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MNF News Update | Reminder - Supplementary Applications close 11 March; Primary Applications close 19 May

PRIMARY APPLICATION CALL

A blue and white ship on the ocean.

The CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF) invites Australian researchers to apply for fully funded grants of sea time on research vessel (RV) Investigator in 2028-29 via the Primary Application Call.

The MNF offers five Streams of access for applications to support Australia's research priorities, meet the needs of the Australian research community, and to encourage a diversity of users. 

Stream 1 addresses critical policy needs for Australia and is for research that directly address policy driven priorities. Applications under this Stream have access to a larger allocation of the available sea time on RV Investigator. Applicants are encouraged to consider the opportunities available for their research under a Stream 1 application.

If you missed the recent Stream 1 webinars with our Priority Partners, you can reach out to them directly to discuss collaboration in a Stream 1 application. Opportunities exist with:

  • Australian Antarctic Program
  • Australian Fisheries Management Authority
  • Geoscience Australia
  • Parks Australia

Priority Partner contact details are available in the MNF Operations Rolling Plan 2026.

Seas the opportunity for your research! The application period closes on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 11:59 pm (AEST).

Apply for sea time on RV Investigator via a Primary Application

SUPPLEMENTARY APPLICATION CALL

Supplementary Application Call closes on 11 March

CSIRO invites Supplementary Applications for fully funded grants of sea time on RV Investigator to fill available capacity in the 2027-28 voyage schedule. Seas the opportunity for your research! The application period closes on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at 11.59 pm AEDT.

Join the MNF symposium at AMSA 2026

The CSIRO Marine National Facility will be convening a symposium at the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) 2026 Conference and we’re keen to hear from you.

TOPIC: Marine research for national benefit - a decade of Australia’s dedicated ocean research vessel Investigator

We invite presentations showcasing the breadth of research impact delivered by our Australian marine research community through access to RV Investigator.

AMSA 2026 will be held in Canberra from 30 August to 3 September 2026 and embraces the theme ‘Marine Science with Impact’.

The deadline for abstract submissions is Friday 3 April 2026.

Submit an abstract for this symposia

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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.