The Marine Biological Association is a Learned Society, founded in 1884 and one of the UK''s leading marine biological research institutes. The MBA currently employs about 75 staff and postgraduate researchers. In 2013, the MBA was granted a Royal Charter in recognition of its eminent history and status in the field of marine biology. The MBA promotes scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea and disseminates to the public the knowledge gained. The research programme is structured around the broad themes “ecosystems and environmental change” and “mechanisms underlying biogeochemical and ecological processes. Within these themes, the MBA research groups carry out research on marine biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity and ecosystem function, science for sustainable marine resources, as well as running a programme of integrating sustained observations in the marine environment. The MBA also runs a strong and dedicated teaching and training programme for both researchers and the public.