2026 OCB Activity Proposal Solicitation
The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) Program is soliciting proposals for OCB activities that will take place or begin during the 2026 calendar year. We seek proposals for OCB-relevant workshops and activities as follows:
- Workshops and training activities – These activities bring together practitioners across disciplines to build community and/or capacity on OCB-relevant topics (see scientific scope below). A training activity is typically limited to 30-40 participants, and a topical workshop is typically limited to 50-60 participants. A hybrid format is strongly encouraged to broaden input and impact. We also welcome proposals for fully virtual workshops and training activities. The participant selection process for training activities should use a pre-determined evaluative rubric. Budgets for these activities will be capped at $70,000.
- Small group activities – These activities have a specific focus and set of outcomes. They are typically limited to ~8-16 participants and 1-2 years in duration. The majority of participant interaction must take place virtually. Work is to be completed both synchronously and asynchronously via Zoom and collaborative tools (e.g., Google Suite). A small amount of funding (add-on hotel night, food and beverage) can be provided to accommodate a side meeting in conjunction with other workshops (OCB, AGU, OSM, etc.), and publication costs. If a small group activity is a follow-on or direct outgrowth of a previous OCB activity, this connection should be explicitly noted, and PIs must address how this activity will further advance progress. Budgets for these activities will be capped at $15,000.
- Regional hubs – This is a relatively new OCB activity model (based on the OCB-supported regional mCDR nodes) that aims to foster community building at the regional scale on OCB-relevant topics, including practitioners across sectors, disciplines, and career stages. A small amount of funding is provided to support one large or a series of smaller gatherings, as well as funding to support outcomes (e.g., publications, outreach materials, etc.). There is no travel/lodging support available for these activities, as all participants should be local or within driving distance of a regional hub. Budgets for these activities will be capped at $10,000.
To get familiar with OCB’s current and previous activities, PIs should view the OCB website before preparing and submitting a proposal. If you have questions about the relevance, timeliness, appropriate format, etc. of a proposed activity, please contact the OCB Project Office for guidance. Proposals must be led by a US-based PI and all activities must take place in the US. To guide proposal preparation, we strongly encourage PIs to read OCB’s Code of Conduct and OCB Planning Guidelines before getting started.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The OCB Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) will discuss and score all proposals based on the following criteria:
- Scientific merit and relevance to OCB (40%)
- Activity description, goals, interactions, and community engagement strategy (30%)
- Timeliness and clearly described outcomes that benefit the broader community (30%)
SCIENTIFIC SCOPE
OCB’s overarching goal is to explore the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle and the response of marine ecosystems to environmental changes of the past, present, and future. In addition, proposed activities should address one or more of the following OCB-relevant topics:
- Changing ocean chemistry (e.g., acidification, deoxygenation, nutrient loading, etc.) and associated impacts on marine ecosystems
- Ocean carbon uptake and storage, including processes from the air-sea interface to the deep ocean
- Marine organism-mediated carbon cycling and export via the biological pump
- Benthic-pelagic coupling and sedimentary feedbacks on marine biogeochemistry and food webs
- Carbon cycling and associated biogeochemical fluxes and exchanges along the aquatic continuum
- Marine organism response to environmental change, including molecular, physiological, ecological, and evolutionary processes
- Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) - see OCB Principles of Engagement on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR)
- Extreme events and biogeochemical dynamics in the aquatic continuum - see Carbon as Currency for Extreme Events
PROPOSAL GUIDELINES & REQUIREMENTS
Proposals should be a maximum of 3 pages in length and must include:
- Background and Rationale - Why should this be an OCB activity (relevance, timeliness, links to previous OCB activities/investments)? How does this activity support and advance OCB’s mission and scientific priorities?
- Proposed OCB Activity - Provide a detailed description of the activity you envision, its target participants, and your community engagement strategy. How will early career scientists be involved and supported in the activity? If non-US participants are to be included, how much support would they need? OCB activities provide limited support for non-US participants, but at least 80-90% of the travel/lodging support should be reserved for US-based participants.
- Planned Outcomes and Benefits to Broader Community - What are the anticipated outcomes and products of this activity, their approximate timelines, and how will they benefit the broader OCB and ocean science communities?
- Logistical Needs – We do not require a detailed budget for the proposal. Please provide a description of logistical needs (budget line items like travel support, lodging, food and beverage, virtual meeting support, etc.) that you require from OCB to convene your proposed activity. We cannot provide support for salaries or analyses. Please also include information about any co-sponsors for your activity. The OCB Project Office will work with the PI(s) of selected activity proposals to develop a budget that works within the confines of the Project Office budget and optimizes cost savings.
PROPOSAL GUIDANCE & SUBMISSION
Submit workshop proposals electronically to the OCB Project Office (hbenway@whoi.edu) by October 24, 2025 at midnight (ET). Decisions will be announced by the end of the 2025 calendar year. A webinar will be held in early Fall featuring recent successful OCB activities and their PIs and also provide opportunities for Q&A with Project Office staff on community building and what makes a successful OCB proposal and activity.
