The aim of SOLAS is to provide a framework to encourage the fullest participation of multi-national, regional, and national efforts in its scientific activities. It does not impose a rigid template on the nature of these efforts.
As a formal approval and show of support, SOLAS offers Research Endorsements which have a number of functions:
- The SOLAS SSC knows what research is being conducted under the SOLAS label
- Research carrying the SOLAS label is within the science areas defined in the SOLAS Science Plan and Implementation Strategy
- Such research conforms to the scientific principles outlined in the Science Plan and Implementation Strategy
Knowledge of who is doing what, where and when, is also essential for building the SOLAS community and for developing implementation plans that have broad support; thus the database of SOLAS-endorsed projects will soon be freely available on this website.
Management of data produced by SOLAS is a key challenge facing the study. You can read about the work of the SOLAS Data Management Project here.
Who should apply for SOLAS endorsement?
The procedure for endorsement is aimed at Principle Investigators (PI's) who are applying for funding for a research project or who have already received funding. SOLAS does not endorse thematic or national programmes per se, because with most large-scale projects some of the work is bound to fall outside of the domain of SOLAS. Rather, we would encourage individual PI's to complete the endorsement procedure on this website. SOLAS is happy to jointly endorse research in partnership with other IGBP, SCOR, CACGP or WCRP projects.
It is possible to get larger-scale co-ordination activities endorsed (analogous to Tasks in IGAC), but the procedure is rather different. We would encourage you to contact us with details of your proposal early on.
If you would like to read about the benefits and consequent responsibilities of SOLAS endorsement, you can do so here.
If you have decided that you wish to apply for SOLAS endorsement you can do so here.