European UnionDeadline PassedNon-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution, Other
Blue Parks - Towards a coherent European network of strictly protected areas for restoring healthy and productive marine ecosystems
Horizon Europe Missions: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030
Funding Amount
€4.0M - €5.0M
Deadline
24/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution, Other
Trusted by
What is the Blue Parks - Towards a coherent European network of strictly protected areas for restoring healthy and productive marine ecosystems Call?
Grant Description
This call addresses critical data gaps on the distribution and condition of marine habitats to support science-based conservation planning for strictly protected areas in European seas. Projects will map and assess key habitats (Annex II habitats, spawning, nursery and feeding areas, carbon capture and coastal protection zones), determine optimal networks of strictly protected areas at sea basin or sub-basin scale, and evaluate trade-offs with fisheries, offshore renewables and maritime transpor...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
- Improved, high-resolution knowledge of the distribution and condition of key marine habitats (Annex II and species habitats) and associated ecosystem services (spawning, nursery, feeding, carbon storage, coastal protection).
• A scientifically robust blueprint for designation of new strictly protected areas covering at least 10% of EU seas, structured as coherent, transboundary networks.
• Accelerated uptake by Member States/Associated Countries of strictly protected area designations, contributing to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Measurable contributions to the Mission ocean and waters Objective 1 through demonstrated benefits for marine ecosystem protection, biodiversity restoration, fisheries enhancement and climate resilience.
• A scientifically robust blueprint for designation of new strictly protected areas covering at least 10% of EU seas, structured as coherent, transboundary networks.
• Accelerated uptake by Member States/Associated Countries of strictly protected area designations, contributing to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Measurable contributions to the Mission ocean and waters Objective 1 through demonstrated benefits for marine ecosystem protection, biodiversity restoration, fisheries enhancement and climate resilience.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
• Directly support the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 target of legally protecting 30% of EU seas and strictly protecting 10% by 2030 through designation of new strictly protected areas.
• Focus on habitat types in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 and on habitats of species covered by that Regulation, prioritising spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, carbon-sequestering habitats and coastal protection zones.
• Operate at sea-basin or sub-basin scale to deliver coherent, ecologically relevant networks.
• Address all relevant EU directives and policies: Nature Restoration Law, Marine Action Plan, Birds and Habitats Directives, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Common Fisheries Policy and EU climate legislation.
• Deliver measurable benefits for fisheries (e.g., spill-over effects) and climate (carbon storage, resilience) and identify potential trade-offs with offshore renewables and other marine uses.
• Map and assess habitat condition in line with Article 5 of the Nature Restoration Regulation, providing data to EMODnet and the Digital Twin Ocean.
• Build upon and link to existing EU- and nationally-funded projects (Horizon 2020/Europe, EMFAF, LIFE, Interreg, Biodiversa+, JPI Oceans) and cooperate with Mission ocean and waters topics HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02-01, HORIZON-MISS-2022-OCEAN-01-01 and HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-01 to avoid geographical overlap.
• Support Member State/Associated Country cooperation mechanisms and interface with the Mission Implementation Platform and Blue Parks community.
• Proposals addressing EU Outermost Regions are encouraged.
• Directly support the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 target of legally protecting 30% of EU seas and strictly protecting 10% by 2030 through designation of new strictly protected areas.
• Focus on habitat types in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 and on habitats of species covered by that Regulation, prioritising spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, carbon-sequestering habitats and coastal protection zones.
• Operate at sea-basin or sub-basin scale to deliver coherent, ecologically relevant networks.
• Address all relevant EU directives and policies: Nature Restoration Law, Marine Action Plan, Birds and Habitats Directives, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Common Fisheries Policy and EU climate legislation.
• Deliver measurable benefits for fisheries (e.g., spill-over effects) and climate (carbon storage, resilience) and identify potential trade-offs with offshore renewables and other marine uses.
• Map and assess habitat condition in line with Article 5 of the Nature Restoration Regulation, providing data to EMODnet and the Digital Twin Ocean.
• Build upon and link to existing EU- and nationally-funded projects (Horizon 2020/Europe, EMFAF, LIFE, Interreg, Biodiversa+, JPI Oceans) and cooperate with Mission ocean and waters topics HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02-01, HORIZON-MISS-2022-OCEAN-01-01 and HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-01 to avoid geographical overlap.
• Support Member State/Associated Country cooperation mechanisms and interface with the Mission Implementation Platform and Blue Parks community.
• Proposals addressing EU Outermost Regions are encouraged.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Single-stage submission under Horizon Europe RIA (HORIZON-RIA) budget-based action grant (HORIZON-AG).
• Total call budget: €5 million; individual grants between €4 million and €5 million.
• Must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (Admissibility, Eligibility, Financial/Operational Capacity, Exclusion) and use the standard HE RIA application and evaluation forms.
• Adhere to page limits and layout requirements in Annex A/E and Part B of the Application Form.
• Eligible participants: entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as per Annex B.
• Data generated must follow FAIR principles and be deposited in EMODnet and EOSC-compatible repositories (Digital Twin Ocean).
• Close cooperation with public authorities and key stakeholders is mandatory; partnerships must include relevant marine/maritime sector actors.
• Avoid duplication with existing projects; coordinate with national Maritime Spatial Planning authorities.
• Results must be shared under open access and open data policies.
• Total call budget: €5 million; individual grants between €4 million and €5 million.
• Must comply with Horizon Europe General Annexes (Admissibility, Eligibility, Financial/Operational Capacity, Exclusion) and use the standard HE RIA application and evaluation forms.
• Adhere to page limits and layout requirements in Annex A/E and Part B of the Application Form.
• Eligible participants: entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as per Annex B.
• Data generated must follow FAIR principles and be deposited in EMODnet and EOSC-compatible repositories (Digital Twin Ocean).
• Close cooperation with public authorities and key stakeholders is mandatory; partnerships must include relevant marine/maritime sector actors.
• Avoid duplication with existing projects; coordinate with national Maritime Spatial Planning authorities.
• Results must be shared under open access and open data policies.
Important dates
Open from: 07/05/2025
Deadline:24/09/2025
Application period has ended
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