The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) aims to support the implementation of R&D and innovation projects that contribute to a fair and inclusive transition from a largely unsustainable marine economy towards a renewable and circular blue economy.
Four Priority Areas have been identified under the Partnership’s 2026 Joint Transnational Call (2026 Call Title: “Building a sustainable and innovative Blue Economy: mastering digital opportunities and fostering resilience”). For more information about the Partnership: https://bluepartnership.eu/
SBEP 2026 International Call Text and Application Rules: SBEP Call 2026 Call Documents
SBEP 2026 National Application Rules*: SBEP 2026 Call National Document
Call Topics
Under the SBEP 2026 Call, international research and innovation projects addressing one of the following four Priority Areas will be supported:
- 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
Project proposals are strongly recommended to address at least two EU sea basins among the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North Sea. Projects may also target European regional seas such as the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Arctic, Barents Sea and Celtic Sea; in such cases, the regional seas addressed must fall within at least two different EU sea basins.
Consortium Structure
- Project proposals must be submitted by a consortium bringing together partners from at least three different countries listed in “Annex B”, and the relevant partners must be funded by at least three different funding organisations.
- The consortium must include at least two independent legal entities from EU Member States and Associated Countries (EU MS/AC) eligible for EU funding.
- Partners wishing to participate from countries not included in the list are expected to participate on a self-funded basis and submit a “Letter of Intent/Commitment” with their Stage 2 international applications. Self-funded partners cannot act as coordinators and are not counted towards the minimum eligibility criteria for consortium composition.
- Partners from the same country within a consortium may not request more than 60% of the project budget.
- Projects must be eligible for funding by the respective national/regional Funding Agency of the countries participating in the Partnership (TÜBİTAK 1071 Programme for Türkiye).
Participating Countries
Projects selected under this Call will be funded by the national/regional funding organisations of the following countries: Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Tunisia, Türkiye and Ukraine.
Eligible Organisations from Türkiye
- Higher education institutions covered by the Higher Education Law;
- Training and research hospitals;
- Public institutions and organisations;
- Capital companies established in Türkiye that create added value at company level and hold a trade registry certificate, regardless of sector or company size (private organisations).
Eligible organisations will be supported in accordance with the provisions of TÜBİTAK 1071 – Support Programme for Increasing the Capacity to Benefit from International Research Funds and Participation in International R&D Cooperation.
Note: Applications cannot be accepted from foundations, associations and their economic enterprises, cooperatives, unions, sole proprietorships or ordinary partnerships.
Call Timeline
| Stage | Date |
Stage 1
| Call announcement and opening | 14.09.2026 |
Deadline for Stage 1 international application via EPSS https://proposals.etag.ee/sustainable-blue/2026 Contact: sbep.call-secretariat@uefiscdi.ro | 16.11.2026 (15:00, CET) | |
Deadline for approval of the Stage 1 national application via TÜBİTAK PBS (https://uidb-pbs.tubitak.gov.tr/) | 23.11.2026 (TSİ: 23.59) | |
Deadline for electronic signature of the Stage 1 national application via TÜBİTAK PBS (https://uidb-pbs.tubitak.gov.tr/) | 26.11.2026 (TSİ: 23.59) | |
Announcement of Stage 1 results by the SBEP JCS and invitation to Stage 2 | March 2027
| |
Stage 2
| Deadline for Stage 2 international application | 14.06.2027 (15:00, CEST) |
Identification and announcement of projects selected for funding by the Joint Call Secretariat | October 2027 | |
Stage 2 national application via TÜBİTAK PBS for projects with a positive international evaluation result (https://uidb-pbs.tubitak.gov.tr/) | To be announced by TÜBİTAK.*
| |
Project start date | December 2027 – June 2028 |
Information Days
International Information Day (Online Webinar): The Partnership Call Secretariat will hold an online webinar on 29 September 2026. Please refer to the Call documents for details.
National Information Day (Online): Details of the information day to be organised by TÜBİTAK UİDB ABÇPM and ARDEB UPAG will be shared on the Horizon Europe Türkiye website. Do not forget to subscribe to the e-newsletter!
Partner Search Platform
For the SBEP 2026 Call, you can create a profile on the “SBEP Partner Search Tool” platform and post information about your search for project partners/projects: https://proposals.etag.ee/sustainable-blue/sign-in
Contact
- Call details, application system and technical issues: sbep.call-secretariat@uefiscdi.ro
- General questions regarding international processes: sbep@tubitak.gov.tr
- Questions regarding national processes (TÜBİTAK 1071 National Funding Programme): ceren.uzun@tubitak.gov.tr