AQUARIUS Presents its Funding Calls for Transnational Access to Research Infrastructures at the MonGOOS General Assembly in Spain
AQUARIUS research infrastructures in the Mediterranean were highlighted during the MonGOOS General Assembly in Malaga, Spain, where AQUARIUS team members provided an overview of the project, and its Transnational Access Funding Calls.
Vanessa Cardin, Chair of MonGOOS and a representative of one of the AQUARIUS research infrastructures, introduced the session by emphasising the usefulness of AQUARIUS, stating, “It is important for EU researchers to use this opportunity.” Her words underscored the strategic significance of the project for fostering accessibility to research facilities and technology across Europe.
The assembly also saw the introduction of the forthcoming “Regional Lighthouse Access Call”, aimed at supporting projects addressing scientific challenges aligned to the Mission Ocean and Waters in the MIssion Lighthouse regions: the Baltic, North Sea, Black Sea, Atlantic/Arctic, Mediterranean, and their connected river basins. The announcement generated significant interest from participants and the team invited scientists to submit proposals.
Applicants are advised to begin building their proposals as soon as the call opens, and to explore the infrastructure catalogue in advance, to ensure that their proposals reflect an understanding of available resources. Early engagement with the AQUARIUS team is encouraged to seek guidance and address questions. Integration of multiple infrastructures from different geographic locations, and applications from early career researchers are encouraged.
The dynamic session saw participants actively engaging with the AQUARIUS team and exploring the posters showcasing the various research infrastructures. The event concluded with a Q&A session, during which the following questions were addressed:
Q: Is the application process very time-consuming, and will it require the formation of partnerships?
A: It is a technical application and shouldn’t take too long to develop. There are technical sections that need to be well-defined. For anyone familiar with the EUROFLEETS application, it will be very similar. The time challenge is researching and deciding on which research infrastructures you want access to.
Get a head start and start browsing our research infrastructure catalogue here!
Q: Are non-EU partners eligible to apply for funding? If so, does the application require the involvement of at least one EU partner?
A: Yes, non-EU partners are eligible, with up to 25% of the funding available for them. There is no strict requirement for an EU partner to be involved in the application, although including one could provide additional benefits.
Q: Can you clarify the data management strategy, particularly regarding its compliance with FAIR principles and its integration with platforms like Blue Cloud, EMODnet, and SeaDataNet?
A: The data management strategy is fully outlined in a deliverable available on our website, which details how data will be managed and shared. You can access it here.
Further information on the first AQUARIUS Transnational Access Funding Call will be available soon on our website at https://aquarius-ri.eu/access/.