Supporting All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance

The grant opportunity, HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-04, is aimed at supporting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA). The expected opening date for applications is January 14, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 15, 2026. The funding amount available for this initiative is €4,500,000, which will be provided as a lump sum grant rather than through a reimbursement model.

Eligible applicants for this grant include a diverse mix of organizations such as universities, research institutions, government bodies, SMEs, non-governmental organizations, and civil society representatives. Notably, legal entities from Brazil are specifically eligible for Union funding despite being a non-EU country. The proposal must include a consortium of at least three legal entities from three different AAORIA Partner countries to foster international collaboration.

The geographic eligibility extends to EU and EEA member states, Brazil, and other international participants from various Atlantic coastal regions. The target sector revolves around marine and maritime research, focusing on sustainable ocean management, climate resilience, and ocean governance. This initiative is crucial for addressing contemporary ocean challenges and fostering science diplomacy while integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives.

The project is positioned in a coordination and support action stage, focusing on consolidating existing initiatives, enhancing governance structures, and implementing cooperative activities. The application process is streamlined with a single-stage submission, simplifying access for applicants. While there is no formal co-funding requirement, partnerships with private organizations and philanthropies are encouraged to ensure project sustainability.

The total funding for the entire governance call under Horizon Europe is €97,800,000, with only one anticipated award for this specific topic, indicating a highly competitive environment. Overall, this funding opportunity is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen collaboration across the Atlantic Basin, promote sustainable ocean practices, and empower the next generation of ocean professionals and governance leaders.

This is a summary of multiple Horizon Europe grant opportunities focused on ocean and coastal challenges, specifically targeting the Atlantic Ocean region. The opportunities fall under the HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE call and include various types of actions: COFUND, Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), and Innovation Actions (IA). The planned opening date for these opportunities is January 14, 2026, with a deadline of April 15, 2026.

The overarching goal is to tackle long-term ocean and coastal challenges by fostering international collaboration, knowledge creation, community engagement, and strategic investments. The initiatives aim to promote the sustainable management of the Atlantic Ocean, encompassing its northern and southern parts, and to connect scientists, stakeholders, and communities across generations and sectors.

Expected outcomes include:

Coordinated marine and maritime research and innovation activities with Atlantic Ocean stakeholders, integrating the North and South Atlantic dimension, aligned with the priorities identified in the 2022 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Declaration, as well as with areas of action agreed in Cape town in 2023 on increasing resilience of coastal communities, and ocean observing and modelling, including in support of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Enhanced visibility to the AAORIA activities, and support to its governance.

Established All-Atlantic Intergenerational Programme fostering a self-sustaining, intergenerational, and transdisciplinary community of Atlantic Ocean experts, promoting science diplomacy, innovation, and governance, as well as connecting, empowering and strengthening the future All Atlantic Leaders and Stewards to make strategic investments, take difficult decisions and facilitate community acceptance.

Key activities to be supported:

Consolidating and supporting existing and new AAORIA initiatives, ensuring their long-term self-sustainability.

Providing professional support for coordination, monitoring, communication, and outreach activities of the Alliance, including the organization of annual AAORIA Forums.

Incorporating new partners and supporters in AAORIA.

Supporting an overarching All-Atlantic Intergenerational Cooperation Programme with an integrated platform and network.

Strengthening research and training capacity in ocean science diplomacy, governance, and international cooperation.

Engaging and cooperating with relevant private initiatives through activities such as summer schools and an annual intergenerational event.

Creating and supporting an Atlantic network complementing the Our Shared Ocean Initiative and benefiting Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Engaging coastal communities through the Coastal Resilience Beacon Sites Network and exploring innovative cooperation models.

Establishing and supporting an annual high-level event to promote intergenerational dialogue.

Maximizing visibility and policy impact through global forums such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the G20.

Creating an independent fund to ensure financial support to Atlantic intergenerational cooperation.

Eligibility criteria include:

Legal entities from EU member states, associated countries, and certain non-EU countries, with specific provisions for Brazil.

Mandatory participation of at least three legal entities from at least three AAORIA Partner countries.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

The indicative budgets and number of grants vary by topic, ranging from 4,500,000 EUR to 38,000,000 EUR, and 1 to 3 grants per topic.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, with templates available in the Submission System. Evaluation will be based on criteria described in Annex D of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and the indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is detailed in Annex F.

Applicants are encouraged to consult various resources, including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, and the IT Helpdesk. Partner search tools are also available to facilitate the formation of consortia.

In essence, this call aims to bolster collaborative efforts in marine and maritime research and innovation across the Atlantic Ocean, fostering sustainable management, resilience, and intergenerational cooperation to address critical ocean and coastal challenges. It seeks to connect diverse stakeholders, promote knowledge sharing, and empower future leaders in ocean stewardship.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include a broad range of entities such as citizens/civil society, academia/research institutions, industry/SMEs, and government/public authorities. Cooperation with philanthropists is also encouraged. Legal entities from non-associated third countries may also participate under certain conditions. Legal entities established in Brazil are exceptionally eligible for Union funding.

Funding Type: The primary funding mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (CSA) with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. Specifically, participation of at least three legal entities established in at least three of the AAORIA Partner countries is mandatory.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and non-EU/non-associated countries. Participants from AAORIA Partner countries and other Atlantic coastal nations are particularly encouraged. Brazil is specifically mentioned as having exceptional eligibility.

Target Sector: The program targets the marine and maritime sectors, with a focus on ocean and coastal challenges, sustainable management of the Atlantic Ocean, marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and resilience of coastal communities. It also emphasizes science diplomacy, innovation, and governance within the All-Atlantic community.

Mentioned Countries: Brazil, Cape Town, Galway, Belém, Atlantic coastal nations, Caribbean SIDS, Low and Middle Income Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on coordination and support actions, which suggests a maturity level geared towards consolidating existing initiatives, enhancing visibility, supporting governance, and fostering cooperation. This implies a stage beyond initial research and more towards implementation and networking.

Funding Amount: The funding amount for HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-04 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions is EUR 4,500,000.

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

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-04 is 1.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding requirements are not explicitly stated, but building partnerships with the private sector and philanthropic organizations is encouraged to create an independent fund.

Summary: This Horizon Europe grant opportunity, HORIZON-CL6-2026-03-GOVERNANCE-04, aims to support the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) by funding Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The goal is to enhance collaboration across the Atlantic Ocean, promote its sustainable management, and address ocean and coastal challenges. Eligible applicants include a wide range of stakeholders such as research institutions, SMEs, government bodies, and civil society, with a mandatory consortium requirement of at least three entities from AAORIA Partner countries. The funding, provided as a lump sum, supports activities such as consolidating AAORIA initiatives, coordinating alliance activities, incorporating new partners, and establishing an intergenerational cooperation program. The call encourages international cooperation and broad participation across generations and disciplines, with a focus on science diplomacy, innovation, and governance. Brazil is specifically mentioned as an eligible country, and the call encourages partnerships with private and philanthropic organizations to ensure long-term financial sustainability. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of April 15, 2026.