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Ocean Shelf-Edge Exchange

Sensors on Autonomous Underwater Gliders - Announcement of Opportunity

Closing date: 16:00 on 22 November 2011

Research grant proposals are invited that will use Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) observations to enhance the spatial and temporal extent of the Ocean Shelf Edge Exchange research programme and increase the range of parameters observed to include those of chemical and biological properties that are affected by shelf exchange.

Up to £450k is available to fund four grants with project studentships that will use two dedicated gliders (AUVs) to deliver an enhanced technology-led programme of science and capability demonstrations - including testing the operation of gliders from shore bases in support of open ocean science and using glider missions to trial a number of new biochemical sensors. This programme directly relates to the NERC strategy, in particular the technologies theme.

This call provides the opportunity to:

1. enhance the spatial and temporal extent of the Ocean Shelf Edge Exchange research programme and increase the range of parameters observed to include those of chemical and biological properties that are affected by shelf exchange, so that the impacts of ocean shelf edge effects can be studied in a more integrated and multidisciplinary way than would have been afforded with physical measurements alone; and
    
2. test new shore-based operational approaches in combination with more traditional ship-based deployments of gliders.

This call for proposals also aims to realise the AUV technology programme's longer term benefits (eg training of PhD students and broadening the science community with glider mission experience).

A workshop will be held on 14 October 2011 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton to ensure that the research community is aware of the NERC National Capability available to support research, such as the glider facilities and biochemical sensors developed under the Oceans 2025 programme, as well as the collaboration opportunities arising from the Ocean Shelf Edge Exchange research programme (for example, use of ship-time and fast day boats, and observational and modelling data).

The workshop will also provide a forum for discussion of the science challenges and possible approaches to undertake research, as well as provide an opportunity to identify potential collaborations and partnerships.

Please register for the workshop by completing the online registration form by 16:00 on 7 October 2011.

Attendance by scientists who have little or no experience of using gliders is particularly encouraged, as the workshop will provide an opportunity to start discussions with scientists and technologists with more experience in this area and potentially lead to development of new collaborations.

Attendance at the workshop is encouraged but is not a prerequisite for submitting a proposal to this call.

Research proposals must include a project student and may request a total NERC contribution of up to £110k. Applications must be submitted using the Research Council's Joint Electronic Submission system (Je-S).

The closing date of proposals is 16:00 on 22 November 2011.

Please see the Announcement of Opportunity document below for full details of the call.

Announcement of Opportunity (82KB)

For further information about this announcement of opportunity please contact:

Jessica Batchelor
Tel: 01793 442831