Real time monitoring of regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and other port activities in order to enforce emission limits in waterfront cities

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal has announced a call for proposals titled "Real-time monitoring of regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and other port activities in order to enforce emission limits in waterfront cities." This opportunity falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically within Cluster 5, and is identified as HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17.

This grant operates as a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) with a total budget of €16 million, aimed at funding projects that enhance emission monitoring technologies. It plans to award approximately two grants of €8 million each, with a single-stage application process. The opening date for applications is slated for 16 September 2025, with a deadline of 20 January 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The main objective of this call is to support various EU strategies, including the Zero Pollution Action Plan, Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, and Climate-Neutral Cities Mission. The focus is on developing real-time monitoring systems for vessel emissions and related pollution from port operations. Projects should aim to create reliable methods for measuring emissions and provide valuable data that can support regulatory compliance and inform stakeholders about air quality impacts.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other entities from EU member states and associated countries, with a strong emphasis on forming consortia that involve multiple organizations from at least three different countries. Demonstration projects must be conducted in six TEN-T ports, with conditions that at least one port is located in a city participating in the EU Cities Mission.

The anticipated outcomes include the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies for accurate emission assessments, methods for automatic reporting and verification, and development of decision support systems for shipping operators and port authorities. Projects are expected to generate data that not only complies with existing regulations but also fills gaps around new fuels and pollutants.

Proposals should address several key activities such as real-time mapping of emissions, assessing pollution from all modes of transport and port operations, and developing methodologies for pollution assessment. Stakeholder engagement is crucial, with an emphasis on collaboration with local communities and authorities.

Overall, this funding opportunity aims to leverage innovative technologies for better environmental outcomes in maritime operations, seeking to align with broader EU goals related to sustainability and cleaner urban environments. The initiative is an invitation for innovators to contribute to making ports cleaner and healthier through effective emission monitoring and control systems.

The EU Funding and Tenders Portal presents a call for proposals titled "Real time monitoring of regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and other port activities in order to enforce emission limits in waterfront cities" under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically within Cluster 5, Call 01-2026 (WP 2025) with topic ID HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17. This is a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) grant with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] model grant agreement. The call adopts a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 16 September 2025, and the deadline for submission is 20 January 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated to this topic is 16,000,000 EUR for the year 2025, with an indicative contribution of around 8,000,000 EUR per grant and an expected number of 2 grants.

The expected outcomes of this call are designed to support the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, and the implementation of the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. These outcomes include:

Real-time demonstration of on-board tamper-proof and remote measurement techniques for a wide range of pollutants (including pollutants from alternative fuels and non-regulated pollutants) from vessel emissions, allowing shipowners to measure the emissions during operation and contributing to the current monitoring and enforcing activities of public authorities, such as port and maritime authorities and with the potential to be used for future compliance monitoring.

Development of broadly accepted harmonised methods to measure real sailing emissions, including coastal, open seas and inland waterway with potential to be used for future compliance monitoring.

Development of an automatic reporting and verification system solution that helps shipping companies to comply with current and future regulation and for maritime, inland and port authorities to monitor and control the actual ship emissions derived from the data exchanged.

Contribution to the delivery of better emission factors for emissions inventories and projections, especially for harmful substances and fuel mixtures for which little knowledge exists today and ultimately contributing to the establishment of a broadly accepted method for measuring and calculating real sailing emissions of a ship.

Identification of real-world releases of harmful substances which are currently not controlled by regulations and excessive releases of substances already controlled in open seas and in-port activities.

Innovative technologies and systems to monitor, measure and identify the source of pollution in ports beyond vessels, including other transport modes, port operations and industries active in the port environment are made available for public authorities.

Recommendations for improved certification and testing to better cover real world situations.

Support of local, regional, national and international emissions reduction and air quality plans and noise action plans by providing real-world emission information and measuring the actual impact of control measures and strategies on concentrations and/or deposition of pollutants.

Identification of risk areas for potential violations to emission limits.

The scope of the call addresses the pressing need for accurate measurement of emissions in coastal and port environments, considering their impact on the environment and human health. It acknowledges the challenges in developing standardized technologies for real-time pollutant emissions data collection from diverse vessels. The call emphasizes the importance of monitoring emissions from various port-related sources, including operations, industrial activities, and the transition to alternative fuels. It also highlights the need to ensure vessel compliance with regulations in different maritime areas and the assessment of real-world emission control performance.

To address these issues, proposals are expected to undertake the following R&I activities:

Map high emission activities and demonstrate port, coastal, inland and open sea monitoring techniques for at least NOx, BC, N2O, UFP, NH3, CH4, PM as well as PN and NMVOC (or any other related pollutants), during normal operation of ships which includes dynamic engine loads of all ship types (including port service vessels) and suitable for zero carbon fuels, dual-fuel engines and carbon capture. All the emission measurements should be integrated through static and remote sensing in order to share data.

Demonstration of the developed measuring technologies in 6 different TEN-T ports, (of which 3 Core and 3 Comprehensive ports, covering at least three sea basins of the Black, Mediterranean, North Sea, N. Atlantic and Baltic Seas). Out of these 6 ports at least one should be classified as a TEN-T inland-waterway only port according to Annex II of the TEN-T Regulation. At least one of the ports should be situated in a city participating in the Cities Mission and activities should feed into the implementation of the Climate City Contract (CCC), with abatement measures and port-city collaborative governance approaches to match or enhance CCC commitments. The selection of ports should be such as to cover a wide range of emission profiles and take into consideration the complexity of emission sources in order to ensure that the outcome is representative and can be replicated to other ports.

Identify, differentiate and measure in real time at or near possible sources of emissions (e.g., individual vessel, specific port operations, industrial installations within and very close to the port area) under complex (geographical, layout, mixed space uses and other) conditions and variable weather conditions. The calibration of the measurement systems and the reproducibility of the results should be demonstrated.

Development of a methodology for assessing pollution within the port area including emissions from all transport modes, port operations and industries located in the port area.

Identify the impact of emissions in ports and nearby cities and propose mitigating measures and plans for municipalities and port authorities, including ports in which municipalities are not directly involved in the management of port authorities and terminals.

Development of Real-Time Decision Support Systems (RT DSS) for ships, onboard ship operations, ship operators to look into data collected to enable port and maritime authorities to make decisions about rebates.

Development of harmonised monitoring techniques and an automatic reporting and verification system solution helping shipowners to comply with current and future EU and international regulation as well as public authorities to monitor and control emissions from the data exchanged.

Harmonise/standardise monitoring techniques and reporting (taking also into consideration the CountEmissions EU rules) with the potential to be used for legal prosecution; develop recommendations for improved certification and testing for real world situations.

Increase evidence to feed pool of data for regulated and non-regulated pollutants from vessels.

Identify pollutants from new fuels used for shipping decarbonisation.

Develop protocol(s) for the measurement of BC, UFP, and PN from vessels.

Develop engine testing methods to better mimic real-world emissions and propose a vessel grading system methodology with respect to its emissions comparable to EURO classification of road vehicles.

Proposals should demonstrate engagement with authorities and local communities for disseminating results. They are also encouraged to explore and use results from previous EU-funded projects and develop complementarities with relevant activities. The inclusion of fisheries sectors and fishing vessels is encouraged, and collaboration with projects selected under the EU Ocean & Waters Mission is expected.

The general conditions for this call include:

Admissibility Conditions: The proposal page limit is 70 pages, with layout described in Part B of the Application Form.

Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Other Eligible Conditions: Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks. At least one port must be in a Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission city, and demonstration activities must be in a real operational environment.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D; submission and evaluation processes in Annex F and the Online Manual; and the indicative timeline in Annex F.

Legal and financial set-up: Grants will be linked to action HORIZON-MISS-2021-CIT-02-03, with mandatory collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Specific conditions include the use of standard application and evaluation forms, the HE Programme Guide, HE MGA, and additional documents such as the HE Main Work Programme and EU Financial Regulation.

This funding opportunity aims to foster innovation in emission monitoring technologies, promote sustainable practices in ports, and support the EU's broader environmental and climate goals. It seeks to bridge the gap between current emission regulations and real-world performance, particularly as the shipping industry transitions to new fuels and technologies. Successful projects will contribute to cleaner port cities, improved air quality, and a more sustainable maritime sector.

In essence, this call is about funding projects that can develop and demonstrate effective ways to monitor and reduce pollution from ships and other activities in and around ports. It's a chance for researchers, technology developers, and port authorities to work together to create solutions that will make ports cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable for the future. The focus is on real-time monitoring, standardized methods, and systems that can be used for compliance and enforcement, ultimately contributing to the EU's Green Deal objectives.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly defined in the provided text. However, based on the nature of Horizon Europe calls, eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant organizations from EU member states and associated countries. The call encourages engagement with authorities and local communities, suggesting that governmental and non-profit organizations are also relevant.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] under HORIZON-IA (HORIZON Innovation Actions) and HORIZON-RIA (HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions) and HORIZON-CSA (HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to favor a consortium approach. The call specifies demonstration activities in six different TEN-T ports, implying the need for multiple partners to cover this scope. The encouragement of partner search further suggests a consortium is expected.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the transport sector, specifically waterborne transport and port activities, with a focus on environmental sustainability, emissions monitoring, and green technologies. It also touches on energy (alternative fuels), climate (GHG emissions), and ICT (development of decision support systems). The specific sectors include maritime, inland waterways, port operations, environmental monitoring, and software services.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the call references TEN-T ports located in the Black, Mediterranean, North Sea, N. Atlantic and Baltic Sea basins, implying that projects should involve ports within the EU that fall within these regions.

Project Stage: The project stage is primarily demonstration and validation, with elements of development and research. The call emphasizes real-time demonstration of monitoring techniques in operational environments, suggesting a need for technologies that are beyond the initial research phase but require validation and scaling.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific HORIZON action.
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-01 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 24,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 8,000,000, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-04 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 30,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 10,000,000, 3 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-05 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 15,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 7,500,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D2-09 - HORIZON-CSA: EUR 1,500,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 1,500,000, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 16,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 8,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-03 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 8,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 4,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-04 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 5,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 5,000,000, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-05 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 4,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 4,000,000, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-06 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 4,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 4,000,000, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-07 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 22,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 11,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-08 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 15,000,000 (indicative grant: EUR 7,000,000 to EUR 8,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-09 - HORIZON-CSA: EUR 3,500,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 3,500,000, 1 grant)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-10 - HORIZON-IA: EUR 16,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 8,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-13 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 10,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 5,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-14 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 10,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 5,000,000, 2 grants)
HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D6-15 - HORIZON-RIA: EUR 4,000,000 (indicative grant: around EUR 4,000,000, 1 grant)

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a grant to fund their research, innovation, and demonstration activities.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates cannot be determined from the text. The number of grants is indicative, but the number of applications is unknown.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. As a Horizon Europe Innovation Action, co-funding may be indirectly implied, but this is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17) focuses on "Real time monitoring of regulated and non-regulated emissions from all types of vessels and other port activities in order to enforce emission limits in waterfront cities." It aims to support the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, and the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission by funding projects that develop and demonstrate technologies for real-time monitoring of vessel emissions and port-related pollution. The call seeks to address the pressing need for accurate emission measurements in port environments, particularly with the shift towards alternative fuels and the potential for new, unregulated pollutants. Projects should map high emission activities, demonstrate monitoring techniques in various TEN-T ports, develop methodologies for assessing pollution, identify impacts on nearby cities, and create real-time decision support systems. The call encourages collaboration with authorities, local communities, and related EU-funded projects. The funding is provided through HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a planned opening date of 16 September 2025 and a deadline of 20 January 2026. The budget for HORIZON-CL5-2026-01-D5-17 is EUR 16,000,000, with an indicative number of 2 grants at around EUR 8,000,000 each. The application process is single-stage, and applicants are expected to form consortia to address the multifaceted challenges outlined in the call.