Empowering the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Opened

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

Programme Description

Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-03

Call

Empowering the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Summary

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) aims at mobilising the global scientific community, policymakers, industry, and civil society to advance ocean science and generate knowledge that supports the sustainable management of the ocean. The initiative aims to reverse the decline in ocean health and ensure that ocean science can fully support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This topic aims at further consolidating international cooperation, through European Leadership, and at ensuring that key processes, initiatives and structures that have been put in place through the Decade continue after its end.

Detailed Call Description

Proposals should:

  • provide substantial contribution to key global efforts, including capacity development and international coordination, undertaken through endorsed Ocean Decade Programmes, Actions, Decade Collaborative Centres and Decade Coordination Offices, or for the implementation of the Vision 2030 white papers or of the Ocean Decade data & information strategy;
  • have consideration for how to achieve longer-term sustainability and legacy of Ocean Decade activities;
  • choose the scope of activities in alignment with one or several of the priorities indicated in the EC-RTD roadmap for Cooperation on the UN Decade of Ocean Science  namely the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, making marine data, knowledge and R&I solutions readily available);
  • In line with the above-mentioned roadmap, address at least one of the following Decade Challenges: Challenge 1 “Understand and beat marine pollution”, Challenge 2 “Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity”, Challenge 6 “Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks”, Challenge 7 “Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System”, Challenge 8 “Create a digital representation of the ocean”, Challenge 9 “Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all” and Challenge 10 “Restore society’s relationship with the ocean”.

International cooperation is encouraged.

Call Total Budget

€9.000.000

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

100%

Expected EU contribution per project: €3.00 million

Thematic Categories

  • Agriculture - Farming - Forestry
  • Culture
  • Education and training
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Public Administration
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation
  • Rural development
  • Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
  • Social Affairs & Human Rights

Eligibility for Participation

  • Associations
  • Businesses
  • Educational Institutions
  • Farmers, Agriculturalists
  • Legal Entities
  • Natual person / Citizen / Individual
  • Non Profit Organisations
  • Other Beneficiaries
  • Private Bodies
  • Producer Associations
  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Training Centres
  • Youth

Eligibility For Participation Notes

All international organisations are exceptionally eligible for funding.

A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Call Opening Date

14/01/2026

Call Closing Date

15/04/2026

National Contact Point(s)

Research and Innovation Foundation

29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Emailsupport@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/

Contact Person:
Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy