Deadline Date: September 10, 2026
The Ocean Knowledge ELEVATE Industry-Led Awards Call provides funding support for marine SMEs to strengthen research and development capabilities through equipment and infrastructure investments.
The key focus areas of the programme include marine research, knowledge and innovation, sustainable and climate-neutral blue economy, healthy marine environment, ocean health and sustainability, research and innovation investments, marine and maritime research impact, marine research capacity building, knowledge sharing and technology transfer, sustainable economic growth, marine resource protection and conservation, public policy support, and public awareness of maritime resources and heritage.
The ELEVATE Industry-Led Awards Call is designed to support continued investment in marine research and innovation while helping marine and maritime SMEs enhance their in-house research and development capabilities through targeted investments.
The programme supports SMEs in developing their capacity to engage in research and maximise the impact of their work through the purchase of research equipment and small infrastructure.
Funding will support equipment or infrastructure used for specific research programmes. Applicants must demonstrate how the investment will enhance their research and development capabilities, improve competitiveness, and support the development or acquisition of scientific or technological capability and knowledge.
Successful awards will have a duration of six to 18 months, with total grant aid of €1 million available under the call. The Marine Institute expects to make around 10 awards, with a minimum award value of €20,000 excluding VAT.
For projects lasting six months, applicants can request a maximum grant of €100,000 with up to two SME partners. For projects lasting 12 to 18 months, applicants can request a maximum grant of €200,000 with up to two SME partners.
The funding is intended for individual companies or groups of one or two companies to support research equipment or small infrastructure that contributes to a specific programme of research.
Participating companies are expected to complete a significant amount of work in-house and take steps to commercialise research outputs through new or improved products, processes, or services.
The research supported through the programme should be novel and innovative, aimed at improving the competitiveness of the marine sector in line with the objectives and priorities of Ocean Knowledge 2030.
Applications are open to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises headquartered on the island of Ireland that are legal entities with appropriate scientific and technical capabilities and research expertise.
The key focus areas of the programme include marine research, knowledge and innovation, sustainable and climate-neutral blue economy, healthy marine environment, ocean health and sustainability, research and innovation investments, marine and maritime research impact, marine research capacity building, knowledge sharing and technology transfer, sustainable economic growth, marine resource protection and conservation, public policy support, and public awareness of maritime resources and heritage.
The ELEVATE Industry-Led Awards Call is designed to support continued investment in marine research and innovation while helping marine and maritime SMEs enhance their in-house research and development capabilities through targeted investments.
The programme supports SMEs in developing their capacity to engage in research and maximise the impact of their work through the purchase of research equipment and small infrastructure.
Funding will support equipment or infrastructure used for specific research programmes. Applicants must demonstrate how the investment will enhance their research and development capabilities, improve competitiveness, and support the development or acquisition of scientific or technological capability and knowledge.
Total grant aid of €1 million available under the call. The Marine Institute expects to make around 10 awards, with a minimum award value of €20,000 excluding VAT.
For projects lasting six months, applicants can request a maximum grant of €100,000 with up to two SME partners. For projects lasting 12 to 18 months, applicants can request a maximum grant of €200,000 with up to two SME partners.
The funding is intended for individual companies or groups of one or two companies to support research equipment or small infrastructure that contributes to a specific programme of research.
Participating companies are expected to complete a significant amount of work in-house and take steps to commercialise research outputs through new or improved products, processes, or services.
The research supported through the programme should be novel and innovative, aimed at improving the competitiveness of the marine sector in line with the objectives and priorities of Ocean Knowledge 2030.
Applications are open to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises headquartered on the island of Ireland that are legal entities with appropriate scientific and technical capabilities and research expertise.
For more information, visit Marine Institute.
