The ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR)

The main goal of this opportunity is to support European efforts towards climate neutrality and the sustainability of the oceans by deepening scientific understanding and developing measures for responsible ocean climate interventions. It focuses on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) and marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR), aiming to improve knowledge of their environmental, social, and governance impacts. The opportunity also seeks to enhance Earth System Models and address sustainability across different scales. Projects should contribute to climate stabilization and the resilience of the Earth system. International cooperation is strongly encouraged, with eligibility extending to EU, Associated Countries, and certain non-EU partners.

• Proposals must follow the specified page limits and layout requirements in the application form.
• Participants must be from eligible countries, which include EU, Associated Countries, and some non-EU countries with specific funding provisions.
• International organizations are eligible to participate and receive funding.
• If using satellite-based Earth observation or navigation data, applicants must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services.
• Projects must align with the specific topic and objectives of the Work Programme.
• Collaboration, use of existing platforms, and adherence to best practices in sustainability are encouraged.

Example Projects:

• A multinational research project using Copernicus data to monitor the impacts of ocean alkalinity enhancement in the Atlantic.
• An international consortium studying the governance and socio-political effects of marine carbon dioxide removal methods.
• A collaborative initiative leveraging existing marine observing platforms to test new approaches for climate stabilization in European waters.

• Personnel costs for research and technical staff
• Costs for equipment and instruments needed for the project
• Consumables and materials required for experiments
• Travel and subsistence for project meetings and fieldwork
• Subcontracting of specialized services
• Costs related to the use of satellite data (Copernicus/Galileo/EGNOS)
• Data management and dissemination activities
• Costs for stakeholder engagement and communication
• Project management and coordination expenses
• Overheads calculated as part of the lump sum

Restrictions: All expenses must fit within the lump sum model defined by the programme and follow the guidelines in the application documents.

• Budget for this Call: 12.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 6.000.000€

• Applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States, Associated Countries, or eligible non-EU countries with specific funding provisions.
• International organizations are eligible for funding.
• Proposals must comply with the application format and requirements set in the Work Programme.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS is required if the project involves satellite-based data and services.
• Projects should demonstrate alignment with the topic's objectives and focus areas.
• Collaboration and international cooperation are encouraged and may be required for some projects.
• Applicants must follow best practices in ocean intervention research and sustainability.