Closing date: 16 April 2027
A new call funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) allows UK-based researchers to collaborate with international partners in joint applications to the Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027 call joint funding opportunity Novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture).
BiodivFuture funds research and innovation addressing biodiversity and novel ecosystems, including socio-ecological dynamics and consequences relating to the sustainability goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The funding covers investigation of the causes (drivers), effects (biological responses), and outcomes (including opportunities, risks and trade-offs) of current and future trajectories of change in all relevant realms (terrestrial, freshwater, marine and coastal areas), around the world.
The call has three themes:
- Theme A Novel ecosystem functioning – Understanding the functioning of novel ecosystems and their links to socio-cultural and socio-economic dynamics, identifying mechanisms and developing approaches that can facilitate biodiversity gains.
- Theme B Pathways to novel ecosystems – Studying robust, plausible, and concrete pathways to novel ecosystems and associated socio-ecological dynamics to prosper under temporal asynchronies and uncertainties.
- Theme C Biodiversity benefits and equity in the context of novel ecosystems – Studying fair and equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits in the context of novel ecosystems, supported by inclusive, collaborative, and investment-oriented pathways for nature-positive socio-ecological transformation.
The maximum award is £375k funded at 80% FEC, and the project duration is up to 36 months with a latest start date for UK Biodiversa+ projects of 14 Feb 2028.
The question for EBNet members is, does Environmental Biotechnology fit in? For examples, is there scope for considering ecosystems that are emerging due to anthropogenic pollution – or for those including engineered organisms capable of tackling new pollutants? We don’t know, but will be interested to hear from any EBNet members involved in applications to the call, successful or not.
for more information on the call and to apply, see HERE.
