KUCHING: The Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), based in California, USA, is inviting interested scientists and technology developers to submit expressions of interest in collaborative oceanographic research opportunities on its fully equipped research vessel Falkor in 2017.
Miller (right) and Wiener (left) in a photo with SBC senior scientist Dr Charlie Yeo.
Its Science Programme coordinator Allison Miller said yesterday that the Institute provides support for research and exploration projects that help expand the understanding of the world’s oceans through technological advancement, intelligent, data-rich observation and analysis and open sharing of information.
“We support proposals that will transform global ocean research, especially projects that are likely to produce lasting global impact,” she said.
“We also support projects outside of conventional funding focus on high risk and high reward as well as exploratory oceanographic research projects in hard to reach locations,” she added.
Communications manager Carlie Wiener shared that the R/V Falkor is a state-of-the-art newly refitted globally capable research vessel that started operations in 2012.
“After two-years of scientific operations in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Eastern and Central Pacific, Falkor is now preparing to support oceanographic research and exploration in the Western Pacific and Eastern Indian Oceans in 2015 and 2016,” she revealed.
The speakers were giving a Public Awareness Talk about the SOI organised by Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) at KM20 Jalan Borneo Heights Semenggoh here.
The aim was to build awareness about the interests and technological capabilities of SOI and R/V Falkor among the scientists in South East Asia and expand the network of SOI research collaborations in this region.
“We focus on scientific opportunities that highlight effective use of innovative technologies to better understand the ocean,” she said.
Schmidt Ocean Institute supports oceanographic research and technology development at sea by providing scientists with free access to the research vessel Falkor with its on-board facilities and equipment and associated expert technical support.
“We provide our collaborators with access to all of Falkor’s scientific systems and instruments in exchange for a commitment to make resulting data freely available to the international oceanographic research community,” she added.
SOI, which is a private non-profit operating foundation, however does not make grants.
The 1 to 2 page Expressions of Interest for 2017 are due on Dec 5, 2014.
Thereafter, all expressions and full proposals will be formally evaluated by independent non-conflicting experts in the fields of research pertinent to the proposed studies.
SOI is an oceanographic institution founded by Dr Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt in 2009.
Dr Victor Zykov leads the development of SOI’s research programmes and strategic initiatives with the goal to advance the understanding of the world’s oceans.
For more information, visit its website at <www.schmidtocean.org>.