1. To make OBIS financially sustainable

2. Why fund OBIS?... it is an essential part of global science infrastructure

3. Funding needs Coordination + portal staff + meetings = US$1 million p.a. Management + infrastructure at Regional OBIS Nodes = (0.5 person-year  US$50,000 p.a. ) * 12 = US$600,000 p.a. Total = US$1.6 million p.a.

4. Governing Board Managers Committee Regional OBIS Nodes Scientific Working Groups Executive Director Web Master, Assistant to Director Web ProgrammerData Manager Research and Development Editorial Science Board Portal Manager OBIS organisation chart IT support Services Executive Committee

5. Strategy 1.Demonstrate interoperability 2.Demonstrate large scale data publication and integration in a quality controlled, scholarly, online portal 3.Develop community data sources and culture of online data publication Relationships individual scientists Relationships international and national organisations (GBIF, IOC, FAO, IOOS, DFO, CSIRO, NOAA, GEOSS, ICES, IABO, IUBS, ICSU, etc.) 4.Develop community of data users 5.Demonstrate value of global data integration Publications with new insights Online applications for user communities

6. Funding strategy Research, development, user applications Special short-term contracts and grants Distribute costs Regional OBIS Nodes obtain own funding Mirror sites International coordination and data management ? options

7. Organisation models SAFHOS (country donations + fees for services + research contracts) MBARI (endowment + research grants) ASFA (nodes self-funded, FAO host secretariat) GBIF (country membership fees) SCOR (country donations) IMBER (hosted by country)

8. OptionsOptions One or more organizations agree to host the portal and its website. the secretariat, and/or sponsor staff. IOC, IODE, FAO, SCOR, UNEP, or others fund secretariat and meetings. RON cover their own costs to meetings. RON provide a annual contribution to secretariat and meeting’s costs. User community large and targeted enough to attract advertising of marine technology and publications through OBIS. Organizations and individuals sponsor OBIS through donations because they feel it is a worthwhile scientific public good. Obtain or develop endowment from which interest sponsors parts of OBIS. Mixture of above.

9. GovernanceGovernance Ownership of OBIS IPR is shared by OBIS community Limiting (personal and organisation) liability Not-for-profit status Independent, adaptable Incorporate to clarify above Governing Board

10. OutcomeOutcome OBIS recognised as valuable and prestigious scientific activity Regional (& thematic) OBIS Nodes self-funded One or more countries or organizations offer to host OBIS portal and secretariat Central budget from national or international organization