This call focuses on developing a harmonized European strategy to monitor and assess aquatic litter, including plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments. The objective is to improve data acquisition, analytical methodologies, and monitoring tools to address pollution sources, pathways, and distribution comprehensively at the EU scale. Proposals will contribute to implementing and supporting EU policies, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Water Framework Directive, and the zero pollution action plan. Moreover, the action aims to foster cooperation between research institutions, environmental authorities, and international initiatives to tackle plastic pollution effectively. Applicants should integrate innovative technologies, FAIR principles for data accessibility, and coordinated monitoring strategies to achieve these goals.

Opening: 06-05-2025
Deadline(s): 17-09-2025

Data provided by Ghent University

This funding opportunity represents a pre-agreed draft that has not yet been officially approved by the European Commission. The final, approved version is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2025. This draft is provided for informational purposes and may be used to preliminarily form consortia and develop project ideas, but it is offered without any guarantees or warranties.