Financing Opportunity – Digital Technologies and Energy Transition in Fisheries and/or Aquaculture
Category:NewsProgramme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Call: Supporting the implementation of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2025-03)
Type of action: HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
Deadline dates: 24 September 2025 17:00:00 Brussels time
Legal entities from Greece, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, among other countries, are eligible applicants.
The maximum Horizon Europe funding rate for Innovation action is 70% (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of up to 100% applies).
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Energy efficiency is enhanced and CO2 emissions are reduced in fisheries and/or aquaculture, without harming the ecosystem and biodiversity;
- Measurable reduction in energy use and the costs associated with energy-intensive operations in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, increasing resilience and leading to improved economic sustainability and operational safety;
- Wider adoption and application of digital solutions, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, for efficient energy management and decision-making in the fisheries and aquaculture industries;
- Improved understanding of technical, social, legal, regulatory and policy barriers to the uptake of digital solutions for a sustainable energy transition of the sector;
- Establishment of best practices for enhanced fisheries and/or aquaculture management and contribution to the development of standard;
- Enhanced digital and energy efficiency related skills.
The scope of this topic includes all possible edible aquatic organisms with preference for low-trophic species which, in the frame of this topic, are photosynthetic or herbivorous or un-fed species. There is also preference for fish farming that relies on feed ingredients low in fish meal and oil and/or produced in the region where the farm is situated or in neighbouring to the farm regions, as well as feed ingredients derived from circular practices, such as, the use of wastes or by-products.
Projects under this topic will demonstrate how digital technologies can address the need to reduce energy consumption and associated economic and environmental costs in European fisheries and/or aquaculture and provide real-time, accurate, and actionable data and information to reduce energy use. This can include the use of advanced (remote) sensing technologies and monitoring devices, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, data-driven approaches and data analytics, robotics and automation.
Each proposal should identify explicitly the basin being addressed, i.e.: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin or 2. Mediterranean Sea basin or 3. Baltic and North Sea basin or 4. Danube River basin (including its delta and the Black Sea). Only one basin per proposal should be addressed. Activities should be tailored to address regional/sea basin specificities.
Projects should carry out demonstration activities, proving in real conditions, the operational feasibility and economic viability of digital solutions to enhance energy efficiency in operation at sea (including fishing, farming, offshore aquaculture, onboard processing, vessel operations) or inland aquaculture production and in relation to infrastructure requirements. Projects should provide evidence that these solutions do not harm ecosystems and biodiversity and can contribute to a better treatment of animals.
The consortium must carry out demonstration activities in at least 3 different countries of the basin addressed by the proposal (i.e. one of the following basins: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin, 2. Mediterranean Sea basin, 3. Baltic and North Sea basin, 4. Danube River basin, including Black Sea, involving and including as beneficiaries, legal entities established in these respective countries.
Demonstration activities are expected to focus on relevant segments of the value chain and address different types of fisheries/aquacultures. Similarly, fishing operations, encompassing activities from route optimisation to catch handling, also present significant opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.
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