The 2026 call for projects will open on Monday, September 1 at 9:00 AM (french time)
Who are we?
Pure Ocean is an endowment fund created in 2017 in Marseille, France. Its main mission is to support innovative applied research projects worldwide, contributing to the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity. In addition to funding research projects, Pure Ocean organizes conferences and promotes races and sporting challenges to raise awareness of the Ocean’s critical situation.
4 major themes: the Pure Ocean Challenges
(based on the 10 United Nations Ocean Decade Challenges)
🟠 Understand marine pollution and tackle it at the source
🟢 Protect biodiversity and restore degraded marine ecosystems
🟡 Build resilience and adaptation to climate change
🔵 Improve our understanding of the ocean system
2026 FOCUS POINTS
Offering alternatives to petroleum-based plastics
Fighting illegal fishing with satellite monitoring
Studying life in the deep sea
Conducted on the French coast (Atlantic, Mediterranean, Corsica)
Scientific Committee
Gilles Boeuf
Professor, Research Director
Anna Zivian
Research Associate at Ocean Nexus
Kartik Shanker
Research Lecturer at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Flávia Lucena Fredou
Coordinator of LMI TAPIOCA
Abdelmalek Faraj
Doctor, General Director of INRH in Morocco
Eligibility
Pure Ocean is looking for projects addressing one (or more) Pure Ocean Challenge(s) in any region of the world. There is no age limit to apply, but early-career candidates are especially encouraged to do so.
Only non-profit organizations (research institutes, universities, and NGOs) are eligible to apply. However, projects may involve collaboration with private actors (companies, startups, etc.).
Applicants must clearly indicate any co-funding opportunities, as well as a minimum operational budget in case Pure Ocean cannot provide the full requested amount.
Selected projects will receive up to €40,000 per year (average of €30,000/year) for a duration of one to two years, at the discretion of the Scientific Committee. A two-year project can therefore receive a maximum of €80,000, and support for certain projects may be renewed.
Evaluation Criteria
Indicators used to assess a project’s impact:
🔸 The project proposes an innovative approach (technological, social, nature-based, or exploratory innovation).
🔸 The project targets one or more Pure Ocean Challenges in a precise and relevant way.
🔸 The project’s specific objectives and the means planned to achieve them are clearly defined and feasible.
🔸 The project involves active participation and collaboration among multiple stakeholders*, and promotes inter- or transdisciplinarity.
🔸 The project includes a dissemination plan for the results tailored to the different target audiences, along with the actions necessary to foster their engagement.
*If the project has a local scope, at least one stakeholder must ensure territorial anchoring and involvement of the local population.
2026 Schedule
This year, Pure Ocean’s call for projects is organized in two selection phases:
1️⃣ Phase 1 is open to all applications meeting the eligibility criteria.
It consists of completing a short online form outlining the main aspects of the project, presenting the lead applicant and the organization, a graphical summary, and keywords.
2️⃣ Phase 2 will involve 40 candidates who qualify from Phase 1, who will be invited to submit their full proposal.
Completing the full online form will allow a thorough evaluation of the project’s context, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and scope.
Amount Granted
Selected projects will receive up to €40,000 per year (with an average of €30,000/year) for a duration of one to two years, at the discretion of the Scientific Committee. A two-year project can therefore receive a maximum of €80,000, and support for certain projects may be renewed.
How to Apply?
CLOSED Reopening on September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM (CEST)
Fill out in english.
Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
For any questions, please contact us.
Key dates
Call for projects opens on September 1.
Applications are open until October 1 (Phase 1).
Submission of the full proposals by pre-selected candidates: October 20 – November 23.
Winners will be announced on March 21, 2026.
Discover the 6 awardees of 2025
