diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025a.eb
index 899e9528bb62..6e75ae6c2bd3 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025a.eb
@@ -23,11 +23,10 @@ dependencies = [
     ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
     ('netCDF-C++4', '4.3.1'),
     ('libarchive', '3.7.7'),
+    ('ParallelIO', '2.7.0'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.0'),
 ]
 
-buildopts = 'ESMF_NETCDF_INCLUDE=$EBROOTNETCDFMINFORTRAN/include '
-buildopts += 'ESMF_NETCDF_LIBS="`nc-config --libs` `nf-config --flibs` `ncxx4-config --libs`"'
-
 # too parallel causes the build to become really slow
 maxparallel = 8
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025b.eb
index cbd9d7b20270..72993337581f 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-foss-2025b.eb
@@ -23,11 +23,10 @@ dependencies = [
     ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
     ('netCDF-C++4', '4.3.1'),
     ('libarchive', '3.8.1'),
+    ('ParallelIO', '2.7.0'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.1'),
 ]
 
-buildopts = 'ESMF_NETCDF_INCLUDE=$EBROOTNETCDFMINFORTRAN/include '
-buildopts += 'ESMF_NETCDF_LIBS="`nc-config --libs` `nf-config --flibs` `ncxx4-config --libs`"'
-
 # too parallel causes the build to become really slow
 maxparallel = 8
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025a.eb
index b4989943a805..a3b723075848 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025a.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025a.eb
@@ -23,11 +23,10 @@ dependencies = [
     ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
     ('netCDF-C++4', '4.3.1'),
     ('libarchive', '3.7.7'),
+    ('ParallelIO', '2.7.0'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.0'),
 ]
 
-buildopts = 'ESMF_NETCDF_INCLUDE=$EBROOTNETCDFMINFORTRAN/include '
-buildopts += 'ESMF_NETCDF_LIBS="`nc-config --libs` `nf-config --flibs` `ncxx4-config --libs`"'
-
 # too parallel causes the build to become really slow
 maxparallel = 8
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025b.eb
index 1c2229ff46a3..5cf0aa19b11e 100644
--- a/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025b.eb
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/e/ESMF/ESMF-8.9.0-intel-2025b.eb
@@ -23,11 +23,10 @@ dependencies = [
     ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
     ('netCDF-C++4', '4.3.1'),
     ('libarchive', '3.8.1'),
+    ('ParallelIO', '2.7.0'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.1'),
 ]
 
-buildopts = 'ESMF_NETCDF_INCLUDE=$EBROOTNETCDFMINFORTRAN/include '
-buildopts += 'ESMF_NETCDF_LIBS="`nc-config --libs` `nf-config --flibs` `ncxx4-config --libs`"'
-
 # too parallel causes the build to become really slow
 maxparallel = 8
 
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025a.eb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..e4737f6af80f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025a.eb
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+easyblock = 'CMakeMake'
+
+name = 'ParallelIO'
+version = '2.7.0'
+
+homepage = 'https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO'
+description = """A high-level Parallel I/O Library for structured grid applications"""
+
+toolchain = {'name': 'gompi', 'version': '2025a'}
+toolchainopts = {'usempi': True}
+
+source_urls = ['https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO/archive/']
+sources = ['pio%s.tar.gz' % '_'.join(version.split('.'))]
+patches = ['ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch']
+checksums = [
+    {'pio2_7_0.tar.gz': 'cce83743156ae723e7890931c2b48dcfe7ea8a276962dc4429f839d8f58d4a5a'},
+    {'ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch': '6091baf7ac2b6831468200c7f60fa696a110a34de6062965fa4973baf7a0c8a2'},
+]
+
+builddependencies = [
+    ('CMake', '3.31.3'),
+    ('pkgconf', '2.3.0'),
+    ('Doxygen', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+dependencies = [
+    ('netCDF', '4.9.3'),
+    ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+configopts = "-DPIO_ENABLE_TIMING=OFF "
+configopts += "-DNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTNETCDF -DPNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTPNETCDF "
+
+sanity_check_paths = {
+    'files': ['lib/libpiof.a', 'include/pio.mod'],
+    'dirs': [],
+}
+
+modextravars = {
+    'PIO': '%(installdir)s'
+}
+
+moduleclass = 'data'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025b.eb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..9a4b17985c25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-gompi-2025b.eb
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+easyblock = 'CMakeMake'
+
+name = 'ParallelIO'
+version = '2.7.0'
+
+homepage = 'https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO'
+description = """A high-level Parallel I/O Library for structured grid applications"""
+
+toolchain = {'name': 'gompi', 'version': '2025b'}
+toolchainopts = {'usempi': True}
+
+source_urls = ['https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO/archive/']
+sources = ['pio%s.tar.gz' % '_'.join(version.split('.'))]
+patches = ['ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch']
+checksums = [
+    {'pio2_7_0.tar.gz': 'cce83743156ae723e7890931c2b48dcfe7ea8a276962dc4429f839d8f58d4a5a'},
+    {'ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch': '6091baf7ac2b6831468200c7f60fa696a110a34de6062965fa4973baf7a0c8a2'},
+]
+
+builddependencies = [
+    ('CMake', '4.0.3'),
+    ('pkgconf', '2.4.3'),
+    ('Doxygen', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+dependencies = [
+    ('netCDF', '4.9.3'),
+    ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.1'),
+]
+
+configopts = "-DPIO_ENABLE_TIMING=OFF "
+configopts += "-DNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTNETCDF -DPNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTPNETCDF "
+
+sanity_check_paths = {
+    'files': ['lib/libpiof.a', 'include/pio.mod'],
+    'dirs': [],
+}
+
+modextravars = {
+    'PIO': '%(installdir)s'
+}
+
+moduleclass = 'data'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025a.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025a.eb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c29a85bc0a18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025a.eb
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+easyblock = 'CMakeMake'
+
+name = 'ParallelIO'
+version = '2.7.0'
+
+homepage = 'https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO'
+description = """A high-level Parallel I/O Library for structured grid applications"""
+
+toolchain = {'name': 'iimpi', 'version': '2025a'}
+toolchainopts = {'usempi': True}
+
+source_urls = ['https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO/archive/']
+sources = ['pio%s.tar.gz' % '_'.join(version.split('.'))]
+patches = ['ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch']
+checksums = [
+    {'pio2_7_0.tar.gz': 'cce83743156ae723e7890931c2b48dcfe7ea8a276962dc4429f839d8f58d4a5a'},
+    {'ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch': '6091baf7ac2b6831468200c7f60fa696a110a34de6062965fa4973baf7a0c8a2'},
+]
+
+builddependencies = [
+    ('CMake', '3.31.3'),
+    ('pkgconf', '2.3.0'),
+    ('Doxygen', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+dependencies = [
+    ('netCDF', '4.9.3'),
+    ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+configopts = "-DPIO_ENABLE_TIMING=OFF "
+configopts += "-DNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTNETCDF -DPNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTPNETCDF "
+
+sanity_check_paths = {
+    'files': ['lib/libpiof.a', 'include/pio.mod'],
+    'dirs': [],
+}
+
+modextravars = {
+    'PIO': '%(installdir)s'
+}
+
+moduleclass = 'data'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025b.eb b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025b.eb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d73a1e3b0500
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0-iimpi-2025b.eb
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+easyblock = 'CMakeMake'
+
+name = 'ParallelIO'
+version = '2.7.0'
+
+homepage = 'https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO'
+description = """A high-level Parallel I/O Library for structured grid applications"""
+
+toolchain = {'name': 'iimpi', 'version': '2025b'}
+toolchainopts = {'usempi': True}
+
+source_urls = ['https://github.com/NCAR/ParallelIO/archive/']
+sources = ['pio%s.tar.gz' % '_'.join(version.split('.'))]
+patches = ['ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch']
+checksums = [
+    {'pio2_7_0.tar.gz': 'cce83743156ae723e7890931c2b48dcfe7ea8a276962dc4429f839d8f58d4a5a'},
+    {'ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch': '6091baf7ac2b6831468200c7f60fa696a110a34de6062965fa4973baf7a0c8a2'},
+]
+
+builddependencies = [
+    ('CMake', '4.0.3'),
+    ('pkgconf', '2.4.3'),
+    ('Doxygen', '1.14.0'),
+]
+
+dependencies = [
+    ('netCDF', '4.9.3'),
+    ('netCDF-Fortran', '4.6.2'),
+    ('PnetCDF', '1.14.1'),
+]
+
+configopts = "-DPIO_ENABLE_TIMING=OFF "
+configopts += "-DNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTNETCDF -DPNETCDF_DIR=$EBROOTPNETCDF "
+
+sanity_check_paths = {
+    'files': ['lib/libpiof.a', 'include/pio.mod'],
+    'dirs': [],
+}
+
+modextravars = {
+    'PIO': '%(installdir)s'
+}
+
+moduleclass = 'data'
diff --git a/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f48443d6a6a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/easybuild/easyconfigs/p/ParallelIO/ParallelIO-2.7.0_fix-pnetcdf-linking.patch
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+Fix linking of examples to PnetCDF
+author: Alex Domingo (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
+--- examples/f03/CMakeLists.txt.orig	2026-08-13 15:42:38.535863097 +0200
++++ examples/f03/CMakeLists.txt	2026-08-13 15:43:35.059792858 +0200
+@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@
+ # Ensure NetCDF Fortran and C libraries are linked
+ set(SRC examplePio.F90)
+ add_executable(examplePio_f90 ${SRC})
+-target_link_libraries(examplePio_f90 piof pioc ${TIMING_LINK_LIB})
++target_link_libraries(examplePio_f90 piof pioc pnetcdf ${TIMING_LINK_LIB})
+ 
+ set(SRC exampleAsyncPio.F90)
+ add_executable(exampleAsyncPio_f90 ${SRC})
+-target_link_libraries(exampleAsyncPio_f90 piof pioc ${TIMING_LINK_LIB})
+\ No newline at end of file
++target_link_libraries(exampleAsyncPio_f90 piof pioc pnetcdf ${TIMING_LINK_LIB})
+--- examples/c/CMakeLists.txt.orig	2026-08-13 15:51:14.135383992 +0200
++++ examples/c/CMakeLists.txt	2026-08-13 15:50:44.758686579 +0200
+@@ -29,19 +29,19 @@
+ set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -g -O0")
+ 
+ add_executable(examplePio EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL examplePio.c)
+-target_link_libraries(examplePio pioc)
++target_link_libraries(examplePio pioc pnetcdf)
+ add_dependencies(tests examplePio)
+ 
+ add_executable(piorcw piorcw.c)
+-target_link_libraries(piorcw pioc)
++target_link_libraries(piorcw pioc pnetcdf)
+ add_dependencies(tests piorcw)
+ 
+ add_executable(example1 example1.c)
+-target_link_libraries(example1 pioc)
++target_link_libraries(example1 pioc pnetcdf)
+ add_dependencies(tests example1)
+ 
+ add_executable(darray_no_async darray_no_async.c)
+-target_link_libraries(darray_no_async pioc)
++target_link_libraries(darray_no_async pioc pnetcdf)
+ add_dependencies(tests darray_no_async)
+ 
+ # add_executable(darray_async darray_async.c)