A majority of the proposals addressed more than one theme outlined in the joint call. The table below gives an overview of the thematic areas addressed in the project proposals.
- Identification, characterisation and quantification of the major microplastic sources, especially mechanisms and time scales of macroplastic fragmentation, 22 proposals
- New sampling and analytical methodologies - focusing on the smaller (nano-)particles and in situ measurement methods for all matrices (water, sediment, biota), 25 proposals
- Monitoring and mapping of microplastics in the marine environment including its effects on the marine environment, 26 proposals
- Concepts to reduce inputs of plastics into the marine environment including through new recycling methods, raising public awareness, promoting behavioural change, socio-economic analyses, 7 proposals
- After the submission deadline, all proposals are checked against the mandatory call eligibility criteria by the lead agency. FUNDING PARTNERS will check the eligibility criteria specified in the National annex. The national eligibility check will include an ethics screening to ensure that the proposals comply with applicable national rules and regulations.
- Eligible proposals are sent to independent, international peer referees for assessment.
- Principal Investigators will have the chance to rebut.
- An EVALUATION PANEL, consisting of independent, international experts, ranks the proposals based on the results of the peer-review procedure (review reports). The EVALUATION PANEL recommends the top-ranked proposals for funding.
- The FUNDING PARTNERS jointly agree on a short-list of projects selected for funding out of the top-ranked proposals based on the recommendations from the EVALUATION PANEL.
Projects are expected to start in January 2020 at the earliest.
This JPI Oceans joint call intends to increase the knowledge about the relevant sources of microplastics, analytical methods for identifying smaller micro- and nanoplastics, monitoring their distribution and abundance in marine systems and their effects thereon as well as concepts to reduce inputs of plastic into the marine environment.
For this call funding partners from Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have allocated a total amount of up to 10.5 million EUR funding. In addition, researchers based in other countries are able to participate with their own resources.
Through this new call, JPI Oceans is aiming to promote European and transatlantic research cooperation on the issue, and contribute to the Regional Seas Conventions, to the implementation of the Belém Statement as well as G7, G20 and UN aims of reducing (micro-) plastic pollution in the ocean.