Horizon Europe - Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters
Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-10 12:35
EU flagship R&I programme (93.5B EUR total). Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters has calls for 2026-2027 opening Feb 4, 2026 with deadline Sep 23, 2026. Non-profits receive 100% funding for Innovation Actions.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/horizon
Funding Details
- Funder
- European Commission / Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) / Horizon Europe
- Funding Goal
- Research and innovation projects restoring the health of the ocean, seas, and inland waters by 2030. Three thematic pillars: (1) protection and restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; (2) prevention and elimination of pollution (zero pollution agenda); (3) sustainable blue economy that is carbon-neutral and circular. Operates through area-based 'lighthouses' in four sea/river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea.
- Funding Amount
- Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026/27 includes new 2026 calls for the Ocean Mission. Individual call budgets vary. Typical Horizon Europe project grants range from several hundred thousand to several million EUR.
- Deadline
- 2026-09-23 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Apply through EU Funding & Tenders Portal (ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders). 2026-2027 Work Programme calls opened 4 February 2026 with deadline 23 September 2026. Monitor Horizon Europe Work Programme for specific topic IDs related to ocean mission calls. Info sessions available.
- Target Region
- European Union and associated countries. Baltic-North Sea lighthouse is one of four focus areas, highly relevant for German/Nordic applicants.
- Contact
- EC Research and Innovation ocean mission team: contact via Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal at projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu
- Official Page
- https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en
- Last Checked
- 2026-04-20 13:48
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' is one of five flagship missions under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (2021-2027). Its goal is to restore the health of the ocean, seas, and inland waters by 2030 through research, innovation, public engagement, and targeted blue investments. The Mission operates across three thematic pillars: (1) protection and restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030; (2) prevention and elimination of ocean and water pollution, aligned with the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan; and (3) making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular, consistent with the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. These pillars directly address marine protected areas, ecosystem restoration, plastic and chemical pollution, and sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. To ensure practical implementation across Europe and beyond, the Mission operates through area-based 'lighthouses' in four major sea and river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. These lighthouses function as living laboratories for demonstrating, deploying, and scaling solutions. The Baltic-North Sea lighthouse is directly relevant for German and Nordic organisations. A Digital Twin Ocean — a virtual representation integrating vast ocean data — is being developed to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and evidence-based management. A Mission Charter invites pledges from member states, regions, cities, and stakeholders. The 2026-2027 Work Programme calls opened 4 February 2026 with a deadline of 23 September 2026. Typical Horizon eligibility requires a consortium of at least 3 independent entities from 3 different EU member states or associated countries, with NGOs, research institutions, and companies all eligible. Individual call budgets and specific requirements vary by topic.
Historical Context
EU Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters' is one of five EU Missions under Horizon Europe (2021-2027). The 2026-2027 Work Programme represents the latest calls. Previous rounds funded in 2022, 2023, 2024. A total of 30 consortia already signed grant agreements under latest Mission calls. Over 1,000 pledges received under Mission Charter.
Why it was added
Horizon Europe Ocean Mission directly targets marine restoration and biodiversity. 100% funding rate for non-profits. Calls opening Feb 2026 with Sep 2026 deadline.
Sources
- https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/horizon
- https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en