Periodic Reporting for period 3 - EurofleetsPlus (An alliance of European marine research infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the research and industrial communities.)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-02-01 al 2023-10-31
The Eurofleets+ project facilitated open access to an integrated and advanced research vessel fleet, designed to meet the evolving and challenging needs of its user community. European and international researchers from academia and industry were able to apply for several access programmes, through a single-entry system enabling access to a unique fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels from European and international partners.
In addition to ship time, researchers could also access new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle’s (AUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s). In conjunction to comprehensive transnational access activities, the project undertook joint research in challenging and highly relevant areas, including deep ocean research and exploration, data management, and enabling future virtual access. Multiple networking activities ensured robust call processes, wide stakeholder engagement, and development of a strategic roadmap and sustainability plan.
To maximise the impact of the project, Eurofleets+ implemented diverse training and education activities, strong management of innovation in collaboration with industry, and widespread dissemination and communication actions.
In addition to ship time, researchers could also access new Autonomous Underwater Vehicle’s (AUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s). In conjunction to comprehensive transnational access activities, the project undertook joint research in challenging and highly relevant areas, including deep ocean research and exploration, data management, and enabling future virtual access. Multiple networking activities ensured robust call processes, wide stakeholder engagement, and development of a strategic roadmap and sustainability plan.
To maximise the impact of the project, Eurofleets+ implemented diverse training and education activities, strong management of innovation in collaboration with industry, and widespread dissemination and communication actions.
Eurofleets+ Integrating Activities aimed to improve access, utilization, and services of participating research vessels and infrastructure by establishing a single-entry access gateway. This initiative, focusing on Work Packages 2 and 4, resulted in a user-friendly online system, processing 56 applications and funding 315 project partners. Notably, the SEA Programme supported Early Career Principal Investigators and facilitated the participation of 130 students in Eurofleets+ cruises. The project emphasised collaborative evolution, achieving interoperability in Research Vessel platforms and advancing marine research capabilities. Eurofleets+ also prioritized marine data management, aligning with SeaDataNet principles and ensuring FAIR and open research data.
The Principal Investigators of the cruises came from Europe and International collaborators from the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The OCEANS Call funded three Early Career PIs and the REGIONAL Call, funded six Early Career PIs. This reflected that particularly the REGIONAL call infrastructures were of interest for ECRs, and the guidance given for the applications helped also ECRs to successfully apply for ship time. EUROFLEETS+ included a total of 130 students who received training. The high number of students trained through ship time provided by EUROFLEETS+ can be considered a success for the training of future scientists.
The project's early stages involved stakeholder engagement, while the final phase concentrated on promoting Eurofleets Research Infrastructure (RI) for sustained collaboration. The consortium envisions EUROFLEETS RI as a cornerstone for European Union Missions, seeking long-term sustainable funding support for continued access, training, and data provision. The Education and Training program successfully implemented various initiatives, such as Floating Universities, Blue Skills Labs, and a Marine Internship Programme, contributing to the goal of Building a Career in Blue Growth. The project's legacy aims to establish a new era of sustainable collaboration, formalizing and enhancing coordination of European-funded research vessel activities at a Pan-European level.
Exploitation and dissemination activities centred around the Eurofleets+ website which served as a window to all project actions with dedicated pages for each funded cruise outcomes as well as deliverables and updates on activity. 33 newsletters were issued to announce specific activities, with seven issued communicating major outcomes of the project to 826 subscribers. Additionally, a dedicated newsletter and Policy brief was shared with Policy Makers, as well as a final brochure outlining the achievements of the project activities. Videos promoting the project as a whole and the Transnational Access programme were produced and shared across all social media platforms via the projects dedicated channels as well as partner institution channels. Project activity was presented extensively at more than forty-five events including the organisation of two European Maritime Day workshops.
The Principal Investigators of the cruises came from Europe and International collaborators from the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The OCEANS Call funded three Early Career PIs and the REGIONAL Call, funded six Early Career PIs. This reflected that particularly the REGIONAL call infrastructures were of interest for ECRs, and the guidance given for the applications helped also ECRs to successfully apply for ship time. EUROFLEETS+ included a total of 130 students who received training. The high number of students trained through ship time provided by EUROFLEETS+ can be considered a success for the training of future scientists.
The project's early stages involved stakeholder engagement, while the final phase concentrated on promoting Eurofleets Research Infrastructure (RI) for sustained collaboration. The consortium envisions EUROFLEETS RI as a cornerstone for European Union Missions, seeking long-term sustainable funding support for continued access, training, and data provision. The Education and Training program successfully implemented various initiatives, such as Floating Universities, Blue Skills Labs, and a Marine Internship Programme, contributing to the goal of Building a Career in Blue Growth. The project's legacy aims to establish a new era of sustainable collaboration, formalizing and enhancing coordination of European-funded research vessel activities at a Pan-European level.
Exploitation and dissemination activities centred around the Eurofleets+ website which served as a window to all project actions with dedicated pages for each funded cruise outcomes as well as deliverables and updates on activity. 33 newsletters were issued to announce specific activities, with seven issued communicating major outcomes of the project to 826 subscribers. Additionally, a dedicated newsletter and Policy brief was shared with Policy Makers, as well as a final brochure outlining the achievements of the project activities. Videos promoting the project as a whole and the Transnational Access programme were produced and shared across all social media platforms via the projects dedicated channels as well as partner institution channels. Project activity was presented extensively at more than forty-five events including the organisation of two European Maritime Day workshops.
Eurofleets+ significantly expanded access to research vessels, benefiting researchers, including early-stage and those from less equipped countries, through 28 funded cruises. The project offered access to a diverse fleet, including autonomous underwater vehicles and deep water remotely operated vehicles. Despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, 268 research days were implemented, increasing planned access by 6%.
The Transnational Access program, emphasizing collaboration, involved 315 project partners from various countries, fostering interactions and achieving project goals. The program funded nine Early Career Principal Investigators and facilitated new interactions between scientists. Eurofleets+ promoted integrated methodologies, enhancing research infrastructure and capacity building across Europe. Despite interoperability challenges, the project demonstrated cost-effective implementation, upskilling opportunities, and advancements in marine data management.
Joint Research Activities advanced the EARS system to TRL 7 delivering a common data acquisition system installed across the fleet for the first time. The design of a range of interoperable and portable tools for deep water research will allow smaller vessels to support new developments and efforts in deep water observation and deep-water research has the capacity to extend the capability of Regional Vessels into the future. The further advancement of autonomous capabilities for deep water survey and co-operation between underwater and surface autonomous vehicles will lead to a step change in the efficiency of deep water surveying capability.
Eurofleets+ planned organisational and technical evolution was centred on the collaborative pooling of expertise and knowledge from a wide group of developers, industry and operators. This unified approach not only facilitates the proposed evolution of an integrated Research Infrastructure but also enabled a significant scale-up in capacity building across Europe.
The Education and Training program provided unique opportunities for the next generation of scientists, offering state-of-the-art equipment training and contributing to building careers in Blue Growth. The program included Floating Universities, Blue Skills Labs, and a Marine Internship Programme, benefitting participants from 19 different nationalities.
The Eurofleets RI roadmap outlines plans from 2024 to 2029, with Phase I focusing on executive secretariat functions, fleet information portal management, European Training coordination, and a strategic working group.
Eurofleets+ emphasized the importance of integrated and harmonized access to European research vessels and equipment, supporting Ocean Health and Blue Growth. Stakeholder engagement, adherence to UN SDGs, and contributions to policy development demonstrated the project's commitment to addressing global challenges and supporting initiatives like the European Green Deal, Mission Ocean 2030, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership.
The Transnational Access program, emphasizing collaboration, involved 315 project partners from various countries, fostering interactions and achieving project goals. The program funded nine Early Career Principal Investigators and facilitated new interactions between scientists. Eurofleets+ promoted integrated methodologies, enhancing research infrastructure and capacity building across Europe. Despite interoperability challenges, the project demonstrated cost-effective implementation, upskilling opportunities, and advancements in marine data management.
Joint Research Activities advanced the EARS system to TRL 7 delivering a common data acquisition system installed across the fleet for the first time. The design of a range of interoperable and portable tools for deep water research will allow smaller vessels to support new developments and efforts in deep water observation and deep-water research has the capacity to extend the capability of Regional Vessels into the future. The further advancement of autonomous capabilities for deep water survey and co-operation between underwater and surface autonomous vehicles will lead to a step change in the efficiency of deep water surveying capability.
Eurofleets+ planned organisational and technical evolution was centred on the collaborative pooling of expertise and knowledge from a wide group of developers, industry and operators. This unified approach not only facilitates the proposed evolution of an integrated Research Infrastructure but also enabled a significant scale-up in capacity building across Europe.
The Education and Training program provided unique opportunities for the next generation of scientists, offering state-of-the-art equipment training and contributing to building careers in Blue Growth. The program included Floating Universities, Blue Skills Labs, and a Marine Internship Programme, benefitting participants from 19 different nationalities.
The Eurofleets RI roadmap outlines plans from 2024 to 2029, with Phase I focusing on executive secretariat functions, fleet information portal management, European Training coordination, and a strategic working group.
Eurofleets+ emphasized the importance of integrated and harmonized access to European research vessels and equipment, supporting Ocean Health and Blue Growth. Stakeholder engagement, adherence to UN SDGs, and contributions to policy development demonstrated the project's commitment to addressing global challenges and supporting initiatives like the European Green Deal, Mission Ocean 2030, and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership.