Call for Action – Catalyzer 2026
Catalyzer Grant for Academics with Innovative Projects and Valorization Ideas on AI & Data in Ports and Maritime Systems
The AI Port Center invites academics to apply for the Catalyzer 2026 Grant: a seed funding opportunity for innovative, impact-driven projects that use AI and data to address challenges in the port and maritime domain. This call supports researchers who want to explore new ideas, develop prototypes, build collaborations, or prepare larger follow-up funding proposals that contribute to building the AI Port of the Future. Open to academics with a position at TU Delft or Erasmus University Rotterdam
Grant Overview
Funding available: €5,000 – €25,000 per project
Project period: July 2026 – July 2027
Expected number of grants: 3 to 4 projects
Project start: before July 2026
Budget condition: at least 50% of the awarded budget must be spent in 2026
Purpose
Catalyzer aims to stimulate early-stage, interdisciplinary, and impact-oriented initiatives around AI & Data in ports and maritime systems.
The grant is intended to help academics:
– Explore innovative research or valorization ideas
– Build consortia for larger national or European proposals
– Develop prototypes, demonstrators, or proofs of concept
– Create whitepapers, roadmaps, or research agendas-
– Launch new knowledge networks and communities
– Disseminate promising outcomes from previous projects
– Strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and public stakeholders
Indicative Themes for 2026
Proposals across the broad field of AI & Data for Ports and Maritime Systems are welcome. In particular, Catalyzer 2026 encourages projects connected to one or more of the following indicative themes:
Smart Infrastructure & Autonomous Operations
AI for smart mooring, bridges, locks, terminals, predictive maintenance, infrastructure monitoring, automation, and digital twins.
Energy Transition & Sustainable Ports
AI & data solutions supporting decarbonization, shore power, electrification, hydrogen logistics, circularity, and climate resilience.
Future of Work & Human-Centered AI
AI that improves safety, productivity, training, workforce planning, and collaboration between people and intelligent systems.
Intelligent Logistics & Resilient Supply Chains
AI for vessel traffic optimization, hinterland transport, terminal operations, disruption forecasting, and supply chain resilience.
Strategic Innovation Pilots
Pilot projects co-created with industry, government, or societal partners that demonstrate practical AI impact.
These themes are indicative rather than restrictive. Innovative interdisciplinary proposals beyond these areas are strongly encouraged.
Proposal Requirements
Applicants should submit:
1. Application Form
2. Short Project Description including:
– Motivation for applying
– Objectives and expected outcomes
– Relevance to AI & Data in the port or maritime domain
– Proposed activities and timeline
– Requested budget with justification
– Expected impact and follow-up opportunities
– Partners involved (if applicable)
Additional Considerations
Projects are encouraged to address one or more of the following dimensions:
– AI for decision support and process improvement
– Novel AI methodologies
– Explainable, trustworthy, or collaborative AI
– Legal, ethical, and governance aspects of AI
– Responsible data sharing
– Co-evolution of AI with robotics, IoT, digital twins, etc.
Collaboration & Eligibility
– The main applicant must be affiliated with TU Delft or Erasmus University Rotterdam
– Cross-institution collaboration is encouraged
– External academic and non-academic partners may join as co-applicants-
– Industry collaboration is considered a strong advantage
– Applicants may be lead applicant on one proposal and co-applicant on one additional proposal
Budget Rules
– Maximum 40% of funding may be allocated to external parties
– Maximum external hourly rate: €100/hour
– Funding cannot compensate for permanent academic staff salaries
– Funding may be used for temporary staff, assistants, postdocs, prototyping, materials, workshops, events, and dissemination
– Budget for external parties is not meant to finance hours of collaborative partners (industry or education), they are expected to contribute in-kind
T- his budget can be used to hire e.g. software developers, purchase data, etc.
– All expenditures must be completed before July 2027
AI Port Center offers
Successful applicants receive:
– Guidance and project support from the AI Port team
– Access to networks and strategic partners
– Support in connecting to future funding opportunities
– Use of co-working and meeting spaces at ECDA / Mondai
– Visibility through AI Port events and communication channels
– Access to the growing AI Port research community
Timeline
Call Opens: 24 April 2026
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026
Evaluation Period: June 2026
Project Start: before July 2026
Evaluation
Proposals will be assessed by the AI Port Center team based on:
– Innovation and originality
– Relevance to AI & Ports
– Feasibility and quality of approach
– Interdisciplinary collaboration
– Potential impact and follow-up opportunities
Ready to Apply?
Join us in shaping the future of ports through AI, data, and interdisciplinary innovation.