Calls for Funding

Check the source pages of each of these calls for more information. You can also ask the National Hub in your country to check what funding and matchmaking opportunities might be applicable to your project(idea).

European Invasive Alien Species Rapid-Response Fund | Deadline 10 February 2027

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This is A rapid‑response EU fund that helps organisations act fast to detect and eradicate invasive alien species before they spread, protecting Europe’s coasts, waterways and marine ecosystems.

Focus:
Early detection and rapid eradication of invasive alien species (plants, animals and macroalgae) at early stages of invasion – with a.o. priority species: Green sea fingers, Red swamp crayfish, Virile crayfish

Why it matters
rapid action is the only way to stop invasive alien species before they become irreversible ecological and economic crises.

Who can apply
Organisations operating in the European Union — including conservation organisations, research institutions and public authorities.

More information: European Invasive Alien Species Rapid-Response Fund – IUCN SOS

Call budget: € €10,000 – €50,000 per project
Deadline: 10 February 2027

EMFAF Call for Tenders | “Study on Blue Carbon Certification – developing certification rules for tidal marshes and seagrass meadows” | Deadline 27 May 2026

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new call for tenders was launched by CINEA  to support a study on blue carbon certification, with a specific focus on tidal marshes.

The objective of this study is to contribute to the development of robust and credible certification rules for blue carbon ecosystems, supporting future policy and market-based approaches to climate mitigation. By focusing on tidal marshes, the study will address one of the most important coastal ecosystems for carbon sequestration, while also considering their wider environmental and climate benefits.

The selected contractor will be expected to analyse existing certification approaches and scientific evidence, assess methodological and monitoring challenges, and propose elements that could feed into future EU-wide blue carbon certification frameworks. The study is part of broader EU efforts to strengthen nature-based solutions and improve the credibility and usability of carbon removal and storage certification mechanisms.

This call is particularly relevant for organisations with expertise in coastal and marine ecosystems, climate policy, carbon accounting, environmental certification, and blue economy governance.

Find out more

Deadline: 27

Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites | Deadline 23 September 2026

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Projects are expected to improve the integration and structure of the European landscape of ocean testing sites, including digital twin-based sites, by involving relevant actors to cover a broad range of sites for various ocean technologies and application areas, including ocean observation and monitoring.

Why it matters

It matters because it strengthens Europe’s ability to test, validate and scale ocean technologies faster, accelerating innovation while protecting sensitive marine environments and reinforcing European leadership in the blue economy.

Who should apply
European operators of ocean‑technology testing sites should apply — specifically those who can form or expand a coordinated network of physical and digital‑twin testing sites across different marine environments in Europe.

 

More information: EU Funding and Tenders portal
Call Reference:HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-04
Call budget:€ 2,900,000
Deadline: 23 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time

By fishers, for fishers: co-management of marine and freshwaters ecosystems and resources | Deadline 23 September 2026

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This is a Horizon Europe call supporting co‑management approaches where fishers, scientists and authorities jointly steward marine and freshwater ecosystems to improve sustainability, resilience and long‑term resource management.

Why it matters
The Mediterranean region faces acute biodiversity loss, warming seas and coastal degradation, and this call mobilises the large‑scale restoration, innovation and cross‑border cooperation needed to protect its ecosystems and sustain its blue‑economy future.

 Who should apply:
Applicants should be organisations capable of leading or supporting large‑scale, fisher‑centred co‑management of marine and freshwater ecosystems — including fishers themselves, research institutions, public authorities, NGOs, SMEs and other legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe. The call explicitly targets projects that empower fishers — including small‑scale and recreational fishers — and involve them from the start. Eligible applicants include public bodies, research institutions, universities, NGOs, private companies, and SMEs

More information: EU Funding and Tenders portal
Call Reference:HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-03
Call budget:€ 31,000,000.00 (Estimated contribution per project; between € 7,000,000.00 and € 7,750,000.00)
Deadline:23 September 2026

Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature positive solutions from source to seas | Deadline 23 September 2026

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The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under Horizon Europe’s Mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, seeking nature-positive solutions to address aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss from source to sea.

Why This Matters

Pollution from land-based sources,  including agricultural runoff, urban wastewater and industrial discharge, continues to degrade freshwater and marine ecosystems across Europe. This call supports ecosystem-based, cross-sector approaches to turn the tide on pollution and restore aquatic biodiversity.

Who Should Apply?

Consortia bringing together research institutions, river basin authorities, environmental agencies, NGOs and industry partners are invited to apply. Cross-sector and cross-border collaboration is strongly encouraged.

Funding call:HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02
Total budget: € 31 million
Deadline: 23 September 2026, 17:00 CEST

More information: Funding and tenders portal 

Large-scale demonstration for mapping the distribution and condition of marine habitats to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation | Deadline 23 September 2026

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The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under Horizon Europe’s Mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, supporting large-scale demonstration projects for mapping the distribution and condition of marine habitats.

Why This Matters

Healthy marine habitats, including seagrass meadows, macroalgal forests and shellfish beds, are essential for biodiversity, coastal protection and climate regulation. Accurate, cost-effective mapping of these ecosystems is a prerequisite for implementing the Nature Restoration Regulation and for evidence-based marine management across EU sea basins, including the Mediterranean.

Who Should Apply?

Consortia of research institutions, public authorities, environmental organisations, technology providers and other relevant stakeholders are invited to apply. Projects must carry out demonstration activities in at least five sites across three different Member States or associated countries within the same sea basin.

More information: EU Funding and Tenders portal 
Call Reference: HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-01
Call budget: € 31,000,000.00 (Estimated contribution per project; between € 7,000,000.00 and € 7,750,000.00)
Deadline: 23 September 2026 17:00:00 Brussels time

 

Horizon Europe 2026 Calls: Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters | Deadline: 23 September 2026

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The European Commission has launched five new Horizon Europe topics for 2026 under the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”, with an indicative budget of over €115 million to accelerate large‑scale deployment and upscaling of solutions that protect and regenerate marine and freshwater ecosystems. 

Opening on 4 February 2026 and closing on 23 September 2026, these calls invite proposals that strengthen marine habitat restoration, pollution reduction, sustainable fisheries management, ocean technology development, and the expansion of the EU Digital Twin Ocean.

2026 Call Topics

1. HORIZON‑MISS‑2026‑03‑OCEAN‑01 – Large‑scale demonstration for mapping marine habitats
Supports cost‑effective mapping of coastal and marine habitats—including seagrass meadows, macroalgal forests, and shellfish beds—to enable implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation.

2. HORIZON‑MISS‑2026‑03‑OCEAN‑02 – Nature‑positive solutions to address aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss (source to sea)
Funds ecosystem‑based and cross‑sector solutions tackling pollution and biodiversity decline across connected freshwater and marine systems.

3. HORIZON‑MISS‑2026‑03‑OCEAN‑03 – “By fishers, for fishers”: Co‑management of marine and freshwater resources
Promotes adaptive co‑management approaches to balance fisheries activities with long‑term ecosystem sustainability and community livelihoods.

4. HORIZON‑MISS‑2026‑03‑OCEAN‑04 – European network of ocean technology testing sites
Establishes a coordinated EU‑wide network of testing areas to accelerate validation and scaling of innovative marine technologies.

5. HORIZON‑MISS‑2026‑03‑OCEAN‑05 – Regional (sea‑basin) components of the EU Digital Twin Ocean
Develops advanced modelling, real‑time monitoring, and digital decision‑support capacities across European sea basins.

The 2026 topics contribute to the Mission’s ambition to restore the health of Europe’s ocean, seas, and inland waters by 2030, supporting marine biodiversity, pollution reduction, and a carbon‑neutral, circular blue economy. They strengthen regional cooperation and offer opportunities for stakeholders across sectors – research, industry, public authorities, NGOs, and coastal communities – to cocreate impactful solutions. 

Deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – 23:59
Geographical coverage: European

Open call | Test before Invest | Bluetech Dual-use testing in a real environment | First come, first serve | Testing in April

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Portugal Blue Digital Hub, in operational collaboration with the Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa) and CEOM invites European startups and SMEs to join an exclusive ‘Test Before Invest’ programme designed for dual-use technologies and innovative solutions applied to the Blue Economy, maritime operations, and defence contexts.

This is a rare opportunity to test solutions in a real environment, within a Portuguese Navy Technological Free Zone, with access to operational conditions, end users, and a technical framework that is difficult to replicate in conventional innovation programmes.

During two intensive days in April, selected companies will have the opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate and test technology in real-use scenarios
  • Obtain technical and operational validation from qualified experts
  • Build institutional credibility with recognised entities
  • Strengthen proof of concept for investors and international clients
  • Position themselves within strategic European Blue Economy value chains
  • More than a programme, this is a high-level experimentation environment aimed at companies seeking robust validation, competitive advantage, and access to new markets.

In a European context where the Blue Economy, maritime security, and dual-use technologies are gaining increasing relevance, participating in this programme represents a strategic step for companies with ambitions to scale and achieve international impact.

➡️ Participation fee: €10.000 | Payment only required after selection!

There are limited time slots in April and the selection will be made weekly with a roundup of interested startups

Deadline to apply: n/a  | First come first serve

Is your company ready to test, validate, and position its technology in a real-world environment?

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘

Lead Coordinator: Fórum Oceano

 

Call for proposals: Ports of the Future – ZEWT Partnership | Deadline 14 April 2026

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The European Union has announced a new Horizon Europe Innovation Action aimed at accelerating the green and digital transformation of small and medium‑sized maritime and inland ports across the continent. The call, titled HORIZON‑CL5‑2026‑05‑D5‑11, supports large‑scale demonstrations that will help ports become cleaner, smarter, more resilient, and better integrated into Europe’s transport and energy systems.

As part of the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) Partnership, the initiative seeks to strengthen the role of ports as critical gateways for trade, energy, and mobility—while reducing environmental impacts and improving the quality of life for surrounding communities.

Driving Sustainability and Competitiveness

Funded projects are expected to deliver replicable strategies that enable ports to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air and water pollution, and adopt biodiversity‑friendly practices. The call also emphasises climate resilience, encouraging solutions that help ports adapt to sea‑level rise, extreme weather, and other climate‑related risks.

Digitalisation is another core pillar. Proposals must advance smart port systems, including improved traffic management, automated processes, emissions monitoring, and robust cybersecurity aligned with EU standards.

Energy Hubs of the Future

The EU is calling for integrated energy systems that support port operations—from renewable energy production and storage to on‑shore power supply and electrified terminal equipment. These systems will help ports play a central role in Europe’s clean‑energy transition.

Strengthening Skills and Innovation
The initiative also addresses long‑term workforce needs, promoting collaboration between academia, training providers, and industry to equip workers with the skills required for zero‑emission and digital port operations.

Projects must demonstrate solutions in at least six TEN‑T ports, including five maritime ports and one inland port, ensuring broad geographic relevance and scalability.

Funding and Timeline

  • Total budget: €21 million
  • Expected EU contribution per project: ~€10.5 million
  • Call opening: 18 December 2025
  • Deadline: 14 April 2026, 17:00 Brussels time

This call represents a significant step toward implementing the forthcoming EU Port Strategy, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to sustainable mobility, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.

Who should apply?

Port authorities, research organisations, technology providers, SMEs, industry partners and public bodies working on the future of European ports.

Find full call details and submission information on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Call for proposals | Maritime Spatial Planning for the Atlantic and Black Sea – €1.7 million available | Deadline 15 April 2026

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The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), has launched a new EU-funded call for proposals worth up to €1.7 million to strengthen Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) across the Atlantic and Black Sea basins. The funding is made available under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

Maritime Spatial Planning plays a crucial role in coordinating the sustainable use of Europe’s seas. It ensures balance between marine protection, blue economy development, and human activities such as offshore energy, fisheries, shipping, and tourism. The Commission stresses that strategic cross-border cooperation in MSP is essential, especially across shared sea basins.

This call aims to support EU Member States in implementing, monitoring, and revising their maritime spatial plans.

Objectives of the Call

Projects funded under this action should develop innovative solutions to tackle MSP challenges that Member States encounter, including:

  • Ensuring consistent, comparable marine data
  • Improving cooperation between coastal countries
  • Addressing cross-border environmental and socio-economic pressures
  • Supporting sea-basin-level coordination

Proposals may focus on specific parts or sub‑regions of the Atlantic or Black Sea.

Key Dates

  • Deadline for proposals: 15 April 2026, 17:00 CEST
  • Evaluation period: April-May 2026
  • Evaluation results expected: June 2026
  • Grant Agreement signature: September–December 2026

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System.

Additional materials – including the full call text, guidance documents, and background information – are available on the CINEA call webpage.

Deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026 – 17:00
More information: visit the call webpage