Cost-effective biodiversity monitoring for EU policies

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The topic funds projects that test and pilot advanced, DNA-based and automated methods for the biodiversity monitoring required by EU law on pollinators, soil and water. It targets research consortia working with the authorities that carry out monitoring.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

The topic funds the testing and piloting of new technologies and methods that make legally required biodiversity monitoring more precise and cost-effective, in the context of the Nature Restoration Regulation, the Soil Monitoring Law and the Water Framework Directive.

Three areas (one to be indicated in the application)

• Area A: the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme under the Nature Restoration Regulation.
• Area B: soil biodiversity under the Soil Monitoring Law.
• Area C: the Water Framework Directive.

Activities in all areas

• Develop scalable monitoring approaches that combine different technologies and methods, tailored with end-users.
• Run demonstration cases that pilot monitoring approaches for practical implementation of EU legislation.
• Where possible, develop automated, real-time monitoring supported by artificial intelligence.
• Compare approaches for scalability, gaps and limitations, and advance DNA and genomic techniques for species identification and population monitoring.

DNA libraries

• Area A: complete libraries for bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths, and substantially advance other pollinating insects.
• Area B: complete libraries for the main groups of fungi and bacteria, and advance archaea, protists and other soil organisms.
• Area C: complete libraries for biological quality elements such as fish, macroinvertebrates, diatoms, phytoplankton, macrophytes and macroalgae.

Requirements

Projects build on previous work, including the European Biodiversity Observation and Coordination Centre, produce FAIR data and form a cluster with a dedicated, budgeted work package for joint activities.

Expected outcomes

More precise and efficient biodiversity monitoring schemes and easier-to-use tools for authorities implementing and evaluating EU environmental law.

Further expectations

• Proposals should engage end-users to tailor monitoring approaches to their needs.
• Selected projects should form a cluster and are expected to take part in common networking and joint activities, included in a dedicated work package with sufficient budget.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

14. Januar 2027 (70 Tage)

14 January 2027