BG-14 Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORAC-SA) Project Summary
ABSTRACT The objective of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORACSA) is to provide scientific, technical and logistical support to the European Commission in developing and implementing trans-Atlantic Marine Research Cooperation between the European Union, the United States of America and Canada. The Coordination and Support Action (CSA) is carried out within the framework of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance as outlined in the Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation (May 2013). Recognising the evolving nature of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, the hallmark of this proposal is that it is flexible, responsive, inclusive, efficient, innovative, value-adding and supportive. To support the Commission in negotiations with the USA and Canada on trans-Atlantic Ocean Research Cooperation, the AORAC-SA support and governance structure comprises a Secretariat and Management Team, guided by a high-level Operational Board, representative of the major European Marine Research Programming and Funding Organisations as well as those of the USA and Canada. This structure is further able to draw on significant marine research expertise and experience through its partner organisations The CSA, reporting to the Commission representatives of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, will be responsible for the organisation of expert and stakeholder meetings, workshops and conferences required by the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance and related to identified research priorities (e.g. marine ecosystem-approach, observing systems, marine biotechnology, aquaculture, ocean literacy, seabed and benthic habitat mapping), support actions (e.g. shared access to infrastructure, dissemination and knowledge transfer, establishment of a knowledge sharing platform) and other initiatives as they arise, taking into account related Horizon 2020 supported trans-Atlantic projects (e.g. BG1, BG8 and BG13) and on-going national and EU collaborative projects (e.g. FP7). The flexible and responsive structure takes cognisance of, and best addresses the fact and challenge that the EU-USA-Canadian Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance is in its early formative stages. As such, the timing of identified activities specified in the call text (e.g. preparation of mapping exercises on identified thematic activities, etc.) cannot be predetermined over the 60 month duration of the project, but must be responsive to the emerging needs and the more exact specifications and timings of the Atlantic Research Alliance. The CSA is inclusive, innovative and value-adding providing a platform to engage the widest European input, engaging with research policy makers and funders, research performers, major regional and pan-European research networks, and including industry and NGO interests. The AORAC-SA project will: • Support the implementation of the Galway Statement on an Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance; • Improve the international cooperation framework of marine research programmes thus creating the basis for the development of future large-scale joint international marine research programmes; • Establish a long term knowledge sharing platform for easy access to available information and data holding significant commercial potential relevant to the EU Blue Growth Agenda.
IMPLEMENTATION The project is divided into three Modules. Module
Work Package
Lead (Partners)
1. Governance & Communications
2. Research Priorities Mapping/Assessment and Expert Workshops
WP1 Governance
(All) WP2 Networking & Conferences
Marine Institute
WP3 Communications and Dissemination
Marine Institute
WP4 Ecosystem Approach
Other Bodies Involved: • DFO (Canada) • WOC/World Ocean Ltd • IOC • MCTI (Brazil) • NOAA (USA)
ICES
WP5 Observing Systems
PLOCAN
WP6 Marine Biotechnology
RANNIS
WP7 Aquaculture WP8 Ocean Literacy WP9 Seabed Mapping
3. Support Actions
Marine Institute
WP10 Shared Access to Infrastructures WP11 Knowledge Sharing Platform
ICES Ciência Viva IMR IFREMER ICES
MODULE 1 – CO-ORDINATION, MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE & COMMUNICATIONS Work Packages 1-3 Responsible – Marine Institute
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Module 1: Coordination Management, Governance and Communications WP1 - Coordination & Governance Lead – Partners:
MI ICES, IFREMER, PLOCAN, IMR, RANNIS, CV, DFO, WOC, IOC, MCTI
Objectives: To put in place an effective and efficient Support Action Implementation Team (Management Team) and Governance Structure (Operational Board), ensure effective liaison with the European Commission representatives on the EU-USA-Canadian Atlantic Research Alliance, and oversee day-to-day operations including financial management (budgets, reimbursement, audits), organisation of and reporting on Operational Board and Management Meetings, Reporting progress (including preparation of Annual Reports). Key Tasks • Establish AORAC-SA Secretariat Office in Marine Institute Headquarters in Galway (Month 1); •
Establish liaison mechanisms with the Commission representative(s) on the Atlantic Research Alliance (Month 1);
•
Recruit Project Manager and Administrative Assistance (Month 4);
•
Establish Financial Control and Reporting Systems (Month 6)
•
Establish written procedures for Management and Operational Board Meetings (Month 6);
•
Organise Management Meetings (2 per annum)
•
Establish Operational Board and organise/host two Operational Board Meetings per annum in years 1-3 and one meeting per annum thereafter
•
Prepare Annual Reports and other reports as required by the Commission
Management Structure The AORAC-SA Management Team, reporting to the Commission representatives of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of expert and stakeholder meetings, workshops and conferences, as well as scientific and technical reports and assessments required by the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. The Management Team includes: •
•
The Project Coordinator (MI- PH) is responsible for overall management of the project and liaison with the European Commission with respect to the needs of the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. The Coordinator is the primary spokesperson for the Support Action. provides the link and channel of communication between the Commission (the Commission member of the Atlantic Research Alliance) and the Support Action and is responsible for the overall management, coordination and delivery of the AORAC-SA project; A dedicated Secretariat (A full time-Project Manager and a full-time Administrative Assistant), reporting to the Project and Co-ordinator will provide support to all Work Packages and deal with all legal, contractual, ethical, financial and administrative matters. The Secretariat is responsible for day-to-day operations and, in collaboration with the Work Package Leaders, the preparation and delivery of identified tasks and deliverables by agreed milestones. 7
•
Work Package Leaders (WP 4 -11) representing the main inputs to the project. The Secretariat and WP Leaders will meet six monthly to review progress and may invite Observers, including representatives of NOAA and DFO, to participate in its meetings, as required.
AORAC-SA Management Structure The Project Management Team will meet twice annually, or as necessary and may invite observers to its meetings. The Management Team is guided by the advice of the high-level Operational Board. The Project Manager will attend and report progress to Operational Board Meetings. A high-level Operational Board with an overview and advisory role and consisting of high-level representatives of: 1. Marine Institute (Ireland) - (Chair); 2. International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES); 3. Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas (JPI OCEANS); 4. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC); 5. World Ocean Council (WOC); 6. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA; 7. Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canada; 8. Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Brazil The high-level Operational Board will have a monitoring, advisory and overview role. The Operational Board will meet twice yearly in years one to three and annually thereafter, unless decided otherwise. The Operational Board may invite Observers to participate in its meetings.
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WP2 - Networking and Conferences Lead –
MI
Objectives: To organise three AORAC-SA Conferences, two in Europe and one on the North American Continent and make provision for hosting non-scheduled (i.e. not included in the current Work Packages) Networking Meetings, Expert Meetings, etc., as may be requested by the Commission/Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance. The conferences will provide a platform to engage the widest European and North American input in terms of research policy makers and funders, research performers, major regional and pan-European research networks, and including industry and NGOs representatives. Key Tasks • Organise three AORAC-SA Conferences to provide (a) a focus on the Support Action and the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance and (b) engage with the wider North Atlantic marine community including the private sector. These will include: -
•
A Conference to launch the AORAC-SA (Month 8 – in Europe); A Mid-term Review Conference (Month 30 - at suitable venue on the North American Continent); - A Final AORAC-SA Conference (Month 58 – in Europe); Provision for the organisation of non-scheduled (i.e. not included in the current Work Packages) Networking Meetings, Expert Meetings, etc., as may be requested by the Commission/Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (No milestones can be provided at this time);
Where appropriate, Networking Meetings and Conferences will be organised in concert with other appropriate High-Level Meetings/Conferences. In organising the three AORAC-SA Conferences, the AORAC-SA partnership will explore ideas for the inclusion of interesting and innovative Thematic Sessions, as for example Workshops on (a) Women in Atlantic Ocean Science, (b) New Innovations in Science and Technology opening New Vistas in Atlantic Ocean Science, etc.).
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WP3 - Communications and Dissemination Lead – MI Objectives: To support Communications issues and the dissemination of information on the activities of the AORAC-SA and the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance to project partners and to the wider North Atlantic Research Community, including policy makers and research funders, researchers and research institutes (including in the education sector), to industry and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). Key Tasks • Prepare a Communications Strategy (Month 8); •
Establish and maintain AORAC-SA Website (Month 8);
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Prepare project branding: Logo, Brochures (English/French), Report Formats and general information materials (On-going)
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Issue Press Releases and Information Up-Dates advertising AORAC-SA progress and initiatives, as appropriate (On-going).
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MODULE 2 – RESEARCH PRIORITIES Work Packages 4-9 Responsible – Various
Module 2. Research Priorities, including Mapping/Assessment and Expert Workshops The call text identifies six research priorities (i.e. marine ecosystem-approach, observing systems, marine biotechnology, aquaculture, ocean literacy, seabed and benthic habitat mapping). For each of these six priority areas, the proposed Work Packages (WPs4 – 9) will undertake a mapping and assessment exercise identifying the relevant on-going research activities and programmes in the Atlantic including the identification of industry needs and research gaps. This will contribute to aligning the planning and programming of future cooperative research activities, To achieve and deliver this objective, each of the six priority areas has been allocated to a leading European Research Institute/Agency with expertise and a track record in the identified research priority, as follows: WP4 Ecosystem Approach
ICES
WP5 Observing Systems
PLOCAN
WP6 Marine Biotechnology
RANNIS
WP7 Aquaculture
ICES
WP8 Ocean Literacy
Ciência Viva
WP9 Seabed Mapping
IMR
For each Work package the Objectives are: • Establish liaison with existing projects, programmes and networks; •
Prepare mapping/assessment (including Expert Workshops and identification of research gaps) on the identified research topic.
•
Prepare follow up assessment to the specifications and time schedule provided by the Atlantic Research Alliance to progress specific activities of mutual trans-Atlantic interest.
Working through the Management Team, and with input from the Operational Board and relevant experts and the outputs of consultative expert workshops, Work Package Leaders are responsible for the necessary support documents/assessments, and expert workshops and networking activities required by the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance related to (a) identified research priorities (e.g. marine ecosystem-approach, observing systems, marine biotechnology, aquaculture, ocean literacy, seabed and benthic habitat mapping), and (b) other initiatives as they arise, taking into account related Horizon 2020 supported trans-Atlantic projects (BG1, BG8 and BG13) and on-going collaborative projects (e.g. FP7). In preparing Reports/Assessments and /or Workshops, Work Package Leaders will take into account: • Industry needs and research gaps; •
Related Horizon 2020 supported trans-Atlantic projects (e.g. BG1, BG8 and BG13) as well as on-going national and EU collaborative projects (e.g. FP7).
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MODULE 3 – SUPPORT ACTIONS Work Packages 10-11 Responsible – Various
Module 3: Support Actions The two support actions identified in the Call are addressed in individual Work packages: Work Package 10 - Shared access to research infrastructures LEAD - IFREMER Objectives • Prepare mapping/assessment (including Expert Workshops) of the major European Research Infrastructures and Infrastructure networking projects relevant to the six identified research priorities. •
Prepare a follow up assessment to the specifications and time schedule provided by the Atlantic Research Alliance to progress specific infrastructure initiatives of mutual trans-Atlantic interest.
•
Advise on options for improved shared use of trans-Atlantic research infrastructures.
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Work Package 11 - Knowledge Sharing Platform LEAD - ICES Objectives •
Prepare assessment of existing European knowledge sharing platforms relevant to the six priorities identified.
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Develop a classification system, which allows for an easy, focused, quick and reliable use and analysis of the information collected and stored.
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Liaise with US and Canadian counterparts to establish a Knowledge Sharing Platform, based on existing structures, to support the activities of the Atlantic Research Alliance.
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Identify realistic options to secure the long-term viability of this platform post EU project grant-aid.
The call text calls for the establishment of a long-term knowledge sharing platform (existing knowledge or to be generated), in the identified research priority areas, to allow for long-term usability of the data, information and knowledge thereby ensuring tangible value creation from invested resources. This platform will include a classification system, which allows for an easy, focused, quick and reliable use and analysis of the information collected and stored. The principle of open access will be included. To enhance the exploitability of the platform for policy making and stakeholder consultation purposes, representatives from funding agencies and these communities will be consulted in their design. Options to secure the longterm viability of this platform are to be included. This WP will establish links with the major European Knowledge Information Systems relevant to the six identified research priorities (e.g. ICES information portal (CFP and Ecosystem approach), EuroGOOS and Continuous Plankton Recorder (SAHFOS) (ocean observing), EMODNET Bathymetry, Habitats + Physics (Seabed and ocean observing), EurOCEAN Knowledge Gate, WISE-Marine (MSFD and Ecosystem Approach, etc). Further to exchange of information with US and Canadian partners, via the Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance partnership, WP11 will establish a physical knowledge sharing platform that builds on existing and planned thematic information portals i.e. a portal of portals, to facilitate the exchange, analysis and utilisation of information (e.g. research centres, research projects (nationally and EU funded) required to further trans-Atlantic cooperation and add value to existing data collections.
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