The Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (CIMA) is a R&D unit of excellence from the Portuguese national higher education system, through the University of Algarve (UAlg).
Supported by its relevance in the two main scientific research areas of Ocean and Coastal Dynamics and Environmental Systems and Resources, CIMA integrates the nationwide multi-institutional Aquatic Research Network Associate Laboratory (ARNET) and S2AQUA CoLAB. Together, these two national networks involve close to 800 researchers working within 27 different institutions from state laboratory to private companies, including higher education and public regional institutions.
CIMA and the University of Algarve integrate the INTERNATIONAL CAMPUS OF EXCELLENCE IN MARINE SCIENCE CEI·MAR, with some of the most important Marrocco and Spanish universities and institutions in the area of the marine research.
The multidisciplinary and excellence of CIMA also contribute to its integration in international research and expert networks such as the European Space Agency, the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling, the Future Earth ocean Knowledge Action, and the United Nation through the World Ocean Assessment.
CIMA is a multidisciplinary centre of excellence of marine and environmental research. CIMA engages with society to implement important decisions about Blue and Green Growth at the national and international level, and thus contribute to the delivery of Sustainable Development Goals. The mission of CIMA is to deepen scientific knowledge of marine and environmental systems, to support and encourage innovation, and to provide training. CIMA integrates two main research areas: Ocean and Coastal Dynamics and Environmental Systems and Resources. Both follow the Research-Tools-Management-Dissemination approach, having society as the final end-user. CIMA research plan also incorporates four trans-disciplinary objectives that address significant fundamental and applied scientific questions while responding to existing research priorities and societal needs, including technological innovation and science towards citizens. These objectives are: understanding the dynamics of oceans (from the coast to the open ocean); developing sustainable resource exploitation; assessing and mitigating global changes and risks; capitalizing knowledge towards a sustainable and resilient society. CIMA also supports managers and decision-makers defining best practices on environmental, coastal and marine strategies and planning.