The NWA Call Municipal Policy for Biodiversity Restoration is open for applications. The degradation of living nature due to human activities leads to a reduction in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. Counteracting biodiversity loss is a major challenge for both society and science. Knowledge development in this program must contribute to this.
Biodiversity and ecosystems are crucial for our society, for example for healthy air quality, crop pollination, drinkable water, soil and nutrients, recreation, and quality of life. It is important to weigh biodiversity appropriately or to prioritize biodiversity in policies and policy decisions at the municipal level.
Goal of the Call
The Call focuses on the development of knowledge for the transition to nature-inclusive municipal policy for biodiversity restoration in built-up areas. The program operates at the intersection of knowledge and policy and aims to contribute through living labs to:
- action perspectives for nature-inclusive policy development, political decision-making, and policy implementation at the municipal level in the built environment;
- better utilization of knowledge and knowledge exchange between research and municipalities and between municipalities and other governments;
- social insight and awareness within the municipal organization that nature is a hard interest and of great value to society.
Research in living labs ensures that questions from municipal practice are central. The program focuses on the built environment at the municipal level.
Meetings
A matchmaking meeting for this Call will be organized on November 6, 2025, from 13:00 to 17:00 in Utrecht. Participation in this activity by a representative of the pre-registration is mandatory.
More information about the matchmaking
Budget and deadlines
The subsidy ceiling for this Call for proposals amounts to a total of € 3,820,000. Within this Call for proposals, a maximum of 1 full application will be awarded.
The deadline for submitting pre-registrations is Tuesday, February 3, 2026, by 14:00:00 CET.
The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday, March 2, 2027, by 14:00:00 CET.
The deadline for submitting a request for assessment of (foreign) organizations is January 20, 2026, by 14:00:00 CET for pre-registrations, and for applications February 16, 2027 by 14:00:00 CET.
Program National Science Agenda
The basis of the establishment and renewal of the National Science Agenda lies with citizens. In the NWA program, the connection between society and science is essential. Governments, researchers, social organizations, and citizens develop and utilize knowledge together to achieve scientific and social impact. And through science communication, knowledge is shared in society to increase involvement and trust in science.
