On-Line Inventory of Marine Research Projects Funded at European Level

It is the first time that such a comprehensive inventory, named EurOcean-MaP, of marine research projects funded in Europe has been achieved. This inventory gathers information on projects funded by COST, EUREKA, EUROCORES (ESF), 6th Framework Programme (DG Research), INTERREG III (DG Region), LIFE and SMAP (DG Environment).

The Info-Base EurOcean MaP is available on-line, free of charge, at http://www.eurocean.org/contents.php?id=423 through a friendly-user interface. This interface provides the end-user with a set of efficient tools for searching, retrieving and printing information related to projects.

Of special interest is the exhaustive survey of the projects funded under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6) since there is no specific programme related to marine research, technology and development. EurOcean has so far identified 245 marine related projects which involved 89 countries and of which the allocated budget represents 3,2% of the overall FP6 budget. A detailed statistical analysis is available at http://www.eurocean.org/contents.php?id=417.

This work undertaken by EurOcean clearly demonstrates the importance and the pertinence of information management in marine science and technology. This should be taken into account in the implementation of the 7th Framework Programme. High consideration should also be given to marine information management in the context of a future European Maritime Policy presently under discussion at the European level.

Background Information

EurOcean -European Centre for information on marine science and technology- was officially created on 28 February 2002 as a result of a joint French-Portuguese initiative. The Member Organisations are major national, regional and European organisations involved in marine science, technology and related activities such as coordination, decision-making and financing. The activities of EurOcean are financially supported by its Member Organisations.

The main objectives of EurOcean are to: 1) facilitate the access to information; 2) promote the development of indicators on marine science and technology, environment, and socio-economics; 3) encourage cooperation between the existing European organizations; 4) contribute to the preparation of syntheses as required by its Member Organisations.

The implementation of these objectives is designed in collaboration with all interested relevant partners in order to avoid any duplication and to maximize benefits. Special attention is given to the end-users in order to ensure the efficiency and the usefulness of the activities developed by EurOcean.

Priority is initially given to the inventory of the marine research infrastructures in Europe and to the inventory of European funded projects in marine RDT.