During its first fifteen months, REMORA consolidated the scientific, institutional and strategic conditions for strengthening marine research excellence and Horizon Europe participation in the three European Outermost Regions (Madeira, Azores and La Réunion). The project focused on building human and organisational capacities, mapping research infrastructures and assets, and designing a joint framework for internationalisation and cooperation. Under the first pillar, “Excellence for ERA”, each centre conducted a full institutional self-assessment and produced an Excellence for ERA Roadmap defining actions for human resources reform, open science, gender equality and responsible research and innovation. The process engaged more than one hundred researchers and administrators and marked the first systematic alignment of these institutions with ERA standards. The second pillar produced the Portfolio of Key Research and Innovation Assets, which mapped infrastructures, datasets and expertise across the three centres and identified six shared scientific niches of high European relevance, such as biodiversity hotspots, distributed ocean observatories, and blue-economy solutions for island environments. These analyses formed the basis for the Joint Internationalisation Strategy, currently finalised in draft form, which defines three long-term priorities: talent development, strategic connections and Horizon Europe participation. The project also launched early networking actions with leading European institutions, including a study visit to DTU Aqua (Denmark), researcher fellowships at GEOMAR (Germany), and participation in European marine R&I forums. By M17, six deliverables had been completed, the Policy Lab framework for funding synergies was prepared, and the communication ecosystem was established. Collectively, these achievements have positioned the three marine centres as emerging European players in ocean science and set the foundation for joint participation in future Horizon Europe calls.
