New call offering free use of ocean observatories

An EU-funded project has launched a second call offering marine researchers the chance to use 15 ocean observatories free of charge.

The Fixed-point Open Ocean Observatory network (FIXO3) project, which is receiving funding from the European Commission through FP7, aims to add further value by combining these 15 observatories into a coherent, interoperable infrastructure. The project will also offer marine research institutions the chance to apply for what the project calls ‘Transnational Access’ (TNA), that is full access with scientific and technological support. Over the course of four years, FIXO3 will receive a total of €7m from the EU.

According to the project, TNA is about supporting external users with co-ordinated access to cutting edge research infrastructure and full logistical support free of charge. The infrastructure covers 14 open-ocean observatories and one shallow water test site. Interested users can request access to one or more infrastructures and installations and will be provided with the necessary technical assistance.

The first FixO3 call for TNA, which closed on 31 July 2014, received 15 proposals to nine of the infrastructures offering access. A second TNA call for proposals opened on 1 May 2015, and is due to close on 20 July 2015.

Scheduled for completion in August 2017, the FIXO3 project is thought to be on track to achieve an integrated, regional and multidisciplinary approach to better understand natural and manmade change in the ocean. A key legacy of the project is expected to be the establishment of the world’s largest co-ordinated network of observatories, covering all parts of the ocean from the surface to the deep-sea floor.

More details can be found here.