Cofunded by the European Union

Funding Organisations from 30 countries all over Europe and beyond are pleased to pre-announce a Joint Transnational Call for research and innovation projects on “Sustainable Water Management”  (excluding extreme events and circularity).

In line with the strategic objectives of Water4All, the results should contribute to the implementation of evidence-based, global, EU and national water management policies and strategies, within the frameworks of the European Green Deal, the zero-pollution action plan, the Water Framework Directive and the two so-called daughter directives on groundwater and quality of surface water, the Just Transition Mechanism, the European Water Resilience Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals. Proposals should show cognisance of appropriate legislation and policy frameworks that are relevant for the call at national and international levels.

The context for the general call topics is described in Theme III of the Water4All Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, “Integrated water management”. 

The Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call focuses on Sustainable Water Management (excluding extreme events and circularity), invite proposals that address critical challenges related to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), River Basin Management, Groundwater Management, Water Resilience, Integrated Water Monitoring and data management, Water-positive solutions.

International Informative webinar

A general and informative webinar dedicated to the international researchers’ community and presented in English will be organised on 17th September 2026 (14:00-1600 CEST) to answer your questions regarding the call. 

You can register with the following link

 

Partnering Tool

If you are looking for a partner or a project, a partner search tool is available at the following link

Tentative timeline

  • Call opening: 8 September 2026
  • Submission deadline of preproposals: 10 November 2026, 15:00 CET
  • Selection of preproposals: Early February 2027
  • Submission deadline of full proposals: 6 April 2027, 15:00 CEST
  • Selection of funded proposals: September 2027
  • Projects start: End 2027/beginning 2028
  • Kick-off meeting of the funded projects: Spring 2028

 

Pending confirmation, the participating countries are:

*Disclaimer - Update July,16: Italy does not participate to the call

  • Call Topics

    The general theme of the call is “Sustainable Water Management”. 

    Research & innovation proposals submitted under the Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call are required to address at least one of the following topics: 

    • Topic 1: Integrated Monitoring and Assessment for Sustainable Water Management.
    • Topic 2: Nature-Based Approaches for Resilient Water Management at hydrological and hydrogeological system scale.
    • Topic 3: Smart, secure and adaptive water infrastructures.
    • Topic 4: Resilient Water Systems Through Systemic Change, Policy Coherence and Inclusive governance.

    The call topics are overlapping and non-exclusive. Thus, proposals must address at least one of the following topics and may integrate multiple topics where relevant.

  • Eligibility Criteria

    Each consortium must be composed of 

    • at least three eligible partners that request funding from participating Funding Partner Organisations from three different countries.
    • at least two independent legal entities from two different EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries (link here) as recipients of the financial support.
    • A maximum of 7 partners (including one self-funded partner)

    Each proposal must respect the general international and national/regional eligibility criteria.

    The detailed lists of eligibility and evaluation criteria will be published in the Water4All Call Announcement document at the official launch of the call in September 2026.

  • Additional Modalities for Early Career Researchers

    This call includes an additional modality aiming at Early Career Researchers who have obtained their PhD less than 10 years prior to the call launch i.e. after 8 September 2016, unless the FPOs calculate any exemption (e.g. maternity leave) as specified in the national/regional regulation annex. The other PIs in the Consortium do not need to be early career researchers. The thematic focus of the ECR modality is aligned with the JTC topics.

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.