Task forces, projects and working groups

Support is provided to initiatives proposed by POGO members, which aim to identify and fill gaps in global ocean observation. This Microgrant call is open to the POGO member institutes, to advance ocean observations while at the same time strengthening the ties of the POGO network.

Members can apply for funding for Working Groups, Training Initiatives, and other types of Microgrants, which are dedicated to specific priority areas directly relevant to POGO’s core mission, i.e. sustained, long-term ocean observing systems and shared use of infrastructure, data and information. Working Groups should also use other sources of funding where possible and should have a short, pre-determined life-span (e.g. 1-2 years). Working Groups provide a platform for the members to discuss and produce recommendations for addressing key issues. They may also focus on solutions for improving ocean observations, such as new technologies, novel partnerships and funding sources, and improving data access and visualisation. Proposals for joint Working Groups between POGO and its partner organisations are also welcome.

A call for proposals will be issued to the members and scientific community at least once per year, following approval of budget during the POGO annual meeting.  Click here to find out how to apply.

In recent years, several “standing” Working Groups have been established to address priorities identified by POGO members during the POGO annual meetings. The members of these WGs are generally nominated by POGO member institutions, and work mainly remotely. These WGs are currently the Advocacy WG, SEA-OBS WG (on environmentally sustainable ocean obs), and the Technology WG (see below).

For 2023, in addition to the normal annual call, POGO invited groups of members to apply for seed funding for programmes/projects either already endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, or workshops to plan new project/programmes to be submitted to UNDOS for endorsement.  In the table below, these are labelled as Decade Implementing Partner (DIP) Activities.