EU Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTO) - Horizon Europe
Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:09
EU Digital Twin Ocean initiative funded through Horizon Europe. Provides calls for proposals and grants for ocean observation infrastructure, regional components, and domain applications. EUR 120M earmarked for scaling solutions 2026-2027.
Funding Details
- Funder
- European Commission - Research and Innovation
- Funding Goal
- To develop and scale the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDTO), a virtual replica of the ocean that integrates data from satellites, sensors, models, and devices to provide continuous, up-to-date knowledge of the ocean. Funded activities include development of regional sea-basin components, domain-specific applications for sustainable ocean management, integration of inland waters, socio-ecological modelling, and biodiversity monitoring data integration.
- Funding Amount
- EUR 120M earmarked for scaling solutions 2026-2027 (total envelope); approximately EUR 15M annually invested since 2021 in core infrastructure. Individual call budgets vary by topic; check EU Funding Portal for specific topic budgets.
- Deadline
- Unknown (periodic)
- How to Apply
- Apply via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders). Open call: HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-05 (Regional sea-basin components of the EU Digital Twin Ocean). Check the portal for opening and closing dates. Previous calls are closed. Register and submit full proposals through the portal.
- Target Region
- European Union and associated countries; global data integration possible
- Contact
- Via EU Funding and Tenders Portal; Research Executive Agency (REA) for ocean mission calls
- Last Checked
- 2026-05-07 05:43
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The European Digital Twin Ocean (EDTO) programme funds the development of a comprehensive virtual replica of the ocean, integrating data from satellites, sensors, computer models, and personal devices into a unified platform accessible to all. It is a flagship initiative under the EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' within Horizon Europe, with an ambition to make ocean knowledge freely available to citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers. Thematic scope covers ocean observation infrastructure, physical and chemical ocean modelling, biodiversity monitoring, socio-ecological systems, digital twin applications for sustainable ocean management, climate change prediction, marine spatial planning, and integration with coastal and inland water systems. Priority areas include developing regional (sea-basin) components of the EDTO, sustainable ocean management applications, and connecting ocean data to decision-making for blue economy, marine protected areas, and climate adaptation. Eligible activities include building or connecting regional digital twin infrastructure components (e.g., specific sea basin digital twins), developing domain-specific applications on the EDITO platform, integration of biodiversity data, modelling, and research into ocean-climate feedbacks. The programme funds research and innovation projects, typically large consortium grants, not direct operational project costs. Geographic scope is primarily EU and associated countries, with global data integration where relevant. The Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' covers all EU sea basins and rivers. Regional calls specifically target individual sea basins. Eligible applicants under Horizon Europe are diverse: research organisations, universities, SMEs, large companies, NGOs, and public bodies. Most calls require a minimum consortium of 3 entities from 3 different eligible countries. Standard Horizon Europe financial rules apply including indirect cost rates. Total investment is approximately EUR 120M earmarked for 2026-2027. Individual call budgets vary. One active call (HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-05) is confirmed as of May 2026; deadlines to be confirmed via the EU Funding Portal.
Historical Context
The European Digital Twin Ocean was announced by Commission President von der Leyen at the One Ocean Summit in February 2022. The EU has invested approximately EUR 15M annually since 2021 through the Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters'. The EDITO core infrastructure (built by Mercator Ocean International and Flanders Marine Institute) was launched at Digital Ocean Forum 2024. Multiple previous calls closed 2021-2025. One active call confirmed: HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-05.