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MNF News Update | 2026 Primary Application Call: Information sessions for potential applicants

A blue and white ship at sea.
CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator provides a unique platform for both multidisciplinary research and training. Image: CSIRO.

The CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF) is Australia's dedicated ocean research capability, funded by the Australian Government and operated by CSIRO on behalf of the nation.

The MNF offers multiple Streams of access through which applications for sea time can be submitted. These Streams align the research we deliver with national priorities and accommodate the broad needs of the Australian research community. 

Importantly, the Streams also seek to encourage a wide diversity of users of the extensive capabilities offered by RV Investigator.

Sea time applications under Stream 1

Stream 1 addresses critical policy and strategic research needs for Australia and is for projects that directly address policy‑driven priorities. Applicants under this Stream have access to a greater preferential allocation of the available sea time for 2028-29.

For the 2026 Primary Application call, the MNF is partnering with the following Stream 1 priority partners to advance priority research of national benefit on RV Investigator in the 2028–29 schedule:

Potential applicants are invited to attend an information session (via webinar) with Stream 1 priority partners to support your application for fully funded ship time for research under Stream 1. This is an exceptional opportunity to collaborate with key end users and deliver national research impact through the co-design of research projects with our Stream 1 priority partners.

If you're interested in applying for sea time in 2028-29, we encourage you to consider a Stream 1 application and invite you to attend an upcoming webinar information session. During each webinar, priority partners will present their research priorities and explain how applicants can align with them on a Stream 1 application for projects  in the 2028–29 voyage schedule.

Webinar dates

Separate webinars will be delivered for each priority partner and these sessions will commence on Monday 23 February 2026. The date and time of each priority partner webinar will be confirmed shortly.

Each webinar will last last approximately 30 minutes with additional time for questions. Webinars will be recorded and the recording will be available to registered attendees upon request.

How to register

To register your interest and receive an invitation to a webinar, please email mnf@csiro.au and indicate the priority partner webinar/s you would like to attend.

Australia has a vast and valuable marine estate rich in diversity and resources. But we still know very little about it. The Marine National Facility provides Australia with a world-class resource to enable marine research for national benefit. So how can you get your research on board?

Let’s look at the application process and follow the streams that can take your science out to sea.

Each year, fully funded grants of sea time are offered on Australia’s ocean research vessel Investigator via a competitive application process.

Applications can be made by researchers employed by Australian research organisations. Collaborators from overseas research organisations can also be included.

Applying for sea time is easy via our online Marine Application and Planning System – MAPS – accessed via our website. Create your MAPS account to: enter, save, review and submit applications, and plan your voyage, if awarded sea time.

To apply, you will need to pick one of five streams of access. These streams ensure that we deliver a broad range of research to meet the needs of our users and for the greatest national benefit. Let’s dive into each stream.

Stream 1 is for policy-driven research, projects that address national research priorities, which will be set every three years in consultation with relevant government agencies and end-users. Research priorities are listed in the MNF Operations Rolling Plan, released annually when the application call is made.

Stream 2 is for discipline-driven research including fundamental and frontier research. This stream is for projects that advance scientific knowledge without directly addressing policy-driven priorities from Stream 1.

Stream 3 is for strategic partnerships. This stream supports nationally funded research programs that need regular and repeated access to our capabilities to collect long time-series data and samples.

Stream 4 is for technology and innovation projects. This stream supports the development of innnovative technologies that seek to advance our national research capability and our marine industries.

Stream 5 is for user-funded projects. This stream provides access to our capabilities for industry and other groups to conduct research of national benefit.

Revenue from user-funded projects is reinvested back into the Marine National Facility for the benefit of all its users.  

Regardless of stream, all applications are assessed against two merit principles: Research Quality and Research Benefit.

This assessment is made by two independent commitees: the Research Advisory Committee and the National Benefit Advisory Committee, with help from expert external assessors. Applications are scored and used to build a Primary Voyage Schedule,  which is reviewed by our Steering Committee. Successful applicants will then be offered a grant of sea time.

Every step of the way, from application to voyage, the Marine National Facility is here to help. Contact us to discuss how to get your science out to sea.

mnf.csiro.au

VIDEO: Access Streams

When applying for sea time on RV Investigator, you must select one of five access Streams in which to make your application in our Marine Facilities Planning (MFP) portal (previously called MAPS) These Streams cater to the diverse needs of our research community and our national priorities for marine research. Watch this video to discover how the Streams of access can take your research to sea!

Science is a team sport. Please share this update.

The Marine National Facility is national collaborative research infrastructure funded by the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and operated by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, on behalf of the nation.