Flash Research

PURPOSE OF THE CALL

Excellence in research is at the heart of the ISblue Interdisciplinary Graduate School for the Blue Planet project. In the final phase of the project, it is essential to support the dynamism of the community by promoting the establishment of new relationships between partner units and the emergence of innovative projects within it.

The research projects supported by ISblue must serve ISblue’s ambition for excellence and international visibility and, in line with this ambition, contribute to strengthening interactions between research and training, science and innovation, and science and society. The aim of this call for projects is to encourage the emergence of innovative projects involving, where possible, several ISblue research units and potentially involving Master’s or Engineering students from the ISblue perimeter in a learning process through their integration/participation in various forms. It should serve to mobilise ISblue teams around the objectives of this University Research School in the fields of research and training.

Eligible topics

All scientific and technological research topics falling within the scope of ISblue themes are eligible. For the record, ISblue’s research activities are conducted within five themes in which ISblue has recognised strengths and can claim international leadership: oceans and climate regulation, ocean/lithosphere interaction, coastal ecosystem sustainability, living oceans and ecosystem services, long-term observation systems and ocean knowledge. Research topics impacting the socio-environmental transition of research activities are also encouraged.

Eligible expenses

– Mission expenses (travel, accommodation)
– Operating expenses 
– Purchase of equipment
– Temporary staff expenses, including internship allowances

Condition: For projects involving a training component, the equipment or software acquired must be made available to students in order to significantly increase their immersion in the laboratories. Field missions must also involve students.

Who can apply?

Any member of the ISblue community (any temporary or permanent staff of ISblue research units).

Amount of support

The amount available for this call is €100k, with projects up to €25k expected. This financial support is granted for a maximum of two years.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Application file

The application form must be completed directly on the ISblue website.

The application form must include:
– A description of the project’s objectives
– The proposed methodology
– A statement on the relevance of the project team and the proposed collaborations
– A brief description of the planned follow-up (leverage effect)
– A draft budget and a schedule of actions.

Submission of applications

Applications must be submitted online via the website.

The application must be approved by the directors of the units concerned.

Application deadline

The online server will close on Friday 15 April 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (French time).

EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS

Applications will be evaluated by an ISblue jury chaired by a representative of ISblue management. The jury will be composed of members from the various colleges (one representative per theme, one representative from the training college and one representative from the socio-economic college).

Beyond scientific excellence, which will remain the fundamental criterion for evaluating projects, we wish to give significant preference to those involving several ISblue research units. As stated in ISblue’s objectives, these projects must serve the EUR’s ambition for excellence and international visibility. They must contribute to strengthening the interactions between research and training, science and innovation, and science and society.

Funding will therefore be allocated according to the financial envelope available for this call, based on the following evaluation criteria:
– The innovative nature of the project (groundbreaking research topic, new partnership within the community, new socio-economic partnership, new science/training relationship and its scientific relevance.
– The multi-unit nature of the project.
– The impact of the project on training activities and the socio-economic world.

The following will also be taken into account:
– The link between observation systems and training.
– The strategic potential of any international collaboration that may be envisaged.

The jury will meet at the end of April 2026.

For further information:

Please send your enquiries to contact.isblue@univ-brest.fr