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The European Commission launched a new call for proposals under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) with EU co-funding of EUR 2.6 million. The topic of the call is improving scientific knowledge to strengthen the science basis of management decisions under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

The aim of the call is to promote the development and the strengthening of the scientific knowledge needed for fisheries conservation and management measures in support of the CFP. The priorities related to this call are the reinforcement of policy-oriented fisheries science, a better use of the collected scientific data, as well as improved cooperation between scientists and the fisheries sector.

The call also focuses on the support to the EU scientific community to develop and maintain the relevant expertise to provide high quality scientific advice on fisheries matters.

Projects should focus on the activities listed below:

Selected projects can include for example the activities listed (non-exhaustive list) below:

• collection and processing of samples and/or data in the field falling outside the scope of national data collection programmes;
• harmonise and/or improve protocols of data collection, handling and management to serve the scientific advisory process;
• trials (e.g. exploring methods for improving surveys, collection of data, monitoring methods, risk assessments,…);
• meta-analysis, data validation and/or data preparation to feed into models;
• modelling: development, improvement, operationalising, testing and/or validation of models;
• developing methodologies for stocks evaluations including refining of Stock assessment parameters, or including data-limited methods and those suitable providing advice on very rare sensitive species;
• expanding current databases or creating new databases and link with existing initiatives with the aim of improving data quality and serving scientific advice;
• developing new advice formats or frequencies.

Projects should develop networking activities between EU scientists and/or with EU fishing industry (e.g. multidisciplinary analysis, workshops, benchmark meetings, stakeholders’ consultations, networking of existing samples, etc.).

Project proposals can be submitted by research centres, educational institutions, universities, foundations and scientific bodies active mainly in fisheries sciences or marine sciences applied to fisheries management established in EU countries (including Overseas Countries and Territories – OCTs).

The call has a budget of 2.6 million EUR that will finance about 7 projects. Projects will receive a contribution of 80% of the eligible costs. 

Project duration is 18 and 24 months. 

For official information are available here

Written by: Margherita Genua