| Secretariat | : | ALW |
| Participating NWO Institutes | : | NIOZ |
| Apply | : | Yes, but at a later stage |
The ZKO programme focuses on strengthening the understanding and knowledge of coastal development, the role of cycles and particle flows in relation to water quality, capacity for a sustainable yield of the ecosystem, change in the biodiversity, the role of the sea and ocean in climate change and the effects of climate change on the marine system. This understanding must provide the basis for possible predictions. The ZKO wants to facilitate the cooperation between different research institutes in this area.
The theme ‘Oceans’ has been developed as part of the ZKO. Oceans constitute an important controlling factor due to their influence on climate change and uptake of anthropogenic greenhouse gasses. Conversely, human interventions – indirect input via greenhouse gasses, direct input via intensive fishing and the exploitation of mineral reserves – have a, to date, largely unknown, effect on the oceans. The aim of the ZKO is to increase our understanding of the oceans in three main areas: 1) oceans and climate; 2) integral study of biogeochemistry and ecosystems in the ocean; 3) biodiversity of the oceans in relation to exploitation. The analyses required demand an integral approach to which knowledge institutes make a joint contribution.
Grant applications can be made by researchers at Dutch universities, NWO and KNAW institutes, KNMI, Wageningen IMARES and Deltares. Staff from other research institutes can submit grant applications if, in the opinion of the NWO-ALW board, the following criteria are met:
a) the institute is located in the Netherlands;
b) the institute has an independent research task;
c) the institute has a non-profit status;
d) in the research for which a grant is being applied for, the institute cooperates with a university, which is clear from a contribution in terms of materials or personnel from the university, and the researchers enjoy the freedom to publish in international scientific literature.
A grant can be applied for to cover all reasonable, additional costs that must be incurred for the research, such as personnel (gross salary), material facilities (equipment, consumables, travel costs, etc.) and fieldwork (incl. ship time). A grant cannot be requested for student assistants, 'overheads', general laboratory equipment, maintenance costs and insurance costs.
The deadline was 15 May 2008.
The following criteria apply to the preproposals:
Furthermore, additional criteria concerning scientific quality apply to the detailed research proposals. For further information about the criteria see the document of the same name.
Based, in part, on a recommendation about the requested use of sailing time by NIOZ-MRF and an evaluation of the preproposals (ideas) against the criteria, the ALW divisional board has issued advice about the region, sailing schedule and financial framework for the sailing programme 2009/2010. After this has been approved, a final call will be made for the submission of concrete project proposals.
Based on the draft sailing plan for 2009/2010, the applicants have received a recommendation on the end of March 2008 for the submission of an application within the call 2009/2010, or possibly the opportunity to submit a detailed idea for the sailing plan 2010/2011.
Subsequently, more detailed concrete project proposals for 2009/2010 will have to be submitted electronically to NWO by no later than 15 May 2008.
In early 2007, the divisional board of ZKO set up a Programme Board ZKO for ZKO on the recommendation of NAM, FOKUZ (NIOZ/NIOO), Deltares, Wageningen IMARES, Utrecht University, University of Groningen, the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The programme board is responsible for implementing the programme and creating a broad platform of support among stakeholders, as well as supervising the selection processes and allocating the resources available. The divisional board formally bears overall responsibility for the programme.
A separate advisory panel will be appointed for this call, consisting of 6 to 9 independent foreign experts who have expertise that is broadly spread across the three main areas. As soon as the composition of this panel is known, the names will be published on the website http://www.nwo.nl/zeeonderzoek.
The total budget is 6 million euros, which includes 275 sailing days for the period 2009-2011.
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, NWO Division for Earth and Life Sciences and NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research.
