The European Biodiversity Partnership (Biodiversa+), co-funded under Horizon Europe, has launched its 2025-2026 joint research call titled "Restoration of ecosystem functioning, integrity and connectivity (BiodivConnect)". The call aims to support innovative research that can be integrated into nature restoration practices for interconnected and well-functioning ecosystems and habitats, ensuring the long-term sustainability of restoration efforts globally. It covers restoration in all types of ecosystems and habitats worldwide (terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, marine, etc.). Projects should address one or more of the following three main topics:

1. Setting Restoration Targets and Measuring Success: Integration of ecological, cultural, social data; prioritisation tools; success criteria.
2. Scaling and Transferability of Nature Restoration Efforts: Habitat connectivity; spatial dynamics; drivers of degradation; financing models; policy coherence.
3. Long-Term Sustainability of Restoration Efforts: Resilience to climate change; measuring long-term outcomes; social justice; integrating multiple targets; mitigating undesired outcomes.

📅 Call Timeline

• Call Launch: 09 September 2025
• Step 1 Pre-proposal Deadline: 07 November 2025 (14.00)
• Step 1 National Pre-Proposal Deadline: 14 November 2025 (17.30)
• Step 1 E-Signature Deadline: 18 November 2025 (17.30)
• Invitation to Step 2: Mid-February 2026
• Step 2 Full Proposal Deadline: 14 April 2026 (12:00 CEST)
• Communication of Funding Decision: Late September 2026
• Project Start: 01 December 2026 - 01 April 2027

✅ Eligibility

• Proposals must be submitted by transnational consortia involving eligible partners from at least three different countries participating in the call and requesting support from at least three different participating Funding Organisations.
• The consortium must include partners from at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries participating in the call.
• Higher education institutions, research hospitals, public bodies, and private companies established in Turkey are eligible for TÜBİTAK funding under the 1071 Programme.

📂 Support Scope and Duration

• Project duration is 3 years.

• For Higher Education Institutions / Research Hospitals / Public Bodies:
• General project costs (e.g., personnel, scholarships, travel, services, equipment, consumables) are supported.
• Temporary personnel wages are eligible.

• For Private Companies: Personnel costs (including auxiliary personnel, TÜBİTAK 1509 rules apply),
• Domestic/international travel costs, consultancy and service procurement costs (excluding services from international partners),
• Instrument/equipment/software/publication procurement costs (partial support if used in serial production),
• Material and consumable costs,
• Certified public accountant audit costs are supported.
• Equipment maintenance/repair, scholarship costs, and institutional overheads (Kurum Hissesi) are not supported for private companies.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• Maximum funding request per project from TÜBİTAK: €160,000 (excluding overhead & PTİ).
• Maximum funding per partner type from TÜBİTAK (excluding overhead & PTİ):
• Higher Ed./Hospitals/Public: €100,000.
• Private orgs: €160,000.
• Funding Rates (TR): 100% for public/higher ed.; 60% for large private orgs; 75% for SMEs.

📌 Useful Links

• Biodiversa+ Call Page
• International Submission System
• National Submission System
• International Call Rules Document
• National Call Rules Document