SEAS-ERA

SEAS-ERA

SEAS-ERA is a network of 21 partners, including 19 national R&D funding organizations from 18 countries and the Marine Council of the European Science Foundation. The overall objective of SEAS-ERA is to establish a platform of R&D funding organizations for the coordination and integration of national/regional marine research programs with a view to developing a comprehensive operational European framework for marine research in relation to both European basins (Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea) and pan-European challenges. It began in May 2010 and will run for four years under the European Union's Seventh Framework Program. The main sub-objectives of SEAS-ERA are:

• improve cooperation and coordination of national/regional R&D funding programs to establish a European Marine and Maritime Research Agenda;
• mobilize competitive and non-competitive funds for research in a more coordinated manner, through Calls and common programs, respectively;
• propose a plan for the sustainable and improved use of existing marine research infrastructure, developing a common vision;
• reduce imbalances between regions by building human capacity, contributing to the establishment of a pan-European strategy for mobility and human resources training;
• raise public awareness of marine and maritime policy and science issues in Europe, as well as emphasize the role of science in marine and maritime policy.