- Fifteen students from across Europe completed an intensive programme led by sixteen experts from eleven institutions
- The training covered chemical pollution, marine ecosystems, cutting-edge monitoring tools, EU funding and research ethics
The Horizon Europe project ONE-BLUE successfully concluded its 2025 Autumn School, held from 18-20 November at La Cristalera in Miraflores de la Sierra (Madrid, Spain). The three-day programme brought together 15 PhD candidates, young researchers and students, who received high-level training from 16 experts in marine pollution analysis, environmental monitoring, and innovative technologies designed to better understand contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in a changing ocean.
The Autumn School officially opened on 18 November with a welcome by Prof. Marinella Farré and Dr. Marta Llorca (IDAEA–CSIC), followed by an introduction to the ONE-BLUE project and an initial quiz to assess the participants’ baseline knowledge. The first day continued with a session on chemical pollution regulation in seawater, delivered by Dr. Stefano Polesello (CNR–IRSA).
A full scientific programme covering emerging contaminants, climate change and ocean monitoring
Over the following two days, participants engaged in a comprehensive agenda combining scientific lectures, practical demonstrations and case-based learning:
- Prof. Anna Kärrman (Örebro University) on suspect and non-target analysis
- Dr. Maria Larsson & Prof. Magnus Engwall (Örebro University, online) on NAMs and effect-directed analysis
- Dr. Montse Sala, Prof. Carles Pelejero & Dr. Ramiro Logares (ICM–CSIC) on microbial ecology, climate change, acidification and omics approaches
- Prof. Marinella Farré (IDAEA–CSIC) on microfluidics, hands-on lab-on-chip exercises, and chemical analysis of CECs
The scientific programme was complemented by a highly valued session from the Finnova Foundation, where Patricia Cavanillas and Rocío Armada presented practical guidance on EU funding programmes (Horizon Europe, LIFE) and best practices for project communication, including common challenges, requirements and recommendations for successful dissemination.
The final day concluded with a session on research ethics and FAIR data, led by Dr. Anne Morrissey (DCU) and Dr. Marta Llorca, followed by the Final Quiz and a case study facilitated by Dr. Victoria Osorio, Dr. Marta Llorca, and Prof. Marinella Farré. A successful edition and a strong commitment to advancing marine research
With all sessions completed and active participation throughout, the ONE-BLUE Autumn School closed with very positive feedback from the students, who highlighted the scientific quality, practical relevance and collaborative environment of the training.
The Autumn School contributes to ONE-BLUE’s mission to advance knowledge of contaminants of emerging concern, improve monitoring technologies, and support the next generation of marine researchers working to protect ocean health in the context of climate change.
ONE-BLUE
ONE–BLUE is a pioneering project funded by the Horizon Europe programme, launched in 2024 with a budget of €6.2 million. Its main goal is to protect aquatic ecosystems from emerging pollutants and climate change by fostering transnational cooperation between regions sharing seas and marine-related challenges. Through close collaboration between science and policy, the project strengthens collective efforts to restore and preserve European marine ecosystems, contributing to the development of a more sustainable blue economy. For more information, visit www.one–blue.eu and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X to stay up to date with the latest project news.
About the Finnova Foundation
The Finnova Foundation is a European foundation based in Brussels, committed to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and EU funding as key tools to address major social, environmental, and economic challenges. Through its work, it supports public and private entities in accessing EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg and Erasmus+, facilitating the creation of consortia, project development, and the transfer of best practices.
With extensive experience in EU project communication, startup acceleration, and training in EU funds, Finnova acts as a bridge between innovative ideas and European Union funding opportunities. For more information, visit www.finnova.eu and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram to stay informed about our activities and open calls.