CALL FOR DECADE ACTIONS 09/2025

Welcome to the Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025!

On this page you can find all the information you need to participate in the Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025. Should you have additional questions, please contact oceandecade@unesco.org.

The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

To achieve the Ocean Decade vision, a wide range of partners will implement endorsed Decade Actions in the form of programmes, projects or activities until 2030 and beyond. Via this Call for Decade Actions, partners are invited to request endorsement under the Ocean Decade for transformative Decade Actions that contribute to the Ocean Decade vision. Proponents are encouraged to consider how their Decade Actions will enhance the sustainability of ocean science, including infrastructure or individual or institutional capacity.

Types of Decade Actions Solicited under the Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025 

The current Call for Decade Actions is soliciting Decade Actions in four different parts. The figure below provides a diagram summarizing the main of the components of the Call, including the main deadlines. Interested parties should complete and submit the relevant online “Request for Endorsement” form. Please note that there are several different online forms and different deadlines depending on the type of Action you are submitting. Please ensure that you complete the online form that corresponds to the type of Decade Action for which you are seeking endorsement and that you carefully check the relevant submission dates:

• Part I – 15 June 2025 23.59h UTC: Submission of Expression of Interest for Decade Programmes.
• Part II – 31 August 2025 23:59h UTC: Submission of applications for Decade Projects.
• Part III – 31 August 2025 23:59h UTC: Submission of applications for Ocean Decade Contributions.

As part of this Call for Decade Actions, programmes and projects that enhance scientific cooperation in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic are welcomed. Where relevant such initiatives should highlight links to the soon to be launched Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025 – 2034) and the International Polar Year (2032 – 2033).

During review of the requests for endorsement received during the Call for Decade Actions, the Decade Coordination Unit may contact proponents to discuss the proposal, suggest modifications, or make connections to other parties working on similar issues. As such, interested parties are encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible.

Figure 1: Components of Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025 and relevant deadlines

Decade programmes are being solicited in a two-stage process. The first stage is a short Expression of Interest that documents the proposed programme in relation to:

(i) its alignment with the priorities outlined in the Barcelona Statement and the broader Vision 2030,
(ii) its synergies and proposed collaboration with existing Decade programmes (see full list below at the end of the page),
(iii) the tangible means by which the science and knowledge generated by the programme will inform decision making and contribute to sustainable development Full programme proposals will be invited after a review of the Expression of Interest submission.

Further information on the existing portfolio of Decade Programmes can be found here on our website and detailed inquiries can be directed to oceandecade@unesco.org.

If successful, applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed programme proposal by 30 September 2025.

To submit the EOI for a Decade Programme proposal, please fill out this form by 15 June 2025 23.59h UTC.

This Call is soliciting projects that will contribute to endorsed Decade programmes that have chosen to be part of the Call. Of the currently endorsed programmes, 29 are soliciting projects via the current Call for Decade Actions.

Applicants interested in submitting a Project to an endorsed Decade Programme are requested to carefully read the descriptions of the Programmes contained in Annex I of the Guidance Note for Applicants for Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025, as well as relevant information on any geographic or thematic priorities that the programmes have identified for the Call.

To submit an application for a Decade Project, please fill out this form by 31 August 2025 23.59h UTC.

Decisions on project applications will be made in the second semester of 2025.

Decade Contributions are focused on providing in-kind or financial support to the Ocean Decade or to Decade Actions. This Call will accept Contributions in a variety of areas, without thematic or regional restrictions. The proposals presented need to have all the resources secured for their implementation.

Decade Contributions applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but applicants are encouraged to fill out this form by 31 August 2025 23.59h UTC.

During the preparation of submissions, we strongly encourage interested parties to consult and, where possible, collaborate with other institutions and partners working on common issues. Further information on mechanisms to create partnerships is provided in the FAQ document accompanying this call.

We have held two virtual Q&A sessions for applicants. Watch the recordings and access the presentation shown during these sessions here.

The 29 Ocean Decade Programmes receiving applications are: 

1. Global Ocean Corps and Conveyor
2. Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme (ECOPs)
3. Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON)
4. ForeSea – The Ocean Prediction Capacity of the Future
5. Challenger 150 – A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life
6. Cultural Heritage Framework Programme
7. Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD)
8. One Ocean Network for Deep Observation
9. Sustainability of Marine Ecosystems through global knowledge networks (SmartNET)
10. The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project (Seabed 2030)
11. SUstainability, Predictability and REsilience of Marine Ecosystems (SUPREME)
12. Deep Ocean Observation Strategy (DOOS)
13. CoastPredict – Observing and Predicting the Global Coastal Ocean
14. Deltas associated with large rivers: Seeking solutions to the problem of sustainability (Mega Deltas)
15. Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions (GEOS)
16. Global Estuaries Monitoring (GEM) Programme
17. Joint Exploration of the Twilight Zone Ocean Network (JETZON) 
18. Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS)
19. Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emission (Global ONCE)
20. Global Ocean Decade Programme for Blue Carbon (GO-BC)
21. Ocean to climate Seamless Forecasting system (OSF)
22. Nutrition sensitive marine aquaculture in Africa (AfriMAQUA)
23. Deep Ocean Microbiomes and Ecosystems (DOME)
24. Global Subseafloor Ecosystem and Sustainability (GSES)
25. The Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network (GOALANN)
26. Powering the Blue Economy – Global (PBE-Global)
27. Ocean Practices for the Decade
28. Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme
29. SEAWARD Africa

In addition, all applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the following documents before submitting their application:

Proponents are strongly encouraged to contact any relevant thematic or regional decentralised coordination structures of the Ocean Decade (i.e. Decade Coordination Offices – DCOs or Decade Collaborative Centres – DCCs) and any relevant National Decade Committee, as well as referencing any relevant regional action plans or roadmaps, in the development of their proposals. As part of the application form, proponents will be asked to indicate if they have been in contact with these structures.

More information on decentralised coordination structures can be found here, while more information on existing National Decade Committees can be found here.

Important Note

Initiatives proposed by United Nations entities are subject to a separate process that involves registration of their Decade Actions. Registrations can be made at any time. Further details on that process can be obtained by contacting the IOC Secretariat.

Decade Activities that are one-off standalone initiatives (such as an awareness-raising event, a scientific workshop, a conference, or a training opportunity) can be submitted for endorsement at any time via this link.

For additional information or queries please contact oceandecade@unesco.org and include “Call for Decade Actions No. 09/2025” in the subject line.