{"id":23895,"date":"2026-09-08T11:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T09:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saitec-offshore.com\/?p=23895"},"modified":"2026-09-08T11:35:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T09:35:35","slug":"i3float-launches-open-call-floating-offshore-wind-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saitec-offshore.com\/en\/i3float-launches-open-call-floating-offshore-wind-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"i3FLOAT Consortium launches \u20ac2.52 million Open Call to support floating offshore wind innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SMEs can receive up to \u20ac60,000 to develop innovative solutions addressing real challenges in the floating offshore wind sector<\/strong>. Join the i3FLOAT webinar on 15 September <\/strong>to learn more about the first Open Call and how to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing innovative solutions to the floating offshore wind market requires more than a promising technology. Access to funding, a clear understanding of industry needs and opportunities to connect innovation with real projects are all essential to help new solutions move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the ambitions behind i3FL<\/a>O<\/a>AT<\/a>, a European initiative that brings together organisations from across the floating offshore wind value chain to strengthen collaboration, support SMEs and accelerate the development of technologies and services with the potential to contribute to the sector\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the i3FLOAT consortium<\/strong>, Saitec Offshore Technologies is actively contributing to this effort. We believe that addressing the challenges associated with the future deployment of floating wind at commercial scale will require collaboration across the entire supply chain, as well as new ideas and capabilities from innovative SMEs and companies from both within and outside the offshore wind sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u20ac2.52 million to support innovation in floating offshore wind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On 15 September at 10:00 a.m. CET<\/strong>, the i3FLOAT consortium will host an online webinar to present its first Open Call for innovation activities in floating offshore wind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The call has a total budget of \u20ac2.52 million<\/strong>, with selected SMEs eligible to receive grants of up to \u20ac60,000<\/strong> to develop innovative projects applicable to the floating offshore wind sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar will provide potential applicants with practical information about the Open Call, including the application process, participation requirements and the information needed to prepare a strong proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will also offer participants the opportunity to ask questions directly to the i3FLOAT team before preparing their applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connecting innovation with real industry needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A key objective of i3FLOAT is to bring innovation closer to the actual needs of the floating offshore wind industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To support this approach, the project has developed a Floating Offshore Wind Strategic Innovation Agenda<\/strong> in collaboration with more than 200 organisations<\/strong>. The Agenda identifies priority areas for innovation and aims to help companies recognise market opportunities, focus their R&D efforts and develop solutions that respond to the challenges facing the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first Open Call will support innovations aligned with the Open Challenges prioritised through this Strategic Innovation Agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside these broader priorities, i3FLOAT has worked directly with leading companies across the floating offshore wind value chain to identify specific technological and industrial challenges for which new approaches and solutions are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 challenges for participants to overcome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first Open Call includes 11 specific challenges<\/strong>, proposed by EDF, Iberdrola, Navantia Seanergies, Qair, EnerOcean, Eolink, Saitec, Saitec Offshore Technologies, Aventa, Geodis, CoreMarine and Tetrace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For us, this collaboration is an important part of the innovation process. The transition from demonstration projects to commercial-scale floating wind farms will require technologies that can respond to increasingly demanding technical, industrial and operational requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, many of the solutions that can help address these challenges may come from SMEs, emerging technologies or expertise developed in other industries. Through i3FLOAT, we want to help create the conditions for those ideas to connect with the floating offshore wind sector, develop further and move closer to real-world application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the webinar, participants will receive an introduction to the 11 specific challenges<\/strong>, providing an opportunity to identify those that best match their technologies, capabilities and expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should SMEs participate?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For SMEs developing technologies or services with potential applications in floating offshore wind, the first i3FLOAT Open Call provides an opportunity to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n