European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-10 12:35

EU cornerstone fund with 6.1 billion EUR budget (2021-2027). Supports sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, aquaculture innovation. Multiple rolling calls with deadlines throughout 2025-2026. Non-profit organizations eligible. Managed by CINEA.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/emfaf

Funding Details

Funder

European Commission / Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE)

Funding Goal

Support for sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, aquaculture innovation, maritime economy, and international ocean governance. The EMFAF funds: sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic resources, conservation of marine biological resources, support for coastal fishing communities, innovation in fisheries and aquaculture, maritime surveillance and data collection, and international ocean governance aligned with UN SDG 14.

Funding Amount

Total budget 6.108 billion EUR for 2021-2027. Managed through both shared management (national programmes) and direct management (CINEA). Individual country allocations set at same percentage as 2014-2020 period.

Deadline

Rolling basis (Rolling)

How to Apply

For shared management: contact national managing authority in your country. For Germany, contact federal/state EMFAF managing authorities. For direct management calls: apply through CINEA funding portal. Application procedures vary by specific call. Check ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/funding/emfaf_en for updates.

Target Region

European Union member states; Baltic Sea and North Sea included under EU maritime scope

Official Page

https://ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/funding/emfaf_en

Last Checked

2026-04-20 13:47

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• For shared management: apply through national managing authority in your country
• For direct CINEA management: NGOs, research institutions, companies from EU and eligible non-EU states can apply

Project Scope

• Projects must contribute to sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, or maritime economy

Required Documents

• Check national EMFAF operational programme for country-specific calls

Constraints

• Eligibility, co-financing rates, and selection criteria vary by specific sub-programme and call
• EMFAF covers 2021-2027; national programmes continue until 2029 (with absorption phase)

Summary

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is the EU's main financial instrument for fisheries, aquaculture, and marine affairs for the 2021-2027 programming period. With a total budget of 6.108 billion EUR, it is the cornerstone EU fund for sustainable use of ocean and maritime resources. The EMFAF supports five main thematic areas: (1) sustainable fisheries and conservation of marine biological resources, supporting the EU Common Fisheries Policy; (2) aquaculture innovation and development, enabling ecologically sound production; (3) maritime economy, including processing, marketing, and coastal community support; (4) maritime surveillance, control, and data collection; and (5) international ocean governance aligned with the EU's Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (conserve and sustainably use the oceans). The fund explicitly aims to help the EU fulfil its role as a global ocean actor and major seafood producer. The fund is managed through two channels: shared management (where national/regional managing authorities run their own operational programmes, disbursing funds to fishers, aquaculture operators, NGOs, and research institutions through national calls) and direct management (where the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency — CINEA — runs centrally managed calls open to EU and non-EU entities). Each EU member state receives an allocation proportional to its share in the 2014-2020 period. Eligibility varies significantly by sub-programme and management mode. Under shared management, applicants must apply through their national or regional managing authority. Under CINEA direct management, NGOs, research institutions, international organisations, and companies from EU and certain non-EU countries can apply. Geographically, the fund covers EU waters including the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and overseas territories. It is particularly relevant for Germany through both the national EMFAF programme and the Schleswig-Holstein state programme.

Historical Context

Successor to EMFF (2014-2020). Covers period 2021-2027. Total budget of 6.108 billion EUR. Supports EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU maritime policy, and EU international ocean governance agenda. Also implements EU Green Deal and UN SDG 14 commitments.

Why it was added

Primary EU fund for marine and fisheries activities. Massive budget, multiple open calls. Directly relevant for sustainable aquaculture and marine conservation NGOs.

Sources

• https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/emfaf
• https://ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/funding/emfaf_en

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