The second AQUARIUS Transnational Access (TA) Funding Call is open from 2 September to 28 October 2025, providing researchers, industry, and citizen science groups with the opportunity to access world-class marine and freshwater research infrastructures free of charge.
Building on the experience and feedback from the first call, this call has some updates to eligibility criteria. Key updates include:
- Single applicants are now eligible to apply.
- Only user groups with more than four users from different organisations are required to include partners from at least two different countries (based on current affiliation).
Applicants from industry, academia and citizen science are welcome!
How to Prepare Your Application
With two weeks to go until the call opens, now is the perfect time to start preparing. Here’s how to get ready:
- Review the Eligibility Criteria
Make sure your project meets the updated requirements. Full details are available here: AQUARIUS Eligibility Criteria. - Browse the Research Infrastructure Catalogue
Explore the diverse range of marine and freshwater facilities available through AQUARIUS, from research vessels and gliders to coastal laboratories and observation platforms: Research Infrastructures Catalogue. - Check Availability and Area of Operation
Each infrastructure entry includes information on operational areas and availability. Confirm these match your project’s needs before applying. - Plan Your Application
The AQUARIUS Transnational Access Platform (TAP) is open on 2 September. Once it is live, you can register and activate your account to begin the submission process.
Why Apply?
Selected projects will gain free access to cutting-edge research infrastructures, enabling them to:
- Advance their scientific investigations without the financial barriers of infrastructure access.
- Foster new collaborations across disciplines, sectors, and countries.
- Contribute to the restoration and sustainable management of ocean and freshwater systems.
Why should industry apply to this call?
By applying, companies can test and validate technologies in real-world marine and freshwater environments, reduce costs by accessing shared facilities, and benefit from expert technical support. Access to research infrastructures also provides high-quality data to meet certification and regulatory requirements, while helping to improve processes across sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, biotechnology and shipping.
Why should citizen science organizations apply?
Access to research infrastructures offers unique opportunities to strengthen community-driven projects, build partnerships with scientists, and gain technical support to enhance data quality and impact. By using state-of-the-art facilities, citizen science initiatives can expand their reach, improve methodologies, and contribute valuable knowledge to managing and protecting our marine and freshwater environments.
Don’t Miss Out
Take this opportunity to explore our infrastructure offer, refine your research ideas, and ensure you are ready to submit before the closing date.
