Deadlines: 30 June | 31 August | 31 October | 31 December 2026

The consortium European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory (EMSO-ERIC) has its annual Infrastructure call offering access to EMSO facilities currently open. The objective of this call is to offer access to Facilities where users’ devices can be installed, including sensors, instruments, systems, new technologies and where new procedures/experiments can be tested/take place. Researchers, PhD students or research staff are eligible to benefit from access to EMSO facilities. You can apply every two months during 2026.

EMSO-ERIC is a consortium-based common strategic framework of scientific facilities which aims to further understanding of the oceans. In 2026, seven Facilities are available: three at the Atlantic Ocean and four at the Mediterranean Sea. The complete list is available here. There is no restriction regarding the country of origin of the user; international and multilateral collaboration is encouraged.

Modality of access

A user or a user group shall be given access to an infrastructure listed in this call to test an instrument, technology or to collect data and samples. The access project can include a part involving co-development or training on specific technologies/methodologies at the host institution. 

Modality of Access (MoA) can be of the three following types:

• Remote: the presence of the user or user group is not required;
• Partially remote: the presence of the user or user group is required at some stage;
• In­ person (“hands­on”): the presence of the user or user group is required.

Funding

Funding consists in Facility Access Units (days of usage) and economic support for operations, hardware adaptations, shipping of necessary equipment, and consumables. The maximum amount of direct funding per project proposal is €15,000 of which a maximum of €4,000 may be used for travel of members of the user team or host facility personnel. The 2026 call is expected to fund a minimum of six projects.

How to apply

Prospective applicants first need to submit a Letter of Intent to EMSO. The appropriate facility manager(s) will then contact the prospective applicant to help prepare a more detailed project proposal, which must be emailed to EMSO by the deadlines.

Additional information, including previously granted projects and the description of the facilities can be found here.