CBS Mari­time Open Call for Mari­time and Re­lated Re­search at CBS

The purpose of this call is to identify, develop, and support high-quality research that contribute to international academic excellence in maritime research and/or uses the maritime domain to advance broader debates in business, management, economics and the social sciences, while addressing key challenges facing global shipping and the wider maritime sector.

Scope and strategic focus

We welcome proposals that engage with maritime issues broadly understood, including (but not limited to) shipping; ports; shipyards and maritime industry; international trade; supply chain and logistics management; maritime law, policy and regulation; energy transition; security; finance; digitalization; and global value chains.
The maritime sector may constitute either the primary object of research or an empirical setting through which broader in questions in business, management, economics and the social sciences are investigated.
Proposals may align with one or more of CBS Maritime’s strategic research themes:

• Green and sustainable transition (e.g., decarbonization, alternative fuels, environmental regulation, investment and risk, business models, just transition)
• Security and geopolitics (e.g., geopolitical risk, supply chain resilience, maritime security, insurance, cyber risks, strategic decision-making under uncertainty)
• Industry development, strategy, and competitiveness (e.g., consolidation, vertical integration, platforms and business ecosystems, competition, innovation, governance)

At the same time, we also encourage proposals outside these themes, provided they are clearly relevant to global shipping and the wider maritime sector and contribute to business and social science research.

What can be funded

Funding can be requested for both research projects and research-intensive cross-cutting initiatives, including for example:

• Seed funding for new or larger external research applications
• Development of journal articles or book projects
• International research workshops or theory-building seminars
• PhD-related activities (e.g. study trips, data collection, methods training)
• Faculty exchange or collaboration with leading international maritime research environments
• Activities strengthening the integration of theory and practice

Both individual and collaborative proposals are welcome, and we encourage cross-departmental initiatives.

Evaluation process

All submissions will undergo an internal peer-review and qualification process coordinated by the CBS Maritime Director and Head of Department Operation Management , with input from relevant CBS researchers and administrative support from the Department of Operations Management. 
Based on this internal assessment, selected proposals will be submitted to Orients Fund for final approval and funding.

Who can apply

The call is open to all faculty across all CBS departments. Prior involvement in maritime research or in CBS Maritime is not required. We particularly welcome proposals that connect maritime phenomena and challenges with broader research questions in the applicant’s disciplinary field.

Submission format and deadline

Applicants are invited to submit a short concept note (2-3 pages), including:

• Research question and contribution
• Relevance to maritime research and CBS Maritime
• Expected outputs (e.g. publications, applications, workshops)
• Indicative budget and timeline

Submission deadline: 6 October 2026
Submission address:  cbsmaritime@cbs.dk

Further information

CBS Maritime facilitates networking, idea development, and academic sparring across departments. Colleagues interested in discussing ideas prior to submission are very welcome to reach out.
We look forward to receiving your proposals and to further strengthening CBS’ maritime research community together.

Best,
Henrik Sornn-Friese
Director of CBS Maritime