A stronger Global Ocean Observing System to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation

What it funds:large, consortium-led innovation actions to stabilise, strengthen and operationalise the global ocean observing system (GOOS) with focus on biodiversity and ecosystem Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). Activities include coordinated deployment of ocean observation equipment, observing system experiments and optimisation, technology roadmapping and validation (sensors, platforms, AI), data interoperability and delivery, capacity building and measures to reduce critical dependencies.

Who can apply:Consortia of research organisations, public authorities, research infrastructures, EU/associated country beneficiaries, international organisations and industry partners (including SMEs and technology providers). Proposals should involve the GOOS community and coordinate with IOC-UNESCO and ESA projects where relevant.

Funding and timing:single-stage Horizon Europe Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA). Total topic budget around €50,000,000 for 2026 with an indicative single grant expected. Deadline 16 February 2027 (17:00 Brussels time); planned opening 6 October 2026.

Grant mechanics and rules:HORIZON Action Grant (budget-based). 100-page proposal limit; partners from non-associated third countries may participate under conditions; entities controlled by China may face participation restrictions in critical technology areas. In-situ marine observation data collected must be made openly available via EMODnet (FAIR).

Scope highlights (brief):design and specification of a minimum viable observing system fit-for-purpose for climate and biodiversity; global GOOS governance and network strengthening; validation and scaling of high-TRL biodiversity sensors and multiplatform roadmaps; observing system experiments (OSE/OSSE) and optimisation; skills and capacity building; prioritisation to reduce critical dependencies for key services (e.g. Copernicus).

Apply and find official details on the Funding & Tenders Portal:Topic page

Programme:Horizon Europe. Call: Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society. Topic identifier: HORIZON-NATURE. Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). Type of Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based (HORIZON-AG). Planned opening: 06 October 2026. Deadline: 16 February 2027, 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage submission. Indicative topic budget: around €50,000,000. Indicative number of grants: 1 (around €50 million contribution expected for the selected project). Page limit for Part B of proposal: 100 pages. Submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System using the online application form. This topic is part of a coordination initiative between ESA and the EC on Earth System Science (ESSI) under the Ocean Flagship and consortia selected will be asked to coordinate with ESA's FutureEO programme.

Objective:stabilise, strengthen and operationalise the global ocean observing system and open access to data in full alignment with the OceanEye initiative and IOC-GOOS, with special attention to physical, biogeochemical and biological components relevant to biodiversity conservation and reliable services. The action should maintain short-term capabilities by deploying observing equipment and deliver a clear operational step-change in in situ ocean observing capacities, validate and scale fit-for-purpose observing technologies and design a minimum viable observing system focusing on climate and biodiversity predictions and operational services including Copernicus.

Expected outcomes:strengthened and resilient global ocean observing capacities coordinated under IOC-GOOS; fit-for-purpose interoperable global ocean observing and data delivery supporting biodiversity and ecosystem knowledge; improved EU leadership and strategic autonomy in ocean observation capabilities reducing dependencies for key services such as Copernicus; enhanced cooperation between observation communities, research infrastructures, SMEs, technology providers and maritime industries to accelerate validation, procurement readiness and large-scale deployment of innovative observing technologies, especially for biodiversity.

Scope highlights and required actions:focus primarily on areas beyond national jurisdiction (e.g. polar regions, deep sea, under-observed regions of relevance to Europe); support GOOS-led strategic observation equipment deployment and coordination; integrate European biodiversity and ecosystem observing efforts into the global landscape; perform OSEs/OSSEs and network optimisation to design a cost-efficient minimum viable observing system with linked in situ and remote sensing monitoring and optimised data assimilation; identify critical technology needs (including AI) and co-create a multiplatform technology roadmap with industry; demonstrate efficacy of high TRL EOV sensors, enhance data integration and interoperability; skills development, training and knowledge exchange; support GOOS coordination, EU contributions to G7-FSOI and coherence with IOC-IODE and GEO BON Essential Biodiversity Variables; prioritise solutions reducing critical dependencies on third countries while ensuring interoperability and long-term sustainability; coordinate with ESA projects to be selected under FutureEO.

Key scientific and technical priorities:Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) coverage improvement for physical, biogeochemical and biological components; minimum viable observing system design; OSEs/OSSEs and network optimisation; multiplatform high-TRL sensor validation and integration for biodiversity; stronger in situ to remote sensing synergy; interoperable data workflows and FAIR data delivery through GOOS/IOC-UNESCO and EOS-type services supporting Copernicus and other operational services.

Eligible costs:purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets specifically for the action may be declared as fully capitalised costs in alignment with Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement General Annexes. In-situ data and marine observation collected by projects must be made openly available through EMODnet following FAIR principles. Restrictions: entities in eligible countries directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in this action in line with specific critical technology restrictions in General Annex B. If projects use satellite-based earth observation, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS where appropriate. All international organisations are exceptionally eligible for funding. Page limits and proposal layout follow the Application Form Part B: 100 pages maximum.

Eligible applicant types:Universities, research institutes, research infrastructures, non-profit organisations, international organisations (exceptionally eligible), SMEs, large enterprises, maritime industry partners, public authorities, public-private partnerships and consortia including multiple types above.

Eligible Applicant Types:Universities; research institutes; research infrastructures (including ESFRI and national marine infrastructures); non-profit organisations; international organisations (exceptionally eligible); SMEs; large enterprises; maritime industries and technology providers; public authorities and research funding agencies; public-private partnerships; NGOs; consortia combining the above.

Funding Type:Grant (Horizon Europe HORIZON-IA Innovation Action, Budget-Based HORIZON-AG). Funding includes capitalised equipment purchases, project costs, and contributions; supports purchases of infrastructure assets for the action.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium required. Topic expects multi-actor, multi-country consortia bringing together scientific community engaged in GOOS, marine research infrastructures, industry and service operators, maritime sectors and public authorities. Single beneficiary actions are not appropriate given the global and multi-stakeholder nature of the work.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible per General Annex B. A number of non-Associated third countries may exceptionally fund their participants. All international organisations are exceptionally eligible. Projects should engage global partners; where third-country funding and exceptional participation is needed this must be justified. The action prioritises areas beyond national jurisdiction globally.

Target Sector:Primary sectors: ocean observing and monitoring, environment, biodiversity, climate, marine science, remote sensing/space (Copernicus synergy), maritime industry, sensor manufacturing, data services, modelling and forecasting, Copernicus Services, and digital/AI for environmental sensing and data assimilation.

Mentioned Countries:EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are explicitly referenced throughout the topic. The text refers to global partners and third countries broadly; specific mention: China (eligibility restrictions apply for entities controlled by China). The region emphasis is global, with examples of polar regions, deep sea and areas beyond national jurisdiction. Europe is emphasised as primary scope of EU strategic autonomy.

Project Stage:Expected maturity: development through research and innovation to demonstration and validation. Activities include deployments (operational), OSE/OSSE modelling (research and development), validation of high-TRL sensors (demonstration to scale-up), and integration into operational services (demonstration/early deployment and transition to sustained operations).

Funding Amount:Topic budget: around €50,000,000 indicative. Expected single project contribution: around €50,000,000 (min and max contribution per the Budget Overview: min €50,000,000 max €50,000,000). Proposals should request amounts aligned to planned budget; specific award per proposal not guaranteed.

Application Type:Single-stage open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Applicants must use the online application form in the Submission System.

Nature of Support:Monetary support (grants) to beneficiaries. The action can cover purchases of equipment, infrastructure and capital assets as full capitalised costs. Financial support to third parties may be used if allowed by the call and specified in the proposal. Non-monetary support includes coordination, data sharing, standards, governance support and skills development.

Application Stages:Single-stage submission. Proposal evaluation by independent experts and EU institution representatives. Indicative evaluation timeline follows Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Success Rates:Not specified in the topic documentation. Historic Horizon Europe success rates vary by topic and year; this topic is high-budget and competitive. Applicants should assume a low success probability typical for large single-project calls and plan strong, very high-quality consortia and alignment to topic priorities.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes: projects must demonstrate sufficient co-funding or counterpart funding from Member States, Associated Countries and participating organisations. Budget flexibility rules apply; costs are budget-based. Beneficiaries must cover their non-EU grant share and ensure long-term sustainability through commitments from Member States, Associated Countries, international partners and industry.

Templates:Use the electronic application form in the Submission System. Application form templates, evaluation forms and Model Grant Agreements are available in the Reference Documents page of the Funding & Tenders Portal. Where clinical studies are included the specific clinical study template should be uploaded as an annex. For financial support to third parties use the 'Information on financial support to third parties' template when applicable. Applicants must follow Part B page limit (100 pages) and Part A entries in the Portal. Guidance documents: Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Online Manual, HE Model Grant Agreement, specific MGA unit templates for Horizon, Annexes A-G of General Annexes.

Evaluation:The evaluation will follow Horizon Europe award criteria: Excellence, Impact and Implementation with thresholds set in General Annex D. The evaluation committee will include representatives of EU institutions. Required annexes: Part B (detailed work plan and technical annex), Part A (administrative forms), Data Management Plan, Ethics self-assessment, if applicable clinical study templates, pre-financing guarantees if required, and any supporting agreements (consortium agreement recommended).

Evaluation criteria:Excellence (clarity, novelty, methodology), Impact (pathways to the expected outcomes, sustainability and strategic autonomy, contribution to Copernicus), and Quality and efficiency of the implementation (work plan, resources, consortia capacity). The evaluation committee will include representatives from EU institutions. Applicants should consult Evaluation Forms templates in the Reference Documents and the Online Manual for detailed scoring and thresholds. Following selection, the granting authority will negotiate the grant agreement using the Horizon Action Grant model and will monitor project implementation through periodic reporting and audits per Horizon Europe MGA rules.

Eligibility highlights:Projects using satellite based earth observation, positioning, navigation, or timing data and services must make use of Copernicus and or Galileo EGNOS, although other data and services may also be used. If projects collect in situ data and marine observation, the data must be openly available through EMODnet and follow FAIR principles. The application page limit is 100 pages, and the evaluation committee will be composed partly of representatives of EU institutions.1