FZJ, represented by its subdivision PtJ, is responsible for the implementation and administration of the national research programme “Maritime Research Strategy 2025”. This funding programme under the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) funds industry-led collaborative projects in which companies work with universities or research institutes on a joint development objective.
Role in the project
FZJ has coordinated MARTEC I, II and MarTERA plus is a contributing partner in several JPIs and is involved in several HORIZON EUROPE initiatives as coordinator or partner. With its wide contacts and experience in running technology programmes FZJ will coordinate the CSA MarLEN and therefore be the contact point between the consortium, the EC and other stakeholders (WP1). Moreover FZJ will also lead WP3 “Call Procedures” and be involved in most of the tasks of the work plan to control the progress of the CSA.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy provides funding to the maritime sector in the context of the Maritime Research Programme and the funding line Real-time Technologies for Maritime Safety for the development of innovative products in forward-looking areas of shipbuilding and shipping, the offshore industry and marine technologies. The two funding programmes totalling around €90 million annually help to strengthen the maritime sector in international competition and to advance the mitigation of climate change and environmental protection. At the same time, they contribute to securing qualified jobs in Germany.
Role in the project
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is the German programme owner for the maritime programmes and will support the project with national funds for the transnational projects.
UK Research and Innovation is a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. Operating across the whole of the UK, with a combined budget of more than £6 billion, UKRI represents the
largest reform of the research and innovation funding landscape in the last 50 years.
Innovate UK is part of UKRI. Innovate UK helps drive productivity and economic growth by supporting UK businesses across all sectors to turn innovative ideas into commercially successful products and services.
Innovate UK is delivering substantial national funded (UK Department for Transport) maritime calls worth £239m to date including several international competitions and initiatives.
Role in the project
Innovate UK (UKRI) is supporting all work packages across MarLEN. We will bring experience and knowledge from the UK’s substantial maritime R&D ecosystem to inform synergies and call design within MarLEN. We will also support partners’ to disseminate and communicate the successes of national programmes and MarLEN’s projects.
MarRI-UK (Maritime Research and Innovation UK) is a collaborative innovation hub that brings together industry, academia, and government to drive maritime research and development in the UK through extensive partnerships. Our mission is to increase the global competitive position of the UK maritime sector through identifying, developing and leveraging emerging technologies. By facilitating strategic partnerships, aligning R&D efforts, and supporting the transformation of the maritime sector, MarRI-UK helps accelerate sustainable and competitive maritime solutions for the future.
Role in the project
In the MarLEN project, MarRI-UK leads the Monitoring work package by defining a common set of project monitoring indicators, defining reporting procedures, and coordinating the evaluation of the funded projects in line with the EU monitoring procedures. In addition, MarRI-UK also supports the synergies between ZEWT and the national programmes, and project dissemination.
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK), which was established in 1963, is a public body in charge of promoting, developing, organizing, conducting and coordinating research and development in Turkiye. TÜBİTAK operates as the main advisory institution to the Turkish Government on scientific and technological issues. TÜBİTAK supports research and innovation projects carried out in universities and other public or private bodies. It publishes scientific journals, public scientific magazines, and scientific works. TUBITAK has expertise in research policy advice, event organization, stakeholder engagement, dissemination and communication, education and training.
Role in the project
Main role of TÜBİTAK in MarLEN is to participate in call procedures and support funding activities for Turkish Stakeholders. TÜBİTAK’s main goal in joining MarLEN is to foster global collaboration in research and innovation, thereby fostering the European Research Area’s efforts in green maritime transportation. TÜBİTAK also takes role in Management and National Programmes Work Packages of MarLEN Project.
APRE – Agency for the Promotion of the European Research is a non-profit research organisation facilitating Italy’s participation in the EU’s R&I funding programmes by providing information, training, and support services. APRE hosts the Horizon Europe National Contact Points (NCPs) in Italy and has a wide network of 160+ associated members. While APRE’s headquarter is in Rome, the APRE Liaison Office in Brussels acts as a strategic hub to involve more effectively its Members straight into the heart of EU R&I policies and programmes. APRE Projects Department directly participates in the Horizon Europe calls through its expertise: project management, education, stakeholder engagement, dissemination and communication, policy analysis, exploitation, and responsible research and innovation.
Role in the project
APRE leads the “Engagement, Synergies and Dissemination” activities, aiming to engage with the European maritime community to explore existing challenges and foster knowledge exchange, while establishing long-lasting collaborations with relevant projects, initiatives and networks – especially with ZEWT, GREENET and the BlueTech Cluster Alliance – to overcome R&I fragmentation and foster better coordination with existing initiatives in the maritime sector. Joint activities include mutual-learning workshops, networking events, cross-dissemination and policy briefs for the adoption of zero-emission solutions in the sector.
The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), as part of the Marine Institute, is Ireland’s statutory development office for the promotion and development of the Irish maritime sector with a specific focus on ports, port services, shipping and shipping services and related areas.
As the central hub for maritime business in Ireland, the IMDO supports national and international organisations interested in establishing or operating on the island of Ireland or engaging with stakeholders in the Irish maritime sector.
The IMDO operates under the aegis of the Department of Transport and is required, under its mandate to advise the Department and the Minister in relation to maritime policy and to implement such policies as directed by the Minister.
Role in the project
The IMDO’s activities in MarLEN are focused on Work package 2 “Synergies between ZEWT and the National Programmes”, where the objective is to develop a master plan to sustain MarLEN in the long term.
The tasks that the IMDO will support include mapping national maritime funding structures and identifying opportunities to link the national funding with the co-fund structures developed by MarLEN. The IMDO will also support the establishment of a MarLEN committee that will oversee the future direction of MarLEN and recruiting other member states to the network.
The Executive Agency for Higher Education Research, Development and Innovation Funding – UEFISCDI, is a public entity of the Central Administration under the ultimate authority of Ministry of National Education .UEFISCDI implements the National Research and Innovation Plans, funding the R&I projects and monitor the implementation and their impact in society.
At international level, UEFISCDI promote the Romanian R&I and its integration in the international scientific community by cooperating with similar organizations in Europe and worldwide and by supporting to Romanian R&D actors to develop international partnerships.
UEFISCDI is involved in over 40 international projects, most of them under ERA-NET H2020, in the field of: Health, Bioeconomy, Advanced Materials and Eco-nano-technologies. In HE program UEFISCDI is involved in Agroecology, SBEP and Watter4All.
Role in the project
UEFISCDI will support the participation of Romanian researchers in the JTC calls organized within MarLEN project. UEFISCDI will promote the MarLINE project and will be active involved in project dissemination at national level and in promoting international cooperation on research and innovation.
The Waterborne Technology Platform (WTP) was established to foster continuous dialogue among all stakeholders in the waterborne sector, including industry, research institutions, and EU bodies. Its goals include building consensus on R&D priorities, developing a shared long-term research vision, and ensuring effective coordination and funding. WTP also aims to align efforts towards clean, competitive, and safe waterborne transport. Engaging a wide range of stakeholders is key to achieving coordinated EU-level research and innovation.
Role in the project
In the MarLEN project, the Waterborne Technology Platform (WTP) coordinates stakeholders to align national and EU maritime research towards zero-emission goals. It helps develop a Strategic Research Agenda and fosters innovation across the sector. WTP ensures policy coherence, stakeholder engagement, and supports the deployment of sustainable waterborne technologies. Its role is central to advancing the EU’s Green Deal through the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT) partnership.
The Research Council of Norway (RCN) is the country’s official body for the development and implementation of the national research strategy. The RCN is responsible for enhancing Norway’s knowledge base and for promoting basic applied research and innovation in order to help meet research needs within society. The RCN also works actively to encourage international research cooperation.
Role in the project
The RCN’s primary role in MarLEN is to participate in calls and support funding activities. The overarching purpose of the RCN’s participation in MarLEN is to promote international cooperation on research and innovation to strengthen the European Research Area in the field of green maritime transportation.
Magellan Circle is a European consultancy and research organisation with over 20 years of experience in the fields of transport, mobility, maritime affairs, and regional development. The company supports public and private stakeholders through strategic consulting, project development, and EU funding expertise.
Role in the project
In the MarLEN project, MCI is the designated Task Leader for communication and dissemination strategy, Magellan Circle ensures that the project’s results effectively reach both specialized audiences and the general public.
Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) is the executive agency for industrial R&D&I funding in Flanders, Belgium, and manages about 400 M€ of innovation funds. VLAIO has a long standing experience in national and international innovation funding schemes, such as Eureka, Art. 169 and JTI programmes, EFRD/Interreg, ERA-Net, and Horizon Partnerships. VLAIO also provides many other entrepreneurship services to Flemish companies.
Role in the project
VLAIO will mainly participate to the calls for innovation projects, and will support funding through its industrial R&D programme. The main programme objectives are to support the development of knowledge in industry for new technology, products, services, and business plans, and its economical valorisation.
MSE International is a leading research and technology organisation dedicated to driving innovation, investment, and sustainable growth across the marine and maritime industries.
Based in the UK, MSE works at the intersection of research, industry, and policy, supporting the commercialisation of new technologies and facilitating high-impact collaborations across the Blue Economy. With a strong track record in designing and delivering complex, multi-partner projects funded by both public and private sources, MSE acts as a trusted innovation broker for the marine sector. Its core capabilities span project and consortium management, technology transfer and strategic stakeholder engagement. MSE also offers deep expertise in areas such as supply chain mapping, market analysis, training, event delivery, and communications.
Role in the project
MSE will perform two principal roles: first we will support the communication and dissemination actions in order to promote wider awareness of the project, particularly among maritime SMEs. We will use our extensive business subscriber base and our mature relationships with marine cluster organisation across Europe. Second, MSE will support the project monitoring activities, particularly in terms of providing market-aware inputs to project lead organisations and assisting their successful commercialisation.
