Objectives

The development and deployment of innovative ocean technologies for a wide range of applications are paving the way for more sustainable use of marine resources, for effective ocean monitoring and observation, for enhancing security and safety of offshore operations and infrastructures.

Access to dedicated offshore sites for testing and validating these technologies in real-world marine environments can be cumbersome. There is a need to accelerate the innovation cycles of these technologies and support companies in the transition from laboratory to market-ready solutions. This topic is closely linked with the Technology Infrastructure initiatives under Horizon Europe Cluster 4 – Digital, Industry and Space[1] and contributes to its overall objective of allowing companies to derisk their R&D&I investments before market introduction and to have ideas and concepts tested and validated in real conditions for faster uptake at commercial scale, while enhancing knowledge and skills, in line with the recommendations of the Commission Expert Group on Technology Infrastructures?

Proposals should originate from European operators of testing sites for ocean technologies. The aim is to establish or expand existing well-connected networks of physical sites centred in various geographical locations, complemented by digital twin -based sites, offering diverse marine environmental conditions across Europe for testing ocean technology prototypes and demonstrators, and supporting the testing process with unique competences and know-how, in line with certification requirements and in a way that sensitive technological developments and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are preserved.

The physical testing sites can be complemented by digital twin representations making use of the EU digital twin of the ocean (DTO) public infrastructure. This digital twin-based testing sites are highly effective for testing and validating ocean technologies as they provide a virtual replica of real-world marine environments and then enable accurate simulations and assessments of how technologies will perform in actual conditions, providing a controlled, risk-free environment for testing and validation.

Projects are expected to improve the integration and structure of the European landscape of ocean testing sites, including digital twin-based sites, by involving relevant actors to cover a broad range of sites for various ocean technologies and application areas, including ocean observation and monitoring.

 

Actions

This call covers the following topics:

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-01: Large-scale demonstration for mapping the distribution and condition of marine habitats to implement the Nature Restoration Regulation

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02: Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature positive solutions from source to sea

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-03: By fishers, for fishers: co-management of marine and freshwaters ecosystems and resources

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-04: Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-05: Regional (sea-basins) components of the EU Digital Twin Ocean