innovative land management strategies through stakeholder co-creation. Outputs must be open access, interoperable, and sustainable, with strong collaboration with the European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO) and other relevant initiatives. Adherence to FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) is required. --- ## Due Dates - Call opens: May 6, 2025 - Proposal deadline: September 30, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time --- ## Funding Amount - Total available: €6,000,000 (lump sum) - Expected number of grants: 1 - Funding is provided as a lump sum grant under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) model. --- ## Eligibility - Open to legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries as defined in [Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf). - Multi-actor consortia are required, including researchers, land managers (farmers, foresters, planners), advisors, businesses, civil society, and relevant stakeholders. - Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate under specific provisions (see the [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf)). - Proposals must meet financial and operational capacity requirements and comply with all general and specific conditions outlined in the Work Programme. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2025-05-SOIL-11?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=9&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the standard [application form for HE RIA, IA](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/temp-form/af/af_he-ria-ia_en.pdf). - Proposals must include dedicated tasks for coordination with other relevant projects and initiatives. - Evaluation criteria, scoring, and thresholds are 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). - Lump sum budget model applies; see [guidance on lump sum funding](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-funding-what-do-i-need-to-know_he_en.pdf). - Outputs must be open access and adhere to FAIR data principles. --- ## Additional Information - Projects should closely collaborate with the [European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO)](https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/euso) and [SoilWise](https://soilwise-he.eu/). - Proposals are encouraged to leverage existing data and expertise from European research infrastructures (see [ESFRI portfolio](https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/)). - The multi-actor approach is required, ensuring genuine involvement of end-users and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. - Dissemination of knowledge and results through practice abstracts in the [EIP-AGRI format](https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/eip-agri-common-format) is expected. --- ## External Links - [Call Details & Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2025-05-SOIL-11?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=9&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [EU Missions: Soil Deal for Europe](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe_en) - [European Union Soil Observatory (EUSO)](https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/euso) - [SoilWise Project](https://soilwise-he.eu/) - [Horizon Europe Programme Guide](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme-guide_horizon_en.pdf) - [Annexes and Reference Documents](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2025/wp-14-general-annexes_horizon-2025_en.pdf) - [Partner Search Tool](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/partner-search?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=lastModified&isExactMatch=true&type=ORGANISATION,PERSON&frameworkProgramme=43108390) --- ## Contact Information | Resource | Link/Email | |-------------|------------| | Funder Info | [European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en) | | General Contact | [Contact the European Commission](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 | [Find NCPs](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/ncp) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) |

Soil Salinity in Europe: Drivers, indicators, current levels and temporal changes

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