Funding and Financing

Each year, Horizon Europe issues new calls for proposals under the Mission Ocean and Waters. The 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Missions Programme includes five calls for the 2026 programme, and another five calls for the 2027 programme. View the calls in 2026 Programme, and stay tuned for the 2027 Programme calls and news of projects selected under the 2025 Programme. 

Many existing projects funded by Horizon Europe bring Associated Regions into their work. To learn about Associated Regions in Mission projects, how your region might become one, and to see if there are open calls, go to the following page on the calls for Associated Regions.

For information about all Horizon Europe calls relevant to Mission Ocean and Waters, click here.

Through a combination of funding, guarantees, and tailored assistance, InvestEU and BlueInvest empower start-ups, SMEs, and other stakeholders to implement innovative, sustainable practices that contribute to Mission Ocean and Waters objectives.

InvestEU aims to boost innovation, investment, and job creation, while providing long-term funding by leveraging private and public funds. For Mission Ocean and Waters actors, it offers investment across several directly relevant areas, including energy, environment, seas and oceans, and the sustainable bioeconomy. Private promoters and financial intermediaries can access the InvestEU Fund through selected implementing partners, and the Advisory Hub provides technical assistance to help develop strong proposals. InvestEU's Portal also offers an online matchmaking tool connecting project promoters with potential investors.

BlueInvest, an initiative of the European Commission, is particularly well-aligned with Mission Ocean and Waters, focusing specifically on accelerating ocean-based technologies and solutions. It supports early-stage businesses, SMEs, scale-ups and mid-caps in the blue economy through readiness and access to finance. Members of the BlueInvest Community can access Readiness Assistance, a coaching programme for high-potential EU start-ups and SMEs, as well as Investor Capacity Building through structured training sessions, fundraising assistance, and a knowledge centre. BlueInvest has worked with hundreds of companies, with success stories ranging from protecting Arctic ice to growing algae for crop nutrients. Click here to learn how to join the Community.

Other EU funding programmes finance projects that contribute to the objectives of Mission Ocean and Waters. Notably, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) provides support for innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic and maritime resources, and thus support Mission objectives. Click here to see calls for EMFAF.

The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action, and supports the achievement of several of the Mission's objectives. Its calls cover themes including circular economy, energy transition, biodiversity, and climate change.

For a comprehensive overview of EU funding opportunities across these and other programmes, and to search for open calls that could support Mission projects, see the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. 

The Mission Ocean and Waters has a database on funding programmes and initiatives that lists other EU, international and national funding programmes, as well as private foundations, that can be relevant for Mission projects.

In addition, a database on calls for proposals provides information on funding opportunities from these funding programmes.

A range of reports, guides and factsheets can support Missions actors in finding financing opportunities and instruments. Learn more about financing resources and guides.