PEPR Grands Fonds Marins : Deep sea knowledge, use, common

This program aims at acquiring knowledge on the deep sea, defined here in a broad way from the ocean floor and its substratum to the entire water column, considered as places of energy and matter exchange and as habitats for marine organisms. The interdependence of the three domains (solid earth, water column and biosphere) emerges as the relevant framework for the research to be carried out, both to acquire new knowledge of the diversity and functioning of deep sea environments, and for their preservation in the face of anthropogenic impacts.
The goal is to evaluate the state and to understand the dynamics of the deep sea and associated ecosystems, and their role in the planet's equilibrium, particularly with regard to biodiversity and climate. It is also to examine the representations that our societies have of the deep sea. These representations, shared by the general public, the researchers themselves, and the decision-makers, influence measures taken within the framework of the law and international agreements, and scientific, artistic and commercial practices. Fundamental and transformative research in the humanities and social sciences will aim to re-examine our knowledge and capacity for action, our rights, duties, and responsibilities with respect to these environments that were once perceived to be beyond our reach. This research must be conducted in close connection with the life and earth sciences research.
The program will therefore stimulate the creation of new multi, inter and transdisciplinary (the participation of non-academic stakeholders will also be sought) research consortia, associating life and earth sciences, humanities and social sciences, and engineering (as technological barriers will have to be lifted), for the study of the deep sea. This integrated approach, which is emerging in the framework of the United Nations Decade of the Oceans, will allow for better knowledge in order to better preserve these marine socio-ecosystems; contribute to the strength of the French ecosystem concerned with the blue economy, provide elements for defining an ocean geo-strategy, and train a new interdisciplinary generation of researchers and engineers to take up the scientific challenges posed by the scientific and societal issues of the 21st century concerning the deep sea.
The ambition of this 9-year program in terms of interdisciplinarity and the emergence of new research consortia, dictates a phasing with a first stage of incubation and co-construction involving the diversity of stakeholders (research, civil society including NGOs, local administrative and customary authorities, in particular from overseas territories, and national, political figures ...) Most of the budget (35 M€) will go to two structuring calls for projects, administered by the ANR, the rest being devoted to facilitation and to targeted projects (thesis program, international research,...).
The program will be closely coordinated with the other actions of the Deep Sea axis of the France 2030 program, and will develop links with other ongoing related research programs, in particular the PPR Oceans and Climate. It will rely on the research infrastructures of the field (French Oceanographic Fleet, EMSO, ARGO, EMBRC, ECORD). The program will also rely on a forum of stakeholders including representatives of local authorities, relevant ministries, governments and customary authorities of the overseas territories, civil society, NGOs and SMEs.