Ocean Knowledge 2030 Research Call (2026)

Ocean Knowledge 2030 is Ireland's Strategy for Marine Research, Knowledge & Innovation for the period 2025-2030, which has been prepared by the Marine Institute in collaboration with government departments and agencies, including members of the Marine Research Funders' Forum. Ocean Knowledge 2030 guides the coordination at national level of marine research and innovation investments, programming and policy, helping to optimise impact, enable the sustainable use of ocean space, and develop a sustainable climate-neutral blue economy.

Ocean Knowledge 2030 sets out fifty-one actions that will be reviewed/updated with the input of key stakeholders.
The Marine Institute is delighted to issue this call for proposals for research on eight topics to address key actions in Ocean Knowledge 2030, as follows:
1.    Understanding Changing Fish Stocks in the Celtic Sea: An Ecosystem-Based Approach (Medium-Scale Project)
2.    Greening Aquaculture: Evidence Pathways for Low-Impact, Climate-Neutral and Circular Seafood Production (Medium-Scale Project)
3.    Sustainable Wild Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland: Evidence Needs for Licensing and Management (Desk Study)
4.    Evaluating the impacts of the evolving marine policy landscape and changing sea uses on seafood production (Desk Study)
5.    UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) – Implications and Obligations for Ireland (Desk Study)
6.    Coastal Passenger Boat Experiences – Transition to Sustainability (Desk Study)
7.    Enabling Citizen-Led Action and Citizen Science in the Marine Environment (Medium-Scale Project)
8.    Measuring the socio-economic impacts of developing Ireland’s commercial ports as hubs for business (Desk Study)

Proposals are invited from eligible legal entities (refer to the Guidelines for Applicants) with the appropriate scientific and technical qualifications and research expertise for research proposals under one of the above topics, with duration and funding as follows:
•    Desk Study – 12 months €100,000 or 18 months €150,000
•    Medium-Scale Project - 24 months €200,000 or 36 months €300,000.

Further details on each topic are available in the Terms of Reference. Further details including the application procedure are available in the Guidelines for Applicants for this call.

All applications must be submitted through the Marine Institute's Research Information Management System (RIMS). Details on registration and links to the system are also available in the Guidelines for Applicants.  

This call will close on Thursday, 10th September 2026 at 16:00. Please email the Research Funding Office (funding@marine.ie) if you have any queries.