First Feedback from STAB to project progress

**Objectives**

Oversee the administration, operational management, and overall implementation of the project, including internal communication and collaboration between the Project Coordinators, individual consortium members, and the European Commission; to administer consortium networking and governance, including supporting relevant bodies and meetings (Task 1.1), a User Selection Panel (Task 1.2) and Advisory Board (Task 1.3); ensure efficient management, decision-making, and to implement sound financial management as well as controlling systems and quality assurance of deliverables and periodic and final Reports (Task 1.4) and of the description of work (Task 1.5). A specific goal of the overall AQUACOSM-plus management is to optimise the efficiency of the research infrastructures' management and their service provision through joint management of access provision and pooling of distributed resources at the facilities, initiated in AQUACOSM.

**Deliverables**

**D1.1** First Feedback from AB to project progress (Month 20)

**D1.2** Periodic & financial reports M1-18 (Month 20)

**D1.3** Second Feedback from AB to project progress (Month 32)

**D1.4** Periodic & financial reports M19-36 (Month 38)

**D1.5** Periodic & financial and final reports M1-48 (Month 50)



Consortium management

D1.1_STAB_feedback-report_final.pdf

Deliverable No D1.1: First Feedback from AB to Project Progress

First Feedback from AB to project progress

**Objectives**

The objectives of this work package are to oversee administration, operational management, and overall implementation of the project, including internal effective communication and collaboration between the coordinator, individual consortium members, and the European Commission; to organise and administer consortium networking and governance, including supporting relevant bodies and meetings (Task 1.1), and Advisory Board (Task 1.2); ensure efficient and effective management and decision-making procedures and to implement sound financial management as well as controlling systems and quality assurance of deliverables and periodic and final Reports (Task 1.3) and of the description of work (Task 1.4).

A specific goal of the overall AQUACOSM management is to improve the efficiency of the research infrastructures' management and their service provision by establishing a joint management of access provision and pooling of distributed resources at the individual facilities. 

**Deliverables**

**D1.1** First Feedback from AB to project progress (Month 16)

**D1.2** Periodic & financial reports M18 (Month 18)

**D1.1** Second Feedback from AB to project progress (Month 34)

**D1.2** Periodic & financial reports M36 (Month 36)

**D1.3** Periodic & financial and final reports M48 (Month 48)


AQUACOSM_-D1.2_2nd-STAB-feedback_final.pdf

Deliverable 1.2: Second feedback from the AQUACOSM Advisory Board (AB) on the project's progress

Second feedback from AB to project progress

h2020-tml-rep-cum-exp_en_AC.pdf

Report on cumulative expenditure incurred (Art 20.5 of the Grant Agreement) 

The AQUACOSM report on cumulative expenditure

D2.1 conceptual state mesocosms_final.pdf

No 2.1 Review of present conceptual state, capabilities and limitations of aquatic mesocosm facilities

Appendix_I_AQUACOSMscience-all.xlsx

 Appendix I AQUACOSMscience-all

Appendix_II_MESOCOSM.EU-all.xlsx

 Appendix II MESOCOSM EU-all

Review of present conceptual state, capabilities and limitations of aquatic mesocosm facilities

**Objectives**

WP2 will provide an overall framework to guide the project work and strategy for long-term sustainability and impact of the RI on research and implementation of European policies. It will produce a long term strategy for development and integration of mesocosm facilities in Europe, with focus on the new capability that the integration of mesocosms provides to the international research community to address future scientific questions and to meet the societal challenges related to key environmental challenges such as climate change, impacts of contaminants and ecosystem disturbances.

In particular, the WP will tackle key scientific questions about how to best experiment and the adequacy of present science strategies to meet key environmental scientific and societal challenges (task 2.2 – science strategy). The present scientific focus and service level will be reviewed (task 2.1) in order to “unleash” the full innovation potential of the integrated infrastructure and to assess the capability that innovation can bring for supporting the long-term sustainability of AQUACOSM (task 2.3).

This WP will also look at long term financial and legal governance structures for the sustainable implementation of AQUACOSM infrastructures (task 2.4 – Governance strategy). Outcomes from tasks 2.2 and 2.4, together with results from the NA (WP3 and WP5), TA (WP6) and JRA (WP9) activities will provide the backbone for elaborating a roadmap for the sustainable development of the AQUACOSM RI, maximising its impacts on research and policy implementation, as well as innovation and value creation for Europe (task 2.5).

**Deliverables**

**D2.1** Review of present conceptual state, capabilities and limitations of aquatic mesocosm facilities. (M17)

**D2.2** Report on the science strategy (Two iterations at M24, M44).

**D2.3** Report on the innovation potential of AQUACOSM (M42)

**D2.4** A sustainable legal, governance and financial structure for AQUACOSM. (M38)

**D2.5** Report on the AQUACOSM roadmap for the future. (M48)



Integrated science strategy and governance from local to European scales

Landscape and business analyses

**Objectives**

WP2 aims at maximising the impact of the AQUACOSM-plus RI for society by critically evaluating the relevance of the RI for different stakeholders and clarification of the position of AQUACOSM in the complex landscape of European RIs and its interface with other RIs. WP2 is structured in four tasks respectively focusing on: Task 2.1, reviewing and analysing the RI-landscape to effectively capitalising on co-design between relevant RIs; Task 2.2 enlarging the scientific spectrum of AQUACOSM as a standalone RI and through collaboration; Task 2.3, unlocking the innovation and service potential of AQUACOSM; and Task 2.4, Roadmap for the future.

**Deliverables**

**D2.1** Landscape and business analyses (M20)

**D2.2** Enlarging the scientific spectrum (M38)

**D2.3** Unlocking innovation (M48)

**D2.4** Roadmap for the future (M48)



Science and innovation strategy for society

Enlarging the scientific spectrum 

AQUACOSM_ D2.2 Science strategy.pdf

Deliverable No 2.2: Report on science strategy to answer scientific questions, policy requirements, and societal challenges within AQUACOSM

Report on science strategy to answer scientific questions, policy requirements, and societal challenges within AQUACOSM

AQUACOSM_-D2.3_innovation-potential_final.pdf

Deliverable No 2.3: Innovation potential of AQUACOSM

Report on the innovation potential of AQUACOSM

Unlocking innovation

AQUACOSM_-D2.4_governance-structure.final_.pdf

Deliverable No 2.4: Strategy towards sustainability: Economics and Governance

A sustainable legal, governance and financial structure for AQUACOSM

Roadmap for the future

AQUACOSM_-D2.5_science-strategy-2_final.pdf

Deliverable No 2.5: Science strategy to answer scientific questions, policy requirements, and societal challenges within AQUACOSM

Science strategy version 2 (M44)

AQUACOSM_D2.6_Final.pdf

Deliverable No 2.6: Report on the AQUACOSM roadmap for the future 

Report on AQUACOSM roadmap for the future

D3.1 Factsheet template.pdf

Deliverable No 3.1: Factsheet template

Factsheet template

**Objectives**

WP3 will develop common guidelines and documentation for mesocosm facilities and provide platforms for cross fertilisation of ideas and training in mesocosm related research. The integration of freshwater and marine facilities under best practices aims to harmonise the quality of data and services the facilities provide, while jointly developing common technologies and documentation procedures. Through collecting, validating and distributing knowledge and information, WP3 will enhance the utilisation of the facilities in terms of their geographic and climatic diversity within Europe. A focus will be put on training of young scientists so that they can benefit from the full range of tools available for relevant research and improve training of staff and scientists managing, operating and conducting research on mesocosm infrastructures in Europe. WP3 will enhance the human capital and competitiveness of these infrastructures at an international level.

The harmonisation procedure in Task 1 will be facilitated by bringing the mesocosm community together in targeted and multidisciplinary workshops to discuss experimental design, setup and monitoring (MS11, Partner 18) and to challenge our current approaches in order to meet future challenges (MS25, Partner 9). Recommendations from these workshops will be summarised in minutes from the meetings (D3.2 and D3.3),Tasks 2, 3 and 4 aim at transfer of knowledge. A summer school on theoretical and practical aspects in mesocosm research will be carried out in the facilities of Partner 19 (MS30). The results from the experiment and course material, as well as feedback from the participants, will be made available to the community (D3.4 & D3.5). Documentation will be the specific target of deliverables 3.1&3.6. Factsheets for each facility and each TA experiment shall be collected and organised, and will subsequently be made available online (MS39). Finally, the knowledge and insights available from the large number of experts participating in AQUACOSM will, building on the previous guide on “Pelagic mesocosms” (Riebesell et al. 2010) be assembled in a best practices manual on aquatic mesocosm research (D3.7). Future approaches and challenges will be the subject of a position paper on state of the art and perspectives (D3.8). Outcomes of the TA and JRA activities will be presented in the AQUACOSM final symposium (MS40). WP3 will collaborate closely with all networking activities scheduled in the project.

**Deliverables**

**D3.1** Factsheet template (M08)

**D3.2** Minutes of Workshop 1 (M11)

**D3.3** Minutes of Workshop 2 (M18)

**D3.4** Report on results from the summer school experiment (M32)

**D3.5** Student evaluation of course and recommendations by attendees (M34)

**D3.6** Collation of factsheets from each experiment (M42)

**D3.7** Best practice manual (M48)

**D3.8** Review manuscript (M48)




Transnational network of best practices, harmonisation and international training

Minutes of the first summer School for knowledge transfer 

**Objectives**

While the mechanisms behind Grand Challenges (GCs) are influenced by factors at continental and global scales, many RIs, including aquatic mesocosm facilities, have typically operated locally, carrying out curiosity driven basic research on limited number of questions. Bridging this mismatch and effectively investigate stressors on a wider scale would provide tools to better inform national to global measures to tackle the GCs. This requires better communication, harmonisation and access to the best research tools combined with effective open science collaboration. To foster this development in the mesocosm community, WP3 aims to build on the fundament from AQUACOSM, but strengthen the networking and training activities to further increase cooperation, communication, co-ordination, while providing more effective support and updated best practice advices.

Thus, the future mesocosm-based research will be shaped by enhanced activities of the AQUACOSM-plus community through provision of support and knowledge transfer to potential new users, specifically targeting less strong mesocosms- based research EU Member States so that EU-wide network of scientific culture can thrive, and reach out beyond globally to complimentary facilities and their users (WP2 and in cooperation with WP5, 8 & 9, Fig.1.1a,b). In order to foster globally comparable studies in the future, WP3 will ensure transfer of standardised best practice knowledge through many open channels. In addition to reports, SOPs, manuals and scientific publications produced in AQUACOSM, WP3 will continue to update these, but most importantly will make use of new media, such as online freely accessible Wiki-publications. Specific focus will be given on the training of young researchers and facility users to maximise the benefit gained from mesocosm-based research both through training in new harmonised operation procedures at all facilities such electronic data acquirement and as real-time DB-upload (WP4) as well as supporting transferral of personal skills by exchange of experienced personnel between facilities to enhance Transnational Access provision (cooperation with WP 8.5 & 9). Thus, WP3 will effectively contribute to build human capital and competitiveness of AQUACOSM-plus partner infrastructures in the European Research Area (ERA) and beyond.

**Deliverables**

**D3.1** Minutes of the first summer School for knowledge transfer (M03)

**D3.2** Report on international view of on mesocosms and water grand challenges (M15)

**D3.3** First Report on social media group activities and impacts (M16)

**D3.4** Minutes of the second summer School for knowledge transfer (M21)

**D3.5** Report on the workshop on international collaboration in mesocosm based research incl. associated partners from mesocosm.eu (M21)

**D3.6** Report on the specific training workshops on networking, communication, open data and hands on training encompassing river, lake/pond, marine and temporary waters (M34)

**D3.7** Second Report on social media group activities and impacts (M44)

**D3.8** Wiki book usage report (M48)

Report on international view of on mesocosms and water grand challenges

D3.2 Summary report of WS1.pdf

Deliverable no 3.2: Summary report of Workshop 1 

Summary Report of Workshop 1

AQUACOSM_-D3.3.pdf

Deliverable No 3.3: Summary report of merged Best Practices Workshop 2: Optimizing mesocosm design and operational procedures & Science Strategy Workshop

Minutes of Workshop 2

AQUACOSM-plus-Deliverable-3.3.pdf

FIRST REPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP ACTIVITIES AND IMPACTS Deliverable No: 3.3

First Report on social media group activities and impacts

AQUACOSM-D3.4_Summer-School_final.pdf

Deliverable No 3.4: AQUACOSM Summer School: Freshwater mesocosms as tools for gauging ecological consequences of climatic and chemical change

Report on results from the summer school experiment

Minutes of the second summer School for knowledge transfer

Report on the workshop on international collaboration in mesocosm based research incl. associated partners from mesocosm.eu

AQUACOSM D3.5_Summer School evaluation_final.pdf

Deliverable No 3.5: AQUACOSM Summer School: Student Evaluation of the Course and Recommendations by attendees

Student evaluation of course and recommendations by attendees

AQUACOSM_-del_3.6_final.pdf

Deliverable No 3.6: Collation of factsheets from each experiment

Collation of factsheets from each experiment

Report on the specific training workshops on networking, communication, open data and hands on training encompassing river, lake/pond, marine and temporary waters

AQUACOSM_-manual.-del_3.7_final.pdf

Deliverable No 3.7: Best Practice Manual - mesocosm set up, ecological modelling and statistical analyses

Best practice manual

Report on "online wikibook on various aspects of mesocosm science" usage and impacts

AQUACOSM_Deliverable_D3.8-1.pdf

Deliverable No 3.8: A review of challenges, opportunities and perspectives for future mesocosm research

Review / position manuscript (FVB-IGB)

Wiki book usage report

AQUACOSM_D3.9_Publication-of-instruction-video-for-low-cost-mesocosms_final.pdf

Deliverable No 3.9: Publication of instruction video for low-cost mesocosms

Publication of instruction video for low-cost mesocosms

AQUACOSM_D4_1_1_SOPs-compiled_20200520.pdf

Deliverable No 4.1: Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) on Sampling and Analysis of Phytoplankton, expanded for further SOPs

Standardised protocols (SOPs) on data collection, data quality and assurances and processing

**Objectives**

Overall aim of WP4 is to provide the basis for more effectively, measure, share and utilise mesocosm data between science infrastructures and for further open use across Europe and beyond. To this end standardised protocols will be developed to provide best practice advice on data collection and QA/QC, and to ensure that data are processed and stored in compatible formats. To facilitate data sharing a centralised metadatabase will be set up which will be accessible through the website developed in WP5. In development of the relational metadatabase we will draw on our experience within the Global Lake Observatory Network (GLEON) and the EU-Cost action NETLAKE (WP leader NIOO is partner and in the steering committees in both consortia) and the JPI-Water project PROGNOS (Co-WP leader AU partner and PI here). Upon consultation of the online open access metadatabase, data can be requested and shared between not only partners of the consortium, but also members of the scientific community at large. Data sharing will enable the exploration of topics not envisioned by the individual investigators and permits the creation of new data sets when data from multiple sources are combined. Interactive data visualisation products (plots) will be developed and integrated into the website allowing the rapid visualisation of mesocosm data.

![data-management.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/data_management_36563c2d7b/data_management_36563c2d7b.png)



Data collection, standardisation and sharing

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-D4.1_final (1).pdf

PLAN FOR CENTRALISED DATA PORTAL FOR MESOCOSM DATA Deliverable No: 4.1

Plan for centralised data portal for mesocosm data

**Objectives**

While the mechanisms behind Grand Challenges (GCs) are influenced by factors at continental and global scales, many RIs, including aquatic mesocosm facilities, have typically operated locally, carrying out curiosity driven basic research on limited number of questions. Bridging this mismatch and effectively investigate stressors on a wider scale would provide tools to better inform national to global measures to tackle the GCs. This requires better communication, harmonisation and access to the best research tools combined with effective open science collaboration. To foster this development in the mesocosm community, WP3 aims to build on the fundament from AQUACOSM, but strengthen the networking and training activities to further increase cooperation, communication, co-ordination, while providing more effective support and updated best practice advices.

Thus, the future mesocosm-based research will be shaped by enhanced activities of the AQUACOSM-plus community through provision of support and knowledge transfer to potential new users, specifically targeting less strong mesocosms- based research EU Member States so that EU-wide network of scientific culture can thrive, and reach out beyond globally to complimentary facilities and their users (WP2 and in cooperation with WP5, 8 & 9, Fig.1.1a,b). In order to foster globally comparable studies in the future, WP3 will ensure transfer of standardised best practice knowledge through many open channels. In addition to reports, SOPs, manuals and scientific publications produced in AQUACOSM, WP3 will continue to update these, but most importantly will make use of new media, such as online freely accessible Wiki-publications. Specific focus will be given on the training of young researchers and facility users to maximise the benefit gained from mesocosm-based research both through training in new harmonised operation procedures at all facilities such electronic data acquirement and as real-time DB-upload (WP4) as well as supporting transferral of personal skills by exchange of experienced personnel between facilities to enhance Transnational Access provision (cooperation with WP 8.5 & 9). Thus, WP3 will effectively contribute to build human capital and competitiveness of AQUACOSM-plus partner infrastructures in the European Research Area (ERA) and beyond.

**Deliverables**

**D4.1** Plan for centralized data portal for mesocosm data (M06)

**D4.2** Strategy documentation (M12, HCMR)

**D4.3** Training video and guidance documentation for TA users (M12)

**D4.4** Data management plan version 1 (M12)

**D4.5** Online script and protocol library available on the project website and also published to mesocosm.eu and GitHub for ease of access and to encourage community contribution (M18)

**D4.6** Improved metadata portal (M18)

**D4.7** Minutes of workshop open Science Benefits(M19)

**D4.8** Workflow for allocating DOI’s to TA datasets within a European open data portal (M20)

**D4.9** Report of centralized data portal launch. (M24)

**D4.10** Workflow for applying for AQUACOSM-plus Open Access fund (M24)

**D4.11** Tools for automated QA & QC of data. (M24)

**D4.12** Data management plan version 2 (M24)

**D4.13** Open mesocosm science evaluation – Intermediate impact report 1 (M24)

**D4.14** Virtual Access to near real-time data streams (M26)

**D4.15** Online training modules on benefits to open science (M36)

**D4.16** Report of the primary data portal status and use for open science primary data collection (M42)

**D4.17** Open mesocosm science evaluation – Final impact report 2 (M42)

**D4.18** Report on TA data available in European open data portals and the AQUACOSM-plus metadata portal and DOI’s assigned (M48)



Breaching barriers to open mesocosm science, including open science tools and data

D4.2 Database management Plan_final.pdf

Deliverable No 4.2: Database Management Plan adhering to the H2020 Open Research Data Pilot

Database Management Plan adhering to the H2020 Open Research Data Pilot

Strategy documentation

D4.3_AQUACOSM_Guidelines for database management_final.pdf

Deliverable No 4.3: Guidelines for database management, including controlled vocabulary

Guidelines for database management, including controlled vocabulary

AQUACOSM-plus_D4.3_Training_videos__guidance_documentation_final.pdf

TRAINING VIDEO AND GUIDANCE DOCUMANTATION FOR TA USERS Deliverable No: 4.3

Training video and guidance documentation for TA users

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-4.4_V3_final.pdf

DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN VERSION 1 Deliverable No: D4.4

Data management plan version 1

AQUACOSM_ D4.4 updated DMP_V2_final.pdf

Deliverable No 4.4: Updated H2020 Open Research Data Pilot Database Management Plan 

Updated H2020 Open Research Data Pilot Database Management Plan

Online script and protocol library available (including processing and QA / QC scripts)

Deliverable 4.5 AQ_v1.pdf

Deliverable No 4.5: Metadatabase, accessible through the website

Metadatabase, accessible through the website

Improved metadata portal

Deliverable 4.6 AQ_v1.pdf

Deliverable No 4.6: Web-based data visualisations of data from the mesocosm facilities

Web-based data visualisations of data from the mesocosm facilities

AQUACOSM-plus_D4.7_KS_AYB_jcn_AYB.pdf

MINUTES OF WORKSHOP OPEN SCIENCE BENEFITS Deliverable No: 4.7

Minutes of workshop open science benefits

AQUACOSM_-D4.7_final.pdf

Deliverable D4.7: Guidelines of sustained use of the (meta)databases within and beyond AQUACOSM

Guidelines for sustained use of the (meta)databases within and beyond AQUACOSM

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-4.8_Workflow-for-allocating.pdf

WORKFLOW FOR ALLOCATING DOIs FOR TA DATASETS Deliverable No: D4.8

Workflow for allocating DOI’s

AQUACOSM_-D4.8_final.pdf

Deliverable No D4.8: Report on Virtual Access facilitation indoor mesocosms

Report on Virtual Access facilitation indoor mesocosms

Report of centralised data portal launch

AQUACOSM-plus Open Access fund

Data management plan version 2

Open mesocosm science evaluation

Virtual Access to near real time data streams

Online training modules on open science

Report of the primary data portal status

Report on TA data open

D5.1 AQUACOSM website for project dissemination and networking.pdf

Deliverable No 5.1: AQUACOSM website for project dissemination and networking

AQUACOSM website for project dissemination and networking

**Objectives**

The overall aim of WP5 is to provide a set of links joining the internal environment of the project with the outside world. To this end, a structured and continuous effort will be undertaken through exploiting a wide range of IT tools, and targeting a wide range of potential users and stakeholders. It is anticipated that this effort will not only increase the visibility of the project during its life time but will also continue to function after the end of this project providing information on and access to this network of facilities. The main elements of WP5 include: the development of a website which will be used as a central project communication and dissemination tool (Task 5.1), the attraction and assistance of the widest possible range of users to the Transnational Access provision to all partner facilities (Task 5.2), the implementation of a detailed communication strategy to inform, interact and engage with all of the major relevant target groups (Task 5.3), the design and implementation of a set of specific actions for capacity building (Task 5.4) and the establishment of specific actions for engaging with targeted industries (Task 5.5).

**Deliverables**

**D5.1** AQUACOSM website for project dissemination and networking (M6)

**D5.2** TA portal for coordination of TA provision (M6)

**D5.3** First report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, leaflets, blog etc.) (M18)

**D5.4** Second report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, blog etc.) (M36)

**D5.5** Third report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, leaflets, blog etc.) (M48)

**D5.6** First set of educational material (Modules, training activities etc) (M18)

**D5.7** Second set of educational material (Modules, interactive application, training activities etc) (M48)

**D5.8** Minutes of ACIF workshop 1 (M12)

**D5.9** Minutes of ACIF workshop 2 (M24)

**D5.10** Minutes of ACIF workshop 3 (M40)

**D5.11** Final report on the KTN (M40)

Outreach: Dissemination and Stakeholder engagement

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-5.1_final.pdf

WEBSITE (UPDATED) Deliverable No: 5.1

Website (updated)

**Objectives**

WP5 aims to link the AQUACOSM-plus project with the outside world via approaching and engaging multiple audiences at various levels (scientific, industrial, educational and general public) and encourage their interaction with the project. To achieve these goals, an efficient outreach strategy will be implemented, the partners’ communication skills will be improved and the outreach strategy of AQUACOSM project will be reviewed (Task 5.1). The main communication and dissemination channel will be the project’s website, which will also host the Transnational Access portal including the Project Tracker (Task 5.2); AQUACOSM- plus will continue to actively communicate the announcements and ΤΑ calls through all major social media platforms (Task 5.2). The scientific community will be approached via conventional and modern dissemination tools (Task 5.3). Industrial providers and SMEs with interest on mesocosms will be approached via the AQUACOSM Innovation Forums (ACIF) (Task 5.4). Finally, students (elementary school to university level), as well as the general public will be engaged to raise awareness on ecological/environmental issues and shape the next-generation of aquatic scientists while further dissemination actions will target decision-making bodies and NGO-networks (Task 5.5).

**Deliverables**

**D5.1** Website updated (M03)

**D5.2** TA portal and Project Tracker (M03)

**D5.3** Action plan for engaging with industry (M06)

**D5.4** Outreach Activities (M18)

**D5.5** Action plan for engaging with industry (M18)

**D5.6** Outreach Activities (M36)

**D5.7** Case-study on the impact of mesocosm studies on contemporary environmental issues (M36)

**D5.8** Action plan for engaging with industry (M36)

**D5.9** Outreach Activities and Education Materials (M48)

Outreach activities: Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation

D5.2 TA portal for coordination of TA provision (1).pdf

Deliverable No 5.2: TA portal for coordination of TA provision

TA portal for coordination of TA provision

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-5.2_final.pdf

TA PORTAL AND PROJECT TRACKER Deliverable No: 5.2

TA portal and Project Tracker

AQUACOSM_ D5.3-ACIF_WS_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.3: Summary report of AQUACOSM Innovation Forum (ACIF) workshop 1

Minutes of AQUACOSM Innovation Forum (ACIF) Workshops 1

AQUACOSM-Plus_deliverable-5.3_final.pdf

ACTION PLAN FOR ENGAGING WITH INDUSTRY 1 Deliverable No: 5.3

Action plan for engaging with industry

D5.4_Outreach_Activities_AQUACOSM-plus.pdf

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES Deliverable No: 5.4

Outreach Activities

AQUACOSM_D5.4_dissemination_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.4: First Report on Dissemination Activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, leaflets, blog etc.)

First report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, blog etc.)

AQUACOSM-plus_deliverable-5.5 v3 _final.pdf

Deliverable 5.5 Action plan for engaging with industry 2

Action plan for engaging with industry 2

AQUACOSM_-D5.5_teaching-material_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.5: First set of educational material (modules, training activities etc.)

First set of educational material (Modules, training activities etc)

Outreach Activities 2

AQUACOSM_-D5.6_ACIF-2_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.6: Minutes of the ACIF WORKSHOP 2

Minutes of AQUACOSM Innovation Forum (ACIF) Workshops 2

Case-study on impact of mesocosm studies on contemporary environmental issues

D5.7_2nd-Report-on-Dissemination_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.7: Second Report on Dissemination Activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, blog, etc.)

Second report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, blog etc.)

Outreach Activities and Education Materials

AQUACOSM_-D5.8-Summary-Report-of-ACIF-Workshop-3_final.pdf

Deliverable No. D5.8 "Summary Report of ACIF Workshop 3"

Minutes of AQUACOSM Innovation Forum (ACIF) Workshops 3

AQUACOSM_-deliverable-5.9-Final-Report-on-KTN_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.9: FINAL REPORT ON THE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NETWORK (KTN)

Final report on the KTN

AQUACOSM_D5.10_final.pdf

Deliverable No 5.10: Third Report on Dissemination Activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, blog, etc.)

Third report on dissemination activities (social networking, press releases, brochures, blog etc.)

AQUACOSM_-deliverable5.11_final_PIC.pdf

Deliverable No 5.11: Second set of educational material (module training activities etc.) 

Second set of educational material (Modules, training etc)

AQUACOSM-plus_D6.1_final.pdf

CATALOGUE OF GRAND CHALLENGES Deliverable No: 6.1

Catalogue of grand challenges

**Objectives**

Work package 6 will provide a conceptual roadmap for facilitating cutting-edge solution-oriented research tackling grand challenges in AQUACOSM-plus JRA and TA (WP 8 & 9).

The AQUACOSM network provides access to the most advanced mesocosm facilities across Europe, and spans from alpine lakes over lowland waters to coastal and open ocean systems. These sites hence cover virtually all aquatic habitats and ecoregions found in Europe (Fig.3.3), and allow for analysing effects and mitigation measures of virtually all aquatic habitats and problems connected to them. On top of that, several of the partner sites in AQUACOSM-plus are involved in monitoring programs, which are part of other H2020 research infrastructure (IR) programs (e.g. JERICO, LTER, ICOS, DANUBIUS, AnaEE: Table 1.1). 

Long-term data of their sites allows formulating specific research questions in the context of site-specific ongoing environmental change including climate change, pollution and other disturbances on the ecosystem.

The principal aim of WP6 is to foster leading-edge research on the RIs present in AQUACOSM-plus and beyond in terms of addressing the most pressing scientific questions e.g. in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss, emerging pollutants and other disturbances on aquatic ecosystems, but also exploring the possibilities for of nature-based solutions in the field. WP6 will achieve this goal by bringing together experimentalists, modellers, and representatives from other relevant RIs and by involving stakeholders of key sites for facilitating to apply cutting-edge methods and theories to the most pressing environmental problems related to the ecology of surface waters.

**Deliverables**

**D6.1** Catalogue of grand challenges, also published on project tracker (M08)

**D6.2** Manuscript for Opinion paper (M12)

**D6.3** Manuscript for Concept paper AquaSUMMIT 1 (M12)

**D6.4** Meta-analysis manuscript (M24)

**D6.5** Manuscript for Empirical paper AquaSUMMIT 2 (M36)

Defining Grand Challenges in aquatic mesocosm research

D6.1-Quantity-of-Transnational-Access-in-RP1-before-M24_Final.pdf

Deliverable No 6.1: Report on quantity of Transnational Access delivered by all partner facilities (6.1-6.19) before M24

Report on Transnational Access delivered by end of year 2

**Objectives**

WP6 of AQUACOSM aims to offer European researchers effective and well-organised access to unique and diverse aquatic mesocosm facilities. This will be achieved by transnational access (TA) activities. Emphasis is placed on providing high-quality infrastructures and services that enable users to conduct first-class experimental research focusing on the environmental change impacts on ecosystem dynamics. However, facilities are also open for any other suitable R&amp;D project. An additional goal of transnational access offered to eligible researchers from Europe and third countries is to foster collaboration among users of different mesocosm facilities, with particular focus on new collaborations between currently separated scientific communities of users of freshwater and marine mesocosm infrastructure facilities, as well as with industries, environmental managers, and other relevant stakeholders. WP6 is a key element of AQUACOSM’s objective to extend the current mesocosm network from its established marine nucleus (rooted in the highly successful FP7 MESOAQUA project) to the freshwater science community and its unique infrastructures designed to perform experimental studies in streams and rivers, lakes and ponds, as well as estuaries across a broad geographic range from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Through the trans-national access administered in WP6, AQUACOSM aims to greatly enhance the efficiency of experimental infrastructure management and service provision by means of optimised, harmonised, and coordinated access procedures (see also WP1). These efforts are complemented by an effective public interface established by WP5 at www.aquacosm.eu.

**Description of work**

WP6 will be led by Partner 1, FVB-IGB (Berger), assisted by Partner 3, UIB (Tsagaraki), and the Project Coordinator at FVB-IGB (Nejstgaard). The WP subsumes the activities of AQUACOSM relating to the provision of Transnational Access (TA). Standardised procedures for providing TA will be followed across all mesocosm facilities. General information is given here, since several core elements of WP6 are shared among most or all infrastructures. They relate to the Modality of Access, Support Offered, Review Procedures and Outreach to New Users. Detailed descriptions and specificities applicable to the individual infrastructures are described in Tasks 6.1 to 6.19.

**Modality of access under AQUACOSM:** Individual users or user groups (henceforth ‘users’) will be given access to the AQUACOSM partner infrastructures, equipment and services according to a standardised protocol (see below). The unit of access offered by all facilities is person-days, although details of access vary among infrastructures, depending on location, typical duration of experiments, required number of person-days, capacities of local staff, integration of AQUACOSM activities into established schedules, degree of user independence and other factors. Unless noted otherwise in the description of Tasks 6.1-6.19, costs are calculated as unit costs in € per user-day according to the methodology laid out by the European Commission. Included are costs incurring during experiments but also for preparatory work needed before and after the arrival of users at the site. Specific training on site required to complete a specific project is also included. An overview of all partner facilities access costs and the total of access provided is summarised in Table 3.2c whereas travel and subsistence costs are listed in Table 3.4.c.

**Support offered under AQUACOSM:** The logistic support and services offered to users supported by AQUACOSM Transnational Access is described individually for each of the mesocosm facilities (see Task 6-1-6.19). Generally, however, it includes travel costs, accommodation at the site, a per-diem as well as scientific, technical and administrative support. The scientific environment in which users will be embedded varies among locations, but scientifically strong, active and open-minded research groups associated with most AQUACOSM facilities typically ensure a stimulating and rewarding research experience during TA activities. The application process and administrative procedures before and during TA activities will be coordinated in WP6 and WP1 for the entire network of mesocosm infrastructures in AQUACOSM. However, each facility will manage all other aspects of its own TA activities, for which the facility providers are responsible.
**Outreach to new users:** An effort will be made to attract and support a wide range of users through AQUACOSM Transnational Access activities. In particular, WP6 will focus on attracting three distinct but not mutually exclusive groups of users:
<ul>
	<li>Researchers or developers from SMEs and other industries keen on developing or testing instruments or interested in other applications (see WP5.5, WP8)</li>
	<li>Researchers from countries that lack state-of-the-art freshwater or marine mesocosm facilities (see also WP5)</li>
	<li>Researchers not previously involved in experimental investigations conducted in aquatic mesocosm facilities</li>
</ul>
Information about opportunities for TA will be widely disseminated via various channels. The AQUACOSM website, in particular, will serve as a central hub to make TA calls for designated experiments and announce open time slots at all AQUACOSM facilities. In addition, announcements will be made through various other outlets developed in WP5, including social media and professional meetings.

**Review procedure under AQUACOSM:** TA proposals must be electronically submitted at www.aquacosm.eu (WP5.2) and undergo a standardised review-process compliant with EU-regulations. Users will be selected based on the principles of transparency, fairness and impartiality:
<ul>
	<li>Incoming TA applications are initially collected, sorted and registered by the AQUACOSM Project Office (WP1) and checked for formal compliance according to the present European Commission Requirements.</li>
	<li>The Project Office then forwards all formally correct applications to the independent User Selection Panel (USP), which is composed of four distinguished aquatic scientists with international expertise on all aquatic systems addressed in WP6 (see 3.2)</li>
	<li>The USP is asked to prioritise applications for transnational access according to a set of transparent criteria (see Application Assessment). Most important are scientific merit and attributes of prospective users as defined above.</li>
	<li>The Steering Committee (SC) and WP6 task leaders will then comment on the feasibility of the proposed activities at the specific sites based on the available expertise, collaboration potential and schedules at the respective facility.</li>
	<li>Final decisions are taken by the USP after consultation of the SC and respective task leaders.</li>
	<li>Facility providers start organising the planned activity as soon as they are informed about approved TA applications</li>
	<li>Decisions on TA approval will be also reported to the Project Office and publicly communicated via the outreach pathways of WP5.</li>
</ul>

**Deliverables**

**D6.1** Report on quantity of Transnational Access delivered by all partner facilities (6.1-6.19) before M24, to be delivered with the 2nd Scientific report to the EC (M36)

**D6.2** Report on quantity of Transnational Access delivered by all partner facilities (6.1-6.19) between M25 and M46, to be delivered with the 3nd Scientific report to the EC (M48)

Provision of trans-national access to all AQUACOSM facilities.

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