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A stronger Global Ocean Observing System to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, climate resilience and…

Full title in the source: A stronger Global Ocean Observing System to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation

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The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 1 award of €50 million, from a total budget of €50 million. Applications close on 16 Feb 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

Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes, in full alignment with the OceanEye initiative:

• scientists, public authorities and businesses benefit from strengthened and resilient global ocean observing capacities, coordinated under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), [1] through the deployment of ocean observation equipment, in particular for the provision of critical observations for marine biodiversity and ecosystem knowledge;

• public authorities prioritise investments on infrastructures and capacity building to advance ocean research, protect and restore ocean health and biodiversity and provide critical services through a global ocean observing system and data delivery that is fit-for purpose, cost efficient and designed across all its components;

• increased EU leadership and strategic autonomy in global ocean observation capabilities, in support of EU climate and biodiversity goals, strengthening the EU’s contribution to and influence within GOOS, and reducing the risk of critical dependencies, notably for key services (i.e. Copernicus Services);

Scope

The EU has committed to global leadership in climate action, biodiversity protection and ocean governance, notably through the EU Ocean Pact, the EU Ocean Observation Initiative “OceanEye”, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters, the EU Climate Law, and international commitments such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Achieving these objectives requires sustained, global, interoperable and open ocean observations, as well as the knowledge and the capacity to use these observations.

IOC-GOOS, constituting the internationally recognised framework for in situ ocean observations worldwide, provides the global backbone for the development and monitoring of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), [2] and underpins European capacities such as Copernicus Marine Service and EU-funded research and innovation activities under Horizon Europe. Sustained and resilient ocean observation is crucial for marine biodiversity conservation and restoration under a changing climate, meaning that maintaining an optimised global ocean observing system is very important to achieve biodiversity goals.

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

Ocean Ocean Observation and Monitoring

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-02-16. 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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