Cluster 6 and the Mission to Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030
The NCP network has been busy preparing for the launch of the 2026 calls and highlighting future opportunities under the 2027 work programmes. An analysis undertaken of the upcoming calls with links to marine and maritime related research and innovation shows that there is approximately €1.55Bn available in the last part of the Framework Programme for SMEs, industry and academic researchers.
Performance to date
In Horizon Europe to date, €92m in funding has been awarded across the research and innovation ecosystem to marine and maritime projects. Marine and maritime SME and industry partners have been awarded €34 in funding, with Research Performing Organisations and Higher Education Institutes responsible for €54.6m. Some of the organisations that have received the largest amount of funding include F6S Network Ireland and University College Cork. Within Mission Ocean to date, €24.7m in funding has been awarded to Irish organisations, with F6S Network Ireland receiving the largest amount of funding and participating in the highest number of projects.
Information Days – 22nd and 23rd January 2026
Join the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 info days on 22 and 23 January 2026 to learn more about the topics of the forthcoming Work Programme 2026! The event will be hybrid hosted in Brussels at the Charlemagne conference facility and streamed online via the European Commission’s web platform.
The event covers:
- Insights into the policy context
- A ‘key-to-success' session focused on guidance and tips for quality proposals
- Pitches for each of the topics from the Work Programme 2026
Registration is available here.
Cluster 6 Brokerage event
Ahead of the official Info Days, the CARE4BIO project, gathering Cluster 6 National Contact Points (NCPs), will host a brokerage event for potential applicants on 21 January 2026 at the Borschette Centre in Brussels. The event offers networking and matchmaking opportunities to find partners who share the same topics of interest.
Register for the Brokerage event.
Horizon Europe info days - EU Missions – 20th and 21st January 2026
- Adaptation to Climate Change Mission
- 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart cities by 2030 Mission
- Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 Mission
- A Soil Deal for Europe Mission
Connect online via this link.
Save the date: NCP4Missions’ Brokerage event – 28th and 29th January 2026
The Brokerage Event 2026 focusing on EU Missions in Horizon Europe will take place on 28-29 January 2026. It is organised by NCP4Missions, the international network of National Contact Points for the five EU Missions. The event will kick off on 28 January at 10:00 a.m. CET with an online plenary session offering practical advice on how to effectively tackle the Horizon Europe 2026 calls for proposals. Following the plenary, you will have the opportunity to schedule online bilateral meetings to present their expertise and/or project ideas and discuss potential collaborations.
Save The Date – European Ocean Days – 2nd and 6th March 2026
The European Ocean Days is a week-long event with a series of dynamic and interconnected sessions focused on key ocean-related themes, all designed to encourage participants to engage across topics and contribute to a shared vision for the prosperity, competitiveness, security and sustainability of our ocean.
Inspired by the European Ocean Pact, the 3rd edition of the event will bring together industry leaders, startups, investors, policymakers, scientists, SMEs, representatives from fisheries and aquaculture, islands and coastal communities, the Mission Ocean and Waters community, and civil society, including youth voices. Participants will engage in consultations, panel discussions, workshops, and community events to exchange ideas, discuss upcoming challenges, scale up innovative solutions, and jointly pave the way for concrete actions supporting the implementation of the European Ocean Pact.
Stay tuned, registrations will open in December 2025.