As part of the increased funding through NCRIS, researchers from around the world will soon be able to apply for funded access to The National Sea Simulator’s unique capabilities. The merit-based application process aims to undertake science of national and international significance.
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The National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) is purpose-built to support complex multifactorial research in a controlled aquarium-based environment. To leverage this technology and foster innovative marine research, SeaSim will award fully funded access for use of the facility through a competitive application process. Research proposals will be assessed by an independent committee, with access being awarded for exemplary research ideas.
The process for researchers to apply for the National Sea Simulator Access Program is outlined in detail below. Applications from Australian and international researchers are welcome, application rounds will run annually with a possibility of increasing in the future.
The following principles and approaches guide and prioritise use of SeaSim:
- SeaSim capabilities will be focussed on enabling world-class research on issues of national and international significance.
- Projects must be well developed and of high scientific merit.
- Researchers must have a demonstrated track record in the field of research being proposed.
- Projects must clearly demonstrate significant outputs and research impact.
- Projects which are collaborative, large, complex or of longer duration (multi-year), develop future capacity, new technology or methods, and are aligned to the research themes outlined below will be considered favourably.
The SeaSim Access Program provides a pathway for researchers with exemplary research ideas to gain funded access to the facility. During the call for applications period, we encourage researchers who have a research idea to contact the SeaSim team (seasim@aims.gov.au) with an outline of their research proposal. We will set up a mutually agreed time to discuss the research idea and advise if it is a feasible experiment for our facility. Applications should be submitted via the application portal during the application period, they will then be reviewed by SeaSim staff to ensure the experiment is technically feasible.
An independent Science Technical Advisory Committee will assess all applications, based on international and national priorities and core research themes. The Science Technical Advisory Committee will make recommendations based on merit and priority of proposals for approval by the AIMS Chief Executive Officer. Once access to a grant for SeaSim use is awarded, the SeaSim team will work closely with the researcher/s to formalise an experimental design and schedule in timing for use. A formal SeaSim Collaboration Agreement must then be signed before progressing into building and running the experiment.
Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding
Researchers seeking access to the SeaSim as part of an ARC funded project will be considered as meritorious and as such will be granted funded access to the SeaSim. Discussion on the nature of SeaSim requirements for ARC projects must take place prior to submission of the proposal to the ARC to ensure that the proposed work in the SeaSim is able to be undertaken both from a technical perspective and availability of space. ARC funded research leads will be required to enter their project via the application portal once ARC funding has been awarded.
Submitted proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Scientific quality and feasibility (weighting = 30%)
- Capability and experience of the Project Team (weighting = 20%)
- Alignment with, and relevance to, International and core Australian tropical marine research priorities (weighting = 20%)
- Outcomes and research impacts (weighting = 20%)
- Likelihood of achieving stated outcomes and research impacts (weighting = 10%)
Successful applicants will gain access to the facilities and equipment of the National Sea Simulator, as detailed below, on terms to be agreed between the applicant and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. This may include:
- Experimental aquarium systems and advice
- SeaSim laboratory facilities
- Ancillary equipment (listed in collaboration agreement, linked below)
- Onsite Accommodation (if available)
- Assistance from SeaSim Technicians (to be agreed upon)
The National Sea Simulator support does not extend to specific project costs including travel, off site accommodation, consumables, salary costs, food, or freight.
Access to other AIMS services and facilities can be facilitated/negotiated, though fees may apply.
- Laboratories (link provided)
- Water quality analysis (link provided)
- Workshop jobs
- Collection of organisms (researcher must obtain own collection permit)
All operations and maintenance (from seawater intakes to discharge) within the SeaSim will be managed by our dedicated SeaSim Team. Operation and maintenance of civil structures, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and general lighting are supported by the AIMS Operations and Infrastructure Section.
SeaSim users will gain access to the facilities in which their experiment will be housed, including the capabilities in operating those facilities, technical design know-how and advice on experimental set-up, as well as experimental system monitoring data for the duration of their project. Access to SeaSim capacity will be based on time, space, and capability.
To ensure SeaSim maintains quality facilities and capabilities, a maintenance and development program will run in parallel with research. Some biological services may also be provided such as:
- Biodiversity holding (e.g., acclimation of field collected specimens);
- Biodiversity sub-samples (e.g., coral nubbin production);
- Isolation to prevent introduction of disease or even undesired strains of symbionts (e.g., some zooxanthellae strains in the case of some specialised coral experiments);
The effort required for these biological services will depend upon the type and scale of research projects being conducted and some preparatory time must be allowed prior to projects commencing.
The successful External User’s organisation will be asked to sign a Research Agreement with AIMS that outlines the terms and conditions which includes, but is not limited to the following:
- AIMS is not responsible for and does not guarantee the outcomes or success of the External User’s experiments carried out at the SeaSim.
- All Project Intellectual Property (“PIP”) relating to marine biodiversity husbandry, process and systems technology, will vest in AIMS and licensed (non-exclusive, royalty- free, irrevocable licence) to the External User for research purposes.
- All PIP relating to research findings, will vest in the External User and licensed (non-exclusive, royalty- free, irrevocable) to AIMS for any purpose.
National Sea Simulator
SeaSim@aims.gov.au
Craig Humphrey
National Sea Simulator Director
c.humphrey@aims.gov.au
+61 (0)419 644 254
+61 (0) 7 4753 4444
