The European Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Launches Its 4th Transnational Call for Proposals

The 4th Transnational Call for Proposals of the European Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) is now open for applications, with the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) serving as the national funding agency. Pre-proposals may be submitted until 2:00 p.m. (Mainland Portugal time) on November 16.

Under the theme “Building a sustainable and innovative Blue Economy: mastering digital opportunities and fostering resilience,” the call for proposals brings together European and international funding agencies to support Research and Innovation (R&I) projects in the priority areas defined in the SBEP’s 2024 Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.

Pre-proposals must address at least one of the following topics:

• Transitioning blue economy sectors toward sustainability and strategic autonomy;
• Managing marine uses by promoting digital and ecosystem-based approaches;
• Promoting sustainable blue bioresources through innovation in marine production and harvesting;
• Building resilience in coastal communities through infrastructure and businesses.

Projects should contribute to the transformation of the blue economy, promoting a more resilient future and the achievement of carbon neutrality goals. SBEP recommends that proposals consider at least two European sea basins—including the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic, Black, Mediterranean, and North Seas—and assess the impact of the projects and the potential for replicating and scaling up their results across different basins.

To learn about the conditions applicable to applications from national entities, visit the FCT page dedicated to the call for proposals. For more information, visit the international page for the call for proposals.