FWO - SBEP - 4th joint transnational call for project funding

Research

What?

A 4th joint transnational call for project funding has been launched within the framework of the Horizon Europe ‘Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)’ partnership, which is aimed at creating a climate-neutral, sustainable, and innovative blue economy in Europe by supporting research, innovation, and collaboration across marine and maritime sectors.

This partnership has strong links with the ‘Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) Oceans’ and initiates a range of activities, of which calls for research projects form an integral part. The FWO, in its capacity as research funder for Flanders, engages itself - next to other Flemish/Belgian entities - within the research calls of this partnership, in order to support the research institutes and researchers from Flanders.

This 4th transnational call focusses on transnational research and innovation projects of 36 months duration, addressing one of the four priority areas below:

• Priority area 1: Transitioning the blue economy sectors for sustainability and strategic autonomy
• Priority area 2: Managing sea-uses by advancing digital and ecosystem-based approaches
• Priority area 3: Promoting sustainable blue bioresources through innovation in marine production and harvesting
• Priority area 4: Building resilience in coastal communities with infrastructure and businesses

The FWO can support 2 projects for a 36 months duration, with an available maximum applicable budget of 350,000 EUR (overhead included) per project/consortium.

Both the FWO (junior/senior) research project (FO) and Strategic Basic Research (SBO) funding channels are integrated within this call. The type and scope of the proposed research project will determine the choice of funding channel for the research from within Flanders (FWO). Non-compliance with the specific requirements per funding channel might lead to non-eligibility.

Who?

To be eligible, each consortium must be composed of eligible partners from at least three different countries participating in the call and requesting financial support from at least three different funding organisations participating in the call. In addition, the projects must involve at least two independent legal entities from two different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries eligible for EU funding in this call for (pre-)proposal (as recipients of the financial support, at the time of the closing of the call by 17/06/2026). Self-funded partners, including partners from countries (and/or regions) not participating in this co-funded call, are allowed to participate but do not contribute to the minimum eligible consortium size.

Looking for a partner or a project to join? Use the SBEP Partner Search Tool available here.

Research teams applying for funding from the FWO may involve ‘stakeholders’ (e.g. city/municipal authorities, public and/or private organisations focused on the blue economy in a broad sense) as subcontractors in a research project, including for non-routine tasks. Contact the FWO for further information if needed.

Key points and deviations from the ‘regular’ FWO participatory framework you can find on the FWO website.

Researchers are strongly advised to contact the FWO before submission regarding the eligibility criteria.

Application?

The FWO requires pre-registration on a national/regional level as well by filling in an application form on the FWO e-portal before the deadline for submission of the pre-proposals (16 November 2026, 15:00). When you're logged on to the e-portal, you can find it under "Researcher".
It is strongly recommended to contact the FWO administration about your pre-registration at the latest one week before submission in order to verify admissibility.

For the fundamental funding channel the respective regulation applies. For the SBO channel the SBO regulation has to be taken into account: these imply projects with a primarily economic and/or societal finality, of which ‘valorisation’ is a key - and mandatory - aspect.

Given the pre-proposal already has to be OK in terms of budget, OBI has an internal deadline to check your proposal.
Internal deadline: 4 November 2026

In case the consortium includes more than one partner requesting funding from FWO, a single online form should be submitted containing all relevant information from the different Flemish partners.

Deadline submission full proposal: 14 June 2027, 15:00
  

More information?

You can find more information, like the call text, the regulations, the submission platform and the proposal application forms on the SBEP partnership website.

Concerning the FWO regulations, you can consult the FWO website and:
for the fundamental funding channel
for the SBO channel

Please always contact research@uhasselt.be if you want to apply.
  

Deadline intern

04.11.2026, 16.11.2026

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052