JPI Oceans Joint Transnational Call 2025 on Offshore Freshened Groundwater is now officially open, aiming to act as a “proof of concept” through a pioneering scientific exploration campaign, generating critical data on OFG distribution, properties, recharge mechanisms, and long-term viability – laying essential groundwork for the sustainable future management of this promising unconventional water resource.
Xjenza Malta is proud to participate as one of the Research Funding Organisations launching this Call along with Italy (Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca) and uniting partners from Germany (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung), Italy (Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Greece (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, in-kind), with co-branding indicated by the UN Ocean Decade.
The Call focused on two main themes:
- Theme 1: characterisation, validation, and assessment of OFG bodies. Through an innovative scientific exploration campaign, this theme will address knowledge gaps on:
- Functioning of OFG systems and onshore-offshore connectivity
- Age of emplacement of OFG bodies
- Hydraulic and hydrogeologic properties
- Potential environmental impacts from OFG utilisation
- Theme 2: Environmental Assessment of Offshore Freshened Groundwater Seeps. Developing robust environmental baselines through:
- Seep characterisation and functioning mechanisms
- Seep-related ecosystems characterisation (bio-geochemical aspects)
- Comprehensive monitoring protocols
Malta-based entities are eligible for funding of up to €300,000 per project to join international consortia addressing the following knowledge gaps across the two abovementioned themes:
🌊 Data scarcity and inconsistency: generating systematic and comprehensive data on OFG properties and dynamics.
🌿 Environmental, technological, and economic feasibility: assessing the environmental impacts and evaluating the technological and economic viability of potential OFG utilisation.
⚖️ Legal and governance frameworks: informing and potentially contributing to the development of guidelines and regulatory frameworks for the integration of OFG exploration and exploitation into existing regimes.
For further information kindly refer to the Call Text, as well as the National Rules for Participation for State Aid and Non-State Aid.
Full Proposal submission deadline – 6 March 2026, 17:00 CET
In addition to the full proposal submission by the Project Coordinator on the Call Online Submission Platform, Malta-based applicants must submit a National Application Form to eusubmissions.xjenzamalta@gov.mt by 6 March 2026 at 23:59 CET.
The corresponding annexes can be accessed from the Xjenza Malta Resource Page.
We are more than pleased to arrange one-on-one meetings to explore and discuss this funding opportunity in greater detail, kindly contact eusubmissions.xjenzamalta@gov.mt
* If more than one National partner is present in one consortium, the total amount of funding for the participating National partners cannot exceed the €300,000 capping.
