MarLEN Funding call for Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport Technologies

Are you working on waterborne transport technologies supporting the decarbonisation of the sector?

Join our 1st transnational funding call and turn your innovation – from early-stage R&D to full-scale deployment – into impact!

Funded within the Horizon Europe initiative MarLEN (Maritime Low Emission Network), the call will promote research and innovation projects in ZeroEmission waterborne transport technologies across Europe, with the support of 13 ministries and funding organisations from 9 European countries.

The call is open to applicants from MarLEN participating countries — including Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Türkiye, and United Kingdom. Organisations from non-participating countries may also join, provided they can secure national funding and consortium approval.

Projects must involve at least two legal entities from different countries, with industry participation required and SMEs involvement strongly encouraged.

What can be funded?
Innovative projects aligned with the objectives of the Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) partnership, covering technological innovations – ranging from low to high TRLs – in the following fields:

Sustainable alternative fuels
Electrification
Energy efficiency
Design & retrofitting
Digitalisation
Ports and related infrastructure

Three priority areas

The 1st MarLEN call will focus in particular on three Main Priority Areas (MPAs):

MPA1 – Early Concepts & Industrial Research
MPA2 – Experimental Development & Innovation
MPA3 – End-user Involvement & Demonstration

Funding: Up to €8 million (depending on national rules and availability)
Duration: Up to 36 months
Application deadline for lead proposals: 30 September 2025

For more information, visit the call announcement page

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