Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet (SCRVF)
Australian researchers can apply for up to 14 days of fully-funded sea time from January 2027 to June 2028 onboard vessels in the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet:
- MRV Ngerin based in South Australia
- RV Naturaliste based in Western Australia
- RV Linnaeus based in Western Australia
- RV Djildjit based in Western Australia
Funded sea time is also available for one voyage (3 days of science time added to a transit voyage) across northern Australia on the RV Solander, the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s 35 metre research vessel, scheduled:
- March–April 2027
- September–October 2027
- March–April 2028.
RV Solander voyage options:
- Gulf of Carpentaria (voyages between Queensland and Northern Territory), departing from or arriving at Cairns, Cooktown, Thursday Island or Darwin.
- Joseph Bonapart Gulf (voyages between Northern Territory and Western Australia), departing or arriving from Darwin or Broome.
This is a competitive application process assessed by independent committees and multiple applications are supported each year.
Applications for voyages in Western Australia, throughout South Australian waters, west of Lakes Entrance in Victoria and around Tasmania will be considered. However, the location of proposed voyages may be restricted by the limits of the fleet.
Sea time will begin on departure from the agreed port.
This is a partnership between the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), with funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and support from the CSIRO Marine National Facility, to provide the marine research community with better access to coastal research vessels in southern Australia.
These opportunities are funded through the Australian Government project 'Supporting the establishment a southern coastal research vessel fleet'.
MRV Ngerin
The MRV Ngerin is designed for biological and oceanographic studies in southern Australia.
RV Naturaliste
The RV Naturaliste is designed to undertake open-ocean multi-disciplinary research off WA.
RV Linnaeus
The RV Linnaeus is designed for multi-disciplinary marine research, environmental monitoring and oceanographic studies along Western Australia’s coast.
RV Djildjit
The Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet includes the RV Djildjit which is owned and operated by the Department of Primary...
Previous voyages
Read about research voyages undertaken by the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet.
Eligibility
Applications for sea time on the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet are open to Australian researchers employed by and based in Australian research organisations, including universities, the private sector, and government institutions (state and federal). International collaborators and Australian researchers working overseas for Australian research organisations can also be included as co-investigators.
Voyages
There are approximately 60 days of sea time available across SCRVF vessels, as well as 3 dedicated science days on one voyage aboard the RV Solander.
Multiple applications for funded sea time will be supported.
You may indicate a vessel preference in the application form (if you have one). For voyages operating in southern Australia, vessels will be assigned by the review committee. For voyages operating in northern Australia, RV Solander is the only option.
SCRVF voyages can occur between 11 January 2027 and 30 June 2028.
RV Solander voyages are scheduled
- March–April 2027
- September–October 2027
- March–April 2028.
How to apply
You must apply through Marine Facilities Planning (MFP). Applications close on 17 September 2026 at 23:59 AEST.
An account is required to submit an application through MFP. If you do not have a login you can request one by clicking on 'Request an account' on the MFP home page.
Further information
- Application for funded sea time in 2027 and 2028 template ( )
- Streams definitions and advice for stream selection ( )
- Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Data and Samples Management Policy ( )
- Post-voyage report template
- Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet metadata template ( )
- Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet metadata template ( )
Application assessment
Application assessment will be against criteria related to research quality and benefit, with a focus on research that has national benefit.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in November 2026.
Feedback
Whether you submitted an application for funded sea time or not, we would welcome your feedback about the application process. This short survey will also allow you to submit feedback about your voyage (if applicable). The feedback will help us improve our processes.
Acknowledging SCRVF
All sea time grant project outputs must acknowledge the SCRVF. Please select the appropriate acknowledgement from the options below.
Please include the SCRVF (on the left) and NCRIS logo (on the right) alongside each other. Please e-mail: pirsa.scrvf@sa.gov.au to request a copy of the logo in the appropriate format.
Acknowledgements
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The Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet is a partnership between the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in Western Australia, with funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and support from the CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF), to provide the marine research community with better access to coastal research vessels in Southern Australia.
Grant of sea time
This research was supported by a grant of sea time from the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet, with funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
Data and samples
We acknowledge the use of the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet, with funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), in undertaking this research.
Combined grant of sea time with data and samples
We acknowledge the use of the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet and grant of sea time, with funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), in undertaking this research.
Stakeholders
- National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)
- Department of Primary Industries and Regions in Western Australia (DPIRD)
- CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF)
Contact
Jane Ham – Science Policy Integration Officer
Phone: (08) 8429 0845
Email: pirsa.scrvf@sa.gov.au
