Understanding 2024-2025 Ocean Odyssey Grants for Educators
Ocean Odyssey Grants have been used to support a wide variety of exciting projects. From left to right, top to bottom: Images courtesy of Yannick Peterhans (WIES/USC), The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Shannon McDonnell, Butler County High School (KY), Hōkūokahalelani Pihana, and Emily McAfee. Download largest version (1.38 MB).
Through September 30, 2024, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA Ocean Exploration are accepting applications for Ocean Odyssey Grants: Ocean Exploration Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility. During the 2024-2025 school year, these awards will provide grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 to educators and education programs leading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and workforce development initiatives that help students from historically marginalized communities achieve success in future ocean science and ocean exploration careers.
If you are an educator excited to build a more diverse future in ocean science, we strongly encourage you to apply! In the interest of making the application process as easy as possible, we have prepared the following information to help you get started.
Q: What projects are eligible for Ocean Odyssey Grants?
A: Ocean Odyssey Grants must go to projects that will increase access to STEM education that supports ocean science career development of diverse middle school, high school, or college age learners from historically marginalized communities. These projects can be something completely new, or you can apply for funding to expand ongoing education work that fits the guidelines. All projects should result in at least one of the following outcomes:
Deepening student understanding of the ocean and Great Lakes
Increasing student awareness of ocean careers
Developing or advancing STEM skills applicable to ocean science
A wide range of projects have been funded by Ocean Odyssey Grants in the past. Some recipients have used grant funds to purchase supplies for ocean science and exploration lessons in the classroom. Others have coordinated field trips to the coast to collect ocean data, subsidized fees to help students attend STEM camps, or supported relevant professional development opportunities for teachers. You can read about the projects Ocean Odyssey Grants have supported in previous years here .
Q: Who can apply for Ocean Odyssey Grants?
A: Grants are available for schools, school districts, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for profit institutions, and both local and state entities from the United States, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. U.S. Native American Tribes, Alaska Native communities, Native Hawaiian communities, and U.S. territories and Freely Associated States are encouraged to apply. Proposed project work must be completed within the United States, territories, and/or Freely Associated States.
Q: When do the projects have to take place?
A: This year, projects funded by Ocean Odyssey Grants must take place at any point between December 01, 2024, and July 31, 2025.
Q: When is the application deadline for Ocean Odyssey Grants?
A: Applications for 2024-2025 Ocean Odyssey Grants are due by Monday, September 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Q: How can I create a strong application for an Ocean Odyssey Grant?
A: Alongside the required criteria described above, projects that support certain ocean education and exploration goals will receive priority for Ocean Odyssey Grant funding. These goals include, but are not limited to:
Using NOAA resources like data, videos, and education materials
Focusing on open ocean science and/or exploration concepts
Supporting schools, school districts, and/or informal education organizations that have not received similar grant funding in the past
A full list of these priorities is available in the official Request for Proposals document featured on the Ocean Odyssey Grants web page. You can also view our recorded webinar for additional tips and information about how the proposals will be evaluated.
Q: What are some examples of projects funded by Ocean Odyssey Grants?
A: Below are just a few examples of the amazing work grant recipients have done in the past to spark your imagination. You can find more stories from previous projects here .
Greenon Junior/Senior High School: Using Remotely Operated Vehicles to Teach Engineering Design & Invention Education (2023)
Greenon Junior/Senior High School 8th graders pilot an ROV during their engineering design challenge. Image courtesy of Ton Jenkins, Greenon School District. Download largest version (1.48 MB).
Greenon Junior/Senior High School in Ohio used Ocean Odyssey Grant funds to introduce students to the design, manufacturing, and operation of underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The students also learned the basics of electrical circuitry, soldering, and other key tools. Adults from NOAA, the Department of Defense, and United States Patent Trademark Office visited the student explorers to share their expertise.
The University of Miami: Ocean Explorers Education Kits (2022)
Left: Project Coordinator Laura Cruz assembles the Ocean Explorers education kits. Center: Students prepare to participate in activities using the education kits. Right: The six completed education kits before being delivered to teachers. Images courtesy of University of Miami Rosenstiel School. Download largest version (1.24 MB).
Expanding on previous efforts, the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science used an Ocean Odyssey Grant to develop ocean science education kits that were shared with four underserved schools in the Miami area. Each kit contains lesson plans on topics like ocean exploration and mapping, sea level rise, and bioluminescence. These kits include NOAA Ocean Exploration educational resources and are reusable, allowing the teachers who received them to keep the program going in future school years.
The University of Southern California: Increasing DEIA Participation in STEAM: Workforce Development in Scientific Scuba Diving (2021 & 2022)
Students and staff participating in scientific dive training pose for the camera. Image courtesy of USC Wrigley Institute. Download largest version (4.11 MB).
The University of Southern California’s Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability used an Ocean Odyssey Grant to provide students from historically marginalized communities in southern California with access to scientific SCUBA diving training. Support from the grant helped sponsor students to achieve SCUBA certification, purchase dive gear, and participate in networking and learning experiences at the Wrigley Marine Science Center. You can watch a video about the program here .
Q: How do I apply for an Ocean Odyssey Grant?
A: We’re glad you’re interested in applying! The next step is to review the official Request for Proposals on the Ocean Odyssey Grants homepage. That document will explain further important details about Ocean Odyssey Grants, including how to prepare your application and who to contact with any questions.
Published August 19, 2024
Last updated September 12, 2024