The UK’s position in high-quality marine scientific outputs, including major contributions to address global challenges, relies on strategic investment in infrastructure including ships, autonomous platforms, satellites and shore-based laboratories and other facilities as well as new digital, informatics and other innovative technologies.
The Future Marine Research Infrastructure programme (FMRI - https://fmri.ac.uk/) is delivering this strategic investment, and is currently in the business case development phase, building the strategic, scientific and economic case. The Focus of FMRI is on scoping next phase investment when the RRS James Cook reaches the end of its design life in 2031. This builds on the commissioned scoping study on Net Zero Oceanographic Capability in 2020-2021, presenting a range of options for transitioning to low or zero carbon capabilities (https://fmri.ac.uk/resources/nzoc).

The SAG will:
a. Advise the FMRI Programme Leadership Team and FMRI Board regarding the scientific aspects of the Programme, seeking to maximise the benefits for the entire science community by ensuring that future capability aligns to current and expected future demands for oceanographic research and innovation across all disciplines.
b. Highlight opportunities for complementarity with other initiatives, both nationally and internationally.
c. Act as a channel for engagement between the wider science community and the FMRI Programme, including proactively raising community views.
d. Provide any other such advice and support as may be reasonably requested by the FMRI Programme Leadership Team and the Board.