BioAgora, in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), is pleased to announce a new funding call for initiatives focused on strengthening the Science-Policy-Society Interface (SPSI). As part of the Horizon Europe programme, this funding aims to empower scientists, policymakers, and societal actors with the skills and capacities needed to enhance collaboration and address critical biodiversity challenges.

• Total Available Funding: €350,000 
• Maximum Grant per Project: €175,000 
• Number of Projects: 2-5 funded projects, depending on project size 
• Project Start Date: May 2025 (earliest) 
• Project End Date: December 2026 

This funding call is open to legal entities or consortia of legal entities eligible for Horizon Europe funding. Projects should involve participants from across Europe and prioritize transdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating both social and environmental disciplines. 

Applicants are encouraged to propose activities that target the following groups: 

• Scientists 
• Policymakers 
• Other relevant societal actors involved in biodiversity and environmental management. 

BioAgora invites proposals for a wide range of capacity development activities that bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policymaking. Supported initiatives may include, but are not limited to: 

1. General Training on SPSI Skills and Competencies
   Development of core skills and competencies as outlined in the JRC-Knowledge4Policy Competence Framework for researchers and policymakers. 
2. Topical Capacity Development
   Activities that enhance the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by fostering collaborations between relevant actors and knowledge holders. 
3. Training of Boundary Spanners
   Innovative training methods for boundary spanners, enabling the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and the building of shared values across science, policy, and society. 

Priority will be given to activities that emphasize innovative collaboration, co-learning, and cross-sectoral interactions to address systemic and policy-side challenges in biodiversity conservation. 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Relevance to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal 
• Clear identification of target groups and capacity development needs 
• Degree of innovation in approaches to SPSI collaboration and learning 
• Transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral engagement 
• Feasibility of the proposed timeline and budget 

See more detailed assessment criteria in the submission guidelines. 

Applicants need to use two templates, Part A (administrative information) and Part B (technical description), and strictly follow the guidelines for applications. All submitted applications need to fill eligibility criteria to be reviewed by experts.  

Documents for applications: 

Submission guidelines 

Annex I: Application Form Part A (Administrative information) 

Annex II: Application Form Part B (Technical information) 

Annex III: Power of Attorney 

Annex IV: Contract NINA Third Parties

• Call announcement is on the EC portal: Calls for proposals | EU Funding & Tenders Portal
• Instructions on how to find the Call for grant:  Find a call - IT How To - Funding Tenders Opportunities
• Grant applications shall only be submitted by the main applicant (coordinator, as applicable) via e-mail to: calls@bioagora.eu
• The grant application must be received by the following deadline: 27 January 2025 at 21:00 UCT

Applications can be submitted by single legal entities or consortia. Proposals should focus on building capacities that address transdisciplinary collaboration, the inclusion of diverse actors, and the enhancement of science-policy-society interfaces. Applications should outline clear target groups and specific skills or competencies that will be developed through the proposed activities. 

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for Horizon Europe funding. Co-financing from other sources is encouraged, but the proposed activities cannot be part of ongoing projects. 

Questions regarding the criteria, rules and procedures of the call can be sent to the following address: calls@bioagora.eu. Before submitting a question, please consult the FAQs provided below.

FAQs

Q: Can organizations from countries outside the EU apply for the call?

A: Legal entities based in countries other than the Member states or Associated Countries may participate in our open call. Note that all applicants must follow the EU restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (more information here: Regulation - 833/2014 - EN - EUR-Lex, https://www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main) and also entities which are Hungarian public interest trust entities, or maintained by such a trust, must be excluded (see more information here: list of FAQs: https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/2021-9-00-00).

Q: In the budget table the costs categories listed are: personnel, travel, equipment, and other goods and services. Does this mean that indirect costs (overhead) is not eligible? If indirect costs can be included, what rules apply? 

A: Indirect costs (overhead) are eligible for funding and should be included in the budget. The Annex II form Part B has been corrected to include a column for these costs.