The Ocean Exploration and Discovery RFP Grant

The Ocean Exploration and Discovery RFP Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Geographic Society
Amount: Up to US $20,000
Last Updated: August 25, 2025

Summary

The Ocean Exploration and Discovery RFP invites early career scientists to submit proposals for ship-based research aboard the Falkor (too) in 2025. This partnership between the Schmidt Ocean Institute and National Geographic Society aims to advance ocean science and exploration. With funding requests up to $20,000, eligible applicants should have marine science experience and be ready to lead innovative projects. The initiative encourages diverse participation to enhance scientific research and exploration.

Overview

The Ocean Exploration and Discovery: Request for Proposals Throughout history, stories from oceanic expeditions, such as those led by National Geographic Explorers at Large Sylvia Earle and Bob Ballard, have left people with a sense of adventure and, most importantly, urgency for protecting our blue planet. In 2022, a partnership between the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) and the National Geographic Society was forged to advance ocean science and exploration. The Society and SOI are now recruiting early career scientists who can lead ship-based research, technology, or conservation projects aboard SOI’s Falkor (too) research vessel in 2025 when it will traverse the southeast coast of South America. Funding Funding requests for this opportunity can be up to $20,000 USD.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This highly competitive 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. This funding opportunity is open to applicants over the age of 18. Projects can be up to one year in length and the fieldwork must occur in 2025. In alignment with the outlined criteria, selected projects must occur in the identified regions Falkor (too) will traverse in 2025. We will also prioritize candidates from these regions and/or those who demonstrate that they would benefit from access to scientific infrastructure on Falkor (too) for which they normally would not have access. As organizations guided by science, we recognize that research demonstrates creativity and innovation stem from effectively engaging people from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences. With this top of mind, we warmly welcome people of all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, including people from communities historically excluded from disciplines such as marine sciences and ocean exploration. Applicants of all backgrounds will be considered for this funding opportunity.

Ineligibility

Individuals who are already National Geographic Explorers cannot apply.