Coppe and Marsalgado launch an award for research on maritime decarbonization and the Blue Economy

Coppe/UFRJ and Marsalgado – a company operating in the maritime transport segment and committed to the decarbonization of shipping in Brazil – have joined forces to launch the Special Ocean and Energy Transition Award, an initiative aimed at recognizing and promoting research, technologies, and solutions developed at Coppe that contribute to a sustainable future for the oceans and global shipping.

The award is open to undergraduate research students, master’s and doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with Coppe. Participation is free and on an individual basis, and applications must be submitted exclusively through this form.

The ocean and the energy transition

Maritime transport accounts for approximately 90% of world trade and is responsible for about 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions–a share that is likely to grow if no structural measures are taken. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious decarbonization targets for the sector over the coming decades, opening a strategic window of opportunity for Brazilian researchers and innovators.

It is precisely in this context that the partnership between Coppe and Marsalgado takes place: to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and the concrete challenges of energy transition, connecting researchers, companies, public institutions, and other organizations interested in developing and implementing high-impact solutions.

“We are living through a unique moment of energy transition, and the ocean can play a leading role in this transition. It is a huge, global, collective challenge that requires a multidisciplinary approach to be solved: AI, logistics, economics, energy, and public policy. At Coppe, there are extraordinary initiatives with the potential to transform the field. The award was created to bridge the gap between academia and industry and transform this knowledge into technological solutions with real impact. Your research can help shape the future of the blue economy and the energy transition in Brazil, and we want to hear about it,” explains Renata de Marsillac, partner and co-founder of Marsalgado.

According to the director of Academic Affairs, Professor Jean-David Caprace, the award reflects the synergy between Coppe and Marsalgado in valuing the ocean as a frontier of science, building knowledge about the energy transition, and prioritizing innovation and entrepreneurship. “The idea is to stimulate scientific development in the decarbonization of maritime transport, and I believe these topics will spark the interest of researchers in Ocean, Transportation, Chemistry, Energy Planning, Mechanical Engineering, and other programs.”

How to participate 

The Award is open to three categories of participants, as long as they are affiliated with Coppe at the time of registration:

• Undergraduate: students participating in Coppe’s Scientific Initiation (IC) programs;
• Graduate: students regularly enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs in any of Coppe’s graduate programs;
• Postdoctoral: researchers in postdoctoral fellowships affiliated with Coppe.

Each participant may submit only one entry. Participation in the Ocean and Energy Transition Award does not preclude simultaneous entry in other Coppe awards, such as Coppe Explica 2026, as long as the rules of each contest are followed.

The Award’s Subjects

The research, technologies, or solutions submitted must be related to at least one of the following subjects:

• Blue economy — sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods;
• Maritime decarbonization — alternative fuels, clean propulsion, and energy efficiency in vessels and port infrastructure;
• Energy transition — technologies, models, and solutions for replacing fossil fuels in the transportation sector;
• Ocean sustainability — protection of marine ecosystems, environmental monitoring, and responsible use of water resources;
• Addressing climate change — adaptation and mitigation in the context of maritime transport and the coastal economy.

How the Selection Process Works

The Award takes place in different stages:

1. Introductory Meeting (virtual) — Before registration opens, Marsalgado and Coppe will host a virtual meeting open to all interested parties. The event will introduce the company, the Award’s themes, and potential connections with research conducted at Coppe. It will also provide an opportunity to ask questions about the selection process.

2. Registration — Candidates must submit an executive summary of up to one page, clearly and objectively explaining their research or solution and its relationship to the Award’s objectives, as well as a video of up to three minutes presenting their work.

3. Preselection — A judging committee will evaluate the submitted materials and select the finalists for the in-person stage.

4. Pitch Day — September 22, 2026 — Finalists will deliver a pitch of up to three minutes before the judging panel, as part of the final stage of Coppe Explica 2026. After each presentation, the judges may ask questions to further evaluate the entries. The awards ceremony will take place on the same day, following the tabulation of results.

Prizes for the Winners

There will be one winner in each category (Undergraduate and Graduate/Postdoctoral). Each winner will receive:

• R$ 2,500.00 in prize money;
• A certificate of recognition;
• Six hours of mentoring with executives from the maritime and energy transition sectors;
• Institutional promotion of the research through Coppe/UFRJ and Marsalgado channels;
• An invitation to participate in a leading event related to the Award’s themes, subject to availability and conditions to be determined by the organization.

Additional information

All official announcements regarding the Award will be published on the Coppe website: coppe.ufrj.br and on institutional social media channels.

Questions may be sent to: asscom@adc.coppe.ufrj.br