Funded access to research facilities supporting ecological restoration
Ecological Restoration Call
The AQUASERV Ecosystem Restoration Transnational Access (TA) Call to research infrastructure is now open!
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We invite researchers from academia, industry, and non-profit organisations to apply for funded access to our network of over 60 world-class facilities across Europe.
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This call is aims to provide scientific solutions for marine and freshwater ecosystem restoration, answering to European policy goals, in particular, the Nature Restoration Law and the Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030.
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Explore our service catalogue, identify which facilities best suit your research project, consult their Access Manager before submitting your research project.
Currently open!
Deadline for submission: 22 August 2025
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Results announced: November 2025
What can AQUASERV offer you?
Gain access to some of Europe's most advanced laboratories, services and research facilities, with all costs covered by AQUASERV. Through AQUASERV's extensive network of research infrastructures, your project can access specialised resources and facilities from any of our leading European partners.
Whether you need state-of-the-art technology platforms, unique organism collections or advanced aquaria facilities, AQUASERV is here to support your project's specific needs. From travel to consumables, we've got you covered so you can focus on what matters: advancing your research.
Who can apply?
If you’re a PhD student, early-career researcher, engineer or research professional affiliated with a recognized institution, AQUASERV is for you! Your institution could be an academic, a non-for-profit organisation or a registered company.
What kind of project are we looking for?
For this call, we welcome innovative research ideas that address one or more of the following topics:​
Understanding of the factors that generate, maintain, and deplete biodiversity in marine environments;
The impacts of emerging and expanding human activities on marine biodiversity to ensure we have the knowledge to effectively manage such activities in the future;
The impacts of emerging and expanding human activities on marine biodiversity to ensure we have the knowledge to effectively manage such activities in the future;
The spatio-temporal microbial distribution in marine ecosystems, and prediction of future epidemic risks from the spread of microbes introduced by invasive species, or from increased resistance to antibiotics used in fish farms;
Evaluation of the epidemiological, genetic, and ecological consequences of invasive species, including assessing the risks to the native ecosystems, and studying the responses of invasive species to the present and future environmental conditions and drivers of change (e.g. climate and increasing human activities);
Novel methodologies for ecological restoration, including improving cultivation, transport and transplantation, and measuring impacts;
The use of Nature-based Solutions in mitigation processes;
Understanding the link between marine biodiversity and essential ecosystem services of societal benefit;
Translating the knowledge generated through biodiversity research in areas such as sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and ecotourism;
Contribution of Marine Protected Areas to ecological restoration;
Other topics that can contribute to the European policies promoting ecological restoration.
Why Ecological Restoration?
Ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activities and climate change, leading to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. In response, the EU has enacted policies such as the Nature Restoration Law and the Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030, which set ambitious targets for restoring degraded marine and coastal environments.
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This call is AQUASERV’s direct contribution to these goals: empowering researchers with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise to develop innovative solutions for ecological restoration.
How does the evaluation process work?
Applications will be evaluated in July and will go through several stages, such as eligibility and feasibility checks, scientific review and evaluation. Results will be announced by November 2024.
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What are the criteria we will be looking at, in order of importance?
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Scientific excellence: The quality, originality and ambition of the proposed work, as well as the potential scientific and technical outcomes and impacts of the project.
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Novelty: The proposal should be innovative, testing new ideas or perspectives in the field.
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Overall feasibility/probability of delivery: Applications should have realistic scientific goals that can be achieved in the context of the AQUASERV.
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Compliance with the key priority of the call, in this case, the ecological restoration theme.
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Need for access: Applications should explain why access to the requested facility is needed to conduct their research.
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Compliance with the AQUASERV ethics policy.
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For further information please consult our
How do you apply?
Choose Your Service(s): Browse AQUASERV’s services catalogue and use the TA Handbook for additional information on the Access Providers.​
Prepare your proposal: Once you have an idea of what services you want to apply for, get in touch with the Access Manager of the facility you selected to prepare your proposal and discuss any questions.
Register on the ARIA Portal: Create an account on the ARIA portal to access the application system and start your proposal. You can click here.
Work on your application offline
We’ve prepared a downloadable Application Form Template so you can draft your proposal offline, at your own pace.
This document mirrors the key questions and sections you’ll find in the ARIA portal. Once ready, you can simply copy and paste your answers into the online system.
Submit Your Proposal: Complete your proposal on the ARIA system, where you can also track your proposal status.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
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What services do you have?AQUASERV comprises a network of six European research infrastructures, gathering 40 scientific partners covering research and innovation for sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, and the blue economy. Through this network, AQUASERV offers service coverage in 16 countries around European seas (Baltic, Northeast Atlantic, and Mediterranean) and inland waters. Here’s the main categories and sub-categories available, that you can browse through our service catalogue:
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Where can I find more detailed information?We have a detailed TA Handbook where you can find all the information you need to know. Please keep in mind that this document is a living document and is constantly updated. So please make sure you download the latest version, by clicking here.
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Where can I find the Access Managers’ contacts?Option 1: You can navigate to the service catalogue page and select the service you wish to access. You will then be able to view the name and contact details of the relevant Access Manager on the right-hand side of the page. Option 2: You can download our TA Handbook, here, and you’ll find an overview table of all Access Managers in the appendix section.
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What are Transnational Access or TA services?Transnational Access provides researchers access, free of charge, to specific research services (e.g. equipment, expertise, resources) offered by the AQUASERV consortium members’ research infrastructure facilities. Click here to see what we can offer you. Access to these TA services can be made through two modalities: On-site: Applicant researchers are supported to travel to one of our partner facilities in Europe and use the research services they provide in person. In this modality, up to two applicant researchers have their travel and accommodation paid for by the project. Remote: In this modality, the research services are provided by our partner facilities without the need for applicant researchers to travel to that location. Examples of remote services include (but are not restricted to): Collecting, processing and shipping samples and/or specimens Taxonomic identification of specimens Rearing of organisms Analytical procedures Using strains from culture collections
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What is AQUASERV?AQUASERV is a pioneering multinational initiative that unites six leading research infrastructures and over 40 scientific institutions across Europe dedicated to advancing sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, and the blue economy by providing cutting-edge research services. Find out more about AQUASERV here.
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What is AQUASERV committed to?At AQUASERV, we are committed to tackling some of the 21st century’s most pressing challenges: → Ensuring food security for a growing global population → Protecting our aquatic environments We aim to provide a sustainable approach, fostered by innovative solutions and international cooperation, to follow and implement European Union strategies and policies, including: The New Approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU The Common Fisheries Policy The "Farm to Fork" Strategy The European Green Deal
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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For enquiries about a specific service or your project, please direct your message to the relevant access manager.
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For questions regarding the application process and assessment, please contact Stella Alexandroff - stella.alexandroff@embrc.eu.
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For general enquiries, please email aquaserv@ualg.pt and we will redirect your message to the most appropriate contact.
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Please read the Terms of submission.
Please find more information in the TA Handbook.
