Scope. Projects should develop and demonstrate innovative, commercially viable solutions that advance a sustainable blue economy. Proposals should improve the efficiency and environmental performance of ocean-based industries while supporting the restoration, protection and resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems. Solutions should demonstrate proof of concept, the potential for regional deployment and a credible pathway towards commercialisation.
Sectors. Maritime and energy: vessel electrification, maritime energy efficiency, port automation, green port infrastructure and coastal energy systems. Materials and circularity: marine waste recovery, ocean-bound plastic alternatives, sustainable biomaterials, circular recycling systems and valorisation of marine by-products. Blue food and water: sustainable aquaculture, blue food biotechnology, climate-resilient aquatic food production, coastal water treatment and water quality management. Ocean data and intelligence: ocean observation, marine environmental monitoring, blue carbon measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), and traceability infrastructure. Marine biodiversity and restoration: technologies that support ecosystem restoration, coastal protection and the sustainable management of marine resources.
Eligible applicants. Applicants aged 18 or older from anywhere in the world may apply, subject to the official eligibility and conflict-of-interest conditions. Solutions must have achieved proof of concept, generally corresponding to TRL 6 or above, and demonstrate applicability to Southeast Asia. Ocean-related pilot projects may be implemented across Southeast Asia, subject to the challenge's requirements.
Key requirements. Projects should: demonstrate a scalable and commercially viable innovation relevant to the sustainable blue economy; improve the sustainability, efficiency or environmental performance of marine and ocean-based industries; contribute to marine ecosystem health, biodiversity, resource circularity or coastal resilience, where relevant; provide evidence of proof of concept and readiness for real-world demonstration; demonstrate applicability to Southeast Asia and identify suitable pilot locations, users or industry partners; present a credible business model, commercialisation strategy and potential for regional or international scaling; explain the expected environmental impact and how the solution's performance will be measured.
Funding & duration. The Oceans Grand Winner will receive S$1 million in grant funding. Selected high-potential ocean ventures may also qualify for equity investment of up to S$500,000 from the Asia Ocean Fund (AOF), subject to due diligence, Investment Committee review and definitive agreements. These are separate funding mechanisms: the equity investment is not a guaranteed grant. The overall Liveability Challenge 2027 funding pool exceeds S$5.5 million across all three themes. No standard project duration is specified in the general challenge information.