Innovative Earth observation services in support of maritime litter detection and ship source pollution policies
HORIZON-CL4-2025-02-SPACE-46
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
25/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Innovative Earth observation services in support of maritime litter detection and ship source pollution policies Call?
Grant Description
This call funds research and innovation activities to design, develop and demonstrate advanced space-based sensors and artificial intelligence methods for detection and identification of ship-sourced pollution on the sea surface. It addresses limitations in current monitoring systems under the revised Ship Sourced Pollution Directive by improving detection accuracy and timeliness across all MARPOL Annexes, supporting environmental protection of marine ecosystems and faster response to spill inci...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• National maritime authorities and enforcement bodies benefit from enhanced detection services to enforce the Ship Sourced Pollution Directive (SSPD), leading to improved protection of sea waters and marine ecosystems
• Increased detection accuracy enables faster, more efficient responses to potential spill incidents
• Increased detection accuracy enables faster, more efficient responses to potential spill incidents
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
• Develop and demonstrate space-borne sensors, including performance boundary and technical confidence assessment, for: Estimation of oil spill volume and thickness plus oil type identification (e.g. via spectral signatures) Detection of oil spills in sea ice conditions Detection and identification of chemical products on the sea surface (MARPOL Annex II) Detection and identification of sewage (MARPOL Annex IV) Detection and identification of garbage (MARPOL Annex V) Detection and identification of exhaust gas cleaning system residues and monitoring of single-vessel methane emissions (MARPOL Annex VI) Identification of the possible polluter via vessel-unique spectral signature (Optional plus) Detection of other MARPOL Annex VI emissions
• Design and improve AI/ML methods for automated, timely, high-confidence identification and characterization of spills, sewage and garbage (minimise false alerts)
• Ensure complementarity with EMSA’s Clean Sea Net and Copernicus maritime surveillance services
• Consult and align with the Copernicus Security Services Strategic Research Agenda (CSS-SRA) and subsequent updates
• Address transfer of R&I results to operations, including readiness for future deployment, interaction with EMSA, IPR and re-use conditions
• Encourage links to EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030
• Integrate gender analysis where relevant to the research objectives
• Design and improve AI/ML methods for automated, timely, high-confidence identification and characterization of spills, sewage and garbage (minimise false alerts)
• Ensure complementarity with EMSA’s Clean Sea Net and Copernicus maritime surveillance services
• Consult and align with the Copernicus Security Services Strategic Research Agenda (CSS-SRA) and subsequent updates
• Address transfer of R&I results to operations, including readiness for future deployment, interaction with EMSA, IPR and re-use conditions
• Encourage links to EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030
• Integrate gender analysis where relevant to the research objectives
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Single-stage submission deadline: 25 September 2025, 17:00 Brussels time
• Lump sum grant under Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG-LS)
• Only one project funded under this topic
• Eligible participants from EU Member States and H2020-associated countries (see WP General Annex B); non-associated third countries subject to specific provisions
• If using satellite EO or PNT data, mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo-EGNOS services
• Active involvement and/or interaction with EMSA required; JRC may join the consortium
• Applicants must follow admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award rules in WP General Annexes A-F; adhere to page limits and application templates
• Results must be made available for re-use and exploitation by EMSA and other EU bodies, including clear IPR arrangements
• Proposals must consult the relevant destination description in WP Part 7 “Digital, Industry and Space” and the CSS-SRA
• Financial and operational capacity, legal entity validation and LEAR appointment as per WP Annexes C and E
• Integration of gender dimension only if relevant
• Lump sum grant under Horizon Europe Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG-LS)
• Only one project funded under this topic
• Eligible participants from EU Member States and H2020-associated countries (see WP General Annex B); non-associated third countries subject to specific provisions
• If using satellite EO or PNT data, mandatory use of Copernicus and/or Galileo-EGNOS services
• Active involvement and/or interaction with EMSA required; JRC may join the consortium
• Applicants must follow admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award rules in WP General Annexes A-F; adhere to page limits and application templates
• Results must be made available for re-use and exploitation by EMSA and other EU bodies, including clear IPR arrangements
• Proposals must consult the relevant destination description in WP Part 7 “Digital, Industry and Space” and the CSS-SRA
• Financial and operational capacity, legal entity validation and LEAR appointment as per WP Annexes C and E
• Integration of gender dimension only if relevant
Important dates
Open from: 22/05/2025
Deadline:25/09/2025
Application period has ended
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