STICHTING EUROCEAN

Their core work

EurOcean is a European non-profit foundation that serves as a knowledge broker and information hub for the marine and ocean science community. They operate platforms that catalogue and connect marine research infrastructures — research vessels, AUVs, ROVs — making them discoverable and accessible across borders. They facilitate knowledge transfer between marine researchers, policymakers, and industry, translating ocean science outputs into actionable intelligence for blue economy growth. Their work spans from Arctic observation systems to trans-Atlantic research cooperation, consistently acting as the connective tissue between fragmented ocean research communities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), EurOcean focused heavily on knowledge transfer, dissemination, and blue growth strategy — acting as a platform builder connecting marine research communities and translating science into policy-relevant outputs (COLUMBUS, MARINA). From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward research infrastructure services: cataloguing research vessels and equipment (EurofleetsPlus, CatRIS), deploying ocean observation technologies (NAUTILOS), and operationalizing international cooperation frameworks like the Belém Statement (AANChOR). The evolution shows a move from soft knowledge brokerage toward more concrete infrastructure coordination and operational ocean monitoring.

EurOcean is moving from knowledge dissemination toward operational coordination of marine research infrastructure and observation systems, making them increasingly relevant for projects needing access to shared ocean research assets.

How they like to work

EurOcean participates exclusively as a partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is consistent with their role as a support and networking organization rather than a research leader. They operate in large consortia (188 unique partners across 9 projects), indicating they are embedded in the broad European marine research network rather than working in tight specialist teams. Their value in a consortium is as a dissemination, communication, and knowledge-brokerage partner — the organization you bring in to ensure project results reach the right audiences and connect to existing platforms.

EurOcean has collaborated with 188 unique partners across 36 countries, giving them one of the broadest networks in the European marine research landscape. Their reach extends well beyond Europe through trans-Atlantic cooperation projects, connecting to research communities in the Americas and Arctic regions.

What sets them apart

EurOcean occupies a rare niche as a dedicated marine knowledge broker — not a research performer, not a technology developer, but the organization that makes ocean research findable, accessible, and connected. Their catalogue of marine research infrastructures (vessels, underwater vehicles, observation platforms) is a unique asset that no single university or institute replicates. For consortium builders, they bring an unmatched contact network across 36 countries and the operational capacity to handle dissemination, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure access coordination.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AANChOR
  Largest single funding (EUR 614K) — implements the Belém Statement for trans-Atlantic ocean research cooperation, their most strategic and politically significant project.
• EurofleetsPlus
  Alliance of European research vessels and underwater vehicles — positions EurOcean at the center of shared marine infrastructure access across Europe.
• NAUTILOS
  Most recent large project (2020–2025, EUR 277K) focused on new ocean observation sensors and technologies, signaling their move into operational monitoring.