To help decide the types of research projects to be carried out The Crown Estate invited marine environmental experts and specialists from relevant Government Departments such as DEFRA and BERR, the BWEA, and RSPB to form an advisory Steering Group. Government nature conservation advisors and developers of Round One projects were also invited to join the group because of their particular expertise and to help decide which projects were of highest priority. The group also recognised the importance of making the research available to many different interest groups, not just industry or government
The range of experts around the table highlighted the uniqueness of the COWRIE Steering Group. It was separate from government research and development programmes and the participation of developers was a critical factor to its success.

Download COWRIE organisational structure from here.