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

HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-04: Towards a European network of ocean technology testing sites. This topic focuses on establishing an integrated European network of ocean technology testing facilities to accelerate innovation cycles and support the transition from laboratory concepts to market-ready solutions for marine technologies. 

Objectives: 

Expected outcomes from the selected project are:  

• Development of harmonised approaches and procedures across selected testing sites to ensure consistent and streamlined access, while maintaining consideration for the environmental sensitivity of marine ecosystems surrounding these facilities; 
• Acceleration of innovation cycles for ocean technologies, leading to shortened time-to-market periods and reduced costs and risks associated with offshore testing and validation; 
• Provision of cost-effective access to physical testing sites and specialised expertise, reducing the need for companies to develop specialised in-house equipment and competencies; 
• Enhancement of the European ocean technologies ecosystem to support European leadership in the global market; 
• Establishment of coordinated testing infrastructure that reduces barriers for companies seeking to validate their technologies in real marine environments. 

Successful applicants will be required to: 

• Identify and map existing testing sites across Europe, considering environmental sensitivity of marine ecosystems and incorporating digital twin-based testing capabilities where applicable; 
• Analyse user requirements and identify gaps in ocean testing sites (physical and digital) and services, including barriers preventing industry access; 
• Establish an integrated European network with harmonised access policies, regulatory frameworks, data security protocols, and IP protection, with particular focus on supporting SMEs and start-ups; 
• Facilitate collaboration between academic institutions, industry, regulators and investors to accelerate marine technology innovation cycles; 
• Identify investment opportunities to enhance testing site capacity and services while ensuring long-term network sustainability; 
• Integrate digital twin-based testing using the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean infrastructure for virtual testing environments; 
• Support inclusion of testing sites in less-developed coastal regions and EU Outermost regions. 

Eligible applicants: 

The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following exceptions apply: 

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used). 

Budget: 

The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 2.90 million, with one project to be funded under this topic. The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR 2.50 and 2.90 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts. 

Duration: 

The project is expected to start in early 2026, following grant agreement preparation, and should typically run for a duration of 3 to 4 years, depending on the scope of the proposed work.

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