Schmidt Ocean Institute
/OVERVIEW: The institute accepts applications to use both its cutting edge ocean vessel and its equipment to advance ocean research and exploration through innovation, technology, and open sharing of information.
IP TAKE: As the U.S. research vessel fleet shrinks along with federal research funding, what SOI offers is perhaps more valuable than even unrestricted funds—a fully outfitted scientific research ship, equipment, and technical support. The institute accepts pre-applications, prioritizing high-risk research and scientists willing to make their data public. Smaller programs offer opportunities for students and artists. This is an accessible, but highly competitive grantmaker.
PROFILE: The Schmidt Ocean Institute seeks "to advance oceanographic research, discovery, and knowledge, and catalyze sharing of information about the oceans." Established by the Schmidt family, the Institute first purchased a steel-hulled German fishing boat, which they spent three years and $94 million rebuilding for research. The Schmidts named the boat the RV Falkor, after the luck dragon in the novel “The Neverending Story.” In 1995, there were 26 federally funded research vessels, but due to national spending cuts surrounding crucial research, there are now only 19 available.
The Institute selects researchers to come aboard for its research cruises, with no cost to the applicants other than the salaries of their teams. Inquiries are evaluated on the probability of long-term impact, the target regions for the upcoming year, and alignment with the institute’s strategic focus areas. The Institute also offers Student Opportunities and an Artist-at-Sea program.
Grants for Marine and Science Research
To apply to use the R/V Falkor, the Institute invites applicants to submit a one-to-two page Expressions of Interest, much like a letter of inquiry. Then non-conflicted experts and advisers narrow inquiries to 25 to 30 candidates, which the Institute invites to send full proposals. Inquiries are evaluated on the probability of long-term impact, scalability, alignment with the strategic focus areas, and the target regions for the upcoming year. Full proposals are evaluated by independent, field-specific experts, and a review panel of broader experts convene and rank the proposals. The Institute prioritizes projects that are higher risk than those federal funding typically supports.
Grants for STEM Education
The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Student Opportunities program aims to “support training of the next generation of ocean scientists and technology developers and ignite the spark of passion for ocean exploration in their minds” by providing undergraduate and graduate students with ocean-going experience and close contact with experienced researchers. These opportunities become available when a research group aboard the vessel has unused berthing space in their party. Applicants must be over the age of 18, currently enrolled full time in an accredited institution, and with a demonstrated understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, geology, oceanography, or technology.
These positions are not funded except for travel costs and room and board. Students who are interested in participating in this program should email a letter of interest to the institute at proposals@schmidtocean.org.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Artist-at-Sea program is a unique opportunity for professional and student artists to “work together with scientists and crew to take inspiration from the research occurring aboard Falkor.” Schmidt hopes that “cross-pollination of ideas will transform both the scientists’ and artists’ work” and broaden public awareness and appreciation of oceanic science, and the research being done aboard Falkor in particular. This in an unpaid position that provides room and board for the duration of the voyage.
At this writing, the Artist-at-Sea program is not accepting applications, but the institute invites prospective participants to sign up for a mailing list to receive updates on future opportunities. The Schmidt Ocean Institute will provide room, board, and working space, but provides no funding for materials.
Important Grant Details:
The application process to secure a spot on the Falkor consists of a one-to-two page expression of interest, much like a letter of inquiry. Expressions of interest are accepted at any time, but the Falkor’s schedule is full until the start of 2022.
The research staff selects the researchers who will join the team using the priority rankings, and chart a course for the year’s cruises.
The ship facilitates about seven projects a year, and planning starts well ahead of schedule. Falkor has facilitated several compelling projects, which include Dr. Daniel Barshis study regarding how coral reefs cope with the effects of climate change in American Samoa, and Dr. Chris German, who led a team from WHOI to explore the planet’s deepest mid-ocean ridge, a chain of undersea volcanoes called the Mid-Cayman Rise, with a remote submersible.
To see a full rundown of its past grantees and financials, click here.
Sumbit inquiries to the Schmidt Ocean Institute via its contact page.
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