Expected Outcome:
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
Scope:
ESMs are the primary tools used for assessing future changes in the climate system. They have increased in their resolution and realism over the past two decades. Despite these advances, there remain several poorly understood and simulated processes, interactions and feedbacks that limit their ability to deliver accurate predictions and projections of global and regional Earth system change, and to aid understanding and quantifying future climate variability. Specially challenging is how variability interacts with extreme events (including compound ones), in particular related to precipitation and water availability (both excess and scarcity).
Actions should address all of the following aspects:
Actions should exploit the opportunities offered by state of art digital technologies such as machine learning, big data analytics or Artificial Intelligence (AI). They should promote the highest standards of transparency and openness, extending to aspects such as assumptions, protocols, code, and data that is managed in compliance with the FAIR principles[2]. Beneficiaries of EU funding are required to publish results data in open access repositories and/or as annexes to publications, and provide full openness of any new modules, models or tools developed from scratch or substantially improved. Projects should take into account, during their lifetime, relevant activities and initiatives for ensuring and improving the quality of scientific software and code.
All projects funded under this topic are strongly encouraged to connect, coordinate, and participate in networking, intercomparison and joint activities to exploit synergies and maximise complementarities between them. They should envisage clustering activities with any other relevant projects (in[3] and outside of Horizon Europe) for cross-projects cooperation and exchange of results. Proposals should earmark the necessary resources for these purposes. Results from relevant past and ongoing projects from previous calls of this Destination and other relevant projects on ESM should be considered and strong feedback and coordination with projects funded under the topics HORIZON-CL5-2025-06-D1-01 “Climate simulations data and knowledge for optimal support of IPCC Assessments and International Policy” and HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-02 (area on research infrastructure services to improve the understanding and prediction of future climate changes and their impact) is expected.
International cooperation is encouraged, in particular with the Global South[4], to promote capacity and consensus building, for example, by training early career researchers.
For ERC grants, excellence is the sole selection criterion—evaluations focus exclusively on the quality of the research and track record .
Peer-reviewers adhere strictly to predefined criteria (e.g., Horizon ITN evaluations), and weaknesses—rather than strengths—often decide the outcome .
Horizon Europe emphasizes Green & Digital Transitions and resilience, with specific budget steering across biodiversity, climate, digital, and societal missions .
Proposals that clearly align with these strategic orientations and EU missions are significantly more competitive.
Horizon projects demand well-balanced consortia across Europe—geographically and disciplinarily diverse, including academia, industry, SMEs, NGOs .
Effective leadership, communication, trust, and active collaboration are key success factors.
A strong publication record—especially in high-impact venues—and prior grant awards bolster chances .
ERC starting, consolidator, or advanced grants require exceptional citation records, strong proposals, and investigator track records .
For large collaborative grants, project coordination, administration, and communication are just as crucial as scientific content .
Demonstrating realistic budget planning (100% direct costs + 25% indirect costs), administrative frameworks, and governance structures strengthens proposals .
Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowships emphasize researcher mobility, interdisciplinary training, and developing future talent .
Northern and certain Eastern European institutions currently have higher success rates (≈22% vs below 18% in Southern Europe) .
ERC gender data: male and female applicants have similar success rates, though male applicants apply more frequently .
Factor | Why It Matters |
---|---|
Excellence-first | Superior science and investigator record are non-negotiable. |
Strategic fit | Alignment with EU green, digital, and mission goals is essential. |
Consortium quality | Geographic, sectoral, and expertise balance enhances impact. |
Management capacity | Good PM builds confidence in successful delivery. |
Experience track record | Publications, previous funding, and citations build credibility. |
Mobility & careers | MSCA focuses on researcher development and interdisciplinary collaboration. |
Master criteria & avoid weaknesses: Make sure your proposal addresses common reviewer pitfalls—methodology, innovation, budget clarity.
Map to EU priorities: Explicitly connect your objectives to Horizon Europe’s strategic plan (2025–2027).
Build strong consortia early: Prioritize complementary expertise, geography, gender balance, and partner roles.
Show robust project management: Include a Work Package structure, governance plans, and clear communication strategies.
Leverage your track record: Highlight high-impact papers, leadership in projects, and previous awards.
Consider MSCA opportunities: Use them for mobility grants or integrating training into your project.
✅ In Summary
To maximize success with European Commission grants—especially ERC or Horizon Europe—focus relentlessly on scientific excellence, strategic EU alignment, consortium strength, and solid project planning. Combine these with a strong publication record and researcher development elements, and aim to close off any potential reviewer concerns.
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
The following exceptions apply: subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
Beneficiaries will be subject to the following additional obligations regarding open science practices: Open access to any new modules, models or tools developed from scratch or substantially improved with the use of EU funding under the action must be ensured through documentation, availability of model code and input data developed under the action.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in the specific topic of the Work Programme
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: European Commission
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
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Sep 24, 2025
Sep 24, 2025
$8,833,125
Affiliation: European Commission
Address: Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
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