2026 Call for Projects: Oceans – Social Worlds, Living Worlds (France)

The Foundation for the House of Human Sciences (FMSH) has launched the second call for projects under its Oceans Programme to support international teams and research networks in the humanities and social sciences. Selected projects can receive €15,000 to €30,000 over three years to strengthen collaboration, advance knowledge on ocean-related issues, and address major societal, environmental, and climate challenges.

About the Programme

The FMSH Oceans Programme supports the creation and strengthening of international scientific teams and networks working on ocean-related issues through the lens of the humanities and social sciences.

The programme aims to deepen understanding of maritime spaces, ocean governance, ocean societies, and maritime vulnerabilities, while encouraging collaboration between researchers, civil society, public authorities, and economic actors.

Funding Information

Selected projects will receive:

• €15,000 to €30,000

• Funding duration: 3 years

The funding is intended to support both the financial and logistical development of international research collaborations.

Priority Themes

Projects may address a wide range of ocean-related topics in the humanities and social sciences, including:

• Governance and regulation of maritime areas

  • Legal, political, diplomatic, and economic issues

• Ocean societies and cultures

  • Practices, knowledge, and representations

• Circulation and exchanges

  • Human, material, and immaterial flows

• Conflicts and vulnerabilities

  • Tensions, violence, resilience, and environmental pressures

For 2026, particular attention is given to:

• Maritime violence in both human and environmental dimensions, such as:

  • Piracy

  • Trafficking

  • Armed conflicts

  • Pollution

  • Over-exploitation of resources

  • Ecosystem degradation

Objectives of the Programme

The programme aims to:

• Support the creation or strengthening of international scientific teams and networks

• Address societal, environmental, and climate challenges linked to the oceans

• Encourage dialogue between science and society

• Promote partnerships with:

  • Economic actors

  • NGOs

  • Public decision-makers

• Foster collaboration between:

  • Humanities and social sciences

  • Life, earth, and environmental sciences

• Strengthen cooperation between researchers and civil society actors

Who Is Eligible?

Projects from all disciplinary approaches in the humanities and social sciences are eligible.

Key eligibility conditions:

• The main coordinator must be employed by a:

  • French research organisation, or

  • French higher education establishment

• This French institution must host the project

Other participants may include:

• Doctoral students

• Post-doctoral fellows

• Tenured researchers

• Participants based in France or abroad

In addition, societal partners may also be part of the team or network.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This programme is important because it supports international, interdisciplinary ocean research at a time when maritime issues are increasingly tied to:

• Climate change

• Resource pressure

• Environmental degradation

• Conflict and insecurity

• Governance and sustainability challenges

It is especially valuable for researchers who want to connect academic work with real-world impact through collaboration with NGOs, public institutions, civil society, and private-sector partners.

How to Apply / What to Do

To prepare a strong application:

1. Build an international team or network

   • Include strong research partners and, where relevant, societal partners.

2. Ensure French coordination

   • The lead coordinator must be based in a French research or higher education institution.

3. Choose a clear ocean-related theme

   • Align the proposal with one or more of the programme’s priority areas.

4. Highlight interdisciplinarity

   • Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged, especially with life, earth, and environmental sciences.

5. Show societal relevance

   • Explain how the project addresses pressing maritime, environmental, or climate challenges.

6. Demonstrate long-term collaboration value

   • Show how the funding will help build durable international partnerships over three years.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not having a French-based main coordinator

• Submitting a project outside the humanities and social sciences scope

• Ignoring the programme’s ocean-related thematic focus

• Failing to show international collaboration

• Missing the societal or policy relevance of the research

• Overlooking opportunities for interdisciplinary partnerships

FAQs

How much funding is available?

Selected projects can receive between €15,000 and €30,000 over three years.

Who can coordinate a project?

The main coordinator must be employed by a French research organisation or French higher education establishment, which will host the project.

What disciplines are eligible?

All disciplinary approaches in the humanities and social sciences are eligible.

Are interdisciplinary projects allowed?

Yes. Interdisciplinary projects are highly encouraged, especially those involving life, earth, and environmental sciences.

Can international researchers participate?

Yes. Other participants may be based in France or abroad, making this an international collaboration opportunity.

Can non-academic partners be included?

Yes. Societal partners, including NGOs and other relevant actors, may be part of the team or network.

Final Takeaway

The FMSH Oceans Programme 2026 is a valuable funding opportunity for international humanities and social sciences research teams working on major ocean-related challenges. With grants of €15,000 to €30,000 over three years, the programme supports research networks that combine academic excellence, interdisciplinarity, and societal relevance to better understand and sustainably transform human relationships with ocean ecosystems.