OCRE launched its first funding call - specifically focused on stimulating the adoption of digital Earth Observation (EO) services by researchers - on Wednesday 14 October 2020 at 14:00 CEST. Two subsequent calls for projects using earth observation services are planned to open in February and July 2021 respectively. Under this 1st EO funding call, OCRE aims to fund the consumption of EO services by projects which can become clear showcases for the benefits of using Earth Observation Services; projects which; Are a part of the European research community. Use earth observation data from the Copernicus programme in their research. Support the FAIR data principles and intend to share their research data with peers. Clearly demonstrate how the use of commercial Earth Observation Services can provide agility in terms of research activities; improve research or enable new research outcomes. Provide significant relevance within their research discipline. Are not currently using these tools extensively. Hope to continue usage of Earth Observation Services in their research. Can begin to use Earth Observation Services in early 2021.

1. Dave Heyns, Project Director
OCRE in a Nutshell
Earth Observation services
FUNDING CALL
14 October 2020

2. Ambitions
Europe is the largest producer of research data
in the world.
The EC wants to increase the use of this data and
interconnect research IT infrastructures through
the European Open Science Cloud.
OCRE intends to –
1. Provide researchers with access to
commercial cloud and digital services.
2. Drive the adoption of such services and
stimulate the European digital economy.
o Grow emerging earth observation digital solutions
(Copernicus programme)
o Stimulate European digital economy
o Promote agility in local research activities (harness
analytics platforms; machine learning; AI)
o Support collaboration (both regional and global)
o Drive broader EOSC ambitions (OPEN research; FAIR
data; stimulation of SME development;
sustainability)
o Provide for acquisition and service discovery
(onboard onto EOSC-hub)

3. OCRE in a nutshell
Research Community
3
KEY benefits -
✓Validated cloud and digital services which meet the
community’s needs
✓Confirmed data privacy, contracting, billing integration,
technical support and special pricing
✓Integrated with the European Open Science Cloud
✓Ready-to-use agreements (no need to run their own
tenders)
✓Apply for EC adoption funds available via OCRE (eligible
research projects)
✓Discipline focused PoC (EO)

4. Work Package 1: Project management
EO Services - Tender
4
EO
Services
Supplier 1
Supplier 2
Supplier 3
DPS –
➢ Publication imminent
➢ Supplier registration based on
requirements identified in funding
calls

5. OCRE in a nutshell
EO adoption funding – Impact targets
5
Intend on consuming earth observation services to accelerate research
outcomes
Are able to demonstrate the impact of these services in terms of their outputs
and agility
Are not currently using these tools at scale
Provide significant relevance in terms of their research discipline
Form part of the broader European research community
Hope to support further research and collaboration through their efforts
Look to begin consuming services at year end 2020 or early 2021
Identify opportunities for hosting of FAIR data
o Individual researchers (voucher funding)
o Institutional projects (project funding)
o Collaboration projects (co-funding of
projects)

6. OCRE in a nutshell
EO Funding - Calls
6
oFirst call published on October 14th, 2020
oTargeting project submissions by individual institutes (Wave 2) and
those referred by research agencies (co-funded)
oMeet impact targets as described earlier
oBroad in terms of reach (discipline and location)
oSigned off on by EAB
oSocialised across all channels available to the project
oWill provide precedent for future calls

7. Thank you
Please refer any questions to:
funding@ocre-project.eu