Scholarships for Atlantic Ocean Climate Scholars

Atlantic Ocean Climate Scholars Programmer 2016Applications are invited from postgraduate students of marine, atmosphere and climate based sciences worldwide to participate in the Atlantic Ocean Climate Scholars Programme in Galway, Ireland from 12th to 20th September 2016.

This intensive, accredited workshop will examine how climate and oceans interact, with particular examples from the Atlantic Ocean and higher latitudes. The programme will be led by an international team of research leaders in climate science with contributions from policy makers and researchers in the field. A number of scholarships are available to cover travel and accommodation expenses and the deadline for applications is this Friday 3rd June 2016.

The relationships between human activities and the oceanic and atmospheric processes that drive our climate will be investigated in the context of the latest IPCC Assessment Report published in 2013. Critical elements of the global climate system will be scrutinised with special reference to the Atlantic Ocean and its ecosystems. Ocean observation programmes, new technologies, and model outputs will be evaluated in the context of societal and governmental responses to climate change. Workshop activities will include presentations, field trips and practical data sessions.

Applicants can apply online until Friday 3 June 2016 at 18:00 UTC.

Further information is available by emailing smart@gmit.ie or pauhla.mcgrane@gmit.ie

The Atlantic Ocean Climate Scholars Programme is a collaboration between the Strategic Marine Alliance for Research & Training (SMART) based in GMIT, NUI Galway, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), the Partnership for the Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), the Helmholtz Climate Programme REKLIM and is supported by the Nippon Foundation.

BACKGROUND

The Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training (SMART)

The Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training (SMART) is a cluster of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the Marine Institute and the Higher Education Authority, led by Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and with HEI partners that include Athlone Institute of Technology, NUI Galway, Ulster University and University College Cork.

The programme trains over 350 graduate and postgraduate students annually in Ireland and internationally in multidisciplinary research vessel-based marine science, technology and engineering programmes. SMART is identified by Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth (HOOW) as a key enabler of sustainable marine economic growth through the development and delivery of practical offshore training courses and modules in marine science and technology nationally and internationally.

For further info see: http://www.smartseaschool.com/

NUI Galway School of Natural Sciences

The School of Natural Sciences was formed in 2007 and is the largest School in the College of Science. The School comprises the five Disciplines: Biochemistry, Botany and Plant Science, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Microbiology, and Zoology. All Disciplines have a strong tradition in excellence in research and teaching. In total, over 150 staff members, about 1500 undergraduate and 170 postgraduate students (MSc & PhD) are part of the School of Natural Sciences.

Within the School, research spans all levels of biological organization, from molecular and cell biology, through research at the organismal level, to the study of populations, communities and ecosystems, with integrated links to geoscience and energy-related research. To achieve excellence in research and teaching in these areas, many researchers of the School of Natural Sciences are based in or otherwise linked to two of NUIG's Research Institutes; the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) & the Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine & Energy Research.

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) Germany, conducts research in the Arctic, the Antarctic and at temperate latitudes. It coordinates Polar research in Germany and provides both the necessary equipment and the essential logistic back up for polar expeditions. Recent additional research themes include North Sea Research, contributions to Marine Biological Monitoring, Marine Pollution Research, Investigation of naturally occurring marine substances and technical marine developments.

AWI collaborates in numerous international research programmes and maintains close contacts with many universities and institutes in Europe and farther afield. It sends scientists to other institutes throughout the world, to other research ships and stations, and invites scientists from other nations to cruises aboard "Polarstern", as well as to Bremerhaven and Potsdam. About a quarter of those participating in "Polarstern" expeditions are scientists from abroad.

For further info see: http://www.awi.de/en/home

Partnership for Ocean Global Observations (POGO)

For more than a decade, the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans, POGO, has served as a forum for leaders of major oceanographic institutions around the world to promote global oceanography, particularly the implementation of international and integrated global ocean observing systems. POGO is an international network of collaborators who foster partnerships that advance efficiency and effectiveness in studying and monitoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. Through its efforts, POGO has promoted observations underpinning ocean and climate science, interpreted scientific results for decision makers, provided training and technology transfer to emerging economies, and built awareness of the many challenges still ahead.

For further info see: http://www.ocean-partners.org/

The Helmholtz Climate Initiative Regional Climate REKLIM

The Helmholtz Climate Initiative REKLIM (Regionale Klimaänderungen/Regional climate change) is a consortium of nine research centres within the Helmholtz Association. REKLIM is using its unique combination of competence in regional observations and process studies (in situ observations, airborne and satellite remote sensing) coupled with model simulations to improve regional and global climate models, which provide a solid basis for climate-related decision support. Moreover, global climate simulations are used to determine the effects of climate variability and change on the regional scale with improved modelling tools for attribution and impact studies. On the other hand, process modules and parameterisations from these regional studies serve to improve global climate models. The Climate Initiative will facilitate various scientific opportunities for improving knowledge of the regional Earth System, in particular with respect to impacts. Via the Helmholtz Regional Climate Offices and the Climate Service Centre policymakers and other decision makers will be supported in assessing risks and opportunities and designing mitigation and adaptation strategies.

For further info see: http://www.reklim.de/en/

The Nippon Foundation

The Nippon Foundation (NF) was established in 1962 as a non-profit philanthropic organization, active in Japan and around the world. Initially its efforts focused largely on the maritime and shipping fields, but since then the range of activities has expanded to education, social welfare, public health, and other fields—carried out in more than 100 countries to date. Together with more than 20 partner organisations in Japan and worldwide it is funding and assisting community-led efforts aimed at realising a more peaceful and prosperous global society. The Nippon Foundation-POGO Centre of Excellence (NF-POGO CofE) provides world class education and training courses in the field of observational oceanography, since 2008. Starting in 2013, the NF-POGO CofE has been hosted by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany’s foremost polar and marine research institution. 

For further info see: www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en/