Working in partnership with its marine providers, NERC's Marine Planning function ensures that the marine research infrastructure is used to deliver maximum scientific impact while upholding UKRI's commitment to sustainability. The FMRI programme is seeking to understand how changes to established ways of working can deliver maximum value from an affordable, sustainable and inclusive research infrastructure.

Workstream Objectives

During the business case development phase, the objectives of the FMRI Operating Models workstream are to:

  • Capture the knowledge of NERC's marine providers and other key stakeholders to inform the development of operating models for the short-listed infrastructure options.
  • Determine and compare the financial costs of the different operating models for the short-listed options, providing the FMRI Board with evidence to appraise the options.
  • Determine and compare the carbon costs of the different operating models for the for the short-listed options, providing the FMRI Board with evidence to appraise the options.
  • Explore the structural changes to funding models and other underpinning processes that are required to embed the selected infrastructure option.
  • Contribute to the understanding of delivery risk and transitional arrangements.

Workstream Lead: Natalie Powney, NERC Head of Marine Planning