Interconnect Earth Observation research for addressing environmental policies

The funding program aims to establish EU-wide networking of Earth observation research to support political decisions in environmental and climate protection with reliable data. Until April 15, 2026, companies, non-profit organizations, educational and research institutions, as well as public bodies, can jointly submit applications. A prerequisite is the cooperation of at least three independent partners from different EU member states or associated countries, as well as registration in the EU Participant Register. With a funding rate of 100%, personnel expenses, material and travel costs, as well as subcontractor services, will be financed up to a total amount of €5.4 million. The goal is to build a unified access to research results, establish a EuroGEO network, and develop a policy-driven research and innovation roadmap for the coming years.

Interested parties include researchers, research institutions, and policy actors at the EU level who wish to use Earth observation data for environmental and climate policy as well as biodiversity protection. The evaluative selection process assesses the excellence of methodology and level of innovation, expected impact on environmental objectives, and the quality of project organization. Funded consortia are expected to hold annual forums for priority setting, develop methodological tools for generating “Earth Intelligence,” and build synergies with the Knowledge Centre on Earth Observation (KCEO). Additional funding criteria include mobilization of third-party funds, integration of open science practices, and gender mainstreaming. Final project descriptions, financial plans, and CVs of project leaders must be submitted together with the EU-wide call documents.