Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support research and innovation focused on monitoring, understanding, and mitigating the impacts of underwater noise on marine ecosystems across the European Union. The programme aims to improve scientific knowledge, develop assessment tools, and support environmental authorities in managing noise pollution in marine environments.
With a total budget of €10 million, the initiative funds projects that generate evidence-based solutions for protecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem services from the effects of anthropogenic underwater noise.
Overview
Underwater noise pollution from human activities such as shipping, construction, and industrial operations is an increasing environmental concern. It can affect marine organisms across multiple trophic levels and disrupt ecosystem functions and services.
This funding opportunity supports research that improves understanding of how continuous and impulsive underwater noise impacts marine life, while also addressing cumulative environmental pressures. It aims to strengthen monitoring systems and provide tools for environmental decision-making at national, regional, and EU levels.
Funding Information
- Total funding available: €10,000,000
- Funding type: Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions
- Objective: Monitoring, assessment, and mitigation of underwater noise impacts in marine ecosystems
Focus Areas
Projects should address one or more of the following areas:
- Impacts of continuous and impulsive underwater noise on marine organisms
- Effects on marine ecosystems and ecosystem services
- Cumulative impacts of noise with other environmental pressures
- Development of monitoring tools and assessment methods
- Creation of indicators for noise exposure and ecosystem response
- Regional variability in marine ecosystem sensitivity and responses
- Alignment with EU environmental assessment frameworks
Project Scope
Projects are expected to develop and improve scientific knowledge and practical tools for understanding underwater noise impacts.
Key activities include:
- Developing advanced methods for monitoring underwater noise
- Studying effects across marine species and trophic levels
- Assessing ecological responses to different types of noise pollution
- Creating indicators for noise exposure and cumulative environmental impacts
- Evaluating regional differences in marine ecosystem sensitivity
- Supporting alignment with EU-level environmental status assessment methods
Projects should also focus on:
- Development of mitigation measures to reduce underwater noise impacts
- Evaluation of mitigation effectiveness on ecosystem services
- Protection of ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration
- Integration of findings into marine environmental management frameworks
- Support for implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Expected Outcomes
Projects are expected to deliver:
- Improved monitoring and assessment tools for underwater noise
- Standardised indicators for environmental authorities
- Enhanced understanding of marine ecosystem responses
- Evidence-based mitigation strategies
- Improved assessment of cumulative environmental impacts
- Better support for Marine Strategy Framework Directive implementation
- Strengthened protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services
Policy Context
This funding topic supports key European Union environmental and marine policies, including:
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive
- EU Biodiversity Strategy
- European Green Deal
- Marine environmental protection frameworks
- EU environmental monitoring and assessment systems
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Any legal entity under Horizon Europe rules
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Public organisations
- Private organisations
- Environmental and marine research bodies
- Industry stakeholders
- International organisations
- Entities from non-associated third countries, subject to call conditions
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Eligibility
- Confirm eligibility under Horizon Europe regulations.
- Review specific call conditions and requirements.
Step 2: Develop Research Proposal
Prepare a proposal that:
- Addresses underwater noise impacts on marine ecosystems
- Includes monitoring and assessment methodologies
- Demonstrates innovation in environmental measurement or mitigation
- Aligns with EU marine environmental policies
Step 3: Build Partnerships
Where relevant:
- Collaborate with marine research institutes
- Engage environmental monitoring agencies
- Include interdisciplinary scientific expertise
- Strengthen international cooperation
Step 4: Submit Application
- Prepare technical and administrative documentation.
- Submit according to Horizon Europe application procedures.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly define methods for measuring underwater noise impacts.
- Include robust ecological assessment frameworks.
- Address cumulative environmental pressures.
- Demonstrate relevance to policy implementation needs.
- Propose scalable and standardised monitoring tools.
- Highlight mitigation strategies and their evaluation.
Why This Funding Matters
Underwater noise is an increasingly significant threat to marine ecosystems, affecting species behaviour, communication, and survival. This funding opportunity supports the development of scientific tools and mitigation strategies that improve understanding of these impacts and inform effective marine environmental policies across the European Union.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the total funding available?
- The total budget is €10,000,000.
- What is the main objective of the programme?
- To improve monitoring and mitigation of underwater noise impacts on marine ecosystems.
- What types of projects are supported?
- Research and innovation projects focused on noise monitoring, ecological impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.
- Which environmental impacts are studied?
- Continuous and impulsive underwater noise and its effects on marine organisms, ecosystems, and ecosystem services.
- What policies does this initiative support?
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive
- EU Biodiversity Strategy
- European Green Deal
- Who can apply?
- Any eligible legal entity under Horizon Europe rules, including international organisations and non-associated third countries.
- What are expected project outcomes?
- Improved monitoring tools, indicators, mitigation strategies, and policy-relevant environmental assessments.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s underwater noise research initiative supports the development of advanced tools and methodologies to better understand and mitigate the impacts of noise pollution on marine ecosystems. By funding research across monitoring, assessment, and mitigation, the programme strengthens evidence-based marine management and contributes to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services across European waters.
For more information, visit European Commission.