European Science Foundation — Blue Action (Atlantic-Arctic Ocean Research)

Enriched Impact Investor · Found: 2026-03-10 14:33

European Science Foundation Blue Action initiative funds research on Atlantic-Arctic ocean interactions and climate impacts. Supports scientific understanding needed for evidence-based ocean conservation investment.

Source: https://esf.org/blueactionaa

Funding Details

Funder

BlueActionAA Consortium (led by Marine Institute, managed by European Science Foundation; funded by Horizon Europe)

Funding Goal

Support community-led actions to restore and protect marine and freshwater ecosystems in the Atlantic and Arctic regions, contributing to the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030. Two call types: Community-Led Pilot Action (cascading grants EUR 200,000-2,000,000) and Transition Agenda (strategic roadmaps up to EUR 100,000 each).

Funding Amount

Community-Led Action Call: EUR 200,000 to EUR 2,000,000 per project (total budget EUR 7M). Transition Agenda Call: up to EUR 100,000 per roadmap (at least 20 funded). Maximum per single organization EUR 500,000. (200.000 € – 2.000.000 €)

Deadline

2026-05-29 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Applications submitted through the BlueActionAA portal. Community-Led Action Call (BAAC-01) closes 29 May 2026 at 14:00 CET. Evaluation period June-September 2026. Results announced September 2026. Sub-grant agreements signed October 2026. Projects start from November 2026.

Target Region

Atlantic and Arctic ocean basins; EU Member States, associated countries, and OCTs

Contact

blueactionaa.eu; esf.org/blueactionaa

Official Page

https://blueactionaa.eu/community-led-action-call/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 14:17

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be from EU Member State, Horizon Europe associated country, or Overseas Country/Territory
• Eligible entity types: NGOs, foundations, public authorities, civil society, SMEs, research organizations, educational institutions

Project Scope

• Project must address Atlantic or Arctic basin marine/freshwater ecosystem restoration
• Project must contribute to at least one EU Mission Ocean and Waters objective (biodiversity, pollution, circular blue economy)

Required Documents

• Application submitted via BlueActionAA portal by 29 May 2026 at 14:00 CET
• Eligible costs: personnel, purchase, travel, subcontracting

Constraints

• Community-Led Action Call: project budget EUR 200,000 to EUR 2,000,000; maximum EUR 500,000 per single organization
• Project duration must be between 6 and 24 months

Summary

BlueActionAA is a Horizon Europe-funded project that empowers community-led action to restore and protect marine and freshwater ecosystems across the Atlantic and Arctic regions. The project is coordinated by the Marine Institute with the European Science Foundation as a consortium partner and runs from September 2025 to August 2029. The programme objectives align with three pillars of the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030: (1) protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, (2) preventing and eliminating pollution of oceans, seas, and waters, and (3) making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular. Two types of cascading grants are available. The Community-Led Pilot Action Call (BAAC-01) awards at least 5 grants ranging from EUR 200,000 to EUR 2,000,000 (maximum EUR 500,000 per single organization) for community-led pilot projects with a total budget of EUR 7 million. Projects must address local ecological and socio-economic challenges within the Atlantic/Arctic basins. The Transition Agenda Call awards at least 20 strategic roadmaps up to EUR 100,000 each for developing strategic roadmaps and policy recommendations. Eligible applicants include NGOs, foundations, public authorities, civil society associations, SMEs, research organizations, and educational institutions. Projects can be implemented by single organizations or small consortia. Expected project duration is 6 to 24 months. Eligible cost types include personnel, purchase, travel, and subcontracting. Geographically, the programme covers all EU Member States including outermost regions, Overseas Countries and Territories, and Horizon Europe associated countries. Lead applicants are particularly encouraged from Atlantic/Arctic basin nations including France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, UK, and Canada. The Community-Led Action Call closes 29 May 2026.

Historical Context

BlueActionAA is a Horizon Europe project running September 2025 to August 2029. First Community-Led Action Call (BAAC-01) published 28 November 2025. Transition Agenda Call 1 (BAAT-01) also open. Part of the EU Mission Ocean and Waters implementation.

Why it was added

European foundation funding ocean research programs relevant to conservation evidence base

Sources

• https://esf.org/blueactionaa
• https://blueactionaa.eu
• https://blueactionaa.eu/community-led-action-call/

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