Horizon Europe’s latest call for research projects: Opportunities for engagement with BioAgora and the Science Service for Biodiversity
In May 2025, the European Commission officially launched a new funding call under the Horizon Europe Work Programme, with transformative ambitions for the future of ecosystems, biodiversity, food systems and sustainable resource management across the EU taking centre stage.
As part of Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, this call targets some of Europe’s most pressing challenges. With the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework as a guiding compass, this programme sets its sights on restoring biodiversity on land and in water, increasing resilience to climate change and boosting Europe’s leadership in sustainable innovation - from the blue economy to the circular bioeconomy.
Marking the launch are two dedicated online information sessions on 20 May (General introduction to the Cluster 6 calls) and 21 May (Deep-dive sessions for potential applicants). Their agenda and respective registration details are available here.
Looking at the Cluster 6 calls themselves, a renewed emphasis on evidence-based policy-making and knowledge-driven biodiversity protection is evident. Here, BioAgora stands out as a crucial player and strategic partner for applicants. This EU-funded project is tasked with co-creating the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) by June 2027. The Service will act as the scientific pillar of the EU Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), a platform for mobilising research insights into tangible policy support.
Within the Horizon Europe Work Programme, engagement with BioAgora and the SSBD is acknowledged as beneficial to projects. In that sense, contributing to the Science Service helps to ensure such an initiativet’s knowledge reaches decision-makers, supports legislative processes and ultimately has a tangible impact.
By the end of 2026, BioAgora will:
- pilot and test the core SSBD functions, including responding to policy requests, facilitating expert collaboration and building capacity
- launch a public, interactive web platform to serve as a central access point for science-policy dialogue
- develop an effective governance model for the SSBD to ensure its long-term sustainability
How can you engage with BioAgora?
As an applicant or stakeholder in a Horizon Europe project, you can engage with BioAgora in several concrete and rewarding ways:
- participating in the EU Biodiversity Policy Dialogue
- helping to shape policy by responding to European Commission requests aligned with your expertise
- joining structured discussions to ensure scientific evidence feeds effectively into policy processes
- engaging with peers and experts across the thematic Knowledge Exchange Networks supporting the Science Service’s mission
- attending and co-organising BioAgora events
- collaborating with BioAgora to raise visibility and amplify the outreach and impact of your project
- exchanging best practices and aligning outreach strategies with other projects and communication officers from the EU biodiversity landscape
Why it matters
From advancing biodiversity finance to applying new monitoring technologies, the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call is designed to build a future of sustainability, climate resilience and biodiversity. Real impact, however, requires more than research - it needs integration into decision-making. This is where BioAgora can make a difference - amplifying research exploitation and connecting project results to the EU policy landscape.
If you're planning a proposal, be sure to explore how your project can align with and contribute to the Science Service and do not hesitate to reach out to us at contact@bioagora.eu. To keep up to date, also make sure to follow BioAgora on LinkedIn and Bluesky as well as subscribe to our newsletter!
Join BioAgora’s efforts today and be part of the transformative change for a healthier planet.