Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet (SCRVF)
Applications open
Applications for funded sea time in 2026 onboard the coastal research vessel fleet in southern Australia are now open. Applications close 20 August 2025.
Apply nowAustralian researchers can apply for up to 14 days of fully-funded sea time 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
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.
Some voyages may be conducted on smaller (18 to 20 m) patrol and research vessels if appropriate. Vessels will be assigned by the review committee, depending on availability and suitability.
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'.
The MRV Ngerin is designed for biological and oceanographic studies in southern Australia.
The RV Naturaliste is designed to undertake open-ocean multi-disciplinary research off WA.
The RV Linnaeus is designed for multi-disciplinary marine research, environmental monitoring and oceanographic studies along Western Australia’s coast.
The Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet includes the RV Djildjit which is owned and operated by the Department of Primary...
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.
How to apply
Applications for funded sea time in 2026 onboard coastal research vessel in southern Australia are now open. Applications are to be submitted through Marine Facilities Planning (MFP). Please click here to access the online application form. A login 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.
Voyage Dates
Voyages can occur between 12 January 2026 and 18 December 2026.
Application assessment
Application assessment will be against criteria related to research quality and benefit, with a focus on research that has national benefit.
Notification of Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in November 2025.
Further information
- Streams definitions and advice for stream selection ()
- Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Data and Samples Management Policy ()
- Post-voyage report template
Acknowledging SCRVF
All sea time grant project outputs must acknowledge the SCRVF. Please select the appropriate acknowledgement from the options below.
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
Contact
Jane Ham – Science Policy Integration Officer
Phone: (08) 8429 0845
Email: pirsa.scrvf@sa.gov.au
