Targeting aquatic extremophiles for sourcing novel enzymes, drugs, metabolites and chemicals (HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-10)

The funding is for proposals that explore marine or other aquatic ecosystems with complex and extreme conditions with focus on extremophilic organisms capable of thriving/surviving in such extreme environments (e.g., deep hydrothermal vents, hypersaline lagoons, sub-seafloor sediments). The project should develop or optimise tailor-made sampling methods, explore the metabolic, physiological and other adaptation mechanisms to such extreme ecological conditions and look for novel and highly efficient metabolites, drugs, enzymes and chemicals for industrial application. 

Objectives:  

Project outputs and results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: 

• Contribute to expanding the sustainable exploration of biodiversity hotspot regions, e.g., transitional waters, deep-sea, polar regions; 
• Advancing the development of next generation of sampling methods, technologies, and the understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding the development process; 
• Improved preparedness and environmental sustainability in harvesting aquatic bioactive substances, and support to green industrial bioprocessing through the discovery of new sources and biotechnology processes and applications; 
• Expansion of bioprospecting from the screening for new chemicals into biological function; 
• Advancing the understanding of the ecology of marine or other aquatic ecosystems, including possibly the ones on water surface, in sediments, in the internal cavity of sponges etc.; 
• Increased commitment to conserve and sustainably use the ocean’s genetic diversity and contribution to the understanding of potential trade-offs inherent in the exploitation of ocean, and other aquatic, biodiversity. 

Eligible applicants: 

Detailed information on eligible applicants can be found here.  

Budget: 

A total of EUR 9.000.000 is allocated to the call HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-10 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions. The contribution to the project is approximately EUR 4.500.000 (2 grants foreseen), and selected projects should collaborate with each other. 

Duration: 

Duration may vary. Please see link for details. 

General information 

To get support:  

• Online Manual for the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. 
• Horizon Europe Programme Guide for detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. 
• Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ for answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management. 
• Research Enquiry Service for questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. 
• National Contact Points (NCPs) for guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). 
• Enterprise Europe Network for contacting your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. 
• IT Helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. 
• European IP Helpdesk for intellectual property issues. 
• CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk for standardisation issues in your project proposal.   
• The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment for consulting the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. 
• Partner Search Services for finding a partner organisation for your proposal. 

See related links above on getting support.