Catalysing resources for the implementation of Group of Earth Observation's Global Earth Observations System of Systems

1. Funding of geosciences: Coordinating national and international resources
B. L. Bye (1), K. Fontaine (2)
(1) BLB, Norway (bentelil@hotmail.com), (2) NASA, Greenbelt, USA (kathy.fontaine@nasa.gov)
Our Global Challenges GEO Science and Technology
The international scientific community has identified five Grand Challenges that,
if addressed in the next decade, will deliver knowledge to enable sustainable
The Group on Earth Observations
seeks to make Earth observations
Roadmap
development, poverty eradication, and environmental protection in the face of available to decision makers for GEO’s Science and Technology
global change. societal benefit through GEOSS. Committee developed a roadmap to
ensure that GEO has access to scientific
The five challenges for global and technological advice in support of its
sustainability research are: GEOSS Work Plan. Part of the roadmap includes
identifying processes for funding research
1. Forecasting The Global Earth Observation and development efforts in the societal
System of Systems will provide benefit areas. Funding processes exist at
2. Observing decision-support tools to a wide many levels; capturing them is a
variety of users. As with the challenge. Key to success is building
3. Confining Internet, GEOSS will be a global upon existing projects, using capacity
and flexible network of content building techniques to bring projects and
4. Responding providers allowing decision makers funding sources together.
to access an extraordinary range of
information at their desk.
5. Innovating
Egida Methodology
GEO Work Plan As part of the roadmap activities, EGIDA developed a
methodology for sustainable mechanisms at national and
The Global Earth Observing System will contribute substantially to The GEO Work Plan provides the agreed regional levels that aim to coordinate national multi-
challenge 2. Observing, as well as to the other. framework for implementing the GEOSS disciplinary “System of Systems”. This methodology
10-Year Implementation Plan (2005- builds on existing national initiatives and European
2015). It is a living document that is projects, and facilitates the European S&T Community
The Actors updated annually. The GEO Work Plan is
an internationally negotiated plan that can
contributions to and interactions with GEOSS.
be used as advise for international funding
Funding is based on national or agency mission or priority, scientific need or
arrangements. Framework concept for funding
priority, and many other factors. The process of funding involves all actors in the
research system. From the ministries and councils at political level, to
governmental and non-governmental funding organizations on implementation
Best Practice Examples To enable sustainable funding mechanisms, processes to
launch common calls for projects should be developed.
level and also the performers – the scientists - in an advisory capacity. All seek These will help to prepare for an international, jointly
to maximize return on investment by leveraging existing efforts and working funded research programme which should reflect key tasks
with partners. GEO provides a platform for identifying, discussing, and European Commission in the GEOSS ten year implementation and work plans.
achieving results for societal benefit.
FP7 is the short name for the Seventh Framework
Programme for Research and Technological Development.
This is the EU's main instrument for funding research in References
Europe and it will run from 2007-2013. FP7 is also designed
• GEO Science and Technology Road Map.
to respond to Europe's employment needs, competitiveness • GEO and Science (Jean-Louis Fellous et al)
and quality of life . Important research and development
. • GEO Tasks ST-09-01 and ST-09-02, Task ID-02
projects are funded through Framework calls. • OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP)
earthobservations.org • Governance of International Co-operation on Science, Technology and
Innovation for Global Challenges, ICSU (2010).
The Global Earth Observation System of Systems will provide • Earth System Science for Global Sustainability: The Grand Challenges.
Recommendations decision-support tools to a wide variety of users in nine Societal
Benefit Areas. International Opportunities Fund
International Council for Science, Paris
• EC funding for implementing GEO Road Map – Egida
• Identify and mitigate barriers (financial, legal, organizational, etc.) to The International Opportunities Fund is a joint funding call between the Belmont Forum and G8 Heads of Research
implement activities in support of the GEOSS Work Plan. Councils (G8HORCs) for approximately 20M Euros. The countries involved in this initiative, currently, are Australia,
• Maximize investment through focusing on the multidisciplinary challenges Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of
in the GEOSS-activities. America. Possibilities for collaboration for non-participatory countries and developing countries exist as well. The current
• Encourage common calls projects at the appropriate level (agency, national, International Opportunities Fund is aimed at supporting research in the areas of Coastal Vulnerability and Freshwater
trans-national, multinational, etc.) to meet GEO Targets and enable Security.
completion of the Work Plan activities.
• Gather, share, and encourage best practices.