Large publicity will be given to the opportunity to use the unique AQUACOSM-network of mesocosm facilities for research projects via various channels as the AQUACOSM-webpage, electronic newsletters, announcements at conferences, mailing lists of international programmes. The potential users can submit the proposal for research projects they plan to carry out at one or several AQUACOSM facilities electronically through the Transnational Mesocosm Portal. The User Selection Panel will select the users on the basis of the criteria listed in WP4 below, primarily focusing on scientific quality of the proposed research projects, and to prioritise access to users that do not have access to corresponding mesocosms in their own countries. Selection procedures will take place twice a year. All users will be invited to publish a summary of their projects at the Transnational Mesocosm Portal (WP4). They will also be encouraged to join the final symposium and present their projects (WP2). It is also foreseen that users with research projects which give insight into new techniques related to the use of mesocosm facilities will be invited to give a talk at the summer school or workshops (WP2).
The communication strategy adopted in the project aims at keeping all partners fully informed about the status of the different activities. For internal exchange of documents and reports, a web-based filing system for the documentation storage accessible to all partners will be implemented by the Project Office in collaboration with especially Partner 3 NIOO/KNAW, who brings extensive knowledge in Data Management to the consortium. The Project Office is also responsible for the organisation of meetings and workshops and the activities of the User Selection Panel.
Table 3.1 lists relevant meetings to take place during the course of the project.
|
Persons / Bodies |
Meeting frequency |
|
General Assembly All partners & Stakeholders, as appropriate |
Once a year |
|
Steering Committee |
Twice a year, of which one is planned to be virtual |
|
Advisory Board |
Running contact, Physical meeting twice. |
|
WP meetings |
Twice a year (of which one may be virtual), continuously by web/ phone/email; |
|
Project Office team |
Minimum every 21 days by web/phone/email |
The acquired knowledge during the project will be subject to agreement with balance between openness and confidentiality. Any result provided by a participant in the project will be considered as confidential information and will not be transmitted in any format to a third party and distributed for final agreement expected within the timeframe of the EC grant procedure. This agreement, which will be signed by all partners, will regulate the handling of intellectual property rights (IPR) and make the basis for the development of an exploitation plan for the results obtained in the project (see also WP4). It will also cover the decision making structure and the obligations of partners and bodies. Any amendment of the Consortium Agreement has to be accepted by the Steering Committee. All beneficiaries must ensure that all their participants adhere to the Consortium Agreement.