Link to the full call text

Budget: € 16.000.000 (Estimated EU contribution per project: 8.000.000
Eligible countries: EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), countries associated to Horizon Europe – see list of particpating countries
Deadline: 20 January 2026

Description
The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17 supports innovation actions aimed at enabling real-time monitoring of both regulated and non-regulated emissions from vessels and port activities in waterfront cities.

The goal is to develop tamper-proof, remote measurement technologies that can track pollutants-including those from alternative fuels-during vessel operation and port processes such as cargo handling, towing, and bunkering.

These tools will help public authorities enforce emission limits and contribute to the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan and Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy. Projects should also address emissions from other industrial activities within port areas and support harmonized methods for measuring emissions across coastal, inland, and open sea contexts.

The call expects projects to reach Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–8 by completion. Demonstrations should take place in at least six TEN-T ports and align with the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, feeding into local Climate City Contracts. Proposals must include collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding. Outcomes should include validated emission factors, automated reporting systems, and governance models that enhance port-city cooperation on pollution abatementv

The UN Ocean Decade – officially the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), is a global movement with the vision to ‘generate the science we need, for the ocean we want’

Ocean Decade Actions are the concrete initiatives carried out across the globe to fulfill this Ocean Decade vision. They tackle one or more of the 10 critical Ocean Decade Challenges that have been identified.

These Decade Actions are led by a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, research institutes, governments, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations and other international and regional organizations, business and industry, philanthropic and corporate foundations, non-governmental organizations, educators, community groups or individuals (e.g. via community-led science initiatives). 

Through its recurring Calls for Decade Actions, the initiative invites projects, programmes, and contributions that tackle these ocean challenges, to be endorsed and labelled as an official Ocean Decade Action.

The Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025 is the latest opportunity to join this global effort. It welcomes:

• Programmes: Large-scale, multi-year initiatives aligned with Ocean Decade priorities.
• Projects: Targeted efforts that contribute to endorsed programmes.
• Contributions: Financial or in-kind support to the Decade ecosystem.

The call is applicable to all sea basins.

 Why Apply?

Being endorsed as an Ocean Decade Action by the United Nations is more than just a badge of honor—it’s a gateway to global collaboration, visibility, and impact.

Here’s what it unlocks:

1. Global Recognition: Your initiative becomes part of a UN-endorsed movement, signaling credibility and alignment with international sustainability goals.
2. Access to a Global Network: Join a vibrant community of scientists, policymakers, NGOs, and innovators working across disciplines and borders.
3. Increased Visibility: Endorsed Actions are promoted through the Ocean Decade website, events, and global communications—boosting your project’s reach and influence.
4. Strategic Partnerships: The endorsement opens doors to collaboration with other Decade Actions, UN agencies, and funding bodies.
5. Policy Impact: Your work contributes directly to the 10 Ocean Decade Challenges, helping shape ocean governance and sustainable development.
6. Enhanced Funding Potential: While endorsement doesn’t guarantee funding, it strengthens your case with donors and investors by demonstrating alignment with a high-profile global initiative.

For  more information visit the call website (part II Ocean Decade Projects)  or fill out the Request for Endorsement Project Application’ form

Deadline to apply: 31 August 2025

A new EMFAF call for tenders is open!

The main goal of this service contract is to strengthen ocean literacy across the European Union, positioning it as a vital element for advancing sustainable growth within the blue economy. This will be accomplished by continuing, managing, and expanding the initiatives of the EU4Ocean Coalition, which began in 2020.

Aligned with the European Ocean Pact, the contract also seeks to broaden the concept of ocean literacy. It will go beyond raising environmental awareness to emphasize the ocean’s critical role in driving innovation, economic prosperity, climate resilience, and global security.

Estimated budget: € 3,400,000
Maximum duration: 48 Months

For more information visit the funding and tenders portal of the European Commission

Women TechEU is a two-year EU-funded project funding and supporting women leading deep tech startup companies from Europe.

Across the two years, the consortium will launch a total of four calls for applications. Applicant startups will undergo a rigorous evaluation and a total of 160 winner startups will receive €75k in non-dilutive grants as well as a personalised business development programme including mentoring, coaching and training.

Women TechEU targets early-stage deep tech start-ups founded, or co-founded, by women holding a top management position (CEO, CTO or equivalent). Women should hold at least 25% of the shares in the company at the time of submission. The company must be registered and established in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country for at least six months and a maximum of eight years from the time of submission.

The current open call is the 4th and last one.

More information: Visit the Women TechEU website for more information