NWO, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, has recently opened a call for the User Support Programme Space Research (http://www.nwo.nl/subsidiewijzer.nsf/pages/NWOA_4YDG9V_Eng?Opendocument
).
The aim of this programme is to provide support to researchers working in the Netherlands during the (preparation for) use of scientific infrastructure in space for the purpose of high quality research. The programme has three subprogrammes: Earth observation, Microgravity research and Planetary research.
The research themes on Earth Observation are:
- Atmospheric research (chemistry, dynamics, radiation balance, climate and air quality);
- Water (oceanography, processes in open oceans, coastal and inland waters, cryosphere research);
- Fixed earth (gravitational field, geodynamics, magnetic field).
The total budget for Earth Observation in the period 2007-2011 amounts to a maximum of 6.25 million euro.
Prof. Dr. Michael Schaepman from CGI has been nominated chairman of the evaluation committee for this programme.