EMBRC joins Ocean Hackathon®
The European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) is joining the 10th edition of the annual Ocean Hackathon® as an ambassador and data provider.
The Ocean Hackathon® is an annual 48-hour event organised by Campus mondial de la mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, taking place simultaneously in several locations across the world. During the hackathon, teams use real marine data to create working prototypes that provide innovative solutions to ocean conservation, sustainability, and Blue Economy challenges.
Participants become part of a global community that brings ocean conservation and digital innovation together to find practical applications for open marine data. As part of this community, multidisciplinary teams have the opportunity to upskill, network, and elevate their entrepreneurial mindset.
EMBRC’s partnership follows a successful 2025 edition, which engaged 650 participants across 54 challenges globally. The event demonstrated the immediate value of EMBRC’s data assets: in Peniche, Portugal, a multidisciplinary team led by Daniel Kumazawa Morais (UiT / EMBRC Norway) secured a second-place finish.
By leveraging exclusive access to genomic datasets from EMBRC’s EMO BON network alongside EMODnet and Global Fishing Watch, the team built an interactive platform that translates complex biodiversity data into actionable insights for marine policymakers.
As an Ocean Hackathon® Ambassador, EMBRC joins a select group of organisations dedicated to leveraging innovation to study and protect marine ecosystems for future generations. Through this partnership, EMBRC will help foster real-world solutions to pressing environmental challenges.
To fuel these projects, EMBRC will provide high-quality open data from its European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON), the first long-term genomic biodiversity observatory in Europe.
EMO BON enables experts around Europe to share knowledge, coordinate research, collaborate on scientific approaches, and fill knowledge gaps around marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. By generating open biodiversity data, EMO BON enables Europe to monitor and understand its marine biodiversity in a meaningful way.
EMBRC is proud to stand alongside the Ocean Hackathon®’s other 2026 Ambassadors, which include: Cerema, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Ifremer, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), Mercator Ocean International, and Shom. As part of their role, Ambassadors will also participate as jury in the Grand Finale and present awards to the winning teams.
Joining these ocean leaders demonstrates EMBRC’s commitment to closing the ocean observation knowledge gap and supporting researchers in their efforts to learn more about marine ecosystems and find new ways to reach a sustainable blue bioeconomy.
Supporting the Ocean Hackathon® is an incredible opportunity to spark fresh, practical ideas and to bring together a collaborative international network dedicated to safeguarding our marine environments.
Following the recent close of the call for challenges, the Ocean Hackathon® 2026 is moving into its next phases:
- September 2026: Participant registration opens for individuals looking to join the selected challenges.
- 16–18 October 2026: The main 48-hour Ocean Hackathon® event takes place simultaneously in 11 cities across the world.
- 10 December 2026: Winners from each local event will compete at the International Grand Finale in Brest, France.
Ocean Hackathon® thrives on meaningful collaborations, and our partnership with EMBRC is a perfect example. Together, we connect open science, marine biodiversity data, and innovation to inspire the next generation of solutions for the blue economy.
For more information about the event or to watch the replay of the April information webinar and visit the Ocean Hackathon 2026 website.
