Applications to join are now closed

We received a record number of 687 applications from marine sites worldwide to join the project.

The eDNA Expeditions team is now reviewing all applications and will select the 25 participating sites in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned!

eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028 is a project under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO,
supported by Minderoo Foundation, led by OBIS, with the technical collaboration of Wilderlab.

eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028 is a project endorsed
by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

The project

We aim to establish a global biomolecular observatory for marine life, helping to better understand our Ocean.

eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028 aims to build a global environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling network across 25 marine sites. The project includes capacity development in biomolecular sampling, the possibility to involve local communities in the sampling events, and a rapid information loop that brings results directly back to each site to support any monitoring, management, and conservation needs. All biomolecular data collected at participating sites will also be openly shared through OBIS.

How does it work?

Selected sites will receive full technical support to run repeated eDNA surveys over the three years of the project. OBIS will provide the sampling kits and online training to guide participants step-by-step. Sampling follows a protocol that allows anyone, from experts to non-scientists, to collect scientifically valid material.

All samples will be processed at a specialized biomolecular laboratory, which will generate site-specific curated species lists and biodiversity assessments. Analyses use a “tree-of-life” workflow capable of detecting biodiversity across domains, from microbes to megafauna.

From these outputs, the OBIS team will build an interactive dashboard, similar to the ones developed during Phase I, to help sites explore their results. Beyond the dashboard, OBIS will work jointly with participating sites to identify monitoring priorities and co-develop indicators that respond to local management and policy needs. All resulting data will be openly shared through OBIS in accordance with FAIR principles, contributing to advancing science and supporting policy at multiple scales.

What the project delivers

1. New biodiversity information for participating sites

Participating sites access the high-resolution eDNA results generated from their local sampling campaigns. The project delivers high-quality, ready-to-use biodiversity data and insights through co-designed dashboards.

2. Enhanced monitoring and site assessments

The eDNA results add a powerful biomolecular layer to monitoring activities at participating sites. The data reveal biodiversity patterns, flag unusual detections, and complement existing surveys—helping sites refine management plans and contribute more confidently to local, national, and global biodiversity reporting.

3. Community engagement and ocean literacy

The project's eDNA sampling process is simple, hands-on, and scientifically robust. It creates opportunities for participating sites to involve schools, visitors, and local communities in concrete science-based actions that protect and advance knowledge of their marine environment.

Timeline

Q1 2026

Project Launch

eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028 officially begins with the selection and onboarding of 25 marine sites worldwide. Initial training programs and equipment distribution to participating sites.

Q2 - Q3 2026

First Sampling Campaign

Marine sites begin their first eDNA sampling campaigns. Data collection protocols are established and initial biodiversity assessments are conducted across all participating locations.

Q4 2026 - Q2 2027

Data Integration & Analysis

Comprehensive data analysis begins with the integration of eDNA samples into the global OBIS database. Advanced bioinformatics pipelines process samples and generate actionable insights for marine conservation.

Q3 2027 - Q4 2028

Global Impact & Expansion

Results from eDNA Expeditions 2026-2028 are published and shared globally. The project demonstrates the power of standardized marine biodiversity monitoring and sets the foundation for future ocean observation initiatives.

Ask us anything! edna@ioc-unesco.org

Visualize the marine life observed at your site

eDNA provides a powerful and scalable way to capture the tree of life from just a few litres of seawater. This wheel maps eDNA samples taken from various sites around the port of Nice, France, in 2025.

Click here to view the wheel in high definition >

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