The SC of NinE has agreed to support the development of a meta-database of nitrogen research in Europe. As a meta-database this would not store datasets of nitrogen pools, fluxes etc directly, which is an activity being conducted under several other projects in relation to the different environmental problems and compartments. Instead, the NinE meta-database would take a wider approach, providing a search tool that brings together European nitrogen research in its widest sense, covering all nine of the related problems. It is envisaged that the NinE meta-database would provide the following information in a typical record:

• Nature of dataset / model result / analysis / publication etc.
• Region to which the dataset refers
• Time period to which the dataset refers
• Relevant N problems to which the dataset is relevant (of the nine headings)
• Summary of the information and its relevance to the 7 objectives of NinE
• Detailed list of parameters available according to:
  • Chemical form of nitrogen
  • Environmental compartment
  • Types of fluxes and pools etc.
• Accessibility of the information / data / model (e.g. open access, confidential etc)[Note the emphasis is on open access information, but note will be made where data access is restricted]
• Web url where available Contact name and address including email where available
• Other headings may be added as relevant.

The purpose of the NinE meta-database is to provide:

a) a resource enabling researchers in different N-related topics to see the links to other areas

b) a resource to provide material for use in the major NinE Assessment Report of Nitrogen problems in Europe, including access to key case study regions.

2. Approach

The NinE SSC realises that it is critical to get the structure of the meta-database set correctly from the outset. It was therefore planned to conduct this activity in several phases:

1. Design of meta-database concept and structure
2. Building of the relational meta-database
3. Population of the relational meta-database

Phase I is now completed. A final report on the proposed meta-database structure is available via the NinE website (link to pfd-file). The NinE SSC here call for applications from interested parties to conduct Phase II (Building the meta-database) and have made available €28.000 for this purpose for a product to be complete by January 2009. At the start of the project 50% of the budget will be made available as an advance payment. The other 50% will become available at the completion of the project.

3. Details of Phase II

Applications to conduct the above work should be send to the NinE Programme Coordinator (info@nine-esf.org) by 15 September 2008. Applications should cover: Rationale and understanding of the problem Approach with respect to the construction of the database Approach with respect to incorporating the database in the NinE-website Considerations with respect to the accessibility of the database Costs for the NinE webmaster to work on incorporating the database in the NinE-website - including a combined meeting (when relevant) The database structure, described in the final report of Phase I, is leading for the actual construction of the database in Phase II. At the end of this Phase II a working database has to be available, incorporated in the NinE-website.

4. Format of application

To encourage efficiency in the application process for this small grant, a streamlined application process will be used. Applications should be a maximum of 10 sides of A4 paper (12 point font), including all background, methodology, outcomes, cost breakdowns and any appendicies. Bids should be submitted to the NinE Programme Coordinator (Albert Bleeker, info@nine-esf.org) by 15 September 2008.