Method of Operation

SPHEAR's method of operation is summarized by an annual cycle:

• Initial Board Meeting

  The SPHEAR Board will recommend broad areas of relevant scientific interest to its academic partners. The initial Board meeting will occur at Scripps Oceanography in La Jolla, Calf., but participation via electronic conferencing will also be provided.

• Proposal Submission Phase

  Participating scientists submit proposals (maximum five pages) to the executive director of SPHEAR. Proposals include necessary staffing requirements, which are encouraged to include teams of scientists from institutions around the world.

• Proposal Review Phase

  The SPHEAR Board evaluates and recommends a "short-list" of final proposals that will be presented at the annual meeting.

• Annual Meeting

  Final proposals are presented and reviewed by the SPHEAR Board. Board members recommend funding a portfolio of research projects for the next financial year. Grants will then be implemented. Funding duration will normally span 6-15 months. Gold partners are invited to participate in specialized workshops with partner scientists and must submit contributions for the upcoming fiscal year in order to participate.
  
  The portfolio of recently completed research is presented to all partners.
  

Board Composition

The SPHEAR Board will consist of designated representatives from corporate partners. Each year, the Board will elect a member to serve as Board Chair. The director of Scripps Oceanography will sit on the Board, as will two other appointed Scripps representatives (i.e. deputy director of research, senior hazard scientist). The director of Scripps will also nominate a business/community leader to serve on the Board. The SPHEAR executive director will sit on the Board ex-officio.

Questions?

Contact Stephen Bennett, Executive Director of SPHEAR, at 858-846-0065 or stephenbennett@ucsd.edu.