Deadline Date: September 17, 2026
The European Commission is seeking proposals to improve scientific understanding and conservation of deep-sea ecosystems by developing advanced tools, data systems, and policy-relevant knowledge to support biodiversity protection and ecosystem management.
The project focuses on improving habitat mapping, species inventory, genetic diversity, ecological functioning, food webs, and connectivity in deep-sea ecosystems, while developing advanced imaging, acoustic, multi-omics, genomics, and taxonomic methods for rapid species identification and biodiversity monitoring, supporting global biodiversity data sharing, assessing climate and human impacts including underwater noise, and establishing indicators and observation systems such as Essential Ocean Variables and Essential Biodiversity Variables for long-term monitoring and ecosystem modelling.
The deep sea is the largest but least explored part of the ocean, playing a critical role in global ecosystem balance and biogeochemical cycles. However, limited access and high costs have resulted in major gaps in knowledge about its biodiversity and functioning.
This initiative addresses these gaps by using advanced technologies to map habitats and identify species across deep-sea environments such as seamounts, hydrothermal vents, canyons, and abyssal plains. It also supports the creation of reference datasets and improves global biodiversity databases for better scientific access and collaboration.
The project also focuses on understanding the impacts of climate change and human activities on deep-sea ecosystems, including changes in food webs, carbon cycles, and ecosystem services. This knowledge is used to support conservation planning and adaptive management strategies aligned with global biodiversity goals.
It further promotes long-term monitoring using key environmental and biodiversity indicators to guide protection measures and improve ecosystem resilience.
For more information, visit European Commission .
