A stronger Global Ocean Observing System to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic funds one large action to maintain and strengthen global ocean observations, especially for marine biodiversity, and to reinforce European capacity within the Global Ocean Observing System. It brings together the ocean observing community, research infrastructures and technology providers.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

In line with the EU OceanEye initiative, the topic funds one action that stabilises, strengthens and operationalises the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, with attention to physical, biogeochemical and biological observations relevant to biodiversity and to services such as Copernicus.

Activities

• Focus mainly on areas beyond national jurisdiction and reinforce GOOS governance and observing networks, addressing gaps in polar regions, the deep sea and other under-observed regions.
• Support global deployment of observation equipment coordinated by GOOS and integrate European biodiversity and ecosystem observations into the global system.
• Use observing system experiments, simulation experiments and network optimisation to design a minimum viable, cost-effective observing system for climate and biodiversity predictions and operational services.
• Identify technology needs, including AI, co-create a technology roadmap with industry and demonstrate high-TRL sensors for Essential Ocean Variables.
• Develop skills, training and knowledge exchange, and support coordination of GOOS and its components and EU contributions to G7-FSOI.

Approach

The action should first maintain full capabilities in the short term through equipment deployment, then deliver a step-change in observing capacity while working towards long-term sustainability with Member States, Associated Countries and international partners. Where relevant, solutions should reduce critical dependencies on third countries. Consortia will coordinate with projects selected under the ESA FutureEO programme.

Expected outcomes

More resilient global ocean observing capacity, better-targeted public investment, stronger EU leadership and strategic autonomy in ocean observation, and wider deployment of innovative observing technologies, including through European SMEs and technology providers.

Quando scade il bando?

16 febbraio 2027 (103 giorni)

16 February 2027