Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026

About

The Horizon Europe 2026-2027 Work Programme for Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, highlights the growing importance of a strong and structured close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service and with other projects that work on understanding drivers of biodiversity decline.

As part of Europe’s efforts to reinforce the science-policy interface and support evidence-informed decision-making, the Work Programme recognises the need for coordinated, transparent and policy-responsive mechanisms that can effectively translate scientific knowledge into actionable insights for biodiversity policy. In this context, the Science Service for Biodiversity currently developed under BioAgora is positioned as a key element in supporting the implementation of major EU initiatives, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

A strengthened science-policy interface

The 2026-2027 Work Programme - Cluster 6 emphasises the importance of:

• Bridging the gap between science and policy, ensuring that decision-makers have access to timely, relevant and credible knowledge
• Responding to policy needs through structured request mechanisms, enabling targeted scientific input where it is most needed
• Fostering collaboration across disciplines and sectors, bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners
• Supporting the uptake of research results, ensuring that knowledge generated through EU-funded projects informs real-world decisions
• Opportunities for engagement.

The Work Programme also opens new opportunities for researchers and organisations to engage with and contribute to the Science Service for Biodiversity.

How Does BioAgora Relate to the Science Service for Biodiversity?

BioAgora is an EU-funded coordination and support project, mandated by the European Commission (EC) to co-create the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) by the end of 2026.

The Science Service will be the scientific pillar of the KCBD - a central knowledge hub for biodiversity-related policy-making. It is designed to connect researchers, experts, practitioners and citizen science professionals with EU institutions through structured knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

As part of the development of the Science Service for Biodiversity, BioAgora:

• pilots and tests key SSBD functions, such as answering EC policy requests and facilitating capacity building;

• establishes governance and ethical structures;

• develops a sustainability-focused business plan;

• launches an accessible digital platform for all stakeholders to participate in and benefit from the Science Service.

How to engage with the Science Service: Your pathways

Whether you are submitting a Horizon Europe proposal or part of an ongoing project, you are encouraged to engage with Science Service for Biodiversity in the following ways:

1. Contribute to knowledge requests

EU-funded projects can play a vital role in responding to knowledge requests from the EC. These are focused, time-sensitive questions linked to ongoing or emerging EU policy priorities. The SSBD, through BioAgora, coordinates expert input and facilitates the co-creation of responses that help ensure biodiversity knowledge feeds directly and effectively into EU decision-making processes.

Projects can contribute in multiple ways, depending on the nature of the request, policy needs and project interests:

a) Content Contributions

Projects and their experts may contribute by:

• Joining expert panels in response to urgent knowledge needs
• Participating in Eklipse Expert Working Groups mandated by the EC to address more in-depth, complex questions that require a consolidated knowledge base. Experts involved are acknowledged authors of policy-relevant outputs with traceable impact in policy, science and/or practice
• Submitting data, evidence or knowledge to open calls for knowledge. This helps to avoid duplication of efforts, strengthens the framing of the request, and increases the potential for policy impact
• Reviewing:

          o    Draft methodological protocols (within Eklipse processes)

          o    Draft knowledge overviews or evidence synthesis reports

b) Process Contributions

Projects may also play an active role in coordinating or facilitating knowledge request processes, including:

• Acting as focal point for an urgent request, which may involve:

          o    Facilitating expert panels

          o    Liaising with EC requesters

          o    Managing timelines and deliverables

          o    Identifying and engaging relevant contributors

• Organising or supporting events such as workshops, webinars or stakeholder consultations linked to a knowledge request
• Hosting capacity development events to improve understanding of the Science Service and increase stakeholder engagement
• Organising activities that align with the objectives of relevant EU project clusters

Indicative Resource Estimates

To support resource planning within projects, here are example time commitments:

• Focal point for an urgent request: ~1–2 person-months per request
• Eklipse Expert Working Group member: ~10% FTE over an average period of 9 months
• Reviewing outputs (e.g., knowledge syntheses): ~0.5 to 1 day, depending on complexity and length

Flexible Contribution Pathways

Project contributions can remain flexible and open in the proposal phase. Activities can evolve based on emerging policy needs or project developments. Contributions to the Science Service may take several forms over the project’s lifetime and can be tailored accordingly.

2. Participate in events and potentially co-organise events with BioAgora

Join events and sessions organised by BioAgora and participate in the dialogue on relevant topics as part of your efforts to ensure your research aligns with legislative and strategic processes.

3. Join a Knowledge Exchange Network

Seven topical Knowledge Exchange Networks are already active under BioAgora, addressing priority biodiversity topics. They act as knowledge hubs that feed into policy processes - and more are on the way.

4. Engage with the broader BioAgora community

Take part in events and workshops, or join the Biodiversity Knowledge Agora - a broader network of experts underpinning the SSBD.

5. Share your expertise and collaborate

If your project aims for strong policy impact, reach out to co-organise joint communication actions or events with BioAgora. You can also join the BioAgora Communications Hub, a space for aligning outreach strategies across biodiversity-focused initiatives.

Why This Matters

There is a growing urgency for knowledge-driven biodiversity policy-making. The Horizon Europe 2026 Work Programme places the Science Service for Biodiversity at the centre of this shift, creating a direct route for your research to impact EU policy.

This is not just an opportunity - it’s a responsibility for all biodiversity-related consortia to engage meaningfully, plan for policy impact and help shape a more sustainable future for Europe.

Start engaging today! Visit bioagora.eu or contact us at contact@bioagora.eu. Follow BioAgora on LinkedIn and Bluesky and make sure you don’t miss out any updates.

Be part of the transformation. Join BioAgora and the Science Service for Biodiversity efforts to support the EU biodiversity science-policy interface and help shape biodiversity policy in the EU.