PRR Investimento C05-i13 - Unidades de Investigação Científica (02/C05-i13/2025)

PRR Investimento C05-i13 - Unidades de Investigação Científica (02/C05-i13/2025)
Acronym: 
MARE EQUIPAR+2
Reference: 
MARE UID/PRR2/04292/2025
Start year: 
2025
End year: 
2026
Type of project: 
National
Principal investigator: 
Universidade de Évora, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Universidade da Madeira, Universidade de Coimbra, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, ARDITI - Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação T
MARE coordination: 
Pedro Raposo de Almeida
Funding entity: 
PRR/FCT
State: 
Ongoing
Abstract: 

This project has the objective of granting financial support for equipment acquisition or renovation and/or modernization projects of the R&D Unit Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, acronym MARE, under the AAC nº 02/C05-i13/2025 - EQUIPAR+2.

This project is fundamental to achieve the objectives of MARE's 2025—2029 Strategic Plan, ensuring the update of its equipment while contributing to the digital transformation of MARE. The equipment and associated services directly support MARE's key objectives: advancing knowledge on aquatic stressors, understanding ecosystem functioning, and developing ocean- and nature-based solutions to enhance the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. They will also strengthen national and international research infrastructures, particularly COASTNET, coordinated by MARE. COASTNET • Portuguese Coastal Monitoring Network, is part of the national Roadmap of Research Infrastructures (RNIE) and aims to deepen understanding of coastal ecosystem dynamics through integrated, long-term monitoring. It offers open access to in-situ datasets, data visualization tools, and services that support assessments of environmental trends and ecosystem health. Currently operating across three MARE units and monitoring three estuaries and adjacent coastal areas, COASTNET is designed for expansion. EQUIPAR+2 funding will enable this growth to additional MARE units, also reinforcing its integration with European networks such as European Tracking Network - ETN, DANUBIUS-RI, and LifeWatch. Beyond its scientific contributions, COASTNET contributes to public policy by providing high-quality environmental data that informs coastal management, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation strategies. The requested equipment includes large scientific equipment and sets of scientific instruments that will ensure safe, reliable operations across both field and laboratory activities. It will also expand environmental data collection, supporting open digital access, freely available to interested users. These acquisitions will strengthen MARE's ability to produce policy-relevant science and promote international collaboration.

 

Project funded by PRR European funds through the FCT: