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Horizon Europe · European Union

Green, circular and resilient harbours

Opens 9 Feb 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 2 awards of €5.5 million – €5.95 million each, from a total budget of €11.9 million. Applications close on 21 Sep 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Expected outcome

This topic aims at directly engaging and supporting harbour/ports and their communities in demonstrating and accelerating the transitions needed for achieving one or several objectives of the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”. The participation of relevant public bodies managing port authorities and their communities as partners of the consortium is strongly encouraged.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Measurable, quantifiable, verifiable and ambitious progress towards reaching one or several interlinked objectives and targets of the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, as set out in the Mission Implementation Plan [1] through implementation of effective and well-managed place-based and people-centred actions;

• Involvement and increased readiness port cities and authorities for testing, deploying and upscaling systemic innovative solutions for restoring ecosystems and preventing their degradation, including by monitoring invasive species brought through maritime traffic or facilitating ecosystem connectivity;

Scope

The goal of this topic is to accelerate the implementation of innovative solutions to achieve Mission objectives and targets in ports in line with existing legislation like the Industrial Emissions Directive [2] , the Water Framework Directive [3] , the Marine Strategy Framework Directive [4] , the Waste Framework Directive [5] , the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive [6] , the Nature Restoration Regulation [7] ,the upcoming EU Port Strategy, Industrial Maritime Strategy and the European Ocean Pact [8] .

Proposals under this topic should test, deploy, and upscale systemic innovative solutions to improve sustainability and resilience in ports to reduce pollution and environmental degradation, reverse biodiversity loss, and improve natural resource management in port areas. This covers both coastal and inland cities and areas with a port regardless of their activities (e.g. fishing, commercial, marinas, recreational) and size. The proposals should encourage cooperation within and between ports across Europe using existing activities in some ports as pilots/leaders and engaging other ports in a development and learning process (e.g. using formats like summer schools and twinning, living labs concept).

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Coastal Adaptation Coastal Engineering Cross-Cutting Marine/Maritime Areas European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Hydrosphere - Freshwater Hydrosphere - Marine and Ocean Integrated Coastal Zone Management / Integrated C Marine Conservation Marine Ecosystems Restoration Marine Knowledge and Research Marine Protected Areas/Mpas Marine Strategy Framework Directive Marine and Ocean Management Maritime Cooperation at Sea Basin level Maritime Policy Ocean Acidification Ocean Observation and Monitoring Ocean and Climate Change Port/Harbour Harbours

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-09-21. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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