CEDA Working Group on Platform for Subsidised Research Programmes (WGPSR)
In previous years, the dredging industry has been able to take advantage of research funding to drive innovations and develop new techniques for dredging, reclamation and infrastructure works. However, the requirements for successful grant application is changing, and increasingly parties in search of funds for industry research, need to collaborate in order to win funding. Subsidy programmes require collaboration across the industry and many different parties, from academia to contractors and government organisations, have a part to play.
As an association, CEDA has members in every section of the industry and is well-placed to host a platform to help organisations find partners for their research programmes. However, the role is not without its potential challenges, and CEDA is keen to maintain its balance and neutrality, while providing a useful resource that organisations will want to use.
After much considerations of the issues, the CEDA Strategy Commission and the CEDA Education Commission agreed that, as a minimum, CEDA should host a platform where members can exchange information on potential projects, and express their interest in participating in projects. As a result, they set up Working Group on a Platform for Subsidised Research (WGPSR) to develop their ideas for the platform and build the required IT infrastructure.
The Working Group had its inaugural meeting on the 27th March 2019, at CEDA HQ, Delft, the Netherlands.
At their first meeting, the members approved the Terms of Reference (see below) for the group and agreed the following objectives for the platform:
- To help CEDA members to increase their success rates for research fund applications by facilitating contacts between interested parties within the CEDA Corporate membership
- To make it possible for CEDA Corporate Members to pitch ideas for research proposals to fellow members and to look for research partners
- To feed into the research agendas of funding institutions in the longer term
After a quiet period, WGPSR is looking to renew their activities in 2020.
Terms of Reference
Please see below.
Members
Inge van Tomme, Jan De Nul, Belgium
Ebi Meshkati Shahmirzadi, Deltares, the Netherlands
Geert Ketels, TU Delft, the Netherlands
Wim Klomp, Royal HaskoningDHV, the Netherlands
Cees van Rhee, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
Participants of the inaugural meeting on the 27th March 2019, at CEDA HQ, Delft, the Netherlands (l to r): Inge van Tomme, Jan De Nul, Belgium; Ebi Meshkati Shahmirzadi, Deltares, The Netherlands; Wim Klomp, Royal HaskoningDHV, the Netherlands; Cees van Rhee, Delft University of Technology, the NetherlandsGeert Ketels, TU Delft, The Netherlands
Invitation
The Working Group is recruiting for additional members, from across the entire CEDA region, and they are particularly keen to hear from representatives of dredging-related manufacturers, consultants and contractors. Interested CEDA members are kindly requested to contact Anna Csiti, at the CEDA Secretariat or any of the WG members.
(Please note: the costs incurred in taking part in the Working Group will have to be borne by the participating Member’s company/organisation, and this should be taken into consideration when expressing an interest.)