Marine Science Grants

NOAA SBIR Program is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) SBIR. The NOAA SBIR Program funds small businesses developing innovative products with strong commercial potential that align with NOAA's mission areas. High priority is given to proposals integrating NOAA Science & Technology Focus Areas like Uncrewed Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud Computing. The FY25 Phase I solicitation is closed.

United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD). This program aims to increase the use of America's navigable waterways and integrate them into the U.S. surface transportation system. It supports projects that develop and expand documented vessels or port and landside infrastructure, strengthening American supply chains, reducing emissions, and creating jobs. Eligible activities include planning, construction, and resilience. Private-sector operators of Marine Highway Projects or owners of facilities may apply with an endorsement letter from a Marine Highway Route Sponsor.

The FY25 Marine Debris Research Forecast is a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that funds research on the distribution, impacts, and chemical and biological characteristics of marine debris, with a strong emphasis on microplastics. The program supports scientific investigations to improve understanding of marine debris sources, pathways, and ecological effects in U.S. coastal and ocean environments. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, and state and local governments. Awards range from $150,000 to $300,000. The application deadline for the FY25 cycle was October 15, 2025.

Proposition 4 Coastal and Ocean Resilience Grant Program is a grant from the California Ocean Protection Council that funds projects conserving, protecting, and restoring marine wildlife, coastal ecosystems, and ocean health using funds from California's 2024 Climate Bond. The program allocates $135 million for marine and coastal conservation and $75 million for sea level rise mitigation under the California Sea Level Rise Mitigation and Adaptation Act. Additional appropriations support island ecosystem protection, climate-ready fisheries, and coastal restoration. Eligible applicants include government agencies, tribes, and nonprofits working on coastal and ocean resilience in California. Multiple solicitation cycles are anticipated as the program is launched.

2026-27 Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Projects is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York Sea Grant. Funding for projects benefiting New York's Great Lakes basin by demonstrating the application of ecosystem-based management approaches to local watershed challenges and implementing Great Lakes Action Agenda priorities.

New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program is a grant from New York Sea Grant, a NOAA-funded program, that supports projects advancing the Great Lakes Action Agenda and aligning with community plans addressing environmental challenges in New York's Great Lakes basin. Budget requests may not exceed $40,000 with no match required. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, county and local governments, Indian nations recognized by New York State or the federal government, and public agencies. The 2026 application deadline was March 27, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted electronically as a single PDF.

CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants is sponsored by Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants is a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) that funds projects assessing and treating stormwater pollution, restoring coastal habitat, and advancing comprehensive coastal restoration planning.

EOCA Grants to Support Global Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Projects is a grant from the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) that funds nonprofit organizations working to conserve biodiversity in wild landscapes, including marine environments. Awards of up to €30,000 support projects that prioritize habitats capable of sequestering carbon or enabling climate change adaptation, while demonstrating tangible benefits to local communities. Eligible applicants must be non-profit organisations with a clear focus on conserving biodiversity. Projects must also show community engagement and measurable conservation outcomes. The deadline for the most recent cycle was March 31, 2026. Applications are submitted via the EOCA's short Stage 1 Application Form.

Investing in Artists: Artistic Innovation (Bay Area) is sponsored by Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI). This program supports individual working artists in the performing and media arts in the Bay Area (Marin, Napa, Solano, or Sonoma County for the 2026 round) who are developing new work, exploring new artistic collaborations, or engaging in artistic growth and experimentation.

Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program is sponsored by Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) distributes federal funds through the Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Grant Program in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The objective of this Program is to help develop and implement state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered species. Applications must be developed in coordination with, and submitted by, a Department employee. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife receives grant funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (Traditional Section 6) to support conservation actions designed to further the recovery of species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. CDFW staff, alone, or in collaboration with partner organizations, develop research and management projects to compete for this funding through the state's Endangered Species Conservation and Recovery Program. Authority for CDFW to administer the Section 6 grant program is found in section 1501.5 of the Fish and Game Code. The primary objective of endangered species conservation and recovery grants is to support the development and implementation of state programs to conserve and recover federally threatened and endangered inland fish and wildlife species. Grant funds to support the conservation of certain marine species and anadromous fish species are administered through separate programs. Project proposals must be developed in close coordination with CDFW and USFWS biologists and identify a CDFW employee who will sponsor the project by administering the grant. Eligible projects are those which target recovery actions for species listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Applicants must provide a minimum of 25% of the total project cost in non-federal matching funds or in-kind services.

Hydrographic Surveying and Coastal and Ocean Mapping is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This NOAA funding opportunity aims to advance the nation's capacity for modern ocean and coastal mapping through the development, integration, and operational transition of innovative technologies and workflows. It prioritizes the expansion of hydrographic and cartographic data accessibility, interoperability, and usability, while enhancing efficiency across acquisition, processing, and product delivery. The program mentions effective delivery of R&D results through open-source repositories.

NOAA's Competitive Research Program: Harmful Algal Bloom Innovation Challenge — Toxin Detection in Seafood is a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that funds research and development of innovative methods for detecting harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins in seafood. The program addresses a critical public health and food safety challenge, supporting approaches that improve the speed, accuracy, or accessibility of toxin detection in commercially and recreationally harvested seafood products. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, U.S. territories, and for-profit organizations. The application deadline is May 14, 2026. Award amounts are not publicly specified in the source materials.

Prevention, Control and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Bloom (PCMHAB) program is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). This funding opportunity seeks to develop and transition technologies and strategies for preventing, controlling, or mitigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their impacts. Proposals should focus on comprehensive testing of HAB control technologies.

NOAA's Competitive Research Program: Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms Program is a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that funds development and testing of technologies and strategies to prevent, control, or mitigate harmful algal blooms (HABs). The program prioritizes proposals testing promising or proven HAB control technologies, including feasibility studies and large-scale field testing. Awards may reach up to $500,000 per year for up to 3 years (focal area 1) or $1,000,000 per year for up to 5 years (focal area 2), with approximately $2.5 million anticipated in year one. The deadline is May 14, 2026. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education, nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribal entities.

Land and Water Conservation Fund is a grant from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Outdoor Recreation Grants Division that funds public outdoor recreation facility acquisition and development. Awards range from $25,000 to $200,000, with a May 21, 2026 deadline for the current cycle. The program requires a 50% cost-sharing match from applicants. Eligible applicants include city, county, state, and federal agencies, colleges and universities, and recreation districts with demonstrated public outdoor recreational needs. Projects must serve the public and meet MDWFP standards for outdoor recreation access. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is federally administered through the National Park Service and distributed to states through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership and Readiness and Recreation Initiative programs.

Open Horizons Open Call #3 is sponsored by Cascade Funding Hub (EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030'). This call mobilizes and engages communities across the Atlantic and Arctic regions to restore and protect marine and freshwater ecosystems through community-led initiatives, contributing to the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030'.

Antarctic Research Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program Support for Fieldwork is a grant from the National Science Foundation's Office of Polar Programs that funds scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean requiring logistical support from the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). Funded research improves understanding of Antarctic systems, global climate linkages, biological and geochemical processes, and polar-region dynamics. Approximately $60 million is distributed annually across Antarctic Sciences programs, supporting up to 50 awards. Eligible applicants are scientists at U.S. institutions, federal agencies, and other research organizations whose work specifically requires USAP logistical support. The proposal deadline is June 1, 2026.

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored by National Sea Grant College Program (NOAA). This fellowship provides a unique educational experience to students who are interested in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes science and policy, and in the national policy decisions affecting our coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources.

Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program is a fellowship from NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program that funds graduate students and recent alumni to spend one year working within federal legislative or executive branch agencies in Washington, D.C., gaining hands-on experience in marine and coastal policy. Fellows receive stipends and allowances ranging from $42,000 to $98,000. The fellowship is open to U.S. citizens currently enrolled in a graduate program or upper-division undergraduate program, or recent alumni who graduated within 12 months of applying. For the 2027 fellowship, the California Sea Grant application deadline is June 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. NSF anticipates funding not less than 35 fellows per cycle.

Individual Artist Fellowship Program (Bay Area Region) is sponsored by California Arts Council (Administered by Kala Art Institute). Kala Art Institute is administering the Bay Area region for the California Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowship program. This program supports the creative practices of artists at key career stages across all disciplines, including performing arts and music.

Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP): Digitalisation and Innovation for Resilient Marine Ecosystems, Businesses, and Communities to Strengthen the EU Blue Economy Competitiveness is sponsored by ANR – French National Research Agency (co-funded call). This is a joint transnational co-financed call focusing on digitalization and innovation for resilient marine ecosystems, businesses, and communities to strengthen the EU Blue Economy's competitiveness. It is relevant to marine pollution and circular economy in the marine sector.

National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) is sponsored by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF); primary federal funding partner: NOAA. This fund supports projects that enhance coastal resilience, which can include initiatives related to water management and hydrological systems in coastal areas. While not explicitly focused on AI, projects incorporating AI for improved coastal water management could be relevant.

Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Community Infrastructure Program is sponsored by Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. This is a competitive grant program designed to address deficiencies in community infrastructure that can/does support a military installation's readiness and lethality. While not solely marine-focused, it could include projects related to marine installations.

Community Resilience and Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Department of State (funded through the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022). This program supports climate resiliency projects, with categories for Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience and Inland Flooding and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Implementation.

Water Resources Development Grant Program is a competitive grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality funding water infrastructure, stream restoration, and coastal storm damage mitigation projects across the state. The program operates on an annual spring application cycle, with the current 2026 cycle closing on June 30, 2026. Eligible applicants include state and local government entities as well as organizations participating in NRCS-EQIP stream restoration projects. Award amounts are not specified in advance and vary based on project scope and available funding each cycle.

NOAA -- Marine Turtle Conservation for Sustainable U.S. Fisheries Grant Program is sponsored by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NOAA/NMFS is soliciting competitive proposals for grants and cooperative agreements for projects supporting NOAA's mission for stewardship of living marine resources and sustainable management of U. S. commercial longline fisheries.

Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Workforce Program (N0001425SF006) is sponsored by Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsors research and development to address current and future Navy and Marine Corps requirements. This program specifically focuses on STEM education and workforce development.

MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). This program provides financial assistance to private and municipal owners of protected lands to enhance wildlife habitat, while promoting public access for outdoor recreation. Objectives include improving habitats for Species of Greatest Conservation Need and enhancing habitats susceptible to climate change.

Prevention, Control and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms (PCMHAB) is a competitive grant program from NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) that funds the development and testing of technologies and strategies for preventing, controlling, and mitigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their impacts. The 2026 announcement prioritizes proposals focused on comprehensive testing of HAB control technologies in two focal areas: (1) promising technologies needing feasibility testing, and (2) proven technologies needing large-scale field testing or marine transfer from freshwater or other environments. Awards of up to $500,000 per year for up to three years (focal area 1) or up to $1,000,000 per year for up to five years (focal area 2) are available. Approximately $2,500,000 supports the first year across three to five projects. The deadline is July 9, 2026.

Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) FY26 Grant Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. This program supports projects focused on water resource issues, improving aquatic habitats, and protecting threatened marine species. It aims to enhance public understanding and advocacy for environmental conservation through grassroots initiatives, including developing safe fishing gear programs. Projects are anticipated to last approximately 12-24 months and must take place within Massachusetts. Eligible applicants include certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and regional planning agencies.

GlobalX Challenge 26.1: AI-Native Air Interface for Tactical Communication is sponsored by Office of Naval Research (ONR). This funding opportunity from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks innovative scientific and technological solutions that can address current and future Navy and Marine Corps requirements, specifically focusing on an AI-Native Air Interface for Tactical Communication.

Tech Innovation Lab is sponsored by U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Morocco). This national program equips participants in Moroccan cities with practical skills to use American technology and business practices, including artificial intelligence (AI), to solve real-world challenges in priority sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, logistics, tourism, an…

Biological influence on ocean carbon: novel modelling approaches is sponsored by Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Funding for a project to improve the representation of biological processes in carbon storage models. It must be led by a UK researcher and can have US team members that are NASA supported.

Biological Influence on Ocean Carbon: Novel Modelling Approaches is a joint grant from NERC and NASA that funds UK-US collaborative research to develop new representations of biological processes regulating ocean carbon storage in global climate models. The UK component full economic cost can be up to £312,500, with NERC funding 80% of FEC. The project lead must be based at a UK UKRI-eligible research organization; US researchers must be affiliated with a US institution. A notification of intent is required for eligibility to submit a full application. Applications are open to researchers at any career stage. The application deadline is July 14, 2026.

Ocean Technology Transition Program is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). This funding opportunity accelerates the transition of novel ocean technologies, including those utilizing AI and machine learning, from development to implementation and commercialization, focusing on ocean observation, sensing, and information capabilities.

Lake Michigan Coastal Program Grants is sponsored by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (administered by Lake Michigan Coastal Program, funded by NOAA). Provides guidance, advice, partnership, support, and financial resources to municipal, county, and state government agencies and other organizations working within the coastal region to protect and enhance natural, cultural, and historical coastal resources, and to foster coordi…

FY 2026 Ocean Technology Transition Program is sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). This program supports projects that advance ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing technologies from research into sustained operations. It focuses on maturing and deploying technologies, such as sensors, data systems, autonomous platforms, and AI-enabled analytics, that improve environmental monitoring, forecasting, and decision-making. Projects must demonstrate strong pathways to operational use and emphasize partnerships.

Special Awards in the Arts Program (2026 Music Awards) is sponsored by Gerbode Foundation. The Gerbode Foundation's Special Awards in the Arts program supports the creation of new works in dance, theater production, and music composition. The 2026 Music Awards round focuses on commissioning individual music creators (composers, folk & traditional artists, songwriters, producers, and sound designers) through Bay Area nonprofit arts presenting organizations.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program (Navy) is sponsored by Department of the Navy (DoN). The Navy STTR program fosters transitions of joint efforts between qualified small businesses and research institutions to Navy and Marine Corps. It requires the small business to partner with a university, federally funded research and development center, or qualified non-profit research institution.

Intra-Satellite Communications is sponsored by Department of the Navy (DOD). The Navy seeks a hardware solution to be installed on Government satellites that enables inter-satellite communication (ISC) within commercial satellite constellations to improve tracking of open ocean targets and eliminate the need for ground station intervention for seamless target handoff. The solution must meet parameters for seamless target handoff, enhanced tracking accuracy and persistence, faster and more accurate correlation of target data, improved tracking accuracy for maneuvering targets, and persistent tracking in challenging environments.

2026 Call for Artists - Community-Based Art Grant Program is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council). This program partners community-based organizations with artists to address the theme of climate resilience and coastal flooding through original, site-specific artwork and community engagement and events.

Water Quality Improvement Project Program (WQIP) is sponsored by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The WQIP program is a competitive, statewide reimbursement grant program that supports projects directly improving water quality or habitat, promoting flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protecting a drinking water source. Eligible project types include non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control, dam safety repair/rehabilitation and dam removal, aquatic connectivity, marine district habitat restoration, and fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement.

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program is sponsored by Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. Supports the development and deployment of innovative ocean technologies that advance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and ocean observation. The program helps universities, non-profit organizations, and start-up companies transform promising marine technology solutions into real-world applications that address critical challenges facing oceans and coastal communities worldwide. Projects may include those focused on improving ocean health and scientific understanding of marine ecosystems.

Algal Bloom Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistance Grant is sponsored by Government of South Australia. This grant supports South Australian commercial fisheries and aquaculture license holders significantly impacted by algal blooms. It provides payments to meet fixed costs and overheads, including utilities, salaries, rent, finance, and interest payments. Additional funding is available for employee wages.

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Funding Program is sponsored by Schmidt Marine Technology Partners (a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation). This program supports innovative ocean technologies that advance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, habitat restoration, and ocean observation. The focus is on projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 2 and 6.

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Grants is sponsored by Schmidt Marine Technology Partners (a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation). Schmidt Marine Technology Partners awards grants to help launch new ocean technology initiatives and support existing partners. The funds support innovative projects that enable ocean research, promote habitat health, address plastic pollution, and maintain sustainable fisheries.

Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program is sponsored by Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project (administered by State Coastal Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Board, Earth Island Institute, and San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy). This program provides funding for community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and along coastal stream corridors in the Southern California region.

Community Wetland Restoration Grant Program is sponsored by Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project (administered by State Coastal Conservancy). This program provides funding for community-based restoration projects in coastal wetlands and along coastal stream corridors in the Southern California region, with goals to build local capacity, promote community involvement, and foster education about wetland ecosystems.

This solicitation invites applications (also referred to as “proposals”) for basic research projects. The proposals must align with the research areas of interest to the DoW (which includes the USW(R&E) and the Agencies) and enhance the education of students in areas of STEM that align with the DoW research interests. Information about these areas of interest (including websites) is discussed below. The USW(R&E) Critical Technology Area descriptions are at https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CTA-One-Pager-Option-Nov2025.pdf. The critical technology priorities rely on innovation and workforce talent. The critical technology areas are: - Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) - Biomanufacturing (BIO) - Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG) - Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID) - Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) - Scaled Hypersonics (SHY) Basic research projects in research areas of interest to the Agencies are presented in their respective Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), which are available as follows: Army Research Laboratory combined Broad Agency Announcement is available at: https://www.arl.army.mil/collaborate-with-us/opportunity/arl-baa/. This BAA may also be found on Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov) by entering the BAA number, W911NF-23-S-0001, in the “Search Grants” keyword box. Office of Naval Research: https://www.onr.navy.mil/ Select “Work With Us,” then “Funding Opportunities,” and then “BAAs, FOAs and Special Program Announcements” to see the FY26 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology, BAA N00014-23-S-B001. This BAA may also be found on Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov) by entering the BAA number in the “Search Grants” keyword box. In addition to providing details about the Agencies’ research interests, the above documents include names and contact information of technical program managers. Principal Investigator and a Co-Principal Investigator (PI/Co-PI) are encouraged to peruse the research interests of each Agency and to contact the respective program managers to discuss mutual research interests. Applications with relevance to the interests of multiple Agencies may receive multiple reviews. Additional information and questions about the critical technology areas should be directed to Agency Contacts identified in Section II.G. of this NOFO. Other research areas that are not aligned with the (OUSW(R&E)/ASW(S&T) critical technology priorities listed in I.B.7 will be considered. The Agencies’ BAA listed above under I.B.6 provides other research areas of interest to the DoW. NOTE: Use the above-referenced Agency documents only to identify research areas of interest to the Agencies. Disregard instructions contained therein regarding application preparation, content, and submission requirements. Instead, follow the instructions in this NOFO. Projects proposed for funding under this NOFO must be for basic research. As defined by DoW, “basic research” is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, life sciences, and information sciences related to long-term national security needs. Principal Investigator and a Co-Principal Investigator (PI/Co-PI) are encouraged to consider innovative approaches for their research projects with a view toward enhancing the ability of their institution to develop stronger science and engineering programs that will enable the institution to participate more competitively in a variety of defense research programs, attract and retain good students by exposing them to state-of-the-art research, and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM disciplines. Methods through which these goals can be achieved are varied. Factors such as research capabilities, facilities, and equipment are unique to each institution. Therefore, DoW will not prescribe the approach for a research project; instead, it expects applications to reflect the unique needs and capabilities of the applicant institution. Funding Opportunity Number: W911NF26S0085. Assistance Listing: 12.630. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $100K – $2M per award.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OPA) announces an open competition for a U.S. institution, company, or organization (see eligibility information in B.1) interested in submitting an application to conduct ocean mapping, seabed exploration, habitat and resource characterization, and data management and analysis in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Funding Opportunity Number: DFOP0019432. Assistance Listing: 19.017. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ENV. Award Amount: $2M – $7M per award.

Biological Oceanography (BioOce) is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation. This program supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology in environments ranging from estuarine, coastal, and open ocean systems to the deep sea, as well as in the Great Lakes. Proposals must have a compelling context in population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography and address topics that will contribute significantly to the understanding of marine or Great Lakes ecosystems.

Chemical Oceanography is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The  Chemical Oceanography  Program supports research into the chemistry of the oceans and the role of the oceans in global geochemical cycles. Areas of interest include chemical composition, speciation, and transformation; chemical exchanges between the oceans and other components of the Earth system; internal cycling in oceans, seas, and estuaries; and the use of measured chemical distributions as indicators of physical, biological, and geological processes. Chemical Oceanography. Program guideline: PD 98-1670. Upcoming due date listed in NSF feed.

Biological Oceanography (BioOce) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The Biological Oceanography Program supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecology   in environments ranging from estuarine, coastal, and open ocean systems to the deep sea, as well as in the Great Lakes.   Proposals submitted to the Program must have a compelling context in population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography, as well as address topics that will contribute significantly to the understanding of marine or Great Lakes ecosystems. The Program supports interdisciplinary research and often co-reviews and co-funds projects with various programs in the   Division of Ocean Sciences   and the   Directorate of Biological Sciences   (BIO), among others.   Details on research topics funded by the Program, including supplements, RAPIDS, and EAGERS, can be found by selecting the link under Related URLS titled: “Additional Program Information.” To view research projects funded by the Program select the link below titled “What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts).” Biological Oceanography (BioOce). Program guideline: PD 23-1650. Upcoming due date listed in NSF feed.

Physical Oceanography is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Ocean Sciences (GEO/OCE). This program supports research into the structure and movement of the ocean, how the ocean transports various materials, how the seafloor and other geologic features interact with marine life and chemistry, and how the ocean interacts with the atmosphere, solid Earth, and ice th…

Physical Oceanography is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The Physical Oceanography Program supports research on a wide range of topics associated with the structure and movement of the ocean, with the way in which it transports various quantities, with the way the ocean's physical structure interacts with the biological and chemical processes within it, and with interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, solid earth and ice that surround it. Physical Oceanography. Program guideline: PD 98-1610. Upcoming due date listed in NSF feed.

The Biological Oceanography Program supports fundamental research in biological oceanography and marine ecologyin environments ranging from estuarine, coastal, and open ocean systems to the deep sea, as well as in the Great Lakes.Proposals submitted to the Program must have a compelling context in population, community, or ecosystem ecology or oceanography, as well as address topics that will contribute significantly to the understanding of marine or Great Lakes ecosystems. The Program supports interdisciplinary research and often co-reviews and co-funds projects with various programs in theDivision of Ocean Sciencesand theDirectorate of Biological Sciences(BIO), among others.Details on research topics funded by the Program, including supplements, RAPIDS, and EAGERS, can be found by selecting the link under Related URLS titled: “Additional Program Information.” To view research projects funded by the Program select the link below titled “What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts).” Funding Opportunity Number: PD-23-1650. Assistance Listing: 47.050. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST.

TheChemical OceanographyProgram supports research into the chemistry of the oceans and the role of the oceans in global geochemical cycles. Areas of interest include chemical composition, speciation, and transformation; chemical exchanges between the oceans and other components of the Earth system; internal cycling in oceans, seas, and estuaries; and the use of measured chemical distributions as indicators of physical, biological, and geological processes. Funding Opportunity Number: PD-98-1670. Assistance Listing: 47.050. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: $200K – $2M per award.

The Physical Oceanography Program supports research on a wide range of topics associated with the structure and movement of the ocean, with the way in which it transports various quantities, with the way the ocean's physical structure interacts with the biological and chemical processes within it, and with interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, solid earth and ice that surround it. Funding Opportunity Number: PD-98-1610. Assistance Listing: 47.050. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: Starting at $250K per award.

Federal and University Partnership to Improve the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf of America is sponsored by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This cooperative agreement supports collaboration between the FDA's Human Food Program/Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Science and the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium/Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) to improve seafood safety from the Gulf of America through sc…

FDA is announcing the availability of funds for the support of a cooperative agreement between the Human Food Program/ Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Science (OLOAS)/ Office of Applied Microbiolgy and Technology (OAMT) and the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium/Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL). The scientific, public health, and policy expertise within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide opportunities for collaborations that support the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) mission. The DISL's nationally ranked programs, leading-edge research collaborations, and innovative business partnerships provide an environment to support diverse multidisciplinary exchanges with FDA. These joint efforts will provide the basis for development of scientific collaborations, outreach, educational initiatives and intellectual partnerships between FDA and DISL. Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-FD-26-014. Assistance Listing: 93.103. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: ACA,CP,FN. Award Amount: Up to $125K per award.

John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program is sponsored by NOAA Sea Grant. This fellowship provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Applications must be submitted to state Sea Grant programs first.

The National Sea Grant College Program was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1966 (amended in 2020, Public Law 116-221) to support leveraged federal and state partnerships that harness the intellectual capacity of the nation’s universities and research institutions to solve problems and generate opportunities in coastal communities. This notice announces that applications may be submitted for the 2027 National Sea Grant College Program Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program). Pending the availability of federal funding, the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) anticipates funding not less than 35 applications. Application packages will each propose a total of $97,200 in funding. A detailed breakdown of this funding is described in Sections II.A and III.F of this announcement. Student applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Sea Grant program in their state/territory at least one to two months before the state application deadline to receive application support and provide notification of intent to apply. Following student application submission, the student should allow sufficient time to schedule an interview with the eligible Sea Grant program at the program’s request. Applicant organizations must complete and maintain three registrations to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. These registrations include SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. All registrations must be completed before submitting the application. The complete registration process for all three systems can take 4 to 6 weeks, so applicants should begin this activity as soon as possible. If an eligible applicant does not have access to the internet, please contact the Agency Contacts listed in Section VII for submission instructions. NOAA has created a guide to aid applicants in formatting application packages to eRA, linked here. Prior to registering with eRA Commons, applicant organizations must first obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from SAM.gov, if needed (refer to Section IV. Applications and Submission Information, Section C). Organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their full SAM and Grants.gov registrations; however, all registrations must be in place by the time of application submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account to submit an application. This document sets out requirements for submitting to NOAA-OAR-SG-2027-32433 Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-SG-2027-32433. Assistance Listing: 11.417. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: NR,ST. Award Amount: $1 – $97K per award.

North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Coastal Management (DCM) (funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund). This program provides competitive grant funding to construct, renovate, and maintain boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer.

North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program (FY2027) is sponsored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, administered by NC Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management (DCM). The BIG Program provides competitive grant funding to construct, renovate, and maintain boating infrastructure serving transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer.

North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Coastal Management (DCM) through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The BIG Program offers competitive grant funding to construct, renovate, and maintain boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer. Eligible projects include transient docks, piers, mooring buoys, and pump-out facilities.

Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - ARC Research Hub for Supercharging Tropical Aquaculture Through Genetic Solutions is sponsored by Australian Research Council. This project aims to deliver the genetic knowledge to instigate world-leading and highly productive breeding programs for five tropical aquaculture species (barramundi, pearl oyster, prawn, grouper and marine algae) in northern Australia. It will integrate cutting-edge genetic and genomic approaches into innovative aquaculture enterprises and establish a novel understanding of the genetic basis of disease resistance.

Coastal Community and Shore and Harbor Planning Grants is sponsored by Maine Coastal Program (MCP) and Maine Public Access Program (MPAP). These grants support local or regional planning projects that prepare coastal communities and critical public infrastructure for current and future hazards and storms, and to advance community resilience planning.

Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship is sponsored by Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. This scholarship is for full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in forestry, wildlife, or marine science at a Louisiana public university. It can be renewed for up to three years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study.

Coastal Community Grant Program (2026) is sponsored by Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) / Municipal Planning Assistance Program in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. This competitive grant program provides funds to counties, municipalities, unorganized territories, tribal governments, and Regional Planning Organizations in Maine's coastal zone for projects that build community resilience to adapt to a changing climate, including green infras…

Shore and Harbor Planning Grants Program (FY2027) is sponsored by Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) - Maine Coastal Program (MCP) and Municipal Planning Assistance Program (MPAP). This program provides resources for shoreline access planning, waterfront and harbor planning, identification and resolution of waterfront use conflicts, and planning, feasibility, and design efforts for resilient waterfront infrastructure.

Coastal Community Grant Program (Maine Office of Community Affairs) is sponsored by Maine Office of Community Affairs (Maine Coastal Program and Municipal Planning Assistance Program). This program provides funds to counties, municipalities, unorganized territories, tribal governments, and Regional Planning Organizations in Maine's coastal zone for projects that build community resilience to adapt to a changing climate.

This purpose of the GlobalX Challenge is to accelerate the traditional knowledge generation cycle, proving or disproving an applied research theory on an advanced timeline, leading to the discovery of revolutionary dual-use capability for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the commercial marketplace, and the public. The expected outcomes of this Challenge are promising, potentially game-changing, applied concepts whose maturity may be accelerated under separate follow-on technology development efforts. Funding Opportunity Number: N0001426SBC04. Assistance Listing: 12.300. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: Up to $500K per award.

The United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), codified at 46 U.S.C. 55601, was originally established by Section 1121 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce landside congestion through the designation of Marine Highway Routes. The USMHP statute authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (“Department” or “DOT”) to make grants to implement Projects or components of Projects that 1) provide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation; mitigate or relieve landside congestion; promote Marine Highway Transportation; or use vessels documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121; and 2) develop, expand, or promote Marine Highway Transportation or shipper use of Marine Highway Transportation Funding Opportunity Number: 693JF725R000010. Assistance Listing: 20.816. Funding Instrument: G. Category: T. Award Amount: $1 – $12M per award.

The purpose of the GlobalX Innovation Challenge is to accelerate the traditional knowledge generation cycle, rapidly testing applied research theories to enable the discovery of revolutionary dual-use capabilities for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the commercial marketplace, and the public. Led by the Office of Naval Research Global and targeted at researchers in the Indian subcontinent, this challenge addresses a joint Naval need and seeks to deliver outcomes of value to both the U.S. and India. The expected results are promising, potentially game-changing applied concepts whose maturity may be further advanced through separate follow-on technology development efforts. Funding Opportunity Number: N0001426SBC03. Assistance Listing: 12.300. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST. Award Amount: Up to $500K per award.

Island Foundation: Environment Grants is sponsored by Island Foundation. The Island Foundation offers Environment Grants to support projects in coastal regions of Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, focusing on marine and coastal resource conservation. Priority is given to initiatives addressing climate change, promoting sustainable landscapes, and enhancing community health through environmental conservation.

Marine Programme (Environmental Grants) is sponsored by The Waterloo Foundation. This program supports projects that reduce the adverse impact humanity is having on the marine environment, specifically focusing on initiatives that work to halt and restore declining fish stocks by stopping destructive and illegal fishing and/or supporting sustainable and smal…

The Grant Program from Ocean State Charities Trust is a grant from the Ocean State Charities Trust that funds Rhode Island nonprofit organizations providing direct community services. The program accepts applications twice annually: Cycle One from February 1 through March 1, and Cycle Two from August 1 through September 1. Awards are up to $20,000. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Rhode Island that can provide an independent audit, review, compilation, or IRS Form 990 from the prior fiscal year. Applications are submitted online only, and no late applications are accepted under any circumstances.

Ocean Grants Foundation $10,000 Bonus Grant is sponsored by Ocean Grants Foundation. Ocean Grants Foundation, a US public charity established in 2018, is offering a single bonus grant of USD 10,000 to one ocean-focused organisation, selected through the foundation's own research and advisory-board methodology rather than a scored competitive proposal.

Coastal Partnership Initiative Grants is sponsored by Florida Coastal Management Program (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). Funding to protect and effectively manage Florida's coastal resources at the local level. Florida's 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within the county boundaries are eligible if they are required to include a coastal element in their comprehensive local plan.

Coastal Partnership Initiative Grants is sponsored by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) / Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP). Funding to protect and effectively manage Florida's coastal resources at the local level. Grants support innovative, local coastal management projects in four program areas: resilient communities, public access, working waterfronts, and coastal stewardship.

Ocean State Charities Trust Grants is sponsored by Ocean State Charities Trust. The Ocean State Charities Trust provides grants to qualified charitable organizations that respond to priority needs in the Rhode Island Community. Education/Youth Programs are one of their focus areas, alongside Arts/Arts Education, Employment/Workforce Development, Housing, Healthcare, and others.

Education/Youth Programs Grant is a grant from Ocean State Charities Trust that funds youth-serving and educational programs in Rhode Island. The trust prioritizes projects addressing employment and workforce development, housing and historic preservation, healthcare and behavioral health, and services for youth and families in the Rhode Island community. Grants range from $3,000 to $20,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) charitable organizations serving Rhode Island and submit independent CPA financial documents. Applications are accepted online only. The application deadline is September 1, 2026.

2027 Department of Pesticide Regulation Sustainable Pest Management Grants Program is sponsored by Department of Pesticide Regulation. To promote safer, more sustainable pest management practices in California, the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) annually funds projects that advance sustainable pest management (SPM) practices through integrated pest management (IPM) research, knowledge, tools, outreach, and implementation in agricultural, urban, and/or wildland settings. DPR's SPM Grants Program supports projects that advance sustainable pest management practices through IPM research, knowledge, tools, outreach, and implementation in agricultural, urban, and/or wildland settings. The 2027 SPM Grants Program is particularly seeking applications that address one or more of the following topic areas: · Alternatives for weed management · Alternatives for rodent management · Alternatives to fumigants · Projects that support the adoption of emerging technologies to further IPM/SPM · Projects that address emerging pests and prevention strategies · Alternatives to pesticides prioritized for mitigation or evaluation by DPR (See: Continuous Evaluation and Mitigation Update) This year, DPR invites projects with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 to apply. Applicants may include (but are not limited to) entities such as government and tribal agencies, universities, colleges, consultants, pest control businesses, commodity groups, and nonprofit organizations. For information about the application, review, and notification processes, please visit the SPM Grants webpage. Principal investigators may submit a maximum of two proposals per year. Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC) members may apply, but they must follow the rules regarding conflict of interest in the PMAC Charter. All applicants and associated project personnel must meet DPR’s eligibility requirements that can be found in the 2027 SPM Grants Solicitation. For examples of past funded projects, please visit DPR’s funded SPM Grants, funded Alliance Grants and funded Research Grants webpages. Keywords: Agriculture, Agricultural Commodity, Agricultural Crops, Agronomy, Air Quality, Automation, Bacteria, Bactericide, Climate Change, Community Health, Cover Crops, Cropping System, Crops, Ecology, Ecosystem, Emissions, Fauna, Fertility, Field Sanitation, Flora, Fruits, Fumigant, Fungi, Fungicide, Herbicide, Horticulture, Housing, Insect Pests, Insecticide, Integrated Pest Management, Irrigation, Lakes, Land Management, Laws and Regulations, Machinery, Mating Disruption, Miticide, Natural Enemies, Nuts, Oceans, Pathogens, Personal Protective Equipment, Pest, Pest Management , Pesticide, Pesticide Use, Plant Disease, Plant Protection, Pollinator, Pollution, Reduced-Risk, Rivers, Rodenticide, Soil Health, Streams, Sustainable, Training, Urban Pest Management, Vegetables, Vertebrate Pests, Virus, Volatile Organic Compounds, Water, Water Quality, Watershed, Weeds, Wildlands, Worker Health and Safety

The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants (ERIG) is a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that funds the replacement of older, high-emission vehicles and equipment with newer, cleaner technology across Texas. Since 2001, TERP has distributed over $1.4 billion in grants to reduce NOx emissions statewide. The program supports operators in industries such as trucking, agriculture, construction, and other equipment-intensive sectors. Eligible activities include upgrading trucks, tractors, forklifts, bulldozers, and other off-road equipment. Applicants must be operators in Texas seeking to upgrade vehicles or equipment. The application deadline was March 1, 2026, and interested parties should check the TCEQ website for current open grant cycles.

2026 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest is sponsored by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This photo contest encourages photographers to capture the beauty of the national marine sanctuaries. Photographers must be 13 or older and photographs must be taken in one of NOAA's 18 US national marine sanctuaries.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) State Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grant Program is sponsored by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) (funded through U.S. EPA). The RI DEM is accepting applications for its State Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grant Program, providing grants for projects that replace diesel on-road vehicles, non-road equipment, marine engines, and school buses with alternative fuel, low-NOx, fuel cell, or all-elec…

Climate Change AI Innovation Grants provide seed funding for research, deployment, and the creation of datasets and tools that address climate change mitigation, adaptation, and climate science using AI and machine learning. Supported areas include power and energy systems, agriculture and food, climate science and modeling, weather prediction, ecosystems and biodiversity monitoring, remote sensing, disaster management, carbon capture, oceans, forests, and transportation. Projects are expected to produce publicly available datasets and tools.

FY2027 Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership Request for Proposals is sponsored by Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP). The Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership provides funding for projects that restore, enhance, protect, or assess estuarine and nearshore marine fish habitats along the U. S.

Innovative technologies and solutions to improve wind energy systems supporting the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan on wind is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Advance in the achievement of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy; Efficient and effective support to wind energy research and innovation through alignment and cooperation among different actors, avoiding fragmentation of efforts; Energy producers and consumers benefit from increased performance of wind energy technologies with the focus on efficiency and flexibility, reduced cost, improved reliability and sustainability, operation and maintenance, safety, robustness and security during all stages of the lifetime of a wind energy farm from installation, operation and maintenance to decommissioning; Increased contribution of wind energy to the energy system, with minimal impacts on health and the environment (notably biodiversity and pollution) and at the lowest possible cost. Scope: The action contributes to address the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan’s research and innovation priorities and targets for wind energy, as defined by the Implementation Working Group (IWG) on wind energy, the European Technology and Innovation Platform on wind energy (ETIP Wind) [1] and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) joint programme on wind energy [2] . The activities carried out by the project will pertain to the following priority R&I areas: Industrialisation, scale-up and competitiveness: mass production supported by automation and reliable supply chains, design for large volume manufacturing and deployment, design for reliable and lasting products and improved construction and installation methods, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial environment. Optimisation and further digitalisation of operation and maintenance: integration of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, advanced repair methodologies and new sensor technologies, interoperability among wind farm sub-systems, advanced communication technologies and cybersecurity, innovative component replacement solutions and quick connect/disconnect systems for mooring lines and inter-array cables. Wind energy system integration: definition and modelling of future system needs, advanced grid capabilities, interoperability, solutions to effectively manage curtailment, integration with energy storage technologies and hybrid plants, distributed wind energy. Sustainability and circularity: material substitution for decarbonisation, material reduction, recycling methods, lifetime extension via re-using, refurbishing and re-purposing, new decommissioning tools and methods and solutions to minimise the environmental and biodiversity impacts and optimise the socio-economic impacts. Floating offshore wind: development and demonstration of innovative technologies for offshore floating wind. Development of optimised floating wind energy systems through the integrated design of the different elements of the system, including the floater and the generation part. Research and technology infrastructures for wind energy: upgrade of existing and establishment of new infrastructures and test centres for the sector. An area of particular interest in this domain are large-scale testing facilities for offshore floating wind energy systems. Wind energy systems interactions with climate, atmosphere, ocean and geophysics: geophysical characteristics measuring and modelling, wake effect model development, climate change impact analysis Environmental and social aspects, coexistence: evolution of environmental impact assessments, spatial planning, biodiversity solutions, reduced pollution (e.g. noise and vibration, pollution due to erosion of the blades), design and implementation of practices and platforms that facilitate inclusive communication and stakeholders’ involvement, tools to map stakeholder concerns and development of practical approaches to lifecycle public participation, socialisation of win Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Energy Supply

Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: environment and society at large benefit from recyclable food packaging which can be recycled and reused back into food packaging while keeping the quality, value and extending the material lifetime; industrial value chains including primary and secondary raw material producers, polymer suppliers, additives suppliers, converters, brand owners and retailers (SMEs and large companies), agri-food suppliers, waste managers and recyclers introduce sustainable food packaging on the market through enhanced design for recycling and solutions for effective sorting and recycling on an industrial scale, in line with the safe-and-sustainable-by-design principles [1] ; consumers and civil society are sufficiently informed about appropriate ways of disposal of used food packaging to enable its circularity. Scope: Plastic food packaging represents a significant part of all plastic packaging put on the EU market. Flexible films composed of multiple layers are commonly difficult to recycle. And to date, there is no market at scale for closing the loop and establish recycling systems from food contact back to food contact application. Despite the advancement of several solutions, there is a need to improve the efficiency of recycling solutions and reach as high as possible yield of food contact compliant recycled plastic coming from post-consumer packaging films. Proposals should: advance marketable solutions towards mono-material multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging to enable its effective end-of-life collection, sorting and recycling into food contact-compliant recycled plastic suitable for food packaging; Improve eco-design of multilayer plastic food packaging and demonstrate at large scale digital solutions for circularity such as digital product passport; demonstrate individual and/or a combination of physical technologies and digital solutions (for example, AI, watermarking, or others) to further improve sorting yield of multilayer flexible packaging; test and demonstrate recycling technologies (separation, purification, decontamination, etc.) enabling uptake of food contact compliant recycled plastic into food contact packaging in line with the targets of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation; demonstrate pathways to increase the recycled content of food contact compliant recycled plastic in new food packaging products; demonstrate solutions on an industrial scale involving the whole value chain, while ensuring compliance with relevant food contact regulations (Regulation 2022/1616 and Regulation 1935/2004). Proposals should also evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and impact of the demonstrated solutions using robust evaluation methods (including lifecycle assessments such as product environmental footprint, where relevant) and present data and evidence about the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of the developed solutions. Engagement of all relevant value chain stakeholders is expected, i.e. primary and secondary raw material producers, polymer suppliers, additives suppliers, converters, agri-food suppliers, brand owners and retailers (SMEs and large companies), waste managers and recyclers. Clustering with other relevant Horizon Europe projects is encouraged. The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, the Single Use Plastics Directive, the Waste Shipment Regulation, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, the Regulation for recycling of plastic intended for contact with food, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, and the upcoming Circular Economy Act and contributes to Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] Safe and sustainable by design - European Com Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Circular Systems Keywords: Circular economy, Climate change mitigation, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Environment, Pollution & Climate, Food packaging, New business opportunities, New industrial value chains, Plastics, Marine Litter and Circular Economy, Polymers and plastics, Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design), Sustainable innovation, Waste management, Waste recycling, food contact, food packaging, multilayer plastics, multimaterial plastics, plastic packaging, plastics recycling

Toward a comprehensive assessment of the disturbance of marine ecosystems by anthropogenic underwater noise is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: impacts of continuous and impulsive underwater noise levels on marine organisms and ecosystems, and the related ecosystem services they provide, including cumulative impacts with other pressures, are well understood, taking into account regional differences; environmental authorities have access to advanced methods, tools and indicators enabling them to comprehensively monitor and assess the impacts of underwater noise pollution on marine species and ecosystems and to devise strategies for protecting the ecosystems services they provide. Scope: Proposals should: develop new, or improve upon existing, scientific methods and tools for comprehensively monitoring the impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise pollution on marine ecosystems and species populations at different trophic levels and taking into account regional differences; develop new, or improve upon existing, indicators for the assessment of the effects of noise exposure as well as their cumulative effects on marine organisms and ecosystems, and the services they provide, in line with methods (including threshold values) already agreed at EU level for the assessment of good environmental status for underwater noise and taking into account regional developments; investigate options for mitigation measures for safeguarding relevant ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, and develop or improve tools to measure their impacts and efficiency. Proposals should support the objective and implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) by providing new evidence and data on the impacts of noise on marine ecosystems and related ecosystem services, in line with the MSFD guidelines for impulsive and continuous noise monitoring, and by providing evidence-based methods for the assessment of good environmental status for underwater noise at national, regional and EU level. The European Commission signed on behalf of the European Union a Declaration for a High-Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean at UNOC 3 which includes actions to address underwater noise and mitigate its impact on marine life and biodiversity. With a view of supporting the implementation of this Declaration, proposals are expected to contribute to restore a quieter ocean. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Seas, Oceans and Inland Waters Keywords: Biological oceanography, Boat and yacht construction, Cables and pipelines, Construction of offshore platforms and installations, Hydrology, Hydrology, water and soil pollution, Marine Communities/Species Interactions, Marine Conservation, Marine Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, Marine Environment, Marine Environmental Policies, Marine Knowledge and Research, Marine Protected Areas/Mpas, Marine Reserves, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Marine and Ocean Management, Marine, Coastal And Ocean Pollution, Nautical Routes, Ocean, Ocean Observation and Monitoring, Ocean energies, Ocean engineering, Ocean observing systems and operational forecasting, Oceanography, Physical oceanography, Port/Harbour, Propulsion systems engineering, Water resources, Marine pollution, Ocean protection, Ocean restoration, Underwater noise, ocean monitoring

Ensuring continuous effectiveness of protected areas in conserving habitats and species while facing intensifying drivers of biodiversity loss is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: the effectiveness of the protection of habitats and species in protected areas is maintained even under intensifying impacts of the drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change, thanks to an improved understanding of how they affect the conservation status of the protected habitats and species, for the benefit of society; managers of protected areas are able to anticipate the future impacts of drivers of biodiversity loss and can take better informed decisions for the protection of terrestrial, freshwater and/or marine habitats and species. Scope: Protected areas are key to ensure the conservation of species and habitats. However, the intensification of the main drivers of biodiversity loss is raising questions on how their effectiveness will be maintained in the future. This topic is expected to support the EU commitment to legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s land area and a minimum of 30% of the EU’s sea area of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 (target 1) and the related legislation, and the corresponding target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (target 3). Knowledge generated under this topic is also expected to inform deliberations on EU biodiversity policy after 2030 and the design and implementation of climate policies. Proposals should seek to address some knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policy makers. Proposals should: analyse trends over time of the effects of drivers of biodiversity loss and their possible cumulative impacts. Direct drivers (changing use of sea and land, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species) and indirect drivers should be considered, including socio-economic related ones; develop predictive tools to anticipate how the intensity of impacts will develop in the medium and long terms, taking into account relevant possible cumulative impacts; assess expected future impacts on the conservation status of protected habitats and species in protected areas; assess whether novel adaptive approaches for protection are needed and if so, explore options, possibly building on results of relevant LIFE projects and on the experience of climate refugia (areas where ecosystems sustain stability and resilience despite climate change) and of bright spots (where targeted conservation actions, climate adaptation strategies, or natural resilience mechanisms mitigate biodiversity loss). Assess the opportunity to rely on (new) practices such as assisted migration; define best practices and test innovative management approaches of protected areas, with performance indicators. To assess the effectiveness of management approaches, projects should build on methods and indicators developed under LIFE PAME Europe [1] . Proposals should address various types of protected areas and assess how the results might be transposable; consider the need for long-term ecological monitoring of protected habitats and species, provide recommendations and consider possible options for such long-term monitoring; involve public authorities and/or entities which manage protected areas, and civil society organisations to ensure that the processes and outcomes of the R&I align with the needs, including for policy implementation, and values and expectations of society. Proposals should address research field A: terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems or research field B: marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Both research fields may include freshwater ecosystems. The research field (A or B) should be clearly indicated on the application. This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Climate change adaptation, Climate change mitigation, Conservation biology, ecology, genetics, Cultural and economic geography, Earth Observation / Services and applications, Ecology (theoretical and experimental; population, species and community level), Environmental Conservation, Environmental protection, Environmental sciences (social aspects), Environmental toxicology at the population and ecosystems level, Macroeconomics, Marine biodiversity conservation, Microeconomics, behavioural economics, Nature conservation, Nature-based solutions, Political science, Population biology, population dynamics, population genetics, Population dynamics, Population genetics, Public administration, EU biodiversity strategy, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, SSH, bright spots, climate change, climate refugia, drivers of biodiversity loss, ecological monitoring, freshwater ecosystems, marine ecosystems, nature conservation, nature protection, protected areas, protected areas management, protected habitats, protected species, terrestrial ecosystems

Harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to deliver sustainable blue bio-based products is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: increased support on green bioprocessing, safe and sustainable blue bio-based products; increased understanding of safety, effectiveness and regulatory bottlenecks of blue bio-based products; increased commitment to biodiversity preservation and conservation ensuring that the biodiscovery of new compounds does not lead to unsustainable harvesting from the wild and promoting sustainable use of genetic diversity. Scope: The European industry must transition to a greener, more sustainable model to enhance its competitiveness against other business models and foster the production of novel high-value sustainable products. Achieving this requires a shift towards a bio-based system, which leverages biological processes to deliver products that contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing environmental impact and can compete with and eventually replace traditional models. For instance, the current use of hazardous chemicals in various industries, such as the textile and polymer industries, requires the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. In this context, the vast and largely untapped diversity of marine organisms—including fungi, algae, and invertebrates—presents a valuable source of biomolecules with unique properties. These marine-derived compounds hold significant potential across a range of applications, for example from construction materials, chemical processes to bioplastics and textiles. Supporting research and innovation in blue biotechnology fosters the transition toward greener, high-performance products across multiple industries. Proposals should address the following: develop safe and sustainable blue bio-based products, by exploring the use of the unique physical, chemical and biochemical properties of biomolecules from marine organisms (e.g., adhesion, structural organization, fluorescence, luminescence). Proposals in scope include novel adhesion agents or bonding products, biochemicals to replace hazardous chemicals, antifouling paintings and coatings, replacement for synthetic surfactants, biomarkers, biosensors, enzymes. Proposals aiming to develop molecules with important economic or societal impact are encouraged. The applications in health biotechnology, as well as the biofuel/bioenergy area are excluded, to avoid overlaps with Horizon Europe Clusters 1 and 5, respectively; incorporate the use of synthetic and engineering biology approaches and foresee the necessary links with the digital technologies and tools (AI/ML, bioinformatics); include the assessment of the costs and benefits compared to conventional alternatives in the market. Proposals should look into regulatory, market and value chain bottlenecks; assess the safety, environmental sustainability and effectiveness of the developed bio-based products derived from marine environments compared to the equivalent material on the market; develop recommendations for policy makers and industrial actors, considering the available scientifically sound assessment of risks and benefits of the developed solutions. Proposals should cover the innovation chain from research, to development, and proof of concept. Legal aspects linked to securing clear access to marine resources, including related infrastructures and bio-resources banks and collections, their sustainable use as well as access and benefit sharing aspects, should be properly considered. Marine resources can be obtained sustainably from natural environments, as well as from publicly or privately accessible collections. The harvesting or utilization of sentient marine animals, including invertebrates, must be carefully evaluated to ensure that ethical and moral considerations are adequately addressed. Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the data, expertise and services offered by European research infrastructures [1] , such as EMSO ERIC, EU-O Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Biochemistry and molecular biology, Cell biology, Microbiology, Chemical sciences, Computer sciences, information science and bioinformatics, Downstream applications of marine biotechnology, Enzymes, Industrial biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Marine Natural Products, Marine biology, Marine science, artificial intelligence, bioactive compound, bioeconomy, bioinformatics, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, bioproduction, biosynthesis, cultivation, digital tools, enzyme, fermentation, microbiome

Pushing the frontier of knowledge and conservation action for deep sea ecosystems is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Member States and Associated Countries contribute to the implementation of area-based management tools, such as protection targets and adaptive management approaches for deep-sea regions under the Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), for Regional fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and for transitions areas with the EU exclusive economic zone notably by identifying Ecologically and biologically significant marine areas (EBSAS), and informing the next Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Public Authorities prioritise deep sea areas for inclusion in their 30% protection target while enhancing maritime spatial planning achieved through science-based information, habitat mapping and ecosystem-based approach, aligned with the EU strategies for biodiversity and climate adaptation by 2030. Scope: The deep sea represents 90% of the Ocean volume and remains the least explored biome of the planet. Nevertheless, we know that the deep sea forms an extensive and complex ensemble of ecosystems which functioning is crucial to the rest of the biosphere, global biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems upon which much terrestrial life, including human civilisation, depends. The critical limiting factors in the definition and implementation of protection and restoration measures are the lack of biodiversity knowledge and appropriate monitoring, especially in layers below 1000 m. The main reasons are the limited access and high cost of explorations of the diversity of biotopes in the deep sea, and the resources available to identify organisms across the full range of sizes (from microorganisms to megafauna) and describe ecosystems functioning. In line with the objectives and targets of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the EU climate adaptation strategy, the strategy for European life sciences, the European Ocean Pact, the Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), proposals should: fill the gaps in geographical coverage in habitats mapping, species inventory, genetic diversity, ecological functioning, food webs and ecological connectivity (including migratory species) of deep sea ecosystems in the bathypelagic and abyssopelagic zones (abyssal seafloor, hydrothermal sites, seamounts, canyons and across the water column) between them and with shallower ocean zones (mesopelagic, epipelagic, coastal...); develop, integrate and deploy imaging, acoustic, multi-omics, genomics and taxonomic technologies and methodologies for the inventory and fast identification of deep-sea marine species from microbes, invertebrates to migratory species, apex predators such as sharks and mammals, corals and other habitat-forming species, generating reference datasets from identified voucher specimens and novel methods to improve biodiversity monitoring and inventory and the discovery of novel biological traits, enhancing understanding of ecosystem resilience to climate and anthropogenic pressures; contribute to the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and to free and open access to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility’s biodiversity data; establish baselines, spatial and temporal dynamics, assess and predict the cumulated impacts from climate change and other anthropogenic stressors including underwater noise, on ecosystems functioning and services, including the biological carbon pump fisheries stock; describe holistic interactions between the deep sea, Ocean and planetary health and propose actionable knowledge by involving multiple stakeholders for identifying adaptive management approaches, and mitigation and conservation scenarios for prioritised deep Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Seas, Oceans and Inland Waters Keywords: Biochemistry and molecular biology, Biodiversity conservation, Biophysics, Deep-sea ecosystems, Earth and related environmental sciences, Ecology, Genetics and heredity, Marine biology, BBNJ, Deep sea, EBSAS, Ecological functioning, Ecosystem-based approach, Habitats mapping, High-Seas, Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Species inventories

Harnessing the Unique Properties of Marine Organisms to Deliver Sustainable Blue Bio-Based Products is a grant from the European Commission under Horizon Europe that funds research into green bioprocessing and the development of safe, sustainable products derived from marine organisms. Projects are expected to increase support for blue bio-based products, advance understanding of safety, effectiveness, and regulatory pathways, and strengthen commitment to biodiversity preservation. The call identifier is HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-11 and the application deadline is September 17, 2026. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, public organizations, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships from EU member states and associated countries.

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-11: Harnessing the unique properties of marine organisms to deliver sustainable blue bio-based products is sponsored by European Commission. This Horizon Europe call aims to develop safe and sustainable blue bio-based products by exploring the unique properties of marine organisms, such as fungi, algae, and invertebrates, to replace hazardous chemicals in various industries.

Advancing integrated scenarios and prediction models for informing transition to a nature positive society is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: advanced knowledge and understanding how ecosystems respond to multiple plausible futures shaped by human-induced pressures, supporting the design of long-term, nature positive and equitable policies; strengthened collaboration across bio-physical , socio-economic and humanities disciplines, resulting in more integrated and robust scenario frameworks that capture interactions, trade-offs and synergies across biodiversity, climate, food, water, air, health, energy and economy; advancement of comprehensive ecosystem prediction models and scenario-based assessments that integrate direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, applicable across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems; a consistent and transparent framework for model intercomparison and cross-scale scenario building, improving the relevance and usability of modelling outputs for policy , business and international assessments (e.g., IPBES, International Panel on Climate Change - IPCC). Scope: To address the objectives of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as well as Sustainable Development Goals, actions funded under this topic should support the scientific development of A) integrated scenarios, B) predictive models and C) model intercomparison experiments for Member States and Associated Countries. Developments should be verified in case studies covering at least 2 European biogeographic regions [1] and spanning key economic sectors to inform systemic policy transformations and enable long-term planning for a nature positive society. Proposals should: design and develop components of a European integrated prediction and scenario framework to forecast how natural ecosystems respond to a wide range of human-induced ecosystem interactions including climate change, pollution, socio-economic transitions such as conflicts, pressures, and policy interventions. These frameworks should link ecosystem functions with key economic sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, and test their resilience and tipping points under multiple plausible futures; make use of long-term monitoring data across biodiversity, land use, climate, and socio-economic variables to improve reliability and real-world relevance. They should also quantify uncertainty in model projections and ensure scenarios incorporate dynamic feedback loops between ecosystems and socio-economic systems, and identify risk distributions relevant to frontline socio-ecological communities; test and assess the suitability of the IPBES Nature Futures Framework for European application and align modelling approaches with international efforts and assessments under IPBES and IPCC. Proposals should seek to address knowledge gaps identified by the relevant IPBES assessments and if appropriate provide recommendations to policymakers; advance model intercomparison capabilities to improve robustness, consistency and transparency in scenario-based assessments. To this end, the suitability of remote sensing data for scalability and intercomparison between different models and across different regions should be assessed. Proposals should include case studies that cover at least two European biogeographic regions with global relevance to verify the developed scenarios, models and intercomparison experiments. Case studies should consider different geographical scales and explore ecosystem tele coupling across Europe and beyond. Scenario development should involve relevant stakeholders—including public authorities, economic sectors, and civil society—in co-creating narratives and ensuring policy applicability. Socio-economic transitions and equity and justice considerations concerning trade-offs and distributional impacts across regions and communities (i.e. across biodiversity, climate, food, water, Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Biological systems analysis, modelling and simulation, Earth Observation / Services and applications, Ecology, EU biodiversity strategy, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, biodiversity, climate change, drivers of biodiversity loss, earth observation, freshwater ecosystems, intercomparison, marine ecosystems, model, modelling, nature conservation, scenario, terrestrial ecosystems

Developing managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR) in a rural context is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: farmers have access to water supply from managed aquifer recharge systems and to appropriate business models to cope with longer and more intense periods of water scarcity due to climate change, while preserving the good status of ground water bodies; water ecosystems are healthier and more resilient to climate change, and water related ecosystem services are protected and strengthened, while water resilience of farming systems is increased; policy makers are provided with improved insights on mechanisms and instruments to improve the water resilience of the agricultural sector to cope with climate change effects. Scope: Droughts in the EU are increasing in frequency, magnitude and impact, and the affected area is expanding. Water storage systems can limit abstractions from surface waters and groundwater reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture and food systems, and bring the demand and supply of water better in balance, strengthening the resilience of EU agriculture. Proposals should: extend, improve and customize managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques at farm, basin and catchment level, covering most representative EU agricultural contexts in view of climate change; develop a methodology to help assessing the most suitable location or situations to implement these MAR techniques and validate with a representative sample of case-study regions, taking into account for the differential impact of climate change; develop a user-friendly monitoring, reporting and verification system (MRV) to follow the impact on ground water quality and quantity, as well as associated water ecosystems and dependent terrestrial ecosystems; evaluate the potential impact and sustainability of managed aquifer recharge techniques in rural areas, including on the groundwater ecosystems, associated water ecosystems and dependent terrestrial ecosystems, and drinking water from a multi-objective approach, and its integration with evidence-based engineered and Nature-based Solutions to reduce runoff, soil erosion and improve landscape climatic resilience; calculate the cost-benefits of MAR techniques and propose different business models for the compensation or remuneration of individual farmers or land managers (payments schemes, nature, carbon or water credits, …) for hosting MAR initiatives; demonstrate the feasibility of these business models at local level (catchment, river basin, ...) by at least 2 case studies in different pedoclimatic zones and evaluate the possible barriers for adoption by farmers or land managers; provide a framework of governance models that could fit the different local socio-economic, regulatory and pedo-climatic conditions. The actions funded under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food, as well as to the European Water Resilience Strategy and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy. Proposals must implement the multi-actor approach and ensure adequate involvement of relevant stakeholders, including farmers, land managers, water governance bodies and local authorities. Proposals are encouraged to build on the results of relevant projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe and ensure collaboration with relevant ongoing and forthcoming projects from the Mission Soil and the Mission Ocean & Waters. Proposals should follow the Guidance document on managed aquifer recharge techniques of the CIS Working Group on Groundwater [1] . null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. [1] Common implementation strategy for the water framework directive and the floods directive: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/e827bbe4-fe33-11ef-b7db-01aa75ed71a1/language-en Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Areas Keywords: Business analysis, Business governance, Business models, Catchment scale planning, Environmental engineering and geotechnics, Environmental impact assessment, Human impacts and other stressors, Hydrology (Water science), Natural resources and environmental economics, Nature-based solutions, Water management, Water recycling and re-use, Water technology, MAR, MRV, business model, climate adaptation, drought, groundwater, impact analysis, managed aquifer recharge, monitoring, reporting and verification system, multi-actor approach, nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, water ecosystem, water management, water resilience, water storage

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) consists of estuarine areas of the United States and its territories designated and managed for research and educational purposes (Reserve) as specified in 15 C.F.R. Part 921. By funding Reserve lead agencies and universities to conduct land acquisition and construction projects that support the NERRS mission, NOAA will strengthen protection of key land and water areas, enhance long-term protection of Reserve areas for research and education, and provide for facility and exhibit construction activities that meet the highest sustainable design standards possible. Each Reserve was designated to ensure its effectiveness as a conservation unit and as a site for long-term research and monitoring. In maintaining their effectiveness, the Reserves may find it necessary to expand their boundaries through strategically planned land acquisitions and/or to develop or enhance their reserve facilities, including their in-situ monitoring infrastructure, to meet the demands of research, monitoring, and education program objectives. NOAA anticipates approximately $8.5 million in Fiscal Year 2026 will be available to designated lead Reserve agencies or universities in coastal states. NOAA anticipates funding between 5-20 construction, acquisition, and/or planning & design projects. Project periods are expected to range from 12–36 months. Complex construction projects may request extended project periods, but the cumulative must not exceed 60 months. Final project selections are subject to availability of funds and negotiation with NOAA. Acquisition or construction projects have a $3,000,000 federal funding cap . Stand-alone planning and design projects have a $500,000 federal funding cap. At the discretion of NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, up to 10% of the Fiscal Year 2026 funds will be reserved for critical reserve vehicle or vessel needs. These funds will be awarded noncompetitively to stand-alone vehicle or vessel project applications that address a critical reserve need. Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NOS-OCM-2026-33239. Assistance Listing: 11.420. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ENV,NR,ST. Award Amount: $500K – $3M per award.

Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation. Indirect contribution is expected towards the objectives of the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Obj 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters”. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements. Scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres. Enhanced circularity and prevent microplastics release compared to benchmarks. Scope: Fossil-based synthetic textile fibre production has grown significantly, reaching 67% of the global market in 2023. [1] Among bio-based fibres, cotton plays a prominent role as it is the second most produced fibre at global level; however, it bears serious environmental concerns due to its massive land use and water consumption; moreover, the EU holds a minor share of the global cotton production (around 2%) and it is expected to remain a net importer in the future. Novel sustainable sources of natural fibres require significant improvements in some steps of textile production such as retting/degumming, spinning, modification and treatment. Man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) bio-based fibres are also slightly increasing their current market share, however there is a need to improve their technical performances to meet the requirements of final textile applications. Proposals under this topic should: Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock. Bio-based textile waste is eligible as feedstock. Bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and/or the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres are in scope. Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration. Design the bio-based fibre(s) to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks, e.g., tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability. Test these properties according to existing standards/methods to assess the compatibility with end-products requirements. Design the bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end of life. Assess the actual feasibility of the targeted end of life option(s). Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the whole product life cycle. In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 [2] , proposals under this topic should: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the value chains relevant for this topic, including textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, including the partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] HARMSEN, P., SKRIFVARS, M. and MAGNOLFI, V., Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, BORZACCHIELLO, M.T. (editor), European Commission, Ispra, 2025, JRC140676. [2] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Materials engineering, Polymers and plastics, Textiles, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, bio-based textile fibres, man-made fibres, microplastics, natural fibres, safe and sustainable by design, textile manufacturing