Sandpit 1: Delivering a Sustainable Future for Freshwater Resources

FRENZ is pleased to announce the launch of the first of three "Sandpit" calls. Our Sandpit methodology aims to bring together diverse groups of researchers from both Europe and New Zealand for intensive, 5-day workshops to explore novel research solutions to real life problems. In each case, we seek to engage researchers from a broad range of disciplines, to work outside their normal comfort zone, and approach problem solving in a deliberately creative way to identify project ideas that have the potential to answer multi-faceted research questions.

In our first Sandpit, offered in conjunction with the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, we aim to bring together researchers from across the social, economic, natural, and physical sciences, as well as others who feel they might have an interesting perspective in approaching the issue of “Delivering a sustainable future for freshwater resources”.

If you think that you have the enthusiasm, skills or knowledge that could contribute toward new research activities in this field, we want to hear from you!

Check out our Call Text, and complete the Expression of Interest (Application) form. The closing date for applications is 6 January 2011 (5pm in the applicant's country).

• The Call Text
• The Expression of Interest (Application) form
• Additional information for NZ participants
   

 There are two ways to submit your application:

• Download the form, complete it offline, and upload the document using our web interface
• Download the form, complete it offline, and e-mail it to sandpits@frenz.org.nz
   

 Some key facts about this Sandpit:

• The Delivering a Sustainable Future for Freshwater Resources Sandpit is offered by FRENZ, in conjunction with the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology (the Foundation).
   
• The Sandpit will be held in Rotorua, New Zealand, from 13 to 18 March 2011.
   
• The aim of the Sandpit is to identify best practice models to characterise and map groundwater resources, and identify methods for freshwater allocation that take account of the environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects of water use.
   
• The Foundation plans to allocate $2.26 million (€1.28 million) per year for up to 6 years to support genuinely novel and potentially transformative research arising from the Sandpit. Projects should have a New Zealand lead, be trans-disciplinary in their nature, and may include European partners, as appropriate.
   
• A representative of the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation will be invited to attend the Sandpit, with a view toward developing formal mechanisms (e.g., twinning, IRSES) to strengthen EU-New Zealand collaborative research partnerships in this area in the future.
   
• This Sandpit will involve 16-22 participants from Europe and New Zealand, with the research proposal outcomes being fed into the relevant policy making processes, and a view toward establishing closer EU-New Zealand collaborative research relationships in the future.