Access Ocean Observatories for Trials and Research

An opportunity is coming up for small and medium enterprises and marine research organizations to apply for access to a network of European ocean observatories to ‘road test’ equipment and to conduct scientific research.

As part of the Transnational Access (TNA) package, the Fixed-point Open Ocean Observatories Network (FixO3) project is offering organizations access to one shallow water test site and 14 ocean observatories located in the polar regions of the Antarctic and Arctic, the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, to conduct trials and scientific research.

These observatories offer the broadest scientific and technological capabilities for multidisciplinary observations such as atmosphere-ocean interactions at the sea surface and processes in the water column and ocean floor. They address a range of disciplines such as biology, biogeochemistry, chemistry, physics and geology. Also, gliders are available at some of the sites.

Successful TNA applicants will be given access to their chosen observatory and receive full scientific and technological support – all free of charge.

The first call for applications for Transnational Access (TNA) to these observatories will be made in mid-June and will close before the end of July. Potential applicants should check the TNA website (http://www.fixo3.eu/tna/calls-and-procedures/first-call) for the announcement, and for further details see the FixO3 website (http://www.fixo3.eu).