MINKE is a Horizon 2020 network project, funded from the INFRAIA call. It is a start-up community, and as such, in the first stage of establishing an infrastructure community/project on European scale.
The project builds on a JPI Oceans Joint Action "Marine Sensors Calibration Network", which was established in 2016 and concluded in 2021. JPI Oceans' engagement in this area is continued as one of the partners in MINKE.
The MINKE Project has launched two key calls as part of its efforts to support marine metrology and data quality improvement. The 1st Call was announced in 2021, offering Transnational Access (TNA) to cutting-edge marine infrastructures across Europe. Following the success of this, the 2nd Call opened in 2023, continuing to provide free access to research facilities aimed at enhancing collaboration and improving the accuracy of oceanographic data. These calls focus on fostering cross-border cooperation for better marine ecosystem management.
The main objectives of MINKE are to integrate key European marine metrology research infrastructures, to coordinate their use, and develop and propose an innovative framework of “quality of oceanographic data” for the different European actors in charge of monitoring and managing marine ecosystems.
Integrating key European marine metrology research infrastructures gives researchers improved access to necessary research infrastructures. More integrated resources at European level enable cutting edge and multidisciplinary research and widen the user community. Improved services widen the sharing of information and technologies across fields, between academia and non-academic stakeholders, increasing the potential for innovation and partnerships with industry and contributions to evidence-based policy making.
Society needs to get the most out of its investment in research and innovation. Better integration and access to infrastructure and knowledge-based resources is key to an improved management of the continuous flow of data collected and produced. This makes for better science and increases the ability of research to contribute to major societal challenges.