Deadline: 05-Dec-2025
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’) enters its second half, the new Call for Decade Actions No. 10 is open to initiatives that enhance the science-policy-society nexus, translating scientific evidence into policies for sustainable ocean management and community well-being.
The Ocean Decade provides a global framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to co-design and co-deliver the scientific knowledge needed to inform decision making and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The current Call for Decade Actions focuses on addressing priority needs from the Barcelona Statement and galvanising new contributions and new projects to support and strengthen existing Decade Actions and coordination structures.
The Call for Decade Actions No. 10/2025 invites Expressions of Interest for Decade Programmes, which are large-scale, long-term, multi-year, interdisciplinary, and multi-national initiatives implemented at the global or regional scale.
Programmes must demonstrate a clear alignment with the priorities outlined in the Barcelona Statement and Vision 2030, show synergies with existing Decade Programmes, and outline tangible pathways for translating scientific knowledge into policy and sustainable development outcomes.
They must run for at least four years, have clear science-to-policy impacts, include capacity development, and show potential for growth and expansion. Programmes require identified funding, strong international leadership, and innovative approaches that go beyond existing efforts.
Interested institutions are encouraged to collaborate with other partners working on shared objectives and to contact relevant Decade Coordination Offices, Decade Collaborative Centres, or National Decade Committees during proposal preparation.
The endorsement process for Decade Programmes involves the Decade Coordination Unit, Decade Advisory Board, and relevant regional and thematic structures. Endorsed initiatives will be registered on the Ocean Decade website and gain access to opportunities for global visibility, collaboration, and communications support.
Endorsed proponents will also be eligible to use the Ocean Decade logo in accordance with the Decade Brand Guidelines and may benefit from exclusive funding and partnership opportunities coordinated by the Decade Coordination Unit.
Submissions will be evaluated based on criteria including scale, duration, multidisciplinary approach, science-to-policy impact, international partnerships, identified funding, capacity development, and potential for growth.
The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest for Decade Programmes is 5 December 2025, 23:59 UTC. Two virtual Q&A sessions will be held on 29 October 2025 and 4 November 2025 to provide additional information to interested proponents.
For more information, visit Ocean Decade.
