Open Call 3 of ADT4Blue officially closed
What’s next for Blue Economy innovators?
December 30, 2025 marked the closing of the third and final Open Call (OC3) of the Advanced Digital Technologies for the Blue Economy (ADT4Blue) programme, a key initiative co-funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area to accelerate digital innovation in the European Blue Economy.
Launched on October 29, 2025, Open Call 3 invited entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, researchers, students and technologists from across the European Union and Horizon Europe participating countries to submit proposals that harness Advanced Digital Technologies, such as AI, blockchain and IoT, to tackle real-world challenges in sectors ranging from ocean monitoring and renewable energies to port activities and aquaculture.
This third and final call built on the success of previous rounds, aimed to select initiatives that demonstrate both technological innovation and potential for sustainable impact within the Atlantic region’s maritime and coastal economies.
Full support for deep tech solutions
Selected applicants will enter a 6-month tailored acceleration programme beginning in early 2026 that includes:
- Training and entrepreneurship workshops
- Expert one-to-one mentorship
- Access to a network of industry stakeholders and potential investors
- Opportunities to pitch and refine business strategies
- Insights on future funding avenues
The evaluation of submissions will take place throughout January 2026, with results communicated to applicants afterward.
Driving digital and sustainable blue growth
ADT4Blue’s Open Calls are a strategic part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s Blue Economy, ensuring coastal communities, marine industries, and research ecosystems can leverage cutting-edge digital technologies to drive both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.
With OC3 now closed, anticipation grows around the exciting innovations that will emerge from this cohort of future-focused projects. Stay tuned for the announcement of selected initiatives as they embark on the next stage of development!
