The Infrastructure Supporting Programme of Sea Change identifies the need for specific priority marine infrastructures to enable the delivery of the objectives of the research programmes outlined in the Marine Knowledge, Research and Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007–2013. The following specialist marine research infrastructures have been identified in Sea Change:
- Seabed & Resource Mapping
- High-End Computing Capacity (Access)
- Test and Demonstration Facilities for Coastal & Marine Observation and Monitoring Systems
- Extension of Ocean and Coastal Monitoring Network
- Research Vessel – Fund to Access Ship Time
- National Equipment Pool
- Robotic Platforms
- Test Facilities for Offshore Energy
Further information on the Infrastructure Programme (PDF,275KB) of Sea Change.
Overview of Activity 2007/2008
The Infrastructure Supporting Programme of Sea Change has seen significant activity throughout 2007 and 2008. This includes the award of over €4.3m in research funds via the DCENR/GSI Griffith Geoscience Research Award and the Marine Institute's SSTI funded Integrated Marine Exploration Programme. In addition, significant investment was targeted at the acquisition of priority national marine research infrastructure. Funds were also provided to researchers and students to gain access to the national research vessels (through the Marine Institute's SSTI award).
Further information on 2007 and 2008 activity related to the Infrastructure Supporting Programme is available in the Sea Change Annual Progress Reports for 2007 and 2008. Alternatively further information can be obtained from:
Aengus Parsons
Funding and Administration Programme Manager
Sea Change Management Unit