Objectives of ERA-Net MARTEC

The overall objective of the MARTEC ERA-Net is to form a sustainable network and partnership of key funding agencies and ministries aiming at deepening the understanding of conditions for management of maritime technologies research between the key European countries actively funding RTD in this sector.

In co-operation with the European industrial maritime cluster and other stakeholders this network intends to work out a strategy for future maritime technological research funding through trans-national programs and calls which are coherent with the European research policy and the strengthening of the European Research Area.

The MARTEC project will:

Map and analyse national projects and programs of maritime RTD activity, funding instruments and mechanisms for initiation, evaluation as well as management procedures leading to best practice and optimization of national research funding.
Execute SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the synergistic use of maritime research and testing infrastructures facilitating to a more cost effective use of national resources.
Identify topics most suitable for immediate co-operation and integration as well as existing thematic gaps between national programs through close communication with key maritime stakeholders.
Contribute to the awareness and dissemination of maritime R&D activities by creation and maintenance of an internet-based communication and information platform for partners, industry stakeholders and maritime technology research institutions.
Develop strategies and an action plan for the mutual opening of national programs as well as co-ordinated and jointly funded research programs and calls forming a whole with European framework programs.
Implement a joint multinational research program/call in a specific thematic area between some partner-countries as a test-case to level grounds for future common programs.

During the course and implementation of MARTEC it is intended to further incorporate key funding organisations from other Member States interested and active in RTD funding within shipping and maritime technology.