Twinning Laboratory for an Innovative, Global Hub To Explore the Deep

Project Information

TWILIGHTED

Grant agreement ID: 101158714

DOI

10.3030/101158714

EC signature date 3 May 2024

Start date 1 October 2024

End date 30 September 2027

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 1 498 558,78

Coordinated by

ARDITI - AGENCIA REGIONAL PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO DA INVESTIGACAO, TECNOLOGIA E INOVACAO - ASSOCIACAO
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TWILIGHTED (Twinning Laboratory for an Innovative, Global Hub To Explore the Deep)

Reporting period: 2024-10-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

TWILIGHTED is a Horizon Europe Twinning project that seeks to redress the global inaccessibility of deep-sea research and improve deep-sea research capacity in Madeira Island, Portugal. Collaborating closely with GEOMAR (Germany) and NTNU (Norway), TWILIGHTED aims to transform ARDITI (Madeira, Portugal) into a global hub for deep-sea research, development and innovation (RD&I). Focusing on the poorly-understood Mesophotic Zone (40-200m) and Twilight Zone (200-1,000m), integrating lower-cost technologies and capitalizing on Madeira's unique proximity to deep waters, TWILIGHTED will help accelerate our global understanding of the ocean and its essential role in sustaining life on earth.

TWILIGHTED’s key objectives are to: (1) Collaborate across research institutes in Europe, (2) Elevate the research profile of Portugal and especially the European Outermost Region of Madeira, (3) Innovate low-cost alternatives to state-of-the-art deep-sea research technologies, (4) Democratize deep-sea research, (5) Globalize deep-sea RD&I and (6) Share ocean science across stakeholders.

To achieve its objectives, TWILIGHTED will adopt state-of-the-art approaches to training and networking. Development activities include staff exchanges, expert visits, training schools, joint research missions, the International Twilighted Conference and novel cross-sector workshops stimulating creativity in solving the ocean’s greatest challenges (the Impossible Things Workshops). Training will cover such areas as state-of-the-art research techniques, good scientific practice, responsible and fair data management, data analysis tools, engineering innovative alternatives to state-of-the-art technologies, cruise preparation and coordination and engaging with the community and other stakeholders in innovative and effective ways. Such capacity-building will not only catalyze deep-sea RD&I in Madeira but also ensure a lasting impact on the deep-sea scientific landscape, sustainable ocean policy, and Madeira’s socioeconomic development.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

TWILIGHTED has successfully implemented three training schools, the first Impossible Things Workshop, two staff exchanges, two expert visits and two cruises. Early career researchers at ARDITI have also taken advantage of independent training opportunities using the flexible training grant scheme and mentorship opportunities with senior TWILIGHTED researchers.

Training activities have all been executed to a high standard and received positive feedback from participants. These trainings, including two dedicated training schools on deep-sea science and technology and two hands-on cruise experiences were designed to increase the knowledge and skillset of ARDITI researchers with respect to state-of-the-art deep-sea research, technology development and data analysis. Outcomes include introductory deep-sea research training materials from GEOMAR and NTNU which are available for all current and future ARDITI researchers.

The Impossible Things Workshop is a novel cross-disciplinary event that welcomes individuals from across academia, industry, and creative sectors, from anywhere in the world, to join together with marine scientists and brainstorm ways to reduce the costs of deep-sea research. Our first Impossible Things Workshop was held in March 2025 in Madeira Island, where we hosted forty individuals from twelve countries for three days. Outcomes included a publicly-available white paper reviewing all ideas generated, a perspective paper (under review) and new and strengthened relationships with marine researchers, engineers and creative thinkers across Europe, the US and Africa. We are continuing research collaborations with this network related to acoustic monitoring, low-cost technology deployments and the integration of AI in data analysis.

Other development opportunities including staff exchanges, expert visits and independent courses also increased ARDITI’s deep-sea research capacity and networking with leading research institutions. In these cases, knowledge flowed more readily in both directions and ARDITI researchers had the opportunity to demonstrate the power of its low-cost innovations to experts at GEOMAR, NTNU and other institutions. Such interactions reinforce the value of TWINNING as a capacity-sharing program, aiding not only the transfer of state-of-the-art skills but also enhancing creative thinking across Europe.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The expected impacts of TWILIGHTED span ‘Excellence in Europe’, ‘Research and Innovation’ and ‘Social’ impacts.

Excellence in Europe: TWILIGHTED expects to 1) increase marine research excellence at ARDITI, 2) improve research funding success at ARDITI, 3) foster closer working relationships between GEOMAR, NTNU and ARDITI that can lead to highly impactful deep-sea research and 4) improve standards of practice at EU research institutes. These areas will be achieved through the capacity-building training initiatives that raise the scientific, data management and fair treatment standards of practice. Publications and other DEC initiatives are also expected to raise the profile of ARDITI within deep-sea research communities, leading to stronger partnerships and greater funding success. The TWILIGHTED project also creates numerous opportunities for collaboration between ARDITI, GEOMAR and NTNU, strengthening relationships between these institutes and paving the way to more joint research and expeditions in future. This impact has already begun to bear fruit, with a new Horizon Europe project (SEAMPHONI) that sees GEOMAR and ARDITI collaborating on deep-sea biodiversity monitoring.

Research and Innovation: TWILIGHTED expects to aid 1) advancement in deep-sea research and 2) innovation within low-cost deep-sea research tools. Directly, TWILIGHTED is improving deep-sea research and innovation in Europe through its training of an institute (ARDITI) uniquely positioned to capitalize on excellent deep sea access. Indirectly, training materials support other institutes advancing deep-sea research programs. Opportunities to co-design and trial low-cost alternatives to state-of-the-art technologies also aids innovation within low-cost, accessible deep-sea technologies.

Social impacts: TWILIGHTED aims to 1) support economic development in Madeira and 2) improve science communication and ocean literacy globally. At present, Madeira’s economy is highly dependent on low- to medium-skilled employment; by supporting a deep-sea research program, raising ARDITI’s profile and increasing the likelihood of future funding success, TWILIGHTED is increasing the skillsets of Madeira’s workforce and helping foster future job opportunities. Such advancements are essential for strengthening Madeira’s blue economy sector over the long term. On an international scale, TWILIGHTED also aims to improve the way science is communicated through creative outreach initiatives that span both local, in-person activities and global, digital campaigns.

TWILIGHTED outreach activities 1

Impossible Things Workshop

TWILIGHTED training activities

TWILIGHTED staff exchanges and expert visits

TWILIGHTED outreach activities 2