EU Mission Ocean — HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02: Aquatic Pollution and Biodiversity Loss Through Nature-Positive Solutions
Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-14 15:17
Horizon Europe Innovation Action addressing aquatic pollution from source to sea. EUR 7-7.75m per project, up to 4 awards. Deadline: 23 September 2026.
Funding Details
- Funder
- European Commission (Horizon Europe / EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters)
- Funding Goal
- Large-scale Innovation Action to address aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature-positive solutions from source to sea. Projects must demonstrate and upscale systemic combinations of nature-based solutions, hybrid approaches, bioremediation, and new technologies to reduce nutrient, chemical, plastic, and microplastic pollution in freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, covering at least 4 demonstration sites in one Mission lighthouse basin.
- Funding Amount
- EUR 7,000,000 to EUR 7,750,000 per project; up to 4 projects awarded from EUR 31,000,000 total budget (7.000.000 € – 7.750.000 €)
- Deadline
- 2026-09-23 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Single-stage submission via EU Funding and Tenders Portal (ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders). Topic identifier: HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02. Call opened 4 February 2026. Submission type: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based. Standard application form available in portal. Brokerage events for consortium building available until 30 September 2026 at b2match.com.
- Target Region
- One of four EU Mission lighthouse basins: (1) Atlantic and Arctic basin, (2) Mediterranean Sea basin, (3) Baltic and North Sea basin, or (4) Danube River basin including Black Sea
- Contact
- EU Funding and Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk. National Contact Points (NCPs) per country provide guidance. UK support: Innovate UK Business Connect European Team (enquiries@iukbc.org.uk, 03333 403250). Research Enquiry Service: research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/contact-us
- Official Page
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-miss-2026-03-ocean-02
- Last Checked
- 2026-05-07 01:49
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02 is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action under the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030'. The call addresses aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature-positive solutions applied in the continuum from source (terrestrial) to sea (marine). Projects receive EUR 7-7.75 million each, with up to 4 projects funded from a EUR 31 million budget. The thematic scope covers pollution from nutrients, chemicals, plastics, and microplastics in freshwater, coastal, and marine environments. Nature-positive approaches are prioritised: Nature-based Solutions (NbS), bioremediation (including bivalves and algae farming), agro-ecological measures, regenerative practices, and hybrid approaches combining nature and technology. Projects must address multiple functionally connected ecosystems from watershed/inland to coastal and marine. Eligible activities include: assessment and mapping of pollution sources and nature-positive solutions; demonstration of systemic solution combinations at 4+ sites in one Mission lighthouse basin; monitoring using EU Digital Twin Ocean, Copernicus, and EMODnet data; ecosystem service quantification; economic viability assessment; and preparation of replication roadmaps. Financial Support to Third Parties is explicitly allowed to engage associated regions. Geographic focus is one of four lighthouse basins (applicant chooses): Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic-North Sea, or Danube-Black Sea. The Baltic and North Sea basin is particularly relevant given OPF's primary region. Each proposal must select one basin and tailor activities to its specificities. Eligibility requires a transnational consortium of at least 3 legal entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries (UK included). Public authorities and socio-economic stakeholders must be directly involved. Projects must also engage at least 4 'associated regions' to demonstrate replication potential. The call is single-stage, opened 4 February 2026, with a fixed deadline of 23 September 2026.
Historical Context
Part of the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030', launched as part of Horizon Europe 2021-2027. Mission operates through lighthouse basins (Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic-North Sea, Danube-Black Sea). This is the 2026 call cycle; a 2027 call cycle is also planned. Mission has over 1,000 pledges from Member States, regions, and stakeholders.
Why it was added
Grant scanner Tier A scan 2026-03-14
Sources
- https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters/calls-proposals
- https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/opportunities/horizon-europe-2026-27-eu-missions-restore-our-ocean-and-waters/
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-miss-2026-03-ocean-02
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