Call for Expressions of Interest: MARIO Project Ocean Campaign in the South-Western Indian Ocean

The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) is pleased to share a new regional opportunity for marine scientists, conservation practitioners, institutions, and technical experts working in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO).

The MARIO Project has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest linked to a major oceanographic campaign in the South-Western Indian Ocean, opening opportunities for collaborative research, technical partnerships, and scientific participation across the region.

This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening international scientific collaboration and expanding access to ocean observation and marine research infrastructure in the WIO region.

About the MARIO Project

The MARIO Project is focused on exploring marine ecosystems in the South-Western Indian Ocean through interdisciplinary oceanographic research and technical collaboration. The initiative is connected to French scientific and oceanographic infrastructure, including collaboration opportunities linked to IFREMER and the French oceanographic fleet.

The campaign aims to support scientific understanding of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, ocean processes, and regional environmental dynamics, while strengthening partnerships between international and Western Indian Ocean institutions.

The call invites expressions of interest from researchers, technical experts, institutions, and organisations interested in contributing to or participating in the campaign.

Opportunity for Collaboration with BCSS

As a Mozambique-based marine research institution actively working across the Western Indian Ocean, BCSS Ocean Observatory welcomes collaboration opportunities with applicants interested in developing proposals connected to the MARIO Project.

Through the BCSS Ocean Observatory platform, we are able to support regional scientific initiatives by facilitating:

• Mozambique-based institutional collaboration;
• Regional scientific partnerships;
• Logistical coordination and field support;
• Research planning and operational advice;
• Connections with local stakeholders and authorities;
• Support for marine biodiversity, ecological monitoring, and ocean observation activities;
• Collaboration development for projects linked to the French oceanographic fleet and IFREMER-related opportunities.

BCSS is open to acting as:

• A Mozambican institutional partner;
• A regional collaborator within the Western Indian Ocean;
• A scientific or logistical advisory partner;
• A support platform for field coordination and implementation.

BCSS has previously collaborated with universities, NGOs, media teams, scientists, conservation organisations, and international research partners working across East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. As submission deadline (3rd June 2026) is fast approaching, BCSS strongly encourages applicants to consider regional partnerships and locally grounded collaboration models when developing their expressions of interest.

How to Engage with BCSS

Researchers, institutions, and technical teams interested in collaborating with BCSS in relation to the MARIO Project are welcome to get in touch.

Potential areas of collaboration may include:

• Joint proposal development;
• Institutional partnerships in Mozambique;
• Regional coordination support;
• Scientific and logistical advisory;
• Field work implementation support;
• Marine biodiversity and monitoring expertise;
• Outreach and citizen science integration and communication.

Learn More

Read the official WIOMSA announcement here

Download the call’s documentation and guidance here:

• Recherche avancée – Portail des marchés publics

For collaboration enquiries related to this opportunity, institutions and researchers are encouraged to contact BCSS directly.

Together, regional collaboration can help strengthen marine science, ocean observation, and conservation impact across the Western Indian Ocean.

To learn more about the Scientific Training Program (STP) and other BCSS initiatives, please visit the BCSS website.