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We are pleased to announce the projects selected for the 1^st Pilot Projects Call. After a rigorous evaluation process, these outstanding projects have been chosen for their impact, and potential to drive meaningful change in Blue Biotechnology.

9 projects were approved each one composed by minimum 2 organizations of the consortium and a company, 3 aligned with the thematic priority related to Aquaculture, 1 related to Omic Technologies and Observation and 5 to Industrial products. Each Pilot Project, with a budget ~30.000,00 €, will perform R&D&I activities in the TRL3-6 range (max 12 months duration), corresponding to feasibility studies, exploitation or demonstration projects.

Find more information about the projects here.

Biotechnology Platform 1: Innovations for an efficient, sustainable, and resilient aquaculture.

• Innovative use of Chondrus crispus-derived ingredients to enhance sustainability and functionality in aquaculture feeds (FUNCTIONALGAE) – UVigo-CIM & PiE-UPV/EHU & CEAMSA
• Innovative approaches for the cultivation of the green seaweed Ulva in two contrasting locations in open waters and its valorisation to cellulose for materials (ULVACEL) – BEA-ULPGC & UVigo-CIM & MACROCARBON S.L
• Kelp-Secure: Improving kelp biobanking and seed production for improved yield and tolerance to climate change – SBR-Roscoff & University of Galway & Algolesko SAS

Biotechnology Platform 2: Omic and observationtechnologies for preserving marine biodiversity and restore ocean health.

• TOwards MOlecular observation of female reproduction capacity in marine teleoSTs: ribo‐tools for stock assessment in tuna FISHeries and for marine ecotoxicology in a novel model species (TO-MOST-FISH) – PiE-UPV/EHU & UVigo-CIM & AZTI Foundation

Biotechnology Platform 3: Marine-derived products for industrial applications.

• KelPet: alternative seaweeds for pet food – University of Galway & UMinho-3Bs & Blue Pet Co
• Marine microalgae biotoxins for industrial applications (MiTOXin) – IEO-CSIC & BEA-ULPGC & SBR-Roscoff & Laboratorio CIFGA S.A
• Algae Genetic Advancement for Carbon Capture (ALGACAP) – PiE-UPV/EHU & BEA-ULPGC & Algaverso
• Unlocking the potential of polysaccharides from Salicornia sp.: Extraction, characterization and biological activity (POLYSAL) – UMinho-3Bs & University of Galway & Horta dos Peixinhos, Lda
• Transforming Marine Biomass from Sardine and Codfish Skins to Marine Collagen: A Biorefinery Approach to Sustainable Biotechnological Innovation – UMinho-3Bs & UVigo-CIM & Comur

What’s next

As the selected projects progress, we will share updates and insights to showcase their achievements and contributions. Stay tuned for developments that highlight the transformative potential of these pilots.

The MARINNONET project has reached its first year during which we have achieved diverse milestones that help us continue growing our network:

– 4 IRS forums with more than 120 participants from Spain, France, Portugal and Ireland
– 6 Regional Workshops with more than 100 stakeholders involved
– 1 Transregional Workshop with more than 40 participants and more than 150 challenges and opportunities identified
– 9 Pilot Projects approved in the First Call

You can find more information in our first official newsletter here: Newsletter 1 – 2024 summary.

In December 10^TH , the project reached a significant milestone with its 2^nd progress meeting, hosted by PiE-UPV/EHU in Bilbao (Spain). During the meeting, all partners had the opportunity to present the results achieved during the initial phase of the project, highlighting key accomplishments and challenges related to our Regional Blue Biotech Innovation Workshops and 1^st Call for Pilot projects.

With the resolution of the Pilot Projects call fast approaching, the representatives from the 10 partner organizations discussed their next steps for 2025. The year ahead promises to be an exciting one, with numerous initiatives and innovations set to take shape.

Following the Progress Meeting, partners also had the opportunity to visit the facilities of the Plentzia Marine Station of the University of the Basque Country.

Stay tuned as we continue to make steps in the field of Blue Biotechnology, driving forward sustainable solutions for the future!

The call for MARINNONET pilot projects is now closed. Thank you very much for your participation, the evaluation board will start to review the projects and the selection of the winning proposals will be published on 20th December.

The first call of the MARINNONET Pilot Projects is open! MARINNONET project 1st call for pilot-projects aims to fund up to 10 pilot projects (max 30,000 euros per project) along the lines of the three Biotechnology Platforms outlined by the consortium:

• Innovation for efficient, sustainable and resilient aquaculture
• Observation technologies to preserve marine biodiversity and restore ocean health
• Marine related products for industrial applications

The MARINNONET pilot projects should consist of R&D&I activities in the TRL3-7 range (max 12 months duration), corresponding to feasibility studies, exploitation or demonstration projects. Projects should be aligned with the regional challenges identified in the Joint Action Plan of MARINNONET (available in the webpage of the project) following feedbacks received from the Blue Bioeconomy stakeholder workshops organised in the Atlantic Regions (The Canary Islands-Spain, Portugal, Galicia-Spain, Basque Country-Spain, Brittany-France and Ireland).

The deadlines of the call are:

Do you want to get involved? Here you have all the information you need to participate:

• MARINNONET Pilot Projects Call – Guidelines and Application form
• MARINNONET Pilot Projects Call – CV partners
• MARINNONET Pilot Projects Call – Consortium agreement
• MARINNONET Pilot Projects Call – Evaluation Form
• Joint Resources Catalogue
• Joint Programs

After six successful regional Blue Biotech Innovation workshops held in Brittany, the Basque Country, Portugal (July), Galicia, the Canary Islands, and Ireland (September), this online event offers the opportunity to consolidate and share the results of these sessions. Key stakeholders and experts from the consortium will come together to discuss the next steps and collaborative approaches.

The session will include discussions on transnational challenges in the Marine Biotechnology sector, presentation of key findings from the B2I workshops, the launch of pilot projects, and proposals for transnational action plans, followed by a Q&A session
Date: 27/09/2024Time: 11:00 CET Location: Online
Provisional agenda:

11:00 CET – Welcome, Speaker Introductions & Meeting Objectives
Jose Luis Soengas
11:15 CET – Workshop Findings: Key Challenges in Marine Biotechnology
Elisabete da Costa, Jose Luis Soengas, Ibon Cancio and Taigo H. Silva
11:45 CET – Action Plans & Pilot Projects Call Launch (Includes Q&A)
Ibon Cancio
11:55 CET – Collaboration & Cross-disciplinary Approaches
(Discussion, Q&A, Closing Remarks, Call to Action)
Jose Luis Soengas

Joins us!