A key objective of OCB is to train the next generation of ocean scientists and engage early career scientists in OCB and partner program meetings and training courses by providing travel and tuition support, networking, and mentoring opportunities.

Current and recent examples:

• Call for applications for the 2026 James E. Cloern Early Career Publication Honor. The journals L&O, L&O Letters, and L&O: Methods, through their editorial fellows (Raelyn Cole Editorial Fellows), have launched a call for applications to select 12 early-career scientists to publish an Open Access article in the journal at no cost. The award is valued at approximately US$3,000–$3,600 and covers Open Access publication fees. In addition, applicants may receive advice from the editorial fellows on how to improve their manuscript before it is submitted to the journal’s peer review process. The application can be found at this link, and the deadline to apply is July 10, 2026. This call for applications was specifically designed to prioritize scientists from underdeveloped and developing countries (the Global South) and scientists from groups that are under-represented in STEM fields. Your manuscript does not need to be finalized at the time of application, but you do need to have a writing timeline in place. The final deadline for manuscript submission is June 1, 2027. . If you have any questions, you may contact the editorial fellows at rcef.aslo@gmail.com. You can also follow the fellows on X at @rcef_aslo to learn more about this and other opportunities.
• Opening on Monday, May 11: The National Science Foundation (NSF) will be releasing vacancy announcements soon that may be of particular interest to early career scientists and engineers.  The agency seeks to recruit early-career scientists and engineers in the roles of Science Assistant and Science/Engineering Analyst.  These positions serve a crucial role in carrying out the mission of the agency.  Science Assistants and Analysts work with Program Directors to plan and analyze the program portfolios, identify emerging research areas, and manage the merit review of proposals. Both employ data analysis to understand the landscape of the PI community and the impact of current investments.  Analysts work internally and externally to engage with the research community through outreach and other community activities. NSF also supports the professional development of Assistants and Analysts through interdisciplinary activities, training, and opportunities to engage in independent research and collaboration. These career opportunities will be found on the NSF career webpage’s listing of current job openings.  Applications must be submitted through USAJobs. The announcements will each be open for a brief period, so early action is encouraged. Please share this announcement with your colleagues who may find it of interest, including recent graduates and students nearing the completion of their studies.
• POGO-SCOR Fellowship Programme. Apply by May 1
• IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre is hosting a second Training Course on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement – Assessing the Impact on Marine Organisms.  June 15-19, 2026. Apply by April 30
• Apply for the Physical Oceanography Dissertation Symposium (PODS) during Fall 2026 (dates to be finalized. Deadline May 1
• Applications are still accepted for the Third Winter School on Ocean Acidification and Multiple Stressors hosted by OA-ICC in Monaco from 24 November to 5 December. This two-week training course will provide participating scientists with a thorough understanding about key concepts and experimental design used to study the impacts of ocean acidification in the context of additional stressors. This is a fully funded training opportunity open to students from both developed and developing countries. Organizers are targeting early career researchers with experience researching biological impacts of OA who would like to expand to multiple driver research. Note that applications must be sent through the national authorities of the applicant’s country, so applicants should build in some extra time to account for this step. Full information on the course can be found on the OA-ICC News Stream. For specific questions about the application process please reach out to Lina Hansson (l.hansson@iaea.org) or Carolina Galdino (c.galdino@iaea.org).
• GOOD-OARS Summer School, Penang Malaysia, November 4-11 2025.  The school will be hosted by the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies of Universiti Sains Malaysia (CEMACS) and is established under the Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD) and Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) programmes of the UN Ocean Decade. It aims to train the next generation of ocean oxygen and acidification scientists and researchers in the foundations of both fields, with instruction and lectures from world experts in a friendly setting for discussion.
• Apply for SOLAS Summer School 2026 Deadline: 31 August 2025
  The SOLAS Summer School 2026 will take place from 9-27 March 2026 at Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação da Biodiversidade Marinha do Nordeste (CEPENE) in Tamandaré, Pernambuco (PE), Brazil. Submit your application here. For students without access to Google Forms please download the form and email your application to solasschool@xmu.edu.cn.For more details, please visit the Summer School website: https://www.solas-int.org/events/solas-events/summer-school-2026.html

• Annual OCB summer workshop
• OCB scoping workshops
• Gordon Conference in Chemical Oceanography
• IMBeR IMBIZO Meetings (odd years)
• IMBER ClimECO Summer Schools (even years)
• SOLAS Summer Schools
• International Ocean Colour Coordination Group (IOCCG) Lecture Series
• International Ocean Colour Science Meeting (IOCS)
• Cornell Satellite Remote Sensing Course
• Univ. Maine Ocean Color Remote Sensing Course
• Training courses on ocean acidification
• Training courses on biogeochemical sensors

OCB strives to highlight the work of students and postdocs at its meetings and provide opportunities for interacting with federal agency managers and other scientists. OCB also maintains an early career position on its Scientific Steering Committee (SSC).