Joint call for proposals on microplastics in the marine environment
Twelve JPI Oceans member countries together with Brazil launch a call for transnational research projects of approx. 9.2 M€ to study the sources, distribution and impact of microplastics in the marine environment.
Building on the results from the joint transnational call “Ecological aspects of microplastics in the marine environment” and recent scientific findings this joint transnational call intends to increase the knowledge about the relevant sources of microplastics, analytical methods for identifying smaller micro- and nano-)plastics, monitoring their distribution and abundance in marine systems and their effects thereon as well as concepts to reduce inputs of plastic into the marine environment.
For this call funding partners from Belgium, Brazil, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have allocated a total amount of up to € 9.2 million funding. In addition, researchers based in other countries are able to participate with their own resources.
Through this new call, JPI Oceans is aiming to promote European and transatlantic research cooperation on the issue, and contribute to the Regional Seas Conventions, to the implementation of the Belém Statement as well as G7, G20 and UN aims of reducing (micro-) plastic pollution in the ocean.
Themes
This call comprises four main themes:
- Identification, characterisation and quantification of the major microplastic sources, especially mechanisms and time scales of macroplastic fragmentation
- New sampling and analytical methodologies - focusing on the smaller (nano-)particles and in situ measurement methods for all matrices (water, sediment, biota)
- Monitoring and mapping of microplastics in the marine environment including its effects on the marine environment
- Concepts to reduce inputs of plastics into the marine environment including through new recycling methods, raising public awareness, promoting behavioural change, socio-economic analyses
Rules for Participation
Each application must address at least one of the four themes of the call. Please note that not all funding partners will fund applications in all topic areas.
Proposals need to involve eligible research partners from at least three participating countries. Projects will be funded for up to 36 months. The maximum requested funding per proposal is € 2,000,000.
The deadline for submitting proposals is on 28 February 2019 at 12:00 CET (mid-day). All applications must be submitted via the submission platform.
Call text
Details of the call, including the call announcement and the application process are provided on the submission platform. Before starting to prepare proposals, applicants are advised to consult the national funding guidelines and contact their funding organisation(s) as listed in the annex documents for the call.
Funding Partners
- Belgium | Belgian Science Policy Office, BELSPO
- Brazil | National Council of State Research Support Foundations, CONFAP
- Estonia | Ministry of the Environment of the Estonian Republic, MoE
- Estonia | Estonian Research Council, ETAgz
- France| National Research Agency, ANR
- Germany | Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF
- Iceland | The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, MFRI
- Ireland | Marine Institute, MI
- Ireland | Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, DHPLG
- Italy | Ministry of Education, University and Research, MIUR
- Malta | Malta Council for Science and Technology, MCST
- Norway | Research Council of Norway, RCN
- Portugal | Science & Technology Foundation, FCT
- Spain | Spanish State Research Agency, AEI
- Sweden | Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, FORMAS
Published: 2018.11.19 | Last updated: 2018.11.20
