Deadline Date: April 16, 2026
The European Commission is currently accepting applications to support the development of innovative bioremediation solutions for aquatic pollution, with a focus on contaminants of emerging concern.
The focus areas include developing effective solutions for bioremediating and decontaminating aquatic pollution, especially for persistent pollutants and CECs like PFAS, antimicrobials, and microplastics. Objectives include integrating environmental monitoring methods for risk assessment, understanding pollutant pathways in aquatic ecosystems, and developing site-specific, affordable, and scalable technologies. Proposals should promote engagement with stakeholders, ensure environmental safety, and align with existing European strategies like the European Ocean Pact and the EU zero pollution action plan. A multi-disciplinary approach involving life sciences, biotechnology, and nanotechnology is essential.
The European Commission is offering grants of up to €23,000,000, with an average grant of €7,000,000 to €8,000,000, for innovative projects addressing aquatic pollution and ecosystem resilience.
The increasing chemical pollution of aquatic environments poses significant risks to both human and environmental health, with many of Europe’s waters failing to meet regulatory standards. Pollutants such as PFAS, antimicrobial substances, and microplastics persist in the environment, accumulating over time and affecting ecosystems. While pollution prevention remains key, new solutions for bioremediation and decontamination are crucial to tackle the growing pollution crisis in marine, freshwater, and groundwater ecosystems.
Proposals should focus on innovative biotechnological approaches to remove pollutants, leveraging microorganisms, microbial communities, and nanoparticles for effective decontamination. These solutions should be affordable, environmentally safe, and adaptable to different aquatic environments, including rivers, lakes, coastal areas, and groundwater. Additionally, proposals should integrate high-resolution environmental monitoring and risk assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches and ensure improved ecosystem resilience.
The projects should demonstrate the pathways and interlinkages of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and help identify where management actions are most needed. Transparent engagement with local authorities, stakeholders, and society is vital to ensure the successful implementation and adoption of the proposed solutions.
The participation of SMEs and start-ups is encouraged, and proposals should complement and not overlap with other Horizon Europe-funded projects, particularly those focusing on ocean and water restoration.
For more information, visit European Commission.
