Call for projects: Interfacing the climate observations and modelling communities

A new call for project proposals from ESA aims to address priority issues in climate modelling science that benefit from the use of satellite-based Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)^1,2,3.

While satellite-based information can be of high value, issues remain that hinder the uptake of these comprehensive, consistent, multi-decade observation records in a climate modelling context.

The new activity, called Interfacing the climate observations and modelling communities [Tender Action Number: 1-12469], intends to fund R&D projects to facilitate uptake, and improve the exploitation, of satellite-based ECVs in climate modelling context.

Issued as an open competition, the new R&D projects will form part of a new programme of activities under ESA’s Climate Change Initiative, which has developed satellite-based ECVs on an on-going basis since 2010. Increasingly the CCI supports the scientific exploitation of ECVs and the specific requirements of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.

The new procurement will focus on the use of Essential Climate Variables data products developed in the context of the ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI). Spanning land-atmosphere-ocean-cryosphere domains these data products have potential to improve aspects of climate modelling, such as model benchmarking, assimilation, reanalysis, initialisation, the development of climate services, and to constrain key processes within the Earth's energy, water and carbon cycles.

Successful projects will address climate science challenges identified in IPCC Assessment reports, and by WCRP activities such as APARC, CliC, CLIVAR, GEWEX, RIfS, ESMO, CMIP and CORDEX and involve the development of methods and/or tools to facilitate the use of satellite data in modelling.

Projects are also expected to be collaborative in nature, with teams incorporating satellite experts and climate modellers. By strengthening links between these communities, it is envisaged that capability to use satellite-based observation datasets will be enhanced, while satellite data experts will better understand the needs of this important user audience.

Individual projects for this procurement are anticipated to be of 24-36 months duration.

Full details of the call can be found on ESA’s tendering portal, ESA-STAR

The closing date for proposal submission has been extended to 31 October 2024 13:00 (local Amsterdam time zone).