The Horizon Europe AQUARIUS project has launched the first of two funding calls to support marine and freshwater research and innovation projects to access a diverse array of world-class research infrastructure services. A total of €8.1 Million is available to projects that can demonstrate how they will integrate research infrastructure services and contribute to the health, protection and sustainable management of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Applications are being accepted until January 20th, 2025. 

The AQUARIUS project, a landmark project funded under the EU’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, has officially launched its first of two funding calls, offering a total of €8.1 Million to support scientific projects to access diverse world-class research infrastructures. This funding aims to enhance research and innovation capabilities and support the goals of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030. 

Open until January 20, 2025, the call is unique in that it is offering access to a diverse portfolio of  European research infrastructures, including research vessels, mobile and fixed marine observation platforms, aircraft, drones, satellites, experimental research facilities, river and basin supersites, and sophisticated data service infrastructures.  The extensive geographic and cross-domain scope is possible due to the AQUARIUS network of 45 partners from across 18 countries. 

“The primary aim of AQUARIUS is to support research projects that integrate multiple infrastructures to address critical challenges facing our marine and freshwater environments,” said Aodhan Fitzgerald, Marine Institute, AQUARIUS Project Coordinator,   “Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, and we are excited to be at the forefront of enabling this in AQUARIUS” 

By creating an interconnected network and facilitating access, AQUARIUS contributes to the ambition of the European Research Area to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU, and enables scientists from less well-equipped countries to access state-of-the-art infrastructure services. 

 

Key Highlights of AQUARIUS: 

  • Funding: €8.1 million funding available through two Transnational Access Calls. 
  • Scope: Open to research and innovation projects that align with the goals of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, across the Mission’s Lighthouse regions: the Atlantic-Arctic, Baltic and North Sea, Danube and Black Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. 
  • Training Opportunities: Upcoming programs for early-career scientists, including marine internships and floating universities. 
  • Open Science Commitment: Emphasis on robust data management and open access to scientific data to enhance transparency and collaboration within the research community. 

AQUARIUS will deliver a more visible, integrated and coordinated European research infrastructure landscape enabling the multidisciplinary research and innovation needed to protect and sustainably manage our highly connected ocean, coastal and fresh-water ecosystems. 

“This is a unique opportunity for scientists from academia, industry or citizen science organisations to take their research to the next level”, said Anneli Strobel, Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany, AQUARIUS Work Package 3 Lead,  “We invite them  to take advantage of this opportunity to apply for this variety of state of the art infrastructures with financial support from the EU”  

For more information about the AQUARIUS funding calls, its comprehensive online research infrastructure catalogue, and upcoming training opportunities, visit www.aquarius-ri.eu. 

Open Call page: https://aquarius-ri.eu/access/  

 

About AQUARIUS: 

AQUARIUS is a four-year, €14.5 Million project with the aim to provide access to a comprehensive and diverse suite of integrated research infrastructures to address challenges and explore opportunities for the long-term sustainability of our marine and freshwater ecosystems. Funded by the Horizon Europe program, AQUARIUS brings together researchers, institutions, and infrastructure providers to foster collaborative research efforts across Europe.