The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP), a co-funded partnership under Horizon Europe, aims to support R&I projects for a just and inclusive transition towards a regenerative, resilient, and sustainable blue economy. The partnership has launched its third Joint Transnational Call for 2025, titled "Digitalisation and Innovation for Resilient Marine Ecosystems, Businesses, and Communities to Strengthen the EU Blue Economy's Competitiveness", with contributions from 38 funding organizations from 28 countries, including TÜBİTAK from Türkiye.

📅 Call Timeline

• Call Launch: 15 September 2025
• International Webinar: 6 October 2025 (14:00 CEST)
• Pre-proposal Submission Deadline: 17 November 2025 (15:00 CET)
• Pre-proposal Results Communication: Mid-March 2026
• Full Proposal Submission Deadline: 17 June 2026 (15:00 CET)
• Communication of Funding Decision: End-October 2026
• Project Start: December 2026 - June 2027

✅ Eligibility

• Proposals must be submitted by transnational consortia comprising eligible partners from at least three different countries participating in the call and requesting funding from at least three different participating PFOs.
• The consortium must involve at least two independent legal entities from two different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Higher education institutions, research hospitals, public bodies, and private companies established in Turkey are eligible for TÜBİTAK funding under the 1071 Programme.
• Proposals must address one of the five priority areas:
• Digital Twins Of The Oceans (DTO) at Sub Basin Scale
• Transitioning the Blue Economy Sectors, and the Development of Marine Multi-Use Infrastructures
• Climate-Smart Planning and Managing Sea-Uses at the Regional Level
• Blue Bioresources: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and New Bio-Based Products
• Resilient Coastal Communities and Businesses
• It is strongly recommended that projects cover at least two EU sea basins (Atlantic, Baltic, Black Sea, Mediterranean, North Sea).

📂 Scope and Duration

• Project duration must be 36 months.
• Funded via TÜBİTAK 1071 Programme.
• For Higher Education Institutions, Training and Research Hospitals, and Public Institutions/Organizations:
• These are general project expenses as specified within the "Regulation on Programs Conducted by the TÜBİTAK Research Support Programs Directorate" and the "Administrative and Financial Principles to be Applied in Research Projects."
• Temporary worker wages are also supported within this scope.

💶 Funding Opportunities

• Maximum funding request per project for Turkish partners: €200,000 (excluding overhead & PTİ).
• Maximum funding per Turkish partner type (excluding overhead & PTİ):
• Higher Ed./Hospitals/Public: €100,000.
• Private orgs: €200,000.
• Funding Rates (TR): 100% for public/higher ed.; 60% for large private orgs; 75% for SMEs.

📌 Useful Links

• SBEP Call Page
• International Submission Platform (EPSS)
• SBEP Partner Search Tool
• National Rules Document
• International Rules Document
• TÜBİTAK 1071 Programme