ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre
About the JTRC
The ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC) was launched in November 2020 during a virtual ceremony hosted by ISA Secretary-General and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Mr. Wang Hong.
The JTRC was established as the first-ever joint training and research centre in Qingdao, China following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ISA and the State Oceanic Administration of China in October 2019. The JTRC provides a new platform for ISA to promote capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology to developing States to advance and share human knowledge of the deep ocean and its environment.
Training workshops
The JTRC offers training programmes in marine science and technology, as well as in techniques for marine scientific research designed to facilitate the full participation of developing States in activities in the international deep-seabed area.
It supports the conduct of collaborative research programmes related to the latest developments concerning activities in the deep seabed, along with organizing conferences and workshops and disseminating the results of marine scientific research in easily accessible publications.
The first training took place virtually from 24 to 26 May 2022 and involved 55 participants from 20 countries, including 45 per cent of nationals from least developed countries, landlocked developing countries or small island developing States and 45 per cent of women.
The first JTRC workshop focused on survey and assessment of mineral resources, characteristics of deep-sea ecosystems and environmental management, and the global repository of data from exploration activities in the Area.
The second JTRC training workshop took place in Qingdao, China and focused on marine science and technology. It was targeted at junior scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds (marine geologists, marine biologists, oceanographers, biogeochemists and others) with an interest in the deep sea as well as governmental officials.
The programme of the two-week training workshop included:
- Theoretical lectures on deep-sea related topics such as mineral resources, environmental protection, deep-sea biodiversity and habitats, and deep-sea technologies and equipment
- Operational practice of underwater vehicles and simulators
- Site visits to the ocean-related institutions in Qingdao
- Offshore operation onboard a research vessel
- Participation in an international symposium that will take place in Qingdao
- Group assignment and evaluation.
The third training workshop on the title “Advancing Marine Spatial Planning in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction for Sustainable Deep-Sea Stewardship: Best Practices and Key Insights from the REMP Process” will take place in Qingdao, China. The workshop will focus on the scientific and technical needs of developing States, members of ISA related to REMPs.
The objective of the five-day workshop is to provide comprehensive training related to:
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- concepts and scientific approaches in spatial planning
- the policy context and procedures in developing and implementing REMPs in the Area
- environmental characteristics and risks from activities in the Area, and their implications for spatial planning; and
- sources of data and methodologies used in REMP processes
Currently accepting call for nominations for the 4th training workshop of the ISA – China Joint Training and Research Center (ISA-China JTRC)
“The Whys and Hows of Cumulative Impact Assessment for Effective Protection of the Marine Environment: Methods, Case Studies, and Best Practices.”
Dates: 27 May to 5 June 2026
Location: Sanya, Hainan Province – China
How to apply?
The call for nominations is open until the 10 March 2026. Applicants should complete the training application in the online application form, and upload the following five documents:
- Nomination form
- A copy of their degree or certificate
- Their résumé/CV
- Proof of English proficiency
- Proof of health insurance
Any questions can be addressed to jtrc@isa.org.jm.
Call for 2026-2027 project proposals under the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026-2027 Call for Project Proposals under the ISA–China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC). This call forms part of the JTRC Scientific Research Work Plan for 2026–2027 and aims to strengthen international scientific collaboration in support of the ISA Marine Scientific Research Action Plan and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The call invites joint research consortia composed of institutions from China and developing Member States of ISA—particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)—to submit proposals under two research directions:
Direction 1: Scientific Biological Data Analysis and Management in Deep-Sea Habitats
Key activities envisioned under this direction include:
- Conduct a scientific review of biological data contained in ISA’s DeepData database, as well as a compilation of biological data publicly available from other global taxonomic databases and published peer-reviewed literature for selected priority region.
- Identify priorities for taxonomic identification and description of deep-sea species using scientific criteria underpinning spatial and non-spatial environmental management measures (e.g. biogeographic importance, ecological significance, vulnerability, connectivity, among others). Assess biodiversity metrics across the region and validate existing habitat suitability models using newly collected data.
- Develop species identification tools, such as a regional species checklist and/or catalogue as recently developed for the Clarion Clipperton Zone detailing the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological characteristics for the prioritized region such as the Indian Ocean and/or Northwest Pacific. Assess biodiversity metrics across the region and validate existing habitat suitability models using newly collected data.
The expected outcomes include:
- Technical study describing results of biological data analysis, including bio-geographic distribution and assessment of needs and priorities for taxonomic data standardization in the study region(s) and for identifying biological indicators of characteristic habitats across the region(s).
- Regional species checklists to aid in species identification and descriptions in selected regions in the Area and available for future taxonomic projects and collaborations.
Direction 2: Historical data scientific analysis, new data processing and machine learning techniques for DeepData
Key activities envisioned under this direction include:
- Data Cleaning and Validation: collaborate with ISA’s Data Management Division to access and clean historic data, identify and rectify inconsistencies, errors, and missing data points, implement robust validation processes to verify the accuracy and reliability of cleaned data sets.
- Statistical Modelling and Recommendations: Develop statistical models to analyse cleaned data sets and extract meaningful insights; Identify patterns, correlations, and anomalies within the data that will inform decision-making processes; Generate recommendations for further data quality improvements and initiatives based on statistical findings and insights.
- Digitization of Reporting Templates: Convert existing VBS scripting used in Excel macros into modern web-based JavaScript applications; Develop intuitive online web forms that replicate the functionalities of current reporting templates; Facilitate increased data submission rates through streamlined online reporting processes, ensure user-friendly interfaces accessible across various devices and browsers; Enable real-time validation during data entry to minimize errors and inconsistencies.
The expected outcomes include:
- The best available data including the historical data readily usable for scientific analysis. To improve data quality through comprehensive data cleaning, validation, and statistical modelling; to leverage the expertise of data scientists to enhance the integrity and reliability of historic data held by the ISA.
- New data mining and machine learning tools designed, utilizing Excel macros with VBS scripting and other modern tools to digitize existing reporting templates into online-based web forms, integrating modern JavaScript technologies.
Selected projects will receive financial support of up to approximately RMB 260,000 (about USD 36,600). and will run for a maximum period of 20 months.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 30th April 2026.
Submission details can be found here:
Call for Proposals | Annex A | Annex B
For further information, please contact: jtrc@isa.org.jm
JTRC Steering Committee
The JTRC Steering Committee is the governing body of the JTRC. It was established in 2020 with the purpose of guiding the institutional set-up of the Centre and the work of the JTRC Secretariat. The Committee has held three meetings so far (in 2020, 2021 and 2022). The Committee was responsible for creating the Centre’s structure and work plan, and adopted documents related to the JTRC training activities.
The JTRC Steering Committee is composed of the following members:
- Mr. José Dallo Moros, Chair of the Steering Committee and Director of the Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, ISA
- Dr. Georgy Cherkashov, Research Director of The All-Russia Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean, The Russian Federation
- Dr. Suzan Mohamed El-Gharabawy, Head of the Marine Geophysics Department at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
- Mr. Fan Jingsheng, Deputy Director-General of China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration
- Ms. Chen Danhong, Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Natural Resources of China
- Mr. Pan Xinchun, Vice President and Secretary-General of China Oceanic Development Foundation
- Ms. Gu Wu, Director-General of National Deep Sea Center of China
