The Executive Agency for SMEs, (Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, EASME), has published a call for proposals for the “Blue labs: Innovative solutions for maritime challenges” under the Work Programme 2016 (Work Programme 2016) for projects implementing the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
The aim of this call is to support an innovative way of working, where young scientists, supported by researchers, industry and local authorities, devise innovative solutions for sustainable sustainable economy, protecting marine resources and ecosystems.
The “blue labs” should have the following characteristics:
- Results-oriented: resulting in a tangible deliverable, such as a marketable service or product.
- Innovative: having a pilot and/or demonstrative dimension.
- Multisectoral: developed by a team of post-graduate students, recent postgraduates, other students, researchers and experienced tutors from business and/or the public sector.
- Stakeholder driven: being designed and implemented in consultation with a group of relevant partners (e.g. research bodies, businesses and local authorities).
Priority will be given to projects which develop innovative solutions related to one of the following topics:
- Blue (bio)remediations
- Marine litter
- Underwater cultural heritage
- Invasive alien species and jellyfish proliferation
Applicants may propose a “blue workshop” focus on another subject, provided that the general and specific objectives of the call and met the selection is appropriately documented.
Eligible applicants
Public and private entities operating in the fields of research, or sea shipping and
Applicants from EU Member State are eligible, also from third countries (see the specific requirements for applicants from non-EU countries in the call
Each “Blue Lab Team” should include a group which consists of:
post-graduate students26 and/or recent post-graduates (having completed their postgraduate degree within the last 4 years)
and
one or more researchers and an experienced tutor from business and/or public sector who will steer the work of the abovementioned students. In addition, other students (e.g. undergraduate students) can also be part of the Blue Lab Team.
Application submission
Applications are compiled and submitted in printed form in one of the official EU-languages (English is recommended)
Total budget: 1,700,000 €
It is estimated that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 200,000 and EUR 500,000 would allow the objectives of this call for proposals to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Application forms: here
More information: here
