DTO-BioFlow aims to address existing challenges in the collection, harmonization, accessibility, and analysis of marine biodiversity data. The project focuses on integrating these data and analytical tools into Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) architectures and enhancing the applicability of a functional biodiversity component within the DTO to support relevant policy needs and applications.
Their second call for marine biodiversity data (monitoring) is open until the end of February 2025. They invite international networks, citizen science initiatives, research institutes, universities, and NGOs to contribute marine biodiversity data to the European Digital Twin Ocean.
Objectives
The call seeks marine biodiversity data holders who can contribute to the DTO-BioFlow project by establishing data ingestion pipelines into the EU DTO, thereby increasing the flow of relevant biodiversity data. Successful applicants may receive financial support and training on data management. Selected beneficiaries will be required to:
- Participate in the workshop: Attend an in-person workshop (June 3–5, 2025, in Paris) on data reformatting and quality control for EMODnet Biology. One representative must be physically present, while additional participants can join online.
- Complete online training: Participate in the EMODnet Biology online training (mandatory for at least one representative per beneficiary).
- Contribute data: Develop and implement data flow pipelines to EMODnet Biology, including through intermediary systems such as ICES or ETN.
- Automate and ensure continuity: Automate and maintain data submission to support continuous contributions to the DTO.
- Adopt data standards: Format, standardize, and ensure data quality using international standards (e.g., Darwin Core, OBIS-ENV-DATA) and tools such as the EMODnet Biology QC Check tool.
- Ensure metadata and open data access: Publish metadata and data through EMODnet Biology, ensuring open access (preferably under a CC-BY license).
- Submit reports: Provide progress reports every four months and a final report after 12 months.
Eligibility
This call is open to data holders such as international networks, citizen science networks, research institutes, universities, and NGOs capable of ensuring the sustainable, long-term integration of previously inaccessible data into the EU DTO. Beneficiaries or affiliated partners of the DTO-BioFlow project are not eligible for funding under this call.
Applicants must have the necessary rights and authorizations to work with the data and make them publicly available under an open license. They must also certify that all samples/materials underlying the data were collected in compliance with national and international regulations and provide supporting documentation upon request.
For more details on eligibility, refer to the open call page.
Funding
The maximum financial support per application is €60,000. Half of the funding (50%) will be granted at the beginning of the project, with the remaining 50% awarded upon successful completion of the proposed activities.
Timeline
- March 31, 2025 – Announcement of selected projects
- May 1, 2025 – Project start date
- April 30, 2026 – Project end date
Further details on the timeline can be found on the open call page.
