COP31 Call for Proposals 2026: Evidence for Climate Action Programme Invites Research Submissions

The COP31 Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA) Call for Proposals is now open for researchers, evaluators and practitioners with published evidence on climate and environmental action. Submissions are accepted until 31 August 2026.

Researchers, evaluators and practitioners working on climate and environmental issues are invited to submit proposals for the COP31 Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA) programme. The call is seeking completed and published research that can contribute evidence to global climate policy dialogue.

The E4CA programme provides an opportunity for researchers and other evidence producers to present findings that have practical relevance for climate action. Submissions can address a wide range of issues, from climate adaptation and finance to biodiversity, clean energy, food systems, health, technology and youth.

The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC−12.

Background & Call for Proposals

The Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA) programme is designed as an evidence-based platform connected to COP31. It invites researchers, evaluators and practitioners to share documented evidence that can help inform global policy discussions around climate and environmental action.

Unlike calls that accept preliminary concepts or unpublished research, this opportunity specifically requires submissions to be based on completed, published evidence.

Eligible evidence can come from:

Peer-reviewed publications;
Published reports; and
Formally released evaluations.

Submissions must be grounded in documented data, research methods and findings. Conceptual articles, opinion pieces and unpublished working papers are not eligible.

The programme aims to create sessions that bring together evidence with complementary thematic or methodological perspectives, allowing participants to engage in substantive and comparative discussions.

Who Can Submit?

The call is open to researchers, evaluators and practitioners who have completed and published research or evidence relevant to climate and environmental action.

E4CA also aims to reflect a broad range of voices, perspectives and institutions. Submissions are encouraged from organizations and researchers representing different regions and backgrounds.

The selection process will consider several factors, including:

Scientific rigor;
Policy relevance;
Contribution to climate action; and
Clarity of communication.

Submissions must be made in English.

Importantly, the call is structured around individual published evidence rather than collections of unrelated findings. Each submission must focus on a single publication, with its lessons systematically connected to the publication’s analytical framework.

Thematic Areas

E4CA has identified a broad range of thematic tracks for submissions. Researchers can select the track or tracks that best correspond with their evidence.

The available themes include:

Adaptation, Resilience & Loss and Damage

Research examining climate adaptation, resilience and issues associated with loss and damage.

Biodiversity, Forests & Rio Synergies

Evidence related to biodiversity, forests and connections between climate and broader environmental objectives.

Climate Finance, Institutions & Implementation

Research addressing climate finance, institutional arrangements and implementation of climate action.

Climate Justice, Equity & Poverty

Evidence exploring the relationship between climate action, justice, equity and poverty.

Climate-Resilient Cities, Infrastructure & Water

Research focused on urban resilience, infrastructure, water systems and climate-related challenges affecting cities and communities.

Evaluation, Evidence & Climate Action

Evidence focused on evaluation methods, evidence generation and the effectiveness of climate action.

Food Systems, Agriculture & Food Security

Research examining climate impacts and responses related to agriculture, food systems and food security.

Green Industrialization, Transport & Economic Transformation

Evidence addressing green industrial development, transportation and economic transformation linked to climate action.

Health Systems & Climate

Research exploring connections between climate change and health systems.

Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities

Evidence concerning Indigenous Peoples and local communities in relation to climate and environmental action.

Mitigation, NDCs & Carbon Markets

Research related to emissions reduction, Nationally Determined Contributions and carbon markets.

Oceans, Seas & Coastal Systems

Evidence focusing on marine environments, oceans, seas and coastal systems.

Powering Climate Action, Electrification & Clean Energy Transition

Research covering electrification, energy systems and the transition toward clean energy.

Technology, Data & Geospatial Evidence

Evidence using technology, data or geospatial approaches to understand and address climate challenges.

Youth & Education

Research focused on young people, education and their role in climate action.

Zero Waste & Circular Economy

Evidence addressing waste reduction, circular economy approaches and resource efficiency.

Submission Requirements

Applicants must complete the official submission form and provide the required information about their proposed contribution.

The submission should include:

The title of the publication;
An abstract;
An extended abstract; and
Preferred thematic track or tracks.

The evidence presented must come from a single completed and published publication.

Applicants should ensure that the lessons they intend to present are systematically linked to the analytical framework of that publication. E4CA will not consider submissions that simply combine unrelated lessons from multiple sources without a clear connection to one published report or research output.

What Type of Research Is Eligible?

One of the most important points for prospective applicants is that the programme is looking for documented evidence rather than ideas or opinions.

Eligible submissions need to demonstrate the data, methodology and findings underpinning the evidence.

This means researchers should ensure that their proposed contribution is based on research that has already been completed and formally published or released.

The call specifically excludes:

Conceptual pieces;
Opinion articles; and
Unpublished working papers.

Researchers with unpublished research should therefore not assume that a preliminary study or working paper will meet the requirements.

How the Selection Process Works

E4CA will use a structured review process to assess submissions.

The process includes an initial eligibility screening, followed by double-blind peer review.

Accepted contributions will then be used to develop virtual and in-person programmes. E4CA intends to pair authors whose evidence is thematically or methodologically complementary.

This approach is intended to create sessions that facilitate substantive comparisons and discussion rather than isolated presentations.

The programme will also consider geographic and gender balance when composing panels.

What Happens After Submission?

Authors of accepted submissions will be notified and asked to confirm whether they will participate virtually or in person.

The in-person programme will take place in Türkiye, according to the call information provided.

Accepted presenters will also be required to submit their final presentations one week before the relevant event.

Participants should therefore be prepared not only to submit their research evidence but also to develop a clear presentation that communicates the findings effectively to a policy-oriented audience.

Important Cost and COP31 Access Information

Prospective applicants should pay particular attention to the financial conditions attached to participation.

E4CA does not provide access credentials for COP31.

In addition, the call states that all costs associated with participation must be borne solely by the presenting organization.

Therefore, researchers and organizations should consider their own capacity to cover participation-related expenses before committing to an in-person presentation.

The opportunity should not be presented as a funded COP31 participation opportunity unless additional funding is separately confirmed by the organizers.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the COP31 Evidence for Climate Action Call for Proposals is:

31 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC−12.

Applicants should submit their completed proposal before the stated deadline.

Because the submission requires an existing published research output and supporting information such as an abstract and extended abstract, eligible researchers should begin preparing their submissions early.

How to Apply

Interested researchers, evaluators and practitioners should complete the E4CA Submission Form with the required publication details, abstract, extended abstract and preferred thematic tracks.

Submissions should be in English and must meet the programme’s evidence requirements.

The official E4CA website is www.e4ca.org.

For questions about the call, applicants can contact the organizers at e4ca@deval.org.

Why Researchers Should Consider This Opportunity

The COP31 E4CA programme offers researchers an opportunity to connect published evidence with international climate policy discussions.

For researchers whose work addresses practical climate and environmental challenges, presenting evidence in a programme focused on policy relevance can provide an avenue to communicate research findings beyond traditional academic audiences.

The broad selection of thematic tracks also means that evidence can be relevant to different areas of climate action, including adaptation, mitigation, finance, biodiversity, health, energy, food systems, technology and climate justice.

However, applicants should focus on the quality and relevance of their existing evidence rather than attempting to develop a new conceptual proposal specifically for this call.

Key Details at a Glance

Programme: COP31 Evidence for Climate Action (E4CA)
Opportunity: Call for Proposals
Target applicants: Researchers, evaluators and practitioners
Research requirement: Completed and published evidence
Eligible evidence: Peer-reviewed publications, published reports and formally released evaluations
Language: English
Deadline: 31 August 2026, 23:59 UTC−12
Review: Eligibility screening followed by double-blind peer review
Participation: Virtual or in-person
In-person location: Türkiye
COP31 credentials: Not provided by E4CA
Participation costs: Covered by the presenting organization
Website: E4CA
Contact: e4ca@deval.org

Final Takeaway

The COP31 Evidence for Climate Action Call for Proposals is particularly relevant for researchers and practitioners who already have published evidence capable of informing climate policy and action.

The strongest submissions will be grounded in documented data, clear methodologies and established findings while demonstrating scientific rigor, policy relevance and a meaningful contribution to climate action.

Before submitting, applicants should confirm that their work is based on a single published research output, fits one of the E4CA thematic tracks and meets the evidence requirements.

With the deadline set for 31 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC−12, eligible researchers should prepare and submit their proposals before the closing time.

Important: This article is an independent publication based on the E4CA call information provided. Applicants should consult the official E4CA submission materials for the latest requirements and instructions before applying.

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