I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call

The I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call is a funding opportunity under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument aimed at advancing the European seaweed sector through innovative projects. The total funding available for this initiative is 1.8 million euros, with each selected project receiving a lump sum of 60,000 euros. The call is open for applications from various types of organizations including SMEs, research institutions, universities, regional authorities, and innovation agencies, allowing both individual applicants and consortia. The deadline for applications is October 22, 2025, with projects expected to start around February 2026 and run for a duration of 12 months.

The opportunity specifically seeks innovative solutions with a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6, indicating projects should be at the demonstration and validation stages. Two main strands of focus are highlighted in the call: Strand A pertains to Macroalgal Production which emphasizes applications in food, cosmetics, and biostimulants, while Strand B focuses on Macroalgal Biotechnology and its downstream applications.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals via the F6S platform, and participation in a 12-month capacity building program is mandatory. This program provides not only financial assistance but also non-monetary support including technical guidance, business mentoring, and networking opportunities. The evaluation process for applications is structured into three stages, ensuring thorough review and selection based on set criteria.

The funding is structured as a Grant, enabling a simplified reporting mechanism tied to milestone achievements. Although there is no explicit requirement for co-funding, applicants should budget for associated participation costs, especially for mandatory activities such as study visits and workshops.

In summary, the I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call represents a significant opportunity for stakeholders in the seaweed sector, offering financial and technical support to foster innovations that contribute to sustainable practices within the European economy.

The I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call is an EU funding opportunity designed to drive transformative growth in the European seaweed sector through interregional collaboration, scaling innovative business ventures, and ensuring their market readiness. The project, officially named "Interregional innovation investments for the piloting, demonstration and scale-up of innovative seaweed/algae-based solutions and ecosystem building," operates under grant agreement number 101161142.

The call opened on 20 August 2025, with a deadline of 22 October 2025 at 10:00 Brussels time. The expected duration of participation is 12 months. The total funding available is 1,800,000.00 EUR. The topic is I3-2023-INV1 - 2000-12-31T16:00:00.000Z.

The I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call seeks innovative solutions (minimum TRL 6) that address challenges outlined in the Guidelines for Applicants. These solutions should contribute to the investment project by addressing critical needs such as closing gaps in the value chain, supporting product and process testing and optimization, or advancing new processing technologies.

The Open Call is divided into two strands:

Strand A - Macroalgal Production: This strand funds applications focused on advancing macroalgae-based industries, supporting research and innovation in macroalgal (seaweed) production targeting applications, particularly in food, cosmetics, and biofertilizer/biostimulant sectors.

Strand B - Macroalgal Biotechnology and Downstream applications: This strand funds applications focused on advancing macroalgae-based industries, supporting research and innovation in macroalgal (seaweed) biotechnology and downstream applications, particularly in food, cosmetics, and biofertilizer/biostimulant sectors.

Applicants can apply online via the F6S Submission System:

Strand A - Macroalgal Production: https://www.f6s.com/i3-4-seaweed-strand-a
Strand B : Macroalgal Biotechnology and Downstream applications: https://www.f6s.com/i3-4-seaweed-strand-b

Relevant files for the Submission Stage include:

Annex 1. Guidelines for Applicants
Annex 2. Technical Proposal
Annex 8. Application Form (read only)

Files to be submitted during the Contracting Stage include:

Annex 3. Sub-grant agreement
Annex 4. Declaration of Honour
Annex 5. Consortium Declaration of Honour (if applicable)
Annex 6. SME Declaration
Annex 7. Financial Information Form

Note: Any other evidence that can assist the Open Call Manager during the admissibility and eligibility check process.

The documentation pack containing the above documents is available at https://i3-4-seaweed.eu/open-call/. Any questions regarding the application process should be addressed to opencall-i3-4-seaweed@f6s.com.

The remote evaluation process involves review by the I3-4-SEAWEED Internal Evaluation Committee, composed of experts from consortium partners with proven expertise in the field. The applications will be sorted and selected through three main phases: Admissibility and Eligibility check, Remote Expert evaluation, and Ranking and final selection.

The evaluation process will be conducted remotely, and applications will be ranked considering the final score. The evaluation criteria are described in Article 4.2.1 of the Guidelines for Applicants. Applicants will be informed of the decision via email, and the final list of funded third parties will be published on the I3-4-SEAWEED website.

Up to 30 projects from eligible regions will be supported. Total funding per project is EUR 60,000.00 (lump sum grant).

Two webinars are scheduled:

Info Webinar #1 - 27 August 2025 at 11 am Brussels time - Register at https://www.f6s.com/i3-4-seaweed-open-call-webinar-1
Q&A Webinar #2 - 08 October 2025 at 11 am Brussels time - Register at https://www.f6s.com/i3-4-seaweed-open-call-webinar-2

Awarded sub-granted projects will participate in the 12-month I3-4-SEAWEED Programme, including an onboarding meeting, training activities, and a monitoring and control process during project implementation. The program is organized into two parallel components: the Project Implementation Framework and the Capacity Building Programme (compulsory).

Advantages of participating in I3-4-SEAWEED include:

Participation in a 12-month I3-4-SEAWEED programme (including the Project Implementation Framework and Capacity Building Programme) to drive transformative growth in the European seaweed sector.
Obtaining credibility and recognition from an EU project.
Financial support: EUR 60,000.00 lump sum funding to deliver the work plan.
Technical support: Specialised guidance and assistance through the Capacity Building Programme.
Business support: Mentoring, coaching, and networking opportunities through the Capacity Building Programme.

Each project will have two reporting periods. Beneficiaries must submit a progress report at the end of each period, which will serve as a tool for monitoring performance and evaluating the project. Submission and approval of the progress report will trigger the payment associated with each period after verifying the achievement of milestones and deliverables.

Funding will be distributed in three installments:

Initial pre-financing: 40% of the maximum Grant amount upon signature of the Sub-Grant Agreement.
Period 1: Payment ceiling of 70% of the maximum grant amount upon submission and validation of Progress Report #1.
Period 2: Payment of the balance upon submission and validation of Progress Report #2.

The funding program will follow a 12-month implementation period, with projects anticipated to commence activities around February 2026. This timeframe will run simultaneously with the Capacity Building Program. Project activities will be subject to ongoing assessment.

A mandatory study visit and an in-person workshop hosted at one of the project partner’s facilities are key components of the program. Applicants should ensure their proposed budgets adequately cover all costs associated with participation in this study visit.

In summary, the I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call is a funding opportunity for projects that aim to advance the European seaweed sector. It offers financial support, technical guidance, and business support through a 12-month program. The call is divided into two strands, focusing on macroalgal production and macroalgal biotechnology and downstream applications. Successful applicants will receive a lump sum grant of 60,000 EUR and participate in a comprehensive program designed to scale their innovative solutions and ensure market readiness. The program includes mandatory in-person components for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the mention of "SME Declaration" suggests that SMEs are eligible. The call is looking for innovative solutions, so startups, research institutes, and other entities with relevant solutions could also be eligible. The text mentions "funded third parties" which suggests a broad range of potential applicants.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a lump sum grant.

Consortium Requirement: The text mentions "Consortium Declaration of Honour (if applicable)", indicating that a consortium is not strictly required but is an option. Therefore, both single applicants and consortia are potentially eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The text mentions "eligible regions" but does not specify which regions are eligible. Further information would be needed to determine the geographic eligibility.

Target Sector: The program targets the seaweed/algae-based sector, specifically focusing on macroalgal production, biotechnology, and downstream applications in areas like food, cosmetics, and biofertilizer/biostimulant sectors.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The text refers to "eligible regions," implying a regional focus within Europe, but the specific regions are not detailed in the provided text. Brussels is mentioned as the reference time for the deadline.

Project Stage: The opportunity targets innovative solutions with a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6. This indicates that the project stage should be at least at the demonstration phase, moving towards validation and potentially commercialization.

Funding Amount: The total funding per project is EUR 60,000. The total funding available for the open call is EUR 1,800,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (EUR 60,000 lump sum) and non-monetary services. The non-monetary services include technical support, business support (mentoring, coaching, and networking), and participation in a 12-month I3-4-SEAWEED Programme with training activities and a monitoring and control process.

Application Stages: The application process involves three main phases: Admissibility and Eligibility check, Remote Expert evaluation, and Ranking and final selection.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided text. The text states that up to 30 projects will be supported, but without knowing the expected number of applications, the success rate cannot be estimated.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. However, the mention of a mandatory study visit and in-person workshop, with the instruction that "Applicants should ensure that their proposed budgets adequately cover all costs associated with participation in this study visit," suggests that applicants may need to cover some costs beyond the grant amount.

Summary:

The I3-4-SEAWEED Open Call is a funding opportunity for projects focused on advancing the European seaweed sector. The call is divided into two strands: Macroalgal Production and Macroalgal Biotechnology and Downstream applications, targeting innovations in areas like food, cosmetics, and biofertilizers/biostimulants. The program seeks innovative solutions with a minimum TRL of 6, indicating a focus on demonstration and validation stages. Each selected project will receive a lump sum grant of EUR 60,000 and participate in a 12-month program that includes technical and business support. The application process involves three stages: eligibility check, expert evaluation, and final ranking. While consortia are welcome, they are not mandatory. The geographic eligibility is limited to "eligible regions," which are not specified in the provided text. The funding will be distributed in three installments: an initial pre-financing of 40%, a payment ceiling of 70% after the first progress report, and the balance after the second progress report. Applicants should be prepared to cover the costs of a mandatory study visit and in-person workshop. The overall goal of the I3-4-SEAWEED project is to drive transformative growth in the European seaweed sector through interregional collaboration and scaling innovative business ventures. The opening date is August 20, 2025, and the deadline is October 22, 2025.