The AQUASERV Open Call offers researchers and innovators a unique opportunity to access some of Europe’s most advanced research facilities, supporting projects in food security, marine biotechnology, ecosystem health, pollution, and other critical areas within sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, and the blue economy.
 

Through this initiative, the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) provides access to the facilities of 18 selected partner institutions across 8 countries, enabling applicants to explore a wide range of fields, including aquaculture, biotechnology, data science, environmental science, and fisheries.
 



APPLY

 
Open Call StatusOPEN until December 2028
Evaluation cycleEvery 4 months from submission 
(March, July, November)

 

WHAT ARE THE RESEARCH AREAS OF THE CALL?

AQUASERV welcomes innovative research ideas across all areas related to sustainable aquaculture, fisheries, and blue economy —whether you’re focused on sustainability, food security, marine biotechnology, ecosystem health, pollution, or other.  

This program encourages fresh, impactful ideas for advancing sustainability and environmental resilience.

Learn more about the call on AQUASERV website

 

WHAT CAN AQUASERV OFFER YOU? 

AQUASERV provides fully funded access to some of Europe’s most advanced labs and research facilities, covering everything from travel to consumables. Through its extensive network, your project can leverage specialised resources and facilities, including state-of-the-art technological platforms, unique organism collections, and advanced aquaria.

Specifically, you’ll gain access to 18 EMBRC-selected partner institutions across 8 countries, ensuring the support you need to focus entirely on advancing your research.

CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Data 
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Portugal
CCMAR - Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Data
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Portugal
Universidade de Coimbra
  • Biotech
Portugal
HCMR - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Data 
  • Environment
Greece
Sorbonne Université – IMEV - Institut de la Mer de Villefranche-sur-mer
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Fisheries
France
Sorbonne Université – OOB – Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-mer
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Fisheries
France
Sorbonne Université – SBR – Station Biologique de Roscoff
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Fisheries
France
Institute of Natural Sciences
  • Aquaculture
  • Environement
Belgium
Universiteit Gent
  • Aquaculture
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Belgium
UGOT-KMRS – Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Infrastructure
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Sweden
UGOT-TML - Tjärnö Marine Laboratory 
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Sweden
Umeå University
  • Aquaculture
  • Environment
Sweden
Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
Norway

Universitetet i Bergen

 

  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
Norway
Havforsknings Instituttet
  • Aquaculture
  • Environment
Norway
PIE - Plentzia Marine Station of the University of the Basque Country
  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Environment
Spain

Universidad de Vigo

 

  • Aquaculture
  • Biotech
  • Environment
  • Fisheries
Spain
SZN - Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
  • Biotech
  • Data 
  • Environment
Italy

Access the complete Aquaserv catalogue

 

WHO CAN APPLY? 

If you’re a PhD student, early-career researcher, engineer or research professional affiliated with a recognised institution, AQUASERV is for you! 

Your institution could be an academic, a non-for-profit organisation or a registered company.


WHAT IS TRANSNATIONAL ACCESS?


Transnational access (TA) provides free access to European research infrastructure services. It requires you to: 

  • utilise facilities in countries other than your home institutionunless you are requesting access to an ERIC installation, such as AnaEE-ERIC, EuroBioImaging-ERIC, EMBRC-ERIC, EU-Openscreen-ERIC, LifeWatch-ERIC, or MIRRI-ERIC.
  • agree that data generated from the chosen services will comply with FAIR principles making it available to other researchers while allowing for IP protection (in line with the EU’s open science policy)

TA can be accessed through 2 means:

  • On-site access
  • Remote access

Learn about AQUASERV specific eligibility criteria

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