1. Submitted scientific projects are reviewed at specific and frequent times throughout the year and if suitable are short-listed. We will inform you of the next review period when we respond to your submission.
2. The projects are then either matched with available yachts or held on record and matched with vessels if/when they become available.
3. We will connect the lead scientist with the yacht team directly to implement the project. Once a favourable match is made, both parties (i.e. representatives for the vessel and lead scientist) must sign a disclaimer before taking the mission further.
4. The project is undertaken under specific and agreed guidelines – including sharing content and imagery for promotion before, during and after the project by the Yachts for Science program partners.

1. 95% of yachts operate in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Projects are more likely to be matched if it they are in these locations – but all parts of the world’s ocean (not rivers) will be considered.
2. The average length of project, if involving scientists on board, should be up to two weeks. Short research projects are easier to find matches.
3. If a scientist needs access to a yacht in order to fit a bit of equipment or technology that could aid research (i.e. to capture a longer-term dataset where a physical presence is not required throughout), the project timeframe could be much longer.
4. Very few yachts have the capability to support complex marine research operations, so consideration should be given to the suitability of the project to the yacht environment.
5. Most yachts will be able to provide SCUBA small boats and the ability to deploy small equipment although specific attention should be made to HSE and diving regulations.
6. Projects that deliver tangible and positive impact to improve the health of the ocean will be considered favourably.
7. Projects that engage directly with knowledge exchange initiatives with host nation partners will be considered favourably.
   In terms of necessary engagement actions we would suggest:
   •  Working with local scientists throughout the duration of the project, to make sure that questions asked and data collected are useful for all parties involved.
   • Sharing data
   • Dissemination of results to local communities (e.g. via in-person talks, webinars, technical summaries)
   • Inclusion of local scientists in any written outputs (e.g. peer-reviewed papers)
8. Selected projects will be provided with access to use the vessel and on board equipment to undertake their work with all board and lodging etc. provided for free.
9. Projects will need to secure their own permits for research.
10. Projects must be self-funded to complete the stated objective. Projects with funding already secured will be prioritised but projects without funding will also be considered to enable projects to use the ship time as matched funding for grants. No funding will be made available to support the project – including travel to/from the vessel.
11. Project leaders must be at least in a PhD programme or have a PhD and have previously had time undertaking a scientific expedition at sea.
12. All data generated should be shared open access on completion of scientific publications.
13. In any related academic publications, the ship time should be acknowledged with specific description provided by Yachts for Science.

As the pandemic develops, we will work with scientists and yacht owners to evaluate and investigate the risks presented for each proposal to ensure the correct measures are in place for safe and successful matches to go ahead. If a match is made Yachts for Science will issue a more detailed Coronavirus policy to minimise risks to all parties.