KONSORTIUM DEUTSCHE MEERESFORSCHUNG EV

Their core work

KDM is the German consortium for marine research — an umbrella association that coordinates and represents Germany's major marine research institutions. Their core work involves aligning national marine science strategies, fostering trans-Atlantic ocean research cooperation, and supporting the implementation of joint programming initiatives like JPI Oceans. In H2020, they contributed to ocean observation systems, Arctic climate impact studies, and large-scale coastal ecosystem restoration, acting as a policy and coordination bridge between German marine science and European/international frameworks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 phase (2015–2019), KDM focused squarely on ocean observation infrastructure, Atlantic monitoring systems, and aligning national marine research strategies through JPI Oceans. From 2018 onward, a clear shift emerges toward applied coastal challenges — ecosystem restoration, biodiversity recovery, blue carbon finance, and climate adaptation governance (AANChOR, REST-COAST). The trajectory moves from "building the observation backbone" to "using marine science for climate and biodiversity action."

KDM is moving from pure ocean science coordination toward nature-based solutions and coastal resilience — expect future projects at the intersection of marine biodiversity, climate finance, and restoration scaling.

How they like to work

KDM consistently participates as a partner rather than a coordinator, which fits their role as a national coordination body that represents member institutions in large European consortia. With 159 unique partners across 30 countries, they operate in very large consortia (AtlantOS and REST-COAST are major multi-partner projects). This means they are well-networked connectors — partnering with KDM gives access to Germany's broader marine research community, not just one lab.

KDM has collaborated with 159 unique partners across 30 countries, reflecting the global nature of ocean research. Their network spans the full Atlantic basin (Europe, Africa, Americas) and includes both research institutions and policy bodies.

What sets them apart

KDM is not a single research institute — it is the coordinating body for all of Germany's major marine research organizations. This makes them a unique gateway: partnering with KDM effectively means access to the collective expertise, infrastructure, and networks of German ocean science. For consortium builders, KDM offers both political weight (national-level representation) and broad thematic coverage across ocean observation, climate, biodiversity, and coastal management.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AANChOR
  Largest KDM project by funding (EUR 564k), implementing the Belém Statement for trans-Atlantic ocean cooperation — a flagship EU-international research diplomacy initiative.
• AtlantOS
  Major integrated Atlantic Ocean observing system project (2015-2019), one of the largest ocean observation efforts in H2020 with broad sensor and data infrastructure scope.
• REST-COAST
  Most recent project (2021-2026), marks KDM's entry into large-scale coastal ecosystem restoration and blue carbon — signaling a strategic pivot toward nature-based solutions.