Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)

BODC have formed a partnership with SAMS to provide data management support for the laboratory's research activities.

More about SAMS

The Scottish Association for Marine Science is a NERC collaborative centre and is responsible for the operation of the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory near Oban in Scotland. As one of the world's oldest oceanographic organisations, SAMS has developed a reputation for high quality multidisciplinary research, with a focus on the northern seas.

In addition to wide-ranging research, SAMS also hosts the National Facility for Scientific Diving (NFSD) and the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP).

Research activities at SAMS are coordinated by four departments

• Ecology
• Biogeochemistry and Earth Science
• Microbial & Molecular Biology
• Physics, Sea Ice & Technology

SAMS receives funding from a wide range of sources for its research activities. A key funding stream is currently in place for SAMS's contribution to Oceans 2025 — NERC's funding initiative for integrated, strategic research across its marine centres. Each department at SAMS has involvement in this programme.