The call for applications under the Marine Institute SmartBay National Infrastructure Access Programme (NIAP) is now open. The SmartBay NIAP fund will be made available through the Marine Institute to enable both Academia and Industry and other relevant organisations to access the SmartBay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site. Applications are invited for projects that require funding to access the facility or it's data feeds to carry out scientific research and/or technology development requiring the test, demonstration and validation of novel sensors, equipment, materials, coatings and data products within the marine environment. The fund is expected to be 150,000 Euro in total and we expect to fund 5 to 8 awards to research teams through a national competitive process, which is open to both academia and industry throughout the Island of Ireland requiring access to the test site and it's data feeds. The Marine Institute SmartBay NIAP aims to promote synergies between companies and academia in their research and development efforts within the marine sector, by facilitating access to the test site and its associated facilities and supports.

Further details on the call are available in the Guidelines for Applicants. Applications must be made through the Marine Institute's online research grant management system (RIMS). Details on how to register on the system are available in the Guidelines for Applicants. The Application and Budget forms are available to download from the grant management system. Please note that you must contact the SmartBay team before submitting your proposal. Interested applicants should contact Rogério Chumbinho rogerio.chumbinho@smartbay.ie to discuss their proposed project. This initial contact will allow the SmartBay team to confirm the technical feasibility of a particular project and will assess the financial feasibility of the project and provide guidance on how to cost the project and before a proposal is submitted. For further information on the application process and the online Grant Management System please contact funding@marine.ie.

Closing date for the call is 16:00 on Thursday 7th February 2019.