Ireland: SmartBay NIAP 2016 funding call open

The call for applications under the Marine Institute SmartBay National Infrastructure Access Programme (NIAP), aimed at research performing organizations in Ireland, has been opened.

The SmartBay NIAP fund will be made available in this call through the Marine Institute to enable researchers to access national test and demonstration infrastructure at the Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site.

The fund provides awards up to a maximum of €25,000 per application to research teams, and is open to all higher education institutions on the Island of Ireland.

Applications will be accepted for a research activity within one or more of the following thematic areas: oceanography and related bio-chemistry, fisheries and aquaculture, novel marine technologies, and testing and demonstrating – which includes test, demonstration and validation of environmental sensors, marine sensors and prototype wave energy converters (WECs) and components for WECs.

Available infrastructure includes access to a cabled observatory, equipped with a cabled underwater node that provides power and data connectivity to instruments, sensors and other equipment, SmartBay’s instrumented data buoy as well as data management and marine operations support.

The closing date for submission of applications is June 3, 2016.

SmartBay Ireland supports the management, operation and promotion of the Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy test site for the trial and validation of ocean energy devices and marine sensors.