The AIR Centre announces the exciting opportunity for supporting three (3) researchers from institutions in the West Atlantic Coast of Africa to attend the “Enhancing marine biodiversity data collection and publication” workshop, which will take place from 19 – 23 October 2026 in Terceira Island, Azores. 

About the Event

The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) and the AIR Centre will host an in-person, hands-on, interactive workshop focused on mobilising marine biological observation datasets to the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). The objective is to help data holders understand the value of following good practices for standardising biological data, using widely accepted biodiversity standards like Darwin Core. This includes records of various biological attributes and ecosystem observations from different sampling methodologies. A complementary activity of the workshop will contemplate a field workday in which participants will receive training on the collection and processing of benthic photo-quadrat imagery and their analysis following MBON Pole to Pole monitoring protocols, aiming to enhance capacity for long-term monitoring of rocky intertidal communities. 

By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clear understanding of the process of mobilising biological data to OBIS and will have brought a dataset to a final maturity state that aligns with best practices for data sharing and biodiversity documentation. The workshop will also enhance awareness of improving the quality of marine biodiversity data and will increase the availability of marine biological data for scientific research, species conservation, and ecosystem-based management by promoting data publication through OBIS. Moreover, the workshop will foster collaborative research efforts among participants and contribute to the MBON community of practice by increasing capacity in the implementation of coordinated and standardised biodiversity observing and publishing efforts.

Find more information about the event here.

Eligibility Criteria

Prerequisite skills and expertise

Participants are expected to have familiarity with:

1. Working with taxonomic occurrence data
2. Using spreadsheet tools (e.g., Excel, LibreOffice, Google Sheets).
3. File handling & different file formats (Working with CSV, TXT, and Excel formats).
4. Basic Python or R programming
5. Study of sandy beach or rocky shore environments (not mandatory)
6. Basic data wrangling skills for marine biodiversity data management (e.g., data structuring)

Application and Submission Process

• Registration form: Complete the registration form,
• Provide a Motivation Letter: include your background and motivation to attend the session.
• Provide a Support Letter: Include a letter of support from your home organization explaining how your participation in the workshop will benefit your organization, 
• Make a single PDF with all documents: completed Motivation and Support Letter and any relevant documents (e.g. short CV) and email it to joana.soares@aircentre.org.
• Submission Deadline: 25 May 2026 23:59 (CET).

Please note that you may need to apply for a visa to be eligible to travel for this event (see guidance information here).

Selection Process

Selected candidates will be notified by 19 June 2026. Upon selection, candidates must confirm their participation by 26 June 2026, 23:59 (CET) and immediately apply for a visa if applicable. Candidates will be selected based on their fulfilment of prerequisite skills, motivation and contribution to the workshop and support letter.  

Funding Considerations

The AIR Centre will fund travel, accommodation, and transfers. Travel arrangements will be made as soon as we receive your participation confirmation or as soon as your visa is granted (if applicable).

The training includes coffee breaks, lunches and a cocktail. Remaining dinners are excluded.

Contact Information

For more information about the call for Expression of Interest, please contact Joana Soares.