AQUARIUS project launches second €4 million funding call to support marine and freshwater research

AQUARIUS project launches second €4 million funding call to support marine and freshwater research

The AQUARIUS project, a landmark project funded under the EU’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, has officially launched the second of two funding calls, offering a total of €4 million to enable scientists to travel to and use world-class research infrastructures. This transnational funding aims to enhance European research and innovation capabilities and support the goals of the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.

Building on the success of the first funding call, which will support ten international scientific teams with ground-breaking research across Europe’s sea basins, the second funding call introduces several important updates designed to increase accessibility and broaden participation from scientists across all sectors.

“Europe has an incredible wealth of research infrastructures. What AQUARIUS does is spread this wealth across borders to ensure that access barriers do not limit excellent science. This is a unique opportunity for scientists from all backgrounds to advance research on our aquatic ecosystems, and we are excited to be at the forefront of enabling this,” said Aodhan Fitzgerald, Marine Institute, AQUARIUS Project Coordinator.

Application Process and Key Dates:

  • Opening Date: September 2, 2025
  • Closing Date: October 28, 2025
  • Eligibility: Open to individual entities or groups of researchers from academia, public bodies, industry and civil society, including citizen science organisations.
  • Details and Application Instructions: https://aquarius-ri.eu/access/ 

The AQUARIUS transnational access funding provides an unparalleled opportunity for innovative projects to use state-of-the-art facilities, including:

  • Research vessels and mobile/fixed marine observation platforms

  • Aircraft, drones, and satellite services

  • Experimental research facilities

  • River and basin supersites

  • Advanced data service infrastructures

Through its network of 45 partners from 18 countries, AQUARIUS provides an unprecedented geographic and cross-domain scope for scientific collaboration.

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

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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen Sweeney  e: kathleen.sweeney@marine.ie | m: +353 (0)87 094 5754
Sinéad Coyne  e: sinead.coyne@marine.ie | m: +353 (0)87 947 7090
Communications Office, Marine Institute  e: communications@marine.ie | t: +353 (0)91 387 200

Marine Institute

The Marine Institute is Ireland’s scientific agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of the State’s maritime area and resources. The Institute conducts applied research and provides scientific knowledge, advice and services to government, industry and other stakeholders and users. www.marine.ie

About AQUARIUS

AQUARIUS: Aqua Research Infrastructure Services for the health and protection of our unique, oceans, seas and freshwater ecosystems is a Research and Innovation action (RIA) funded by the Horizon Europe Work programme. AQUARIUS brings together researchers, institutions, and infrastructure providers to foster collaborative research efforts across Europe. Start date: 01 March 2024. End date: 29 February 2028.

AQUARIUS is a four-year, 14.5 million Euro project with the aim of providing 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 European UnionAQUARIUS has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under grant agreement No 101130915. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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

Infrastructure Portfolio: https://aquarius-ri.eu/research-infrastructures-catalogue/ 

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