The Marine Institute has launched a €10 million call for research proposals under its new "Sea Change" marine strategy. It invites students, academics and industry to apply for funding under 24 project areas.
Launched yesterday, it is the institute's first call for projects under its new marine research programme, according to its communications manager, Dr John Joyce.
"It is important for researchers as it is one of the first and largest chunks of funding that is coming in support of marine research," he said. It will provide money for "capacity building" in marine research and industrial development.
Funding comes via the Marine Research Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013. This includes 24 specifically targeted research areas suited to industry, PhD student researchers and post-doctoral researchers, Dr Joyce said. It covers a wide variety of areas from fish farming and seaweed cultivation research to marine environmental quality and marine data management.
The subjects were agreed in the institute's policy document, Sea Change - A Marine Knowledge and Innovation Strategy for Ireland.
One project suited to a three- to four-year PhD scholarship is a study of the impact of climate change on the distribution, biology and productivity of fish stocks around Ireland, he said.
A one-year desk study looks at marine pollution planning and the socio-economic and ecological risks to our marine resource.
About €10 million will be made available under the call, Dr Joyce said. Projects can run from one to seven years, with the longer programmes run by industrial consortiums and the shorter projects handled by third-level re- searchers.
Funding levels will depend on the type of research proposed, he added. There are no fixed amounts set for the project call.
The closing date for potential applications is Wednesday, September 26th, 2007. The institute has planned an information day for those interested in applying. This will take place at its headquarters at Oranmore, Co Galway, on September 10th.
More information about the call and how to apply is available on the institute's website: http://www.marine.ie