The Pure Ocean Call for Projects 2027 is now open for researchers, universities, research institutes and non-profit organizations developing innovative applied research projects aimed at protecting marine ecosystems, conserving biodiversity and improving understanding of the ocean.

The 2027 call is particularly significant because Pure Ocean has established a specific geographical focus: eligible projects must be based in mainland France or French overseas territories. However, the call is open to both French and international ocean researchers, provided their proposed project is located within the eligible French territories.

Selected projects can receive up to €40,000 per year for one or two years, meaning that a two-year project could receive a maximum of €80,000 in funding. Pure Ocean also indicates that support for some projects may potentially be renewed.

The Phase 1 application deadline is October 19, 2026, at 23:59 CET.

About the Pure Ocean Call for Projects

Pure Ocean is an endowment fund created in 2017 in Marseille, France. Its principal mission is to support innovative applied research projects that contribute to the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

The organization combines research funding with broader efforts to increase public awareness of the challenges facing the ocean. According to Pure Ocean, its activities include supporting scientific projects, organizing conferences, and promoting sporting challenges and other initiatives designed to draw attention to the critical condition of marine ecosystems.

The 2027 Call for Projects therefore provides an opportunity for organizations and researchers working on practical, innovative and scientifically grounded ocean solutions to obtain financial support for projects that can produce tangible and lasting environmental benefits.

What Is the Pure Ocean 2027 Call Looking For?

The 2027 call is built around four major Pure Ocean Challenges, which are based on the United Nations Ocean Decade Challenges.

Applicants should develop projects that address one or more of these areas.

1. Understanding Marine Pollution and Tackling It at the Source

Marine pollution is one of the major pressures affecting ocean ecosystems. Pollution can originate from multiple sources, including human activities on land and at sea.

Pure Ocean is seeking research that can improve understanding of marine pollution and contribute to practical solutions for preventing or reducing pollution at its source.

Potential areas of research may include:

• Understanding the causes and pathways of marine pollution
• Studying the effects of pollutants on marine organisms and ecosystems
• Developing innovative approaches to reduce pollution
• Identifying technologies or methods for preventing pollution
• Investigating the long-term effects of pollutants
• Developing solutions that can be applied beyond a single research site

The emphasis is on research that can contribute to meaningful and practical action rather than projects limited solely to awareness activities.

2. Protecting Biodiversity and Restoring Degraded Marine Ecosystems

Marine biodiversity is another central focus of the Pure Ocean programme.

Projects may seek to improve understanding of marine species, protect vulnerable ecosystems or develop approaches for restoring marine environments that have been degraded.

Relevant projects could involve:

• Conservation of marine species
• Restoration of degraded ecosystems
• Protection of important marine habitats
• Understanding changes in marine biodiversity
• Development of innovative restoration techniques
• Monitoring marine ecosystems
• Research into the relationships between species and their environments

Pure Ocean’s previous supported projects demonstrate the organization’s interest in practical research that can contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

3. Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change

Climate change is placing increasing pressure on marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

The 2027 call therefore supports research addressing resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Projects may explore how marine ecosystems respond to environmental changes and how conservation and management approaches can help ecosystems become more resilient.

Research could potentially examine:

• Climate-related changes in marine ecosystems
• Adaptation strategies
• Ecosystem resilience
• Effects of changing environmental conditions on marine species
• Nature-based approaches to climate adaptation
• Strategies for protecting vulnerable marine habitats
• Interactions between climate change and biodiversity loss

Applicants should demonstrate how their research can contribute to practical and lasting solutions.

4. Improving Understanding of the Ocean System

The fourth Pure Ocean Challenge focuses on improving scientific understanding of the ocean system.

The ocean is an interconnected system in which biological, physical and chemical processes influence one another. Better scientific understanding can therefore support improved conservation and management.

Projects under this theme may seek to:

• Improve understanding of marine ecosystems
• Study marine organisms and their environments
• Monitor changes in ocean conditions
• Investigate interactions between marine systems
• Improve methods for observing and measuring changes in the ocean
• Generate scientific evidence that can support future conservation action

Pure Ocean explains that its supported projects can contribute to observing and measuring changes in marine life and physical and chemical characteristics, using marine resources sustainably, and identifying techniques for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity.

Where Must the Project Be Based?

One of the most important changes or conditions for the 2027 call is the geographical focus.

For this year’s call, projects must be based exclusively in mainland France or French overseas territories.

The eligible geographical areas include:

• The French Atlantic coast
• French overseas territories in the Atlantic
• The Mediterranean
• The French Southern and Antarctic Lands
• French overseas territories in the Indian Ocean
• French overseas territories in the Pacific

This geographical requirement is particularly important for applicants outside France.

For example, an international researcher may be eligible to apply if they are developing an eligible ocean research project based in one of the qualifying French territories. Pure Ocean explicitly states that it welcomes French or international ocean researchers with a project based in France.

Therefore, being from another country does not automatically prevent an applicant from participating. The key geographical requirement is where the proposed project will be implemented.

Who Can Apply?

The Pure Ocean 2027 Call for Projects is aimed primarily at organizations and researchers involved in ocean science, marine conservation and related applied research.

According to the official eligibility requirements, only non-profit organizations can apply and receive funding. These include:

• Universities
• Research institutes
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Other eligible non-profit organizations

A project can nevertheless involve collaboration with private-sector organizations, including companies and startups. However, the applicant receiving the Pure Ocean funding must be an eligible non-profit organization.

International Researchers Are Welcome

The call is not restricted to French nationals.

Pure Ocean specifically states that international or French ocean researchers are welcome to submit proposals when the project is based in France.

This means that researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania and other parts of the world may potentially participate, provided that the project meets the geographical and organizational requirements.

The important distinction is between the nationality or origin of the researcher and the location of the project.

For 2027:

Researcher: May be French or international.

Organization: Must be an eligible non-profit organization capable of applying for and receiving the funding.

Project location: Must be mainland France or an eligible French overseas territory.

Is There an Age Limit?

There is no age limit for applicants under the 2027 call.

However, Pure Ocean particularly encourages researchers who are at an early stage of their careers to apply.

This makes the opportunity potentially relevant to emerging researchers as well as more established research teams, provided that the project satisfies the other eligibility requirements.

What Types of Projects Are Not Eligible?

Not every ocean-related initiative qualifies for funding.

Pure Ocean states that funding cannot be used exclusively for:

• Awareness-raising projects
• Clean-up initiatives
• Events
• Art projects
• Advocacy projects
• Training projects

For-profit, promotional and advertising projects are also outside the scope of the call.

This distinction is important.

For example, an organization might conduct an ocean awareness campaign or organize a beach-cleaning event, but an initiative consisting exclusively of those activities would not meet the research focus of this funding opportunity.

The call is designed around innovative applied research capable of producing tangible environmental and scientific impact.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Selected projects can receive:

Up to €40,000 per year

for a project lasting:

One to two years.

Consequently, a two-year project can receive up to:

€80,000 in total.

The final amount and duration are determined by Pure Ocean’s Scientific Committee.

Pure Ocean also states that support for certain projects may be renewed.

Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project budget that clearly connects the requested funding to the project’s activities, research methodology and expected results.

What Does Pure Ocean Look for in Applications?

The principal evaluation criterion is impact.

Pure Ocean describes impact as the tangible and lasting benefit produced by implementing the project within one or more of the Pure Ocean Challenges.

The Scientific Committee evaluates proposals using five equally weighted criteria.

1. Innovation

The project should present an innovative approach to addressing an ocean challenge.

Pure Ocean identifies several forms of innovation, including:

• Technological innovation
• Social innovation
• Nature-based or biomimetic innovation
• Exploratory innovation

Applicants should clearly explain what makes their proposed approach different or innovative.

2. Relevance

The proposal should directly address one or more of the four Pure Ocean Challenges.

Applicants should establish a clear connection between the research problem and the specific ocean challenge being addressed.

A strong proposal should make it easy for reviewers to understand:

• What problem is being addressed?
• Why does it matter?
• Which Pure Ocean Challenge does it address?
• How will the research contribute to solving the problem?

3. Consistency

The project’s objectives and methods must be clearly defined and achievable within the proposed timeframe.

Applicants should demonstrate that the project is realistic in terms of:

• Research objectives
• Methodology
• Available resources
• Timeline
• Expected outputs
• Funding requirements

The proposal should show a logical connection between the identified problem, research methods, activities and expected outcomes.

4. Collaboration

Pure Ocean places importance on collaboration.

Projects should involve active participation from several stakeholders and encourage interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approaches.

Depending on the nature of the research, collaboration could involve:

• Researchers
• Universities
• NGOs
• Conservation organizations
• Local stakeholders
• Public institutions
• Communities
• Private-sector organizations
• Technical experts

Private-sector organizations may participate as collaborators even though for-profit entities cannot themselves receive the Pure Ocean funding as the primary applicant.

5. Multiplication and Dissemination

Research should not simply remain inside a laboratory or academic publication.

Pure Ocean wants projects to include a plan for disseminating results to appropriate audiences and engaging those audiences.

Applicants should therefore consider how findings will reach relevant stakeholders, which could include:

• Researchers
• Policymakers
• Conservation organizations
• Local communities
• Industry
• Students
• Environmental organizations
• The general public

The dissemination strategy should be appropriate to the project’s target audiences.

How Does the Application Process Work?

The 2027 Pure Ocean Call for Projects uses a two-phase selection process.

Phase 1: Initial Application

Phase 1 is open to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.

Applicants are asked to complete a short online form presenting the general outline of their proposed project.

The Phase 1 application includes information such as:

• The main idea of the project
• The project leader
• The organization
• A graphical abstract
• Keywords

This first stage is designed to provide Pure Ocean with an initial understanding of the proposed research and its relevance to the call.

Phase 2: Full Proposal

Following Phase 1, 20 selected applicants will advance to Phase 2.

Those applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal.

The Phase 2 application provides an opportunity for Pure Ocean to evaluate the project more deeply, including:

• The research context
• Project objectives
• Methodology
• Expected impacts
• Outreach and dissemination strategy

Applicants who progress to this stage should be prepared to provide a substantially more developed description of their research.

Important 2027 Application Deadlines

Applicants should carefully follow the official timetable.

Key dates

September 21, 2026:
The 2027 Call for Projects opens.

October 19, 2026, at 23:59 CET:
Phase 1 application deadline.

October 30, 2026:
Qualified applicants are expected to be notified about progression to Phase 2 by this date at the latest.

November 2, 2026:
Phase 2 opens.

December 7, 2026, at 23:59 CET:
Final application deadline for the call.

Mid-February 2027:
The 10 finalists will be contacted.

March 21, 2027:
Pure Ocean plans to announce the selected grantees.

The immediate deadline to remember

For applicants considering this opportunity now, the most important immediate date is:

October 19, 2026 at 23:59 CET — Phase 1 closes.

Applicants should not wait until the final hours to prepare their submissions because the first phase requires the project concept, organization information, project leader details, graphical abstract and keywords.

Language of the Application

The application form must be completed in English only.

Pure Ocean also states that incomplete applications will be disqualified.

Applicants should therefore carefully review the online form before submission and ensure that all required sections have been completed.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Although the final decision rests with Pure Ocean’s Scientific Committee, applicants can use the published evaluation criteria to structure their proposals.

A potential applicant should begin by identifying a clearly defined marine or ocean-related problem.

The proposal should then demonstrate:

1. The problem — What marine challenge is being addressed?
2. The evidence — What scientific evidence demonstrates that the problem exists?
3. The innovation — What new or innovative approach will be used?
4. The location — Where in mainland France or a French overseas territory will the project take place?
5. The methodology — How will the research be conducted?
6. The collaboration — Which organizations, researchers or stakeholders will participate?
7. The impact — What tangible and lasting change could the project produce?
8. The dissemination — How will the research findings reach relevant audiences?
9. The timeline — Can the objectives realistically be achieved within one or two years?
10. The budget — Is the requested funding clearly connected to the proposed activities?

Applicants should also ensure that the project does not fall into one of the excluded categories.

Why the Geographic Requirement Matters

The 2027 geographic focus represents an important consideration for international applicants.

Pure Ocean has previously supported projects in different parts of the world, and its portfolio includes projects associated with countries and regions outside France. However, the 2027 call specifically limits eligible projects to mainland France and French overseas territories.

Therefore, an organization based outside France should not assume that its location automatically makes it ineligible.

Instead, the critical question is:

Is the proposed project itself based in an eligible French territory?

An international research team could potentially participate where its project meets this requirement and the application is submitted through an eligible non-profit organization.

Examples of Research Areas That Could Align With the Call

The four Pure Ocean Challenges create a broad framework for eligible research.

Potential areas of work could include:

• Marine plastic pollution
• Marine ecosystem restoration
• Conservation of threatened marine species
• Climate resilience of marine ecosystems
• Ocean observation
• Marine biodiversity monitoring
• Sustainable use of marine resources
• Innovative marine conservation technologies
• Nature-based marine solutions
• Marine ecosystem health
• Ocean-system research
• Pollution prevention
• Restoration of degraded habitats
• Research into climate-related impacts on marine ecosystems

However, an applicant should not rely solely on the subject matter of a project.

The proposal must also demonstrate innovation, relevance, consistency, collaboration and a plan for multiplication or dissemination, because these are the published evaluation criteria.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The opportunity may be particularly relevant to:

• Ocean researchers
• Marine scientists
• Universities
• Research institutes
• Marine conservation NGOs
• Environmental non-profit organizations
• Interdisciplinary research teams
• Early-career researchers
• Organizations developing innovative marine conservation solutions
• Researchers working on marine biodiversity
• Researchers studying ocean pollution
• Scientists researching climate resilience in marine ecosystems

Organizations considering an application should first confirm that they meet the non-profit requirement and that their proposed project will be implemented in an eligible French location.

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Further Information

The official Pure Ocean page provides the complete 2027 Call for Projects information, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, timetable and application instructions.

MORE ON PURE OCEAN 2027 CLICK HERE

For questions about the call, Pure Ocean lists its scientific coordinator’s contact as science@pure-ocean.org.

Conclusion

The Pure Ocean Call for Projects 2027 provides an opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations, universities, research institutes and NGOs to obtain funding for innovative applied research addressing major challenges facing the ocean.

The call is organized around four central themes: understanding and tackling marine pollution, protecting biodiversity and restoring degraded ecosystems, building resilience and adaptation to climate change, and improving scientific understanding of the ocean system.

Selected projects can receive up to €40,000 per year for one or two years, with a maximum potential award of €80,000 for a two-year project. The call does not impose an age limit and particularly encourages early-career researchers.

However, applicants should pay close attention to the 2027 geographic restriction. Projects must be based in mainland France or eligible French overseas territories, even though Pure Ocean welcomes both French and international ocean researchers.

The first stage of the application process closes on October 19, 2026, at 23:59 CET. Applications must be completed in English, and incomplete submissions will be disqualified.

For researchers and organizations developing scientifically credible, innovative and practical solutions for marine conservation, the call offers an opportunity to connect research with tangible action for the protection of ocean ecosystems and biodiversity.

Applicants should consult the official Pure Ocean website and application platform for the most current requirements before submitting their proposals.

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