Horizon Europe: Marine Ecosystem Underwater Noise Assessment (CL6-2026-ZEROPOLLUTION-01)
Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-10 20:40
Comprehensive assessment of disturbance of marine ecosystems by anthropogenic underwater noise. RIA, EUR 10M budget, ~EUR 10M per project. Opens 17 Apr 2026.
Funding Details
- Funder
- European Commission / Research Executive Agency (REA) — Horizon Europe Cluster 6
- Funding Goal
- Comprehensive assessment of disturbance of marine ecosystems by anthropogenic underwater noise through coordinated monitoring and impact modelling
- Funding Amount
- Part of Horizon CL6-2026-01 call envelope; typical RIA budget EUR 3-5M per project (3.000.000 € – 5.000.000 €)
- Deadline
- 2026-09-17 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Apply via EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Call ID: HORIZON-CL6-2026-01. Single-stage submission. Deadline 17 September 2026.
- Target Region
- EU Member States and Associated Countries; marine and coastal areas
- Official Page
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01
- Last Checked
- 2026-04-20 16:11
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) that funds a comprehensive assessment of how anthropogenic underwater noise disturbs marine ecosystems. The call is under Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) Zero Pollution work programme. It targets the gap in understanding cumulative impacts of shipping, offshore construction, sonar, and seismic surveys on marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. The call objectives include: developing and validating standardised monitoring methodologies for underwater noise; creating impact models for noise-sensitive marine species (cetaceans, fish, invertebrates); synthesising existing monitoring data across EU sea basins; identifying critical habitats and seasons for noise reduction measures; and providing policy recommendations for the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution. Eligible activities include: at-sea monitoring and acoustic data collection; development of noise monitoring standards; predictive modelling of ecosystem impacts; stakeholder consultation with shipping, wind energy, and fisheries sectors; and policy-relevant synthesis reports. The call is focused on marine research and monitoring, not on operational conservation or waste management. Eligible applicants are research organisations, universities, NGOs with marine science capacity, and companies forming consortia of at least 3 entities from 3 different EU/Associated Countries. Research Actions (RIA) receive 100% co-funding. Deadline 17 September 2026.
Historical Context
Responds to EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive requirements for underwater noise monitoring. Connected to EU Green Deal zero pollution ambition. Previous related calls in MSCA and environmental monitoring domains.
Why it was added
EU Round 8 EU2: Horizon marine pollution underwater noise
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