OCB to co-host community dialogs on ocean observing
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is requesting perspectives on what ocean observation capabilities it should provide. The agency recently issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) seeking public input on priorities, strategies, and technologies for future ocean observing systems that effectively support scientific needs and align with NSF’s mission and strategic plan. NSF seeks responses, from both U.S. and international stakeholders, to a suite of questions addressing topics including observational gaps, fixed and mobile assets, coordination among (national and/or international) programs, and which components of NSF’s current ocean observing portfolio should be maintained and/or updated. Group responses are welcome, however, informed individual responses are strongly encouraged. Individuals do not need to respond to ALL questions. The deadline for responses to the DCL is September 30, 2026.
It is important to stress that this request for input spans the entire scope of ocean science and ocean observing systems. To support this multidisciplinary community and highlight integrated components across different sectors, the OOIFB is collaborating with ocean scientists and entities representing a broad disciplinary swath of the oceanographic community to organize several virtual “ocean observing exchanges.” The goals of these Zoom-based dialogues are to discuss the NSF DCL, review the prompts, and co-develop ideas/priorities to encourage and inform individual and organization-level responses. An outpouring of community input, particularly in the form of individual responses that address specific priorities, is vital to informing and encouraging sustained NSF investment in ocean observing resources.
A regularly updated full schedule of virtual exchanges, associated facilitators, and registration links is available here. There will also be a Community Forum on the Future of Ocean Observing in early December prior to the 2026 AGU Conference in San Francisco, CA. No matter the topic, be sure to find and attend a session that suits your schedule. Registration is required to participate in an ocean exchange. Each exchange will function as a collaborative working session lasting ~60 minutes (with an option to extend each session if necessary). The exchange will begin with a quick overview of the DCL, existing NSF-funded systems that are part of the DCL, as well as a review of NSF priorities (as stated in the agency’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan). Individuals may find the sessions most helpful if they are able to attend sessions aligned with their expertise and/or attend a general session; however, all members of the ocean observing community, spanning all types of expertise, career stage, and position, are welcome at all sessions. Interested individuals can also attend more than one session. Session summaries will be posted online for additional reference.
OCB will co-host two virtual exchanges next week:
Monday, September 14, 2026; 12pm ET/9am PT
Facilitators: Hilary Palevsky (Boston College) and Heather Benway (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry (OCB) Project Office)
Topical focus: Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry
Thursday, September 17, 2026; 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT
Facilitator: Heather Benway (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry (OCB) Project Office)
Topical focus: Sustained infrastructure for observing ocean biology and biogeochemistry, air-sea interactions
Register for Sept 17
We hope to see you there!
