Horizon Europe: Mission Waters Call 2026 – single stage

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The annual calls for proposals with specified topics are based on the Mission Waters Implementation Plan and follow the second phase of the mission, which focuses on the implementation of the objectives. The priorities are structured around the three specific objectives of Mission Waters, accompanied by two so-called “enabler activities.”
 

1. Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration
2. Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Nature Restoration Law
3. Make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular, in line with the European Climate Law and the holistic vision enshrined in the Communication on a new approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy
4. Public mobilisation and engagement
5. Digital Ocean and Water Knowledge System

Full details of current calls for proposals can be found on the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal.

Call: Supporting the implementation of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission 

• HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-01: Large-scale demonstration for mapping the distribution 
  and condition of marine habitats to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation – IA -
  Budget: 31.00 Mio for four projects
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02: Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through
  nature positive solutions from source to sea – IA - Budget: 31.00 Mio for four projects
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-03: By fishers, for fishers: co-management of marine 
  and freshwaters ecosystems and resources – IA - Budget: 31.00 Mio for four projects
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-04: Towards a European network of ocean technology 
  testing sites – CSA - Budget: 2,9 Mio for one project
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-05: Regional (sea-basins) components of the 
  EU Digital Twin Ocean – IA - Budget: 19,4 Mio for four projects
   

Funding is available for European consortia consisting of several (usually at least three) organisations from three countries; please refer to the European Commission's call for proposals documents. 

Individual project funding depends on the topic. A budget of 115,3 million Euro is available for this call for proposals. 

The submission criteria are described in the European Commission's European Commission's call for proposals documents.

Project applications must be submitted electronically via the European Commission's Funding & Tenders Portal.

The results of the evaluation are expected by the end of February 2027 at the latest.