Tag: ocean

Request for Proposals: In collaboration with Schmidt Ocean Institute

Ocean Exploration & Discovery

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/grants-and-investments/rfp-soings

In collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), the National Geographic Society has issued a request for proposals for ocean exploration and discovery. 

In 2022, SOI and the society began a partnership to advance ocean science and exploration, with a goal to provide early career ocean scientists from around the world the opportunity to lead impactful projects that explore, understand, and inform the protection of the ocean. The partnership also builds on both organizations’ commitments to support leadership development in the ocean sciences and provide funding and access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

Under this partnership, the organizations are recruiting and supporting early-career scientists who can take advantage of one berth space and the research infrastructure aboard SOI’s “Falkor (too)” research vessel during its 2026 season traversing the east coast of South America. The Falkor (too) provides cutting-edge space for pioneering ocean research and technology development projects. The vessel has onboard laboratories, underwater robot and camera capabilities, a high-performance computing system, and the ability to trial and implement new tools for capacity development and ocean research. To cover travel and project related costs, the society will award grants of up to $20,000 to selected research, conservation, and/or technology projects. Awardees will also join the Explorer Community as National Geographic Explorers and have access to opportunities for training, capacity development and network building.

In alignment with the outlined criteria, selected projects must occur in the identified regions Falkor (too) will traverse in 2026 and be compatible and/or aligned with at least one of the overarching expedition projects slated for the year. Projects will be prioritized that align with overarching expedition projects slated for the year within the following subfields: biogeochemistry, mid-water biodiversity exploration, physical oceanography, mesophotic ecosystems, marine technology, and underwater seamounts.

Funding requests for this opportunity can be up to $20,000. Projects can be up to one year in length and the fieldwork must occur in 2026.

Candidates should propose work that does not require additional onboard team members besides existing Falkor (too) staff who can support logistical and technical needs with onboard instruments; it is anticipated that a single berth will be available for this project. Candidates who demonstrate that they would benefit from access to scientific infrastructure on Falkor (too) for which they normally would not have access, and who have strong local networks that will further project impacts will also be prioritized.

This opportunity is best suited for early-career scientists with experience in marine sciences and the ability to lead ship-based oceanographic science, deep sea research, and/or other exploratory research with limited guidance. “Early-career professional” is defined as someone who is looking to establish themselves better in their field, and/or those seeking mentorship from others in their field and beyond. This funding opportunity is open to applicants over the age of 18.

NOAA Research Archeologist

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/812659100

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/812658200

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD; Alpena, MI; or Scituate, MA.

This position is also announced under vacancy number NOS ONMS-25-12565136-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

As a Research Archeologist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Conduct applied research and analysis of maritime archaeological resources to support the identification, documentation, and evaluation of marine resources for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). Execute field research on maritime and cultural heritage-based resources in ocean and great lakes environments. Coordinate research programs within ONMS, including providing technical support regarding survey techniques that use magnetometer/gradiometer, side scan sonar, multibeam echosounder, subbottom profiler, Remotely Operated Vehicles, autonomous systems, or other marine-based systems, along with related data-processing and report preparation.
  • Coordinate and provide guidance to regions and sites as an advisor and developer of consultation tools, such as findings, Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and Programmatic Agreements. Facilitate consultation with State Historic Preservation Offices, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, tribal governments (as related to the NHPA), and other consulting parties. Recommend, design, coordinate and maintain systems for monitoring and tracking maritime and cultural resources for their preservation status and compliance with National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
  • Participate in the implementation of technical programs in marine archaeology and maritime history to foster public understanding, support, and participation. Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships within the program and agency and between academia, other government agencies, industry and the general public regarding research, conservation, discovery, and protection of maritime heritage resources.

Offshore Wind Tribal Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=450604

Staff Services Manager I (Specialist) – Offshore Wind Tribal Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist / Ocean Protection Council / California Natural Resources Agency  

The reporting location for this position is Sacramento, CA. This position will work under the direction of the Deputy Director.   

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is hiring a Staff Services Manager I (Specialist) who will act as the Offshore Wind Tribal Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist to lead and foster tribal affairs and coastal community engagement related to offshore wind development in California.

The Offshore Wind Tribal Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist will be responsible for facilitating collaborative and coordinated state agency efforts to consult with California Native American tribes and engage with coastal communities, including under-served port communities, to ensure current and future offshore wind planning, construction, and avoidance and mitigation strategies reflect tribal and community needs. The incumbent will additionally support OPC’s Tribal Liaison on OPC’s broader tribal consultation and engagement efforts and will be responsible for implementation of OPC’s mission, CNRA priorities, and the Governor’s policy positions on ocean and coastal matters.

OPC is a Cabinet-level state policy body that works to ensure healthy coastal and ocean ecosystems by advancing innovative, science-based policy and management, making strategic investments, and catalyzing action through partnerships and collaboration.  We prioritize an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.  

Flexible Work Schedule: This position is considered Remote-Centered, which means incumbent would telework 50% or more of the time within a work month from an alternate work location. The position incumbent can telework with a management approved telework agreement and schedule. OPC staff are required to work from CNRA headquarters located in Sacramento a minimum of two days a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Training and Development Assignments may be considered.

For further information regarding this position, please contact Kaitlyn Kalua at Kaitlyn.kalua@resources.ca.gov.   

CNRA values diverse employees working together, and prioritizes an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. https://resources.ca.gov/

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended. 

 Note: New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Announcing NOAA Ocean Exploration FY25 Funding Opportunity

NOAA Ocean Exploration is pleased to announce its Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Opportunity. NOAA Ocean Exploration is dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean, unlocking its potential through scientific discovery, technological advancements, partnerships, and data delivery. By leading national efforts to fill gaps in basic understanding of the marine environment, we are providing critical ocean data, information, and awareness needed to strengthen the economy, health, and security of the United States and the world.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals for ocean exploration-related projects under two themes. By supporting exploration, i.e., discovery through disciplined, diverse observations, NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to advance our basic understanding of waters under U.S. jurisdiction. All proposals must support priorities in the NOAA Ocean Exploration Strategic Plan and should also consider the Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. Proposed projects are not restricted to waters under U.S. jurisdiction, but proposals should address how projects will provide national benefit.

For Fiscal Year 2025 funding, NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals focused on either one of the following two themes:

OCEAN EXPLORATION: Ocean Exploration proposals should support exploration of unknown or poorly known ocean areas, processes, or resources in waters deeper than 200 meters or in tropical mesophotic environments. Projects can entail conducting ocean exploration (e.g., mapping and characterizing ocean habitats, combining seismic and acoustic methods), advancing ocean exploration through the use or development of novel technologies (e.g., autonomous systems, nondestructive sensors, artificial intelligence/machine learning), and/or analysis of ocean exploration datasets or samples that already exist and are publicly accessible. NOAA Ocean Exploration is particularly interested in projects that explore the physical, chemical, and biological environments and processes in the deep oceanic water column and projects that will improve genetic libraries for species-level environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis of deep-sea species. All proposals must demonstrate how the proposed project relates to at least one of the exploration variables identified by NOAA Ocean Exploration.

MARITIME HERITAGE: Maritime Heritage proposals should address the exploration for significant maritime heritage resources that improve our understanding of the past and inform decisions about management and preservation. Maritime heritage projects can be conducted at any water depth. NOAA Ocean Exploration is particularly interested in proposals that target conflict archeology, incorporate Indigenous knowledge, or perform wide-area searches in areas poorly mapped for maritime heritage. NOAA Ocean Exploration welcomes the use of innovative technology and/or methods for quantitative assessment of targets to improve archaeological site identification and documentation.

The deadline for the pre-proposals, which are required, is May 30, 2024, at 4:59 p.m. ET. Full proposals are due by October 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The notice of funding opportunity was published on April 2, 2024, and is accessible through the NOAA Ocean Exploration website, on Grants.gov, and attached for your convenience. 

A webinar about the funding opportunity will be held on April 16, 2024, at 3 p.m. EDT. Registration is open. A recording will be posted on the funding opportunities web page after the event. Additional questions may be directed to oer.nofo2025@noaa.gov.