Lantern Grants

Understanding the nature and the extent of the effects of PFAS on biodiversity and ecosystem services

Funder
European Commission · Horizon Europe
Award amount
Up to €5,700,000
Deadline
January 14, 2027
Eligible countries
European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Israel, Global

Summary

Open EU call topic HORIZON-NATURE-2027-01-01 · HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions. Part of call HORIZON-NATURE-2027-01: Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society. Next deadline 2027-01-14. Topic page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-NATURE-2027-01-01

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: - the mechanistic understanding of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) effects on biodiversity, on ecosystems and on ecosystem services is improved and evaluations of their extent are available; - research needs to close knowledge gaps and to address issues on biodiversity and ecosystem services are better identified; - the new knowledge can be integrated by policymakers in their decisions related to biodiversity protection and restoration, environmental protection and protection of human health as well as in socio-economic cost-benefit analysis for policy measures on PFAS.

Scope: PFAS pollution significantly impacts human health and the environment. Addressing PFAS is notably a flagship action under the Water Resilience Strategy[1]. There is growing evidence on impacts on biodiversity above and below ground and water, but more evidence is needed to substantiate the effects on different species, populations and entire ecosystems, and their extent. A European Commission study published on 29 January 2026[2] revealed significant knowledge gaps on the effects of PFAS on biodiversity. In particular, the study underlined the difficulties to estimate and monetise ecosystem services loss because of PFAS, due to a lack of data on ecosystem-level effects. Proposals should: - conduct field-based studies, possibly in combination with controlled studies, to better understand the effects of PFAS and their breakdown products on species, populations and on ecosystems and their long-term ecological effects; - evaluate the…

Summary as listed by the funder. Always read the full announcement for eligibility, limits and how to apply.

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What European Union reviewers look for

  • Most Horizon Europe calls score three criteria (the ERC uses excellence alone). Excellence: clarity and ambition of the objectives, and the soundness of the methodology.
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  • Quality and efficiency of implementation: the work plan, resources and the consortium's capacity.

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