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Call for proposals

HYDRALAB is a network of research institutes with world-leading hydraulic and hydrodynamic experimental facilities. The HYDRALAB+ project is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon2020 programme to strengthen the coherence of experimental hydraulic and hydrodynamic research by improving the infrastructures with a focus on adaptation to climate change issues. The project has three key objectives: (i) widen the use of and access to unique hydraulic and hydrodynamic research infrastructures in the EU; (ii) improve experimental methods to enhance hydraulic and hydrodynamic research and address the future challenges of climate change adaptation; and (iii) network with the experimental hydraulic and hydrodynamic research community throughout Europe and share knowledge and data with the wider scientific community and other stakeholders, including industry and government agencies.

Three Calls for Proposals are issued to invite all eligible research groups (see summary of rules and conditions) to submit a proposal for an experiment in one of the HYDRALAB+ major and unique facilities, free of charge. These calls were issued at the following dates:

  • November 2015, with deadline at March 11, 2016
  • September 2016, with deadline at December 16, 2016
  • April 2017 with the deadline at June 23, 2017

It is unlikely that more calls for proposals will be issued before 2020.

The facilities are based at the institutes: Deltares, Aalto University, CNRS-Grenoble, DHI, HR Wallingford Ltd., HSVA, Leibniz Universität Hannover, NTNU, University of Hull and Universitat Politèchnica de Catalunya. The experimental facilities we have made available are designed for research across a range of disciplines, including hydraulics, geophysical hydrodynamics, morphodynamics, ecohydraulics, ice engineering and hydraulic structures. More information on the facilities is available on HYDRALAB+ website.

The theme of HYDRALAB+ is ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ and this focus will integrate Transnational Access projects with our Joint Research Activities (see website for further details). 

The programme provides user groups access free of charge to the facility for their research project and covers also travel and subsistence costs (within prescribed limits). Access is made available for short duration projects, not exceeding 3 months. State-of-the-art measuring instruments, data-acquisition and processing systems will be available, as well as modern support facilities, such as library, computers and internet access. Furthermore, visiting researchers are offered a scientific and intellectual environment, with assistance and guidance from experts at the host institute. Previous experience in physical modelling and laboratory experiments are not a prerequisite since technical support and training will be provided.

Proposals have been reviewed by a User Selection Panel. The primary criterion for selection is the scientific merit. Secondary criteria are used to encourage the participation of first-time users, active female participation, trans-national research teams, interaction with the host institute and contribution to our research focus of adaptation to climate change.

An overview of the granted projects is given at:

https://hydralab.eu/research--results/ta-projects/Summary/