Eurofleets+ Project H2020 Project
Project Acronym: Eurofleets+
Project Title: EUROFLEETS+ An Alliance of European Marine Research Infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the research and industrial communities
Funding Programme: Horizon 2020
Total Budget: €9.99 million
Duration: February 2019 – October 2023
No. of Partners: 42 from Europe, North America and Oceania, from 24 countries
Coordinator: Marine Institute
Website: www.eurofleets.eu
EUROFLEETS+ is an H2020 project funded under the Infrastructures initiative which facilitates open free of charge access to an integrated and advanced research vessel fleet, designed to meet the evolving and challenging needs of the Marine science user community. European and international researchers from academia and industry can apply for several access programmes, through a single-entry system.
EUROFLEETS+ prioritizes support for research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans, linking with existing ocean observation infrastructures, and supports innovation through working closely with industry. The project provides access to a unique fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels from European and international partners. Through competitive Calls, researchers can access the entire North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Pacific Southern Ocean and Ross Sea. In addition to ship time, researchers can also access Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). In addition to comprehensive transnational access activities, the project will undertake joint research in challenging and highly relevant areas, including deep ocean research and exploration, data management, and enabling future virtual access. Multiple networking activities ensure a robust Call processes, wide stakeholder engagement, and development of a strategic roadmap and sustainability plan for the community. To maximise the impact of the project, EUROFLEETS+ will implement diverse training and education activities, strong management of innovation in collaboration with industry, and widespread dissemination and communication actions.
Eurofleets+ provides transnational access to a fleet of research vessels and specialized infrastructure for European and international research communities. It facilitates interdisciplinary research groups to access European and global seas and oceans to conduct excellent research, with priority given to new users, early stage researchers, women scientists and researchers from less equipped countries. It develops tools and equipment to meet the evolving challenges of marine research, especially for deep ocean research and exploration, data management, and virtual access. Free and open access to data is ensured, adding value, advancing knowledge and enabling further innovation. Additionally, training and exchange programmes for user communities and professional staff are provided.
EUROFLEETS+ prioritizes support for research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans through the Monitoring, Measuring & Observation of critical markers. Eurofleets has awarded 21 research expeditions which will be implemented over a three-year period until 2023. The disciplines range from Geology, Marine Biology, Sedimentology, Climate dynamics, Geophysics, Sedimentology, Training, Biological Oceanography, New technologies, Physical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Deep Sea Research, Biogeochemistry, Polar Biology, Marine Chemistry and Microbiology and include access to both Research vessels, ROVs and AUVs. Eurofleets+ ensures all data is processed in accordance with the FAIR Data principles. Additionally, Eurofleets+ supports early stage researchers’ careers and aims to train the next generation of ‘blue professionals’ through the provision of workshops, training courses and floating universities and have developed an Ocean Classroom Portal to communicate the key role that Research Vessels play in Marine research.