Target group
The funding program is aimed at researchers working in the field of biodiversity research at universities, non-academic research institutions, and research departments in related sectors.
Funding goals
The European Partnership Biodiversa+ is intended to strengthen European research on biodiversity. It makes important contributions to the development of a research and innovation agenda for nature-based approaches, their dissemination in a national context, and support for relevant research. These contributions also include the efficient mapping of the European R&D landscape in the field of biodiversity, including specific research infrastructures, as well as capacity building for researchers at the interface of science and society/policy.
Funding period and funding amount
The maximum funding period is 36 months.
Requirements
The requirements and specifications for the FWF program Principal Investigator Projects apply.
Information on the current call “Restoration of ecosystem functioning, integrity, and connectivity (BiodivConnect)”
The “BiodivConnect” call is focused on fostering innovative research to be integrated into nature restoration practices for interconnected and well-functioning ecosystems and habitats, with special consideration for long-term sustainability and future-proofing of restoration efforts.
This call focuses on three main topics.
- Topic 1: Setting restoration targets and measuring success
- Topic 2: Transferability and scaling of nature restoration efforts
- Topic 3: Resilience and sustainability of restoration efforts
Proposals can address one or more of these main topics. The call covers restoration efforts for biodiversity in all types of ecosystems and habitats, in all regions of the world.
Each proposal must involve a minimum of three partners from at least three participating partner countries. A joint proposal must be submitted by the project coordinator to the central Call Secretariat.
The researchers are funded by their respective national/regional funding organizations.
Funding organizations from 32 countries are planning to take part in the call. The current list of potential participating countries can be found on the Biodiversa+ website.
Approval
Decided by the Scientific Board based on a recommendation of the Call Secretariat.
Application information
Applications are submitted online using the Call Secretariat’s system. Please see the Biodiversa+ website for a link to the application submission system.
There will be a two-step submission and evaluation procedure.
- Pre-proposal submission: September 9, 2025 to November 7, 2025 (12:00 noon CET)
- Full-proposal submissions: February 2026 (expected) to April 14, 2026 (12:00 noon CET)
- Funding decision: Expected for October 2026
In addition to the application submitted to the Call Secretariat, administrative and financial data as well as academic abstracts (in accordance with the FWF guidelines for Principal Investigator Projects) must also be submitted to the FWF using the online portal elane. In the pre-proposal stage, proposals are submitted under the program category “PIK – International Projects – pre-proposal” (deadline November 10, 2025, 2:00 pm Vienna local time). For the full proposal stage, applicants must choose the program category “KIN – International – Multilateral Initiatives” (Deadline April 15, 2026, 2:00 pm Vienna local time). Both steps are mandatory.
Please note that applications must be approved for submission by the research institutions before the deadlines indicated above. Research institutions must be registered in the FWF's research institution portal.
Funding institution
Austrian Science Fund (FWF)